No Regrets

by B. B. Donnelly

  “Hello, Carter. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, Dr. Hansen.” I say. He chuckles.

  “You remind me of your father.” He says, smiling. I glance at Jackson. I have to know what happened.

  “I never believed that about your father.” The doctor says, helping me sit up to check my vitals. I’m about to ask him more, but he interrupts me.

  “It is safe to say that you will be out of here this afternoon.” He pats my arm and leaves. Before I can say anything, the door opens again and Julia rushes to my side. Charlie, Logan, and Boots follow.

  “There’s my girl!” Julia exclaims. She carefully hugs me. She whispers in my ear.

  “We did it. You got the bastard!” I feel a huge relief run through me and then the sobs start coming. I wrap my arms around my waist and let the tears flow. I can’t help it. Julia rubs my back and Jackson comes to the side of the bed, sitting beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, kissing my head. Charlie rubs my leg above the blanket. I finally get control of myself. I lift my head and once again take in the sight of my friends.

  “Thank you….” I say, trying to get my feelings in check.

  “What happened?” I ask.

  “We heard the confession. Charlie and Maddie had my father listening to it live. He immediately called for back up to head your way. The President has heard the recordings and agrees that your uncle was guilty of treason and the murder of your father and mother, and other charges dealing with the Russians and unauthorized missions. He sends his apologies, deepest condolences, and admiration for your bravery.” Julia explains.

  “Where is Kilson?” I ask.

  “He is in surgery here and if he lives, he will be recovering under major security. Jackson shot him in the back when he wouldn’t stop choking you.”

  “I thought I heard a gunshot.” I say, Jackson tightens his hold on me.

  “I was so afraid I was going to hit you when I shot that bastard.” He whispers. I look up at him and our eyes connect. So many emotions run through me. I stare into his blue eyes and memorize his beautiful face. His eyes darken and he leans down, giving me a soft kiss on the lips.

  “Hey now! We are still here!” Boots says, laughing. We both start chuckling and look at everyone. I glance at Charlie and he has a smile on his face. I try to read his expression and he gives me a slight nod, telling me he is okay with Jackson and I, and most, importantly, that we are okay.

  “Where’s Maddie? I want to thank her.” I look at Charlie.

  “She’ll be around. Right now, she is a witness and has been in meetings sorting through everything.” He says with a new twinkle in his eye. I know everything will be okay between them.

  They keep me company until I’m discharged. It’s so weird walking through the Organization without a target on my back. Many of the agents stop and apologize for being misled by Kilson. It’s not really their fault, after all, we are trained to take orders.

  Logan pulls me to the side. “Hey, I’m not sure how you will feel about this, but I want to show you something.” Jackson looks at Logan, giving him a warning look.

  “She deserves to know.” I look at them in confusion. Jackson looks at me and then he nods towards Logan. Logan leads me away from the group, taking me down the stairs. I realize we are going down to the holding cells. We hold high risk prisoners here until they are tried for their crimes. Hopefully, my uncle, if he survives will be here soon. Logan leads me past a few empty cells. Then stops in front of one, beckoning me to join him. I peer into the cell.

  “Max?” I say in shock. My uncle told me he was dead!

  “Carter?” Max asks.

  “Kilson lied about him. I wanted to know exactly what happened to him. I just thought you would like to know. I don’t want you to have that on your conscious. I know you said you didn’t care, but I know you Carter, and you don’t need to have another thing weighing you down.” I look at Logan in appreciation.

  “Thank you.” I say with tears in my eyes. It’s not that I don’t want Max punished, of course I do, but I didn’t want to be the cause of his death. Logan was right. It had been weighing me down.

  “Carter, please…. please.” Max begs. I look at Max, my former friend. I understand he was only following orders, but I just can’t forgive him. He took them away from me. That will never change.

  “I can’t, Max.” I say and turn away to the sounds of him sobbing. I head back upstairs with Logan following me. We join everyone. Jackson pulls me to stand by his side, kissing me on my head.

  “I’m starving, everyone ready to go?” Boots asks.

  “We are no longer wanted people. Where are we going to go?” I ask.

  “I’m wherever you are.” Jackson says. Boots rolls his eyes. Everyone looks around, realizing that we have no idea what to do next. Suddenly, I know exactly where I’m going.

  “I’m going home.” I state. The house I grew up in is still mine. I know it won’t be the same, but it’s where my best memories of my parents are.

  “My father is dealing with my mother and her crimes, so I really don’t want to go home.” Julia says. Logan pulls her close. An idea pops in my head.

  “You are welcome to stay with me, but what about the cabin? No one is living there. You could stay there.” I suggest. I think it would be best for everyone to have a little down time. I want the lovebirds to have some privacy.

  “That would be perfect.” Julia says, throwing Logan a look.

  “I’m there.” He says with a wink.

  “Where are you going to go, Charlie?” Julia asks.

  “Back to where I was staying before this crazy girl with crazy ideas about taking on the Organization crashed into my life!” He says with a smile, dimples showing and all. I start to laugh.

  “This is great and all, but I’m still fucking starving!” Boots says. We all laugh and decide to have dinner together.

