* * *
Evie had been right. The Bananas Foster stuffed French toast was totally worth getting out of bed. The front door opened as he and Lucas leaned over for a clear view of the entryway with their hands on the guns they both carried.
“All clear,” Talon reported, taking a seat at the table after he closed the front door. “Pam is all ready for trouble, though. She has more attachments on her Hummer than I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure what some of them do. One kind of looked like a catapult.”
“They’re for hitting bad guys,” Jackson said before taking a bite of his breakfast. Pam had been the perfect PTA mom and was biding her time to become the perfect PTA grandma if her two sons would just hurry up and give her grandkids. Both were now married and living in Lexington.
“I’m quickly realizing I shouldn’t be surprised at anything in Keeneston,” Evie told them with a smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Bertha walked down the street with a machine gun.”
“That probably won’t happen. Now my Aunt Annie? That’s another story,” Jackson joked . . . maybe. Okay, it wasn’t a joke. He’d seen the antique machine gun she’d bought two years ago.
The door opened again and Ryan walked in with their dad and took the remaining two seats at the table. Miss Violet came out and pulled them to her bosom in welcoming hug before tottering back to the kitchen to make more breakfast. The Rose sisters had tried giving up all work, but it hadn’t sat well with them. They’d been bored and gotten into a little bit of matchmaking trouble. Their husbands begged them to find something besides interfering with people’s lives as a hobby. They’d decided to come back to work at the bed and breakfast. It was their job to made breakfast whenever there were guests in residence and to check them in if either Poppy or Zinnia couldn’t take a break from the café.
“I got everything from Seattle. Evie is officially no longer a suspect,” Ryan told them as he pulled out a tablet.
“Thank you, Ryan,” Evie said, and Jackson could hear the relief in her voice.
“Don’t thank me yet. We’re going to run through a lot of security footage and I’ll need you to point out any people you remember being with Jonathan. I’m afraid it’ll take a while.”
“That’s okay. I want to help. I’m not due over at Sloane’s in-laws for another hour. Can I get started now?” Evie asked. Lucas was already standing up and giving Ryan the chair next to him. Before long Jackson, Cole, and Talon were in discussion over the latest reports and when was the best time to post the first taunting picture to Jonathan.
* * *
One hour had never seemed so long or so quick before. Evie’s vision was blurry by the time Jackson told her it was time to go. She’d pointed out every person she knew who’d had contact with her brother but made sure Ryan knew the ones she’d seen specifically in the apartment before. From the footage, Jonathan had been meeting these people for months.
“It’s time to get going,” Jackson said, pulling her attention from more security footage from the laundromat.
“Do you need me for more?” Evie asked, hoping there wasn’t too much more. Her eyes were crossed after watching blurry images as she tried to place them with real people.
“I will. I’m waiting on the apartment building across the street from yours to send their security footage. They don’t have a picture of your front door, but they do have it of the sidewalk between the parking exit and the front door. I thought that might be helpful.”
“Okay. Call me when it comes in and I’ll take a look,” Evie said, already hoping she could find some medicine for her headache.
Jackson and Talon stood when Evie got up.
“I’ll go with you two,” Talon told them.
Evie followed Jackson and Talon followed her. It felt strange to be followed, so Evie focused on how the two of them constantly scanned the area as Lucas had done the night before. She found herself trying to imitate them. By the time she reached the SUV, Evie realized how much she didn’t see by just walking around town normally. She wasn’t going to depend on everyone else to look out for her. She was going to help them by looking out for herself.
Jackson played tour guide and Talon was the lookout. He tried to do it casually, but Evie saw him from her position in the backseat constantly turning his head. Because of that, Evie paid very close attention to the downtown area as she tried to commit every nook and cranny to memory. If this was a war and she was bait, she’d better have home field advantage.
