by Lara Swann
“Let’s go. Introductions later.”
They nodded and we started towards the exit again, the blows I’d taken earlier finally making themselves felt as I moved - maybe they’d gotten more in than I’d thought, after all.
Now that I had them, I wanted them out as soon as possible. I had no idea if anyone had heard us or whether there were other guys on the way - and while I was happy to go toe-to-toe with anyone I needed to, I didn’t want Lottie or her sister getting caught in the cross-fire.
Glancing back to check on them, it was clear her sister was struggling. I didn’t know what she’d been through, but it was obvious that walking fast was hurting her. Not stopping to think about it, I ducked back and swung her up into my arms, prompting a startled gasp.
I smiled down at her and tightened my grip as I picked up our pace.
It was Lottie who I really wanted in my arms, but since she was walking fine I couldn’t quite justify it - and knowing Lottie, she’d probably be pissed I wasn’t helping her sister.
The guy I’d seen before came rushing up to us when we rounded the corridor to where he’d been standing before - giving me a slightly wary glance but looking relieved.
“The exit is—”
“I know where I’m going.”
The men looked surprised, but no one objected as I ducked into the room I’d thought Lottie was in. Lottie gasped as she saw the hole in the wall that had previously been another door, but she followed me without question - and the rest followed her.
When we finally got through the unused part of the complex that I’d forced my way through, Jackson was waiting exactly where I left him.
His eyes flickered with relief when he saw Lottie and Leah - then caution masked them as he noticed the other two guys.
Ignoring that, I looked down at Leah, finally trying to assess how she was.
“Are you okay to stand?”
“I was standing just fine before you grabbed me.”
She gave me an indignant look, but that combined with the amusement in her eyes told me more than any other response could have. I grinned and put her down.
Lottie’s sister indeed.
Once back on her feet, however, she sought Lottie immediately and they embraced tightly. I told myself that my irrational spurt of jealousy at that was ridiculous.
I wanted Lottie in my arms.
Instead, I looked at Jackson, raising one brow. He glanced suspiciously at the other guys, but when I didn’t react, he shrugged and told me what I wanted to know.
“Everything’s in place now - Valentini’s got the area crawling with guys and this crew aren’t very organized. We know where Xero and Jorge are, so he’s ready to go. Said he’d hold off another twenty minutes to give you time to come out - and join him. Who’re they?”
The last with a nod towards the two men standing by looking at us uneasily. I shrugged.
“Frankie, I guess, and…”
“Tom.”
He supplied his name for me and I finally turned to them.
“Thanks for what you did for Lottie - I appreciate it.”
They nodded but didn’t say anything more, and I guessed it was something between them and her. Jackson stepped forward into that silence, looking them up and down.
“If you know this place, you could help us out…”
I stopped listening, distracted by Lottie and Leah beside me, my concern sharpening as I noticed Lottie’s distress.
“You came for me, Lottie…I can’t believe it. I thought I was going to die…or worse. But you came.”
Leah was looking at her sister with the kind of wonder I was pretty sure that only I’d felt towards Lottie before. But Lottie was shaking her head, tears streaming down her eyes now that it was all over and she didn’t have to be strong anymore. I had the immediate dual urge to take her in my arms and kiss away those tears - and head back in there and pound on some of the guys who’d done this to her. To them both.
But this wasn’t my moment to interrupt.
“I’m so sorry, Leah. I know how much you hated…everything I did. And I did it anyway. And then this. And…and I promised you were safe…and then I let this happen and…and made it all a lie. I’m s-so sorry—”
“What are you talking about?!”
Leah’s outraged response had me tensing, but it got Lottie’s attention.
“You came for me, Lottie. You always promised it would be alright, that we’d be safe…and I knew, I knew they were just words. They helped, but they were just words. But then - this happened - and you made them true. You came for me, Lottie. You kept me safe. All…all my fears, my nightmares…yes, they came true. But then you kept me safe anyway. I’ve never…believed you more than I do now.”
They stared at each other for a long minute, both crying - but Leah’s words got through to Lottie. As Lottie looked at her sister, I was caught by the pure peace that seemed to have engulfed her - swept away all those worries and guilt in a way that nothing else could have. For that, I couldn’t be more grateful to Leah.
And, even though I tried to resist it, the thought transported me. I’d never had that. I never would have that. I’d never been able to save Vera - to take away her fears and keep her safe - and that knowledge haunted me.
Maybe it always would.
But as I looked at Leah’s shining face, somehow not terrified or devastated by everything she’d just experienced, by some miracle I felt a part of Lottie’s peace. I’d done that, at least. Maybe not my own, but I’d saved someone else’s sister. Lottie’s sister. Her family.
That was worth something, at least.
“Can we go home, Lottie?”
She nodded, still giving that watery smile, and I thought she’d never looked more beautiful.
“Jason, what do you want me to tell Valentini?”
Jackson interrupted and I looked between him and Lottie for a moment. She was watching, waiting for me with that unchangeable love and acceptance in her eyes, whatever I chose. I gave her a smile and took her hand, brushing my lips over hers.