  After sharing a meal together at an upscale restaurant, we all head our separate ways. With lots of hugs, we say goodbye to each other for the first time in a long time, feeling comfortable, knowing that our lives are not at risk, at least for now. Julia and Logan are headed for the cabin, Charlie is going to the first safe house, and Boots is packing up his old apartment, moving into Jackson’s apartment later this week.

  Before we can go home, Julia’s father calls me, and I’m asked to come to the White House. I’m nervous. I know I didn’t do anything wrong, but it’s still nerve wracking to be called to see the President. We arrive and we are waved through by security. When we step into the beautiful house, we are escorted to a conference room. The President is there sitting at the head of the table and I recognize many important people, including Julia’s father and Maddie. I smile at her, receiving a reassuring smile back.

  “Miss Drazen, please come and have a seat.” the President says. I politely nod and sit down in one of the empty seats. I wait patiently for an explanation.

  “First, off, I’m deeply sorry for the actions of the Organization. I offer my condolences on your parent’s murder and I commend your bravery. Second, I would like to reinstate you as an agent of the United States as well as your team members. You have helped this nation with your loyalty and bravery. If there is anything you shall need, please do not hesitate to ask. You have done this nation a great service. Regarding the Organization, we are going to continue to use our agents and correct the mistakes made. I will be discussing with the Russians about Alexander Senski and hopefully, that threat will disappear. I would like to offer you a high leadership position in the Organization.” The President looks at me, smiling. Jackson had come to stand behind me, and he squeezes my shoulders.

  “Thank you for everything and I truly appreciate your kind words, but…with all due respect, Mr. President, I think I would like to join my team out in the field. I want to earn my way up, just like my father did before me.” I explain and I see admiration in his eyes.

  “That sounds like a plan, then, Miss Drazen. I look
forward to working with you in the future.” The President says, politely dismissing us. I get up and shake his hand, thanking him again. I nod at Maddie before being escorted out. Jackson and I are silent as we get back into the car.

  “So, am I part of this team?” Jackson asks.

  “Of course, but just so you know I’m the team leader now.” I say, teasing. He gives me a cocky smirk.

  “Oh, you think so, huh.”

  “We’ll let the team vote on it.” I say, giving him a wink. I call Julia, Logan, Charlie, and Boots, letting them know about the meeting and that they are in the clear. I ask them to be part of my team and of course, they agree immediately.

  “So, team leader, where to next?” Jackson asks, driving us away from the beautiful lights of our capital.

  “Team leader? Well, that was easier than I thought.” I tease.

  “I will follow you anywhere.” He says in a serious tone.

  “What about Brooklyn?” I didn’t want to mention her, but I have to know.

  “I broke it off with her before I captured you. It’s over. It’s just you and me. No one is going to come between us any longer. I will no longer allow anyone to dictate my life.”

  “Except me.” I say teasing.

  “Except you.” He says, with a smile.

  “What about your cover and her father?” I ask.

  “Tex is taking over for me. I asked Tex for some help a long time ago on getting away from Brooklyn. Let’s just say, he was very enthusiastic about it. I think they are going to make a wonderful couple.” He says with a laugh. “Anyways, she wasn’t too heartbroken, and I think her father is less willing to kill me now.”

  “So is Tex okay with everything?”

  “Tex doesn’t know anything and I will fill him in later. He is a good guy and would be a great addition to our team.”

  “Our team?” I ask, nudging him.

  “Your team.” He says, rolling his eyes then laughing. I smile, then sigh.

  “Take me home, Jackson.” I say.

  Jackson drives us to my home. I look up at the beautiful house, waiting to see my mother stepping into the doorway. Sadness washes over me. Never again will I see her beautiful face or hear my father’s boisterous voice throughout the house.

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to stay here. We can live somewhere else.” I’m still looking up at the house when I answer him.

  “This is home. I won’t let Kilson win by taking away everything from me. It’s hard to explain, but I can’t let my father’s legacy die with him.” I get out of the car and hear Jackson following me. I walk through the front door and memories surround me. Jackson grabs my hand and we continue up the stairs to my room. The room is exactly how I left it. I walk over to the French doors, opening them to let the cool breeze flow through the room. I look across the manicured lawn to see Jackson’s apartment. Jackson wraps his arms around me. I lean my head against his chest.

  “It’s crazy how we got here.” Jackson states what I’m feeling.

  “Yeah.” I turn around so I can wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his head down so I can kiss him. So many things have changed inside of me since I was here last. I’ve grown in so many ways. “Loyalty is the backbone of every relationship. When that loyalty is gone, the betrayal is devastating.” But, when loyalty stands, it is the most amazing gift you can give someone.

  I turn around, gazing into the evening sky and I feel my parents watching me. I know they are proud of me. I feel a peace I’ve been lacking for a long time. I recall everything I’ve been through and all the actions that have brought me here. I can say without a doubt I’ve done the best I can to bring them justice, but now it’s time for me to live my life.

  I lift my eyes to meet Jackson’s loving expression with one of my own and accept our fate with….

  No Regrets.

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you, readers, for taking a chance on this book! This is my second book to be published and I hope you enjoyed it! To my family and friends, thank you for pushing me to publish my work. I could not do this without your unconditional support and faith in me! My IGCO book club and loyal book readers, thank you for encouraging me and keeping me motivated! Mom, Dad, my husband, my three beautiful children, you are my everything! Love you forever and always.

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