Chapter Twenty-Two
“We should be going.” Nhiari stretched languorously on the bed next to him.
Lee ran a hand down her naked side as the nerves pinched inside him. He kissed her shoulder rather than ask whether they had to go. This was his chance to start making amends, to prove to Nhiari’s friends he loved her and was truly sorry for everything he had done. He pulled away. “All right. Let’s shower.”
They’d both been at the police station most of the day; Lee filling in any blanks Organised Crime wanted to know, and Nhiari catching up on all the work she’d missed while she’d been with Lee. The moment they’d crossed her threshold at home, they’d been in each other’s arms as if they’d been apart for weeks.
He smiled as he ran the shower and she stepped in naked. She was glorious, and they hadn’t showered together yet. Thankfully, all his dressings were waterproof.
Gently he traced the bruise which was already starting to fade, before he pulled her into his arms.
“We’ll be late if you keep this up.”
Reluctantly he let her go. “We don’t want that.”
As Nhiari handed him a towel, she asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Nervous,” he admitted. “More nervous than the last time I saw them. This time I know my future, and I don’t want to stuff this up.” He didn’t want Nhiari to have to choose between him and her friends, because he wasn’t certain she would choose him.
She hugged him. “It will be fine.” She tugged on the end of her braid as she dressed.
Yeah, she was worried too. He would do everything he could to make sure this went well.
On the drive out to the Ridge they discussed Stonefish, filling each other in on where Organised Crime was at. The files Andrew had stolen had been helpful in building the case and there’d been a synchronised raid on all known Stonefish properties, both in Australia and Singapore.
“Have you heard from your aunt?” Nhiari asked.
The nausea in his stomach flared. “Yeah.”
She glanced at him. “How did it go?”
“About as well as expected.” His voice was flat, but he didn’t have it in him to pretend.
“You want to talk about it?”
His lips curved. It was one thing he loved about Nhiari. She didn’t push. She would wait until he was ready, she wouldn’t demand he tell her.
“She was distraught.” An understatement considering she’d lost her whole family. “I didn’t know what to say. She blames me for not protecting Andrew, and she wanted me to tell her that what the police were saying was untrue.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t.” She vehemently refused to accept anything he said. “Maybe her friends can offer her some comfort.” He’d hung up knowing his last tie with his family had been forever severed. He was on his own now.
“None of this was your fault.” Nhiari reached for his hand and squeezed it. “They all made their own decisions. You did the best you could.”
He didn’t bother pointing out Clark’s death was his fault. “I thought I’d be relieved when all this ended, but I feel hollow.”
“It’s consumed your life for almost a year,” Nhiari said. “You’ve lost all your family. You might not have been close to them, but it takes its toll.”
She was right. He closed his eyes. “Thanks.”
“I know it’s not much of a consolation, but you’ve got me now,” she said. “I’m here for you.”
His eyes flashed open as incredulity filled him, and he shifted to look at her fully. “You are not a consolation. You’re the jackpot. I feel like I’ve won the life lottery with you, Nhi. I’m so damn thankful you forgave me.” How could she even think she was anything less than everything to him?
She smiled as she drove through the gate of the Ridge, her eyes a little glossy. “You’re my jackpot too.”
Everyone’s cars were outside the farmhouse and the campsites were empty. It was getting to the off-peak season, and he’d overheard Amy saying they would close the campsites until the new year, when tourists started travelling north again.
Nhiari met him at the front of her car and hugged him. “Are you ready for this?”
He nodded. “If you’re with me, I can face anything.”
The sounds of voices, dishes clanking and the scents of something roasting came floating out of the kitchen doorway.
Lee braced himself. “Let’s go.”
The first person he noticed when he walked in was Amy. She was at the oven, checking the contents and then switched off the gas, satisfied the food was ready. She turned and spotted him. Her smile was a little hesitant, but she walked over to him and held out her arms. “Welcome. I’m glad you came.”
A lump formed in his throat. This woman had welcomed him from the minute he’d arrived as a camper at the beginning of the year. She’d drawn maps to show him where he could go and had invited him in for a cuppa whenever she’d seen him. His vow to stop Stonefish had strengthened after he’d met Amy, if that was even possible.