Downtown very quickly gave way to farms. Fields and trees were bare, just waiting for spring to come alive again. Jackson pointed out who owned each farm and what they grew or raised. As they approached the section of road Jackson called Horse Farm Row, she saw horses running in the brisk air. The sun shone on them but Evie could see their breath when they snorted. It was beautiful seeing them running as a group, tossing their heads and playing.
Jackson pulled up to a large gate and Evie felt her jaw drop as an armed guard came out to meet them. He took one look at Jackson, waved, and then opened the gate. They drove down a long driveway lined with slumbering trees until a white mansion came into view. The front door opened and there was Sloane smiling and waving as Jackson pulled up to the wide steps leading to the door.
“Sloane lives here? I thought she was a school counselor,” Evie said in shock.
“No, this is her in-laws’ place, Mo and Dani. Zain and Mila live on the farm too, as well as Ahmed and Bridget. Gabe has a place in Lexington, but he and Sloane also have a place on the farm. Since he’s working more for the family and she has a job at Keeneston High School, they’re here on the farm more now,” Jackson explained.
Before Evie could ask what the family business might be, Sloane was at her door. Evie got out and for once Talon and Jackson seemed completely relaxed as Talon rolled down his window for Jackson to yell out.
“Sloane, we’ll be down at the gym. Do you want me to pick you up for the meeting at Riley’s?” Jackson asked as he leaned over the console.
“You’re leaving me alone?” Evie was in shock. He’d been telling her she’d never be alone and here he was, not even getting out of the car.
“This is a safe place. You have nothing to worry about here,” Jackson smiled.
“Safest place in Kentucky,” Sloane promised her. “And thanks for asking, but I can’t stay the whole time so I’ll drive myself. See you in a couple hours.”
Sloane laced her arm through Evie’s and turned her toward the door where there were two more armed guards and a plaque of a flag that she didn’t recognize. “We’re going to have so much fun. Mo and Dani have an epic bar. It’s a hard job, but I will be your taste tester,” Sloane said with a wink. As Evie approached the guards, they did nothing to stop them from entering. So much for high safety standards. Shouldn’t she be frisked and made to show her ID?
Evie turned her head quickly before entering. She saw the direction Jackson had driven and had taken a quick look at the plaque. Under the flag was the crest with some kind of antelope with large horns on it. Underneath the animal read: Rahmi Embassy, Keeneston, Kentucky, United States Office.
She was in an embassy? In the middle of horse country? While that made no sense at all to her, she did feel safe. There were plenty of armed guards about. The main entrance was decorated with black and white marble flooring and formal portraits. “Wait,” Evie said, grabbing Sloane’s arm and pulling her back as she looked up at two portraits. One was of Zain and Mila, and the other was of Gabe and Sloane. In both pictures the women wore small tiaras and the men had medals on their suit coats. “What is all this?”
“Our official portraits,” Sloane said slowly as if it were a trick question.
“Official portrait of what?”
“Dani and Mo had them made when Gabe and I married.”
“I’m missing something important. We’re in an embassy and you’re wearing a tiara in that painting.” Evie looked down the row of portraits. There was a happy older couple, then Zain
and Mila, Gabe and Sloane, and then one of a beautiful young woman with a much larger tiara than either Sloane or Mila wore. “Why are you wearing a tiara?”
“Because she’s a princess, duh.”
Evie spun around and there was the beautiful young woman from the portrait.
“Hey, Ari. Are you joining us? Evie said she can make Aniyah and DeAndre a signature drink for their wedding,” Sloane said with excitement. No way was Sloane a princess. She was so, well . . . real. Now, the young woman who joined them was a different matter.
“Oh, I love this idea!” the young woman said as she clapped her hands.
“Evie Scott, this is Ariana Ali Rahman, my sister-in-law.”
“I’m sorry. I’m still confused. Are you saying you’re princesses? That’s just not possible,” Evie said as she looked back and forth between the two women.
“Well, considering I’m a prince and they’re my daughters, I can assure you it’s possible.” Evie spun to see the elegant man from the first portrait walking toward them. “I’m Mo. You must be Evie. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” Evie asked, shaking his hand. “Wait, should I curtsy? Well, I don’t know how so if I do have to, someone needs to show me how.”