“Tell him I’m going home.”
With that, Lottie, Leah and I walked towards the place I’d dropped my car. I looked over and met her warm gaze as we walked - and in the gentle peace and happiness there, I knew I’d finally found that home again.
Epilogue
Lottie
I lay back in the sun, the beautiful rays warming me and reflecting the same happiness that was bubbling around me in our old backyard.
Mom and Leah were laughing at something as they prepared the salad together, and I couldn’t believe how good it felt to see her back from Pittsburgh now. That, and the first of the truly good weather, had been enough reason for the impromptu barbecue - and my stomach was already anticipating the appetizing scents from where Dad was working the food.
“Here you go.”
Jason came over to me, the sexy swagger of his hips making my thoughts turn in an entirely inappropriate direction for a family gathering, and my eyes wandered up and down that hot body as I took the plate.
“I thought Dad said it wasn’t done yet.”
“Mm, with the way you were eyeing it up from here, I thought it best to give you a sample.”
I took a rib from the plate as I watched him.
“Oh? And how was I eyeing it exactly?”
He shifted around to sit behind me, pulling me back against his chest and taking a rib for himself from the plate on my lap. I sighed automatically, the warmth and shelter of his embrace never failing to make me melt against him.
He leaned down and let his breath tickle my ear as he replied.
“Kind of like you were looking at me just now. Very…hungry.”
I blushed as he laughed at me, but the rush of heat had me shifting against him. Which made his own reaction fairly obvious.
“Behave.”
I whispered it over my shoulder, but I could almost sense his smile as he started to play with my hair. As much as I admonis
hed him, it was wonderful to see him like this. He might never fail to bait me in front of my family - but I couldn’t be happier with how easily he’d become a part of our life.
My life.
From the first time he’d come back with us, after that awful night with Leah, my parents had taken him in with open arms - and not just because he’d brought us both home safely. Maybe they recognized the same thing in him that I had from the beginning. Or hell, maybe he could just sweet-talk his way into anything. Either way, it didn’t matter. He was part of the family now.
And watching how much he’d changed and opened up now that he had a home and family again…there were times I barely recognized the man he’d become. And other times that I thought I’d never known him any other way. We could never replace what he had lost, but it made my heart happy that he wasn’t alone anymore.
I gripped the firm thigh lying next to me at the thought. I’d never let him be alone again.
I wanted him too damn much to let him out of my sight, for one thing.
“It’s good to be home again.”
Leah’s happy sigh interrupted my thoughts, and I glanced up at her with a smile. She’d grown over the last few months - maybe not in height, much to her dismay, but she seemed stronger and more confident. I’d caught glimpses of it when we’d come out of that wretched place together, but whatever spark I’d seen then had bloomed now that she was away from home and studying where she wanted to.
“You still top of the class?”
She just shrugged, the self-conscious glance she gave me answer enough in itself, and I laughed.
“Well done, baby sister, well done.”
She stole a sausage from my plate and my smile turned into a mock-scowl. She grinned.
“If you will get first pickings, I think a little free-for-all is fair game. So, you back in college? Working towards becoming a full registered nurse?”
I nodded, smiling again and squeezing Jason’s hand, feeling grateful again for all the blessings I’d had since he’d come into my life. He might be out of the mob now, but - as he’d pointed out - it had paid good money. And after a few pointed arguments about letting him support me, he’d managed to turn my own convictions against me - asking what better way he could spend that money than in sponsoring a nurse’s training. My mouth lifted at the warm memories as I answered Leah.
“Yeah, but part-time. I got a shift at St James’ Hospital, so I’m getting more experience along the way. It’s just temporary, but I’m hoping they keep me on.”
“Hey, that’s new! How did that happen?”
“Well, the position opened up recently. They wanted someone with experience, and despite…the work I did before, I didn’t have anyone who could vouch for what I knew - the contact Jorge promised me disappeared after, well, everything that happened. So it was touch-and-go, but after I thoroughly described everything I would do in a dozen situations, they agreed to give me a shot.”
I couldn’t help the pride I felt at that, especially with the way Jason squeezed my shoulder. It was everything I’d ever wanted - and there was some stubborn part of me that liked that my justification for that crazy endeavor with Jorge had actually paid off. Of course, it had paid off in other ways too, as I thought of the changes we’d been noticing in the city.
“Leah! Come help me serve up.”
“Ugh, ever since leaving, it feels like all I ever do is bounce around from conversation to conversation, so everyone can hear my news. Seriously guys, it’s not that interesting.”
But her eyes were shining as she jumped up to help Dad, and I could tell she loved it.
I smiled as I leaned back into Jason’s arms, my appetite calming down. At least, my appetite for food. I ran my fingers along his arm, enjoying that hard muscle as I felt him shift under me.
The sound of laughter caught my ear and I looked up to see a few kids playing in the street, some unintelligible game involving a bat, a ball and some cans.
“It sure has changed around here.”