Swallowing the lump, he moved into her arms and hugged her. “I don’t deserve this, Amy. The things I’ve done to your family… The way I’ve lied to you… I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head and stepped back. “You helped stop Stonefish. We’re all safe now, thanks in part to your help.”
She was being far too generous. He suddenly realised the kitchen was silent. He looked up, met Brandon’s gaze first. He nodded in approval. Perhaps he’d heard Lee’s apology.
“It’s my turn.” Georgie hip-bumped Amy out of the way. “I always said Lee was helping us.” She grinned at Lee. “I’m glad I was right.” She squeezed him.
Lee chuckled and winced as his wound pulled. “You didn’t know when to keep your nose out of trouble.”
“I’ll second that,” Matt murmured.
Georgie spun. “I heard that!” She screwed up her nose and stalked towards Matt in mock outrage. He grinned and snagged her around the waist, kissing her objections away.
Tess was next. She was a little shy, but far more confident than the woman he’d met back in July. “Thank you for saving my life.” Her hug was quick, but the smile she gave him filled his heart. These women were going to kill him with their kindness.
“Can we continue my photography lessons now you’re good again?” Lara asked, coming to stand next to him.
“I’d like that. You’ve got a good eye.” He glanced at Darcy, who had his arm around Faith. The man nodded his permission.
“Maybe I should go with you.” Jordan stepped next to Lara. “Though he was a bit of a shit kidnapper.”
Lee laughed then, placing a hand over his chest. “I didn’t expect you to be so well-trained,” he admitted.
“Sherlock’s the best,” Jordan declared.
Lee saw the look of love pass between Gretchen and Sherlock. “Yeah. He did a great job of training you, but I promise you won’t need protection from me again.”
“I bet Lee could add a few new things to your training,” Sam said from where he sat next to Penelope, their hands entwined.
Jordan looked interested. “We can discuss.”
“Only if you teach me too,” Lara piped up.
Darcy groaned in playful protest.
Dot clapped her hands together. “Now that everyone is here, we can debrief. Take a seat.”
Everyone obeyed her call and Lee took a moment to compose himself. Nhiari slipped her arm around his waist. “Feeling better now?”
He nodded, blinking back the tears. “You have the best friends.”
“They’re yours now too. Come on.” She pulled him to the table, and they sat in the remaining seats at the middle of the table.
Dot sat at one end next to Oliver, and Brandon sat at the other. “I think I’ve got the full story about what went down last night, but feel free to add details I might have missed,” Dot said.
As Dot outlined the events, Amy dished up and everyone ate her delicious roast lamb dinner.
“Today Brandon accompanied the treasure to Perth with some of the Organised Crime team and it’s been delivered to the museum to assess.” Dot gestured for Brandon to take up the story.
“There was an armoured car waiting to meet the plane,” Brandon said. “We transferred the treasure and took it straight to the museum. Oliver’s boss was pretty gobsmacked to see the quality and quantity of it.”
“Do we get to keep it?” Lara demanded.
Brandon smiled. “No, La La.”
Her shoulders slumped, and she pouted. “But we found it. Lilian wanted us to have it.”
Brandon reached to the floor and placed a small bag on the table. “He gave permission for us each to keep one coin.” He got to his feet and gave each person at the table one of the silver coins. When he handed one to Lee, Lee’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
Brandon nodded. “You helped by not letting Lucas take it.”
The coin was cool and rough and Lee squeezed it, not quite believing he was included.
“He knows what we went through because of this treasure,” Brandon continued. “He gave us a choice; we can take a finder’s fee, or jewels from the treasure to the value of the finder’s fee.”
“How much?” Darcy asked.
Brandon glanced around the table.
“Spit it out, Bran!” Georgie yelled.
“He estimates the treasure is worth about fifty million in today’s money.” Brandon smirked at Georgie’s sound of frustration. “And in cases like these, the finder’s fee is about five percent.”
“That’s two point five million,” Tess said.
Brandon nodded.
“Holy shit!” Georgie cried.
“We’re rich!” Lara yelled.