Mo chuckled and Ariana rolled her eyes. “Not here. We only do that if they’re assholes and we have to make a power play,” Ariana answered, but Evie was watching Mo so she saw his lips quirk even as he told his daughter to behave.
“We haven’t met, but my wife has talked to Paige. They’re very good friends so I feel as if we know each other already. Sloane said you needed the bar. I’ll show you the way.”
“Not without us!” More people? Evie saw Mila and the woman who had to be Dani hurrying down the grand staircase. “Hi. I’m Dani. Paige has said so many wonderful things about you. I just had to meet you when I heard you were coming over.”
And that’s how it went. Royalty from a small island nation surrounded Evie as they walked through the house to the bar. It was surreal as they talked and asked her questions as if they really cared. Ten minutes later, she was laughing with them and she realized why Jackson had never mentioned royalty. Here in Keeneston, they were just friends and neighbors.
“So, DeAndre wants bourbon and Aniyah wants fruity,” Evie explained as the group began shouting out suggestions. Evie tried mixing drinks with various juices and bitters and finally came up with the perfect one.
“Aniyah strikes me as a classy woman. She’s always put together and while she thinks she’s wild, she’s actually pretty traditional. Is that right?” Evie asked.
The group was quiet for a moment but then they all nodded. “I guess she is. I didn’t think about it with the leopard print and the talks of skydiving, but you’re right,” Sloane told her.
“I think so too,” Mo added. “What are you thinking?”
“A spin on the old-fashioned. Normally, it’s made with orange, but I’m going to use a blood orange and instead of a cherry, use cranberry since it’s the perfect holiday accent. Do you happen to have any blood oranges and cranberries?” Evie asked. It wasn’t exactly common.
“I’ll call the kitchen.” Dani jumped up and picked up a nearby phone. “They have them!”
A minute later, a man came in with a bowl of the fruits and Evie went to work. Sloane hadn’t been lying about the bar being fully stocked. She’d even been able to find blood orange bitters. She mixed the drink, cut the orange, and then wet the cranberries and covered them in sugar before topping off the drink with them. Then she handed a drink to each person and waited.
“Oh my gosh.” Ariana was the first to talk. “This is delicious. Bourbon and non-bourbon drinkers alike will love this.”
Evie grinned and turned to Sloane for her opinion. However, Sloane only made yummy noises as she continued to drink.
“It’s perfect. You have a real talent for this,” Dani told her, and Evie felt herself fill with pride.
“It is excellent. We must serve this when we host our holiday ball,” Mo said, raising the glass in a toast to her.
“Thank you,” Evie said, feeling grounded once again. It was strange to feel more like herself with royalty than with her own stepbrother. Of course, the Ali Rahman family wasn’t trying to kill her.
Realization hit her like a slap in the face. Evie had never been able to be herself with Jon. She’d been forced into a parental role when barely out of her teens. Now Evie was not only finding who she really was, but with Jackson, she was finding her heart. It was as if she had conjured him out of thin air because when she looked up, she saw Jackson leaning against the door and smiling at her. Jackson was getting to know the real her. He wasn’t letting her hide behind the survival instincts she’d been using to just get by. He was pushing her to think, to explore what she really wanted in life, and he made her laugh. Jackson could make her feel safe and free at the same time and because of this, she felt as if her heart and mind were so light they could fly. Evie was also quickly discovering that after flying free, she only wanted to come back to him. He was the first person she thought of in the morning and the last at night. Evie knew what that meant. She was falling in love, and this time she wasn’t going to push it aside to take care of someone else. No, she was going to let her heart soar.
28
The SUV stopped outside Riley’s house on her parents’ farm. The three men in the car with Evie stared out in horror. Cars filled the driveway and were parked in the nearby field.
“I can hear them from here,” Lucas muttered half in awe and half in fright.