Jason’s voice in my ear warmed me. I knew he said it partly just to make me feel good - but it worked. Largely because it was true. There were now kids playing in my neighborhood - not fighting, not cursing - playing. In the street that grown men had hesitated to walk down in the dark.
That one terrifying day had been the end of the 55th Streeters. When it had calmed down, I’d shown them my book, and Valentini had said it was the last thing he needed to shut them down for good. So I’d left it with him and turned my back on it all. I’d tried, but that stuff wasn’t me - the secrecy, the fear and the stress. I wanted to help those that needed it, and especially those didn’t have anyone else, but - as Jason told me again and again - there were dozens of safer ways to help the exact same people.
And as it turns out, I’d done all I needed to do. My streets were my own again, in a way they hadn’t ever been before. I didn’t know what Jason had worked out with Valentini, but premier mafia boss or no, his touch had ended up being light. Jason had hinted that he had other - more wide-ranging - interests.
We watched them playing for a little while, the lightness in my heart reflected in Jason’s gaze.
“Makes me want one of my own.”
His voice was deep, but the caring quality there had my heart beating faster - along with those words. I’d thought about that a lot recently. Looking up at him, I smiled.
“I’ve always wanted a large family. And you’d be a perfect father - just the right amount of protective…”
The raised eyebrow made me laugh.
“Okay, maybe not - you’d drive them batshit crazy, I’m sure. But still, that’s what I’d want for them anyway.”
The gleam in his eye had the air around us heating up again, and he dipped his head to run a light tongue along my ear, making me shudder.
“How about we retire early, hmm? Large family…sounds like we should get started on that sooner rather than later…”
I laughed, but melted into him at that comment. With a roll of my eyes, I shook my head at him.
“I think you’re skipping a bit far ahead.”
“You know me, baby. I take what I want.”
That seductive voice ran through me.
“And I always thought you were a live-in-the-moment kind of girl.”
I shot him a small grin, certain we were going to end up in bed very soon. But not unprotected.
“Sure I am, but I’m also the traditional kind. Marriage first, then babies.”
At the look in this eyes, I thought for a moment he hadn’t heard me. Then the almost-dangerous intent in his next comment told me he definitely had.
“Okay, baby. I’ll work on that.”
THE END
This copy of HERO also includes a bonus copy of HARD – keep reading to enjoy it!
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BONUS BOOK: HARD
A Military Stepbrother Romance
Prologue
Bella
I heard the click and pushed the hotel door open in one quick movement, refusing to give the butterflies dancing in my stomach any chance to make me hesitate.
I want this. I’ve wanted it for months.
That didn’t change the way my eyes darted around when I finally drew up inside. The dimmed lights of the spacious room let me skip over the rich furnishings quickly - taking in the sophisticated, traditional decor and forgetting it a moment later.
At least until I saw the bed. That large, four-poster monstrosity immediately brought to mind what I was doing here tonight, and my eyes flitted away and back within a few seconds, alive with the same anticipation and hesitancy that had plagued me all night. My heart rate jumped as I took it in, and I tried unsuccessfully to t
ell myself that I wasn’t nervous.
A low chuckle interrupted my thoughts, drawing me to a sight that always banished my doubts and hesitations.
“So, you actually showed up.”
Seth leaned easily against one of the pillars of that extravagant, over-the-top bed. His half-naked form gleamed in the low light, shadows highlighting rock hard abs and a body more powerfully sexy than any eighteen year old had a right to be.
He shifted slightly and his muscles flexed under my gaze, inviting my eyes to run down to the light spattering of hair that arrowed temptingly under his jeans.
Smart jeans - a nice dark gray with an impressive lack of rips or tears. For Seth, that counted as dressing up. The corner of my mouth turned up as I pictured the Principal’s face earlier that evening when he’d shown up in jeans and a shirt to our black-tie graduation ball - I was sure he’d be refused entry for the outrage, but only an hour later he was sauntering across the dance floor, the attention of every girl there regardless of what he chose to wear.
Somehow, Seth had always been able to get away with anything.
His hot gaze sent lust shuddering through my body and gave me confidence in my own sensuality as the heat of his expression seared me.
It was easy to rise to his challenge with a quick quirk of an eyebrow, the role feeling familiar and natural as I ran my eyes obviously up and down his hard, taut body, letting one hand settle on my hip.
“I thought I’d see what all the fuss was about.”
His eyes smoldered as they looked at me, every line of his body dangerous - and unbelievably sexy. He shifted closer with a predator’s grace and I found my breath caught as it always did, pulse beating hard in my ears.
Instinctively, I wanted to rush to him, let my hands touch the firm heat of his muscular chest while his arms encircled me - but I couldn’t move.
Lust was already building within me, everything we’d ever done rising through each movement and gesture now and promising so much more. I stood, caught helplessly, as he approached.
That slow, sexy smile as his eyes read everything in my expression lit my panties on fire, making me fight not to moan aloud as his hand cupped my chin, a gentle finger caressing my cheek while he tilted my head to hover moments from his lips.