Brandon held up a hand. “Hold up. We still have to decide.”
“I don’t need jewels,” Amy said.
He smiled at her. “Yeah, I know Ames, but the way I’m thinking, this needs to be a group decision. Each person at this table has been hurt because of the treasure. Everyone here deserves a portion of the finder’s fee.”
Oliver shook his head. “I wasn’t even here when it was found.”
“But your expedition was affected,” Brandon argued.
“You earned it,” Sam said. “You helped Dot when she needed it.”
“We’re not family,” Gretchen said. “As Lara said, Lilian kept it for her family.”
“Bullshit,” Darcy retorted. “Every person here is as close as family. You’ve all done incredible things to help us.” His gaze fell on Sam and Sherlock. “You two are my brother’s brothers, which makes you mine too. You protected him when he was too dumb to know he was still welcome at home, and then you supported him when he returned and faced Stonefish.”
Sam and Sherlock fist-bumped their chests in appreciation.
“As for Nhiari and Dot.” Darcy shook his head. “We were stupid not to trust you with everything from the start. You did everything you could to protect us and help us. You’ve been constants in our life from childhood and are as close as sisters.” He smiled. “At one stage, Mum hoped you would become a true sister,” he said to Dot.
Nhiari whispered to Lee, “Brandon and Dot dated in high school.”
That was kind of sweet.
“As for your partners,” Darcy said. “Well, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a package deal. If one of you is family, then both of you are.” He met Lee’s gaze. “Yeah, even you.” He winked.
Everyone chuckled, and Nhiari squeezed Lee’s hand. He stared at Darcy, unable to speak. He blinked rapidly and nodded once, but it was all he could manage with his chest so full and the lump so large in his throat.
This family.
They were more than he’d ever dreamed of.
Darcy nodded in understanding and continued. “Gretchen and I spoke earlier, and we both agreed that whatever happens, both Lara and Jordan deserve their share of the treasure, to do with whatever they like.”
Lara squealed and Darcy added, “When you’re old enough to make sensible decisions.”
Everyone laughed at Lara’s huff.
“Mum can have mine,” Jordan said. “She needs it.”
Gretchen sniffed. “No, sweetheart. It’s all yours. You were so brave and smart, staying calm when your dad took you.” She gave an almost apologetic look to Lee.
“He was incredible,” Lee agreed. “Told me they would escape, and they did.”
Jordan nodded. “I’ll share mine with Cody then.”
What a kid.
“So with that settled, what does everyone want to do—take the money and split it between everyone?” Brandon asked.
One by one everyone nodded.
Brandon grinned. “I’ll tell the museum.”
The money would give Lee time to find a job and figure out what he was doing next in his life. He could contribute to their household. Lee glanced at Nhiari. Assuming he moved in with her. They hadn’t discussed what was next.
Around them people were getting to their feet and clearing the table.
“You OK?” Nhiari murmured.
“I need a moment,” Lee responded. “Can we go for a walk?”
She nodded and got to her feet. No one paid them any attention, but Nhiari spoke to Dot and then took Lee’s hand and they walked outside into the cool evening air.
The sun had set while they’d had dinner and the stars shone in such vivid clarity above them.
They walked away from the house towards the sand dunes. Finally Nhiari said, “That was something, wasn’t it?”
“I never expected…” He shook his head. “They forgave me. They called me family.” That was something he couldn’t quite get past.
“Well as Darcy said, we’re a pair now.”
He dragged her close, inhaling her scent and the storm inside him calmed. “We haven’t spoken about the future,” he murmured.
She stiffened, and he rubbed her back, not letting her go.
“I want to live with you, Nhi. I want to wake up next to you. I want to share your good days and your bad days. I want to make us family. Marry me.”
She squeezed him and glanced up. “Of course.”
He stepped back, not sure he’d heard right. “Really?”
She chuckled. “Don’t sound so surprised. I love you, Lee. You are my family.”
He pulled her back into his arms and for the first time, he thanked Stonefish.
For bringing Nhiari and the Stokes into his life.
He glanced at Nhiari and then up at the stars above them.
This was home.