“What is so exciting about planning a wedding?” Talon asked even though it was a rhetorical question.
“Okay, here’s the plan,” Jackson said in full commander mode. Evie had to admit it sounded sexy. “Lucas takes the back. Talon, you take the front. I’ll clear the inside and then walk the perimeter. “
“Is that really necessary?” Evie asked. “I know you are keeping me safe, but do you really think Jon will find me here? Also, I’m pretty sure I saw a land mine sign by the gate. I think we’re safe.”
“Uncle Cy has really upped the security since both Riley and Reagan became pregnant,” Jackson conceded. “By doing this, the three of us won’t be inside, so win-win.”
Lucas and Talon nodded their agreement as if wedding planning was scarier than breaching a terrorist building. A car pulled up close to them. Jace got out and walked over to them. His presence finally forced the men from the car. Even though the sun was out, it was still a cold day. That hadn’t stopped Lucas from wearing jeans and a tank top with a polar bear holding out both paws as if offering a hug with the saying This Bear’s for You written underneath it.
“Hey, Doc,” Talon said, shaking Jace’s hand before heading to his post at the front of the house.
“Are you here to check on me?” Evie asked after saying hello.
“No. I need to do a daily check on Riley,” Jace told her as they turned and walked up to the front door. “But since you’re here, how are you feeling?”
Evie thought about it for a moment. “Actually, I’m feeling okay. Jackson posted the taunt to Jonathan about the failure of his men on social media. I feel stressed because there’s a countdown going on until he comes, but we don’t know how much time is on the clock. At the same time, I can’t wait to get it over with. So, I’m also relieved the end is in sight.”
“Are you having trouble sleeping?”
Evie felt herself blush. She didn’t sleep much the night before but it had nothing to do with nightmares and everything to do with Jackson. “I’m sleeping much better.”
“Then it sounds as if you’re on the right track. Let me know if anything changes.”
“I just wish I could remember what he thinks I know,” Evie said, finally admitting the one thing that had been really bothering her. “If it’s in my head, why can’t I remember it?”
Jace stopped short of opening the front door and turned to her. “You could always talk to
Sienna. She’s a sports psychologist, but I know she uses meditation-type sessions to get the athletes to relax and visualize. That might help you.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jackson agreed. “We can talk to her inside.”
Jackson opened the door for her. Evie was hit with the aroma of biscuits as she walked in. Her stomach growled as they made their way inside to find the kitchen table covered with ham biscuits and other finger sandwiches. Pitchers of what looked to be mimosas and iced tea lined the counter. This was going to be so much fun.
* * *
“Ladies,” Jackson said with a smile. “I’m just going to have a little look around, and then we’ll get out of your hair.”
Jace slid in behind him and quietly escorted Riley to her bedroom as Jackson first checked the locks on the garage, the windows in the kitchen and living room, and then made his way toward the back of the house.
“I’m sorry, Riley,” he heard Jace say.
“Is the baby in danger?” Riley asked and he could hear her voice tight with worry.
“Not yet. What have you been doing these past couple of days, because each day your blood pressure is a little higher?” Jackson peeked into the door and saw Jace putting away his blood pressure cuff.
“I’ve been working on state legislative matters.”
“I think you need to take the rest of the week off from any political matters. We can see how it’s doing again on Thursday. If it’s down, you might have to consider taking an extended leave of absence or stepping down completely. I’m sorry. I know it’s not what you want to hear.”
Jackson stepped away from the door and finished his security check. No wonder Matt looked so stressed when Jackson had last seen him. It wasn’t the downtown shootout; it was the seriousness of Riley’s pregnancy.
As Jackson made his way back to the living room overflowing with the women in his life, his eyes went straight to Evie. He paused to take in the sight of her laughing with his friends and family as if she’d been here his whole life. She turned and looked at him, a smile on her face, and then winked at him before turning back to the conversation. That was the sexiest little thing ever because with that little wink it told him she was thinking about him too.
Forever Freed Page 20
