Chapter Thirty-One
IONA STRAIGHTENED AS soon as Elias’ breathing changed.
Was he finally waking up? She hoped so. Her man had been unconscious since the harrowing ride to the hospital for emergency surgery to repair his internal injuries.
Sarge had indeed done his job too well, so well, in fact, that Iona had almost lost Elias before they had a chance at a life together.
Now, though, that was behind them. If Elias would wake, that is. Her man had been out of it for three days, and Iona was desperate to see for herself that he was all right. “Elias?”
He groaned.
“Hey, Elias, it’s time to wake up now. Come on,” she almost crooned. “Open those gorgeous eyes so I know you’re still with me.”
Elias blinked and opened his eyes to slits. He flinched.
Overhead lights. Too bright. She reached over and turned off the lights, leaving only the dim lights behind him burning. “Better?”
He nodded slightly and opened his eyes wider.
“Hey. There you are.” Iona smiled. “How do you feel?”
“Like a mountain is sitting on my chest,” he croaked. “Can I have water?”
“Here.” She opened a bottle of water, dropped a straw into the opening, and held it to his mouth.
His lips closed around the straw and sucked water over and over.
She pulled the straw away and set the bottle on the rolling table.
He growled. “Wasn’t finished.”
“Yeah, you were. If you kept drinking like that, you would have thrown up all the water. Didn’t figure you wanted to do that.”
Elias glanced around the room. “Hospital?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“This is day four.” Seemed like an eternity.
“Four days.” He sank back into the pillow, studying her face.
Did he know? Man, she hoped he didn’t remember her role in his father’s death.
Iona should feel bad about killing him. She didn’t.
Eddie Knight was evil all the way through to his bones, and he would have kept torturing his son until nothing was left of the man she loved.
She couldn’t let that happen, even if Elias ultimately rejected her because of it.
“Where is my father?”
And there it was, the question she’d wanted to avoid at all costs. Now was the moment of truth. She could either lie and put off the inevitable for a while longer, or admit to her role and face his wrath. “On a metal slab.”
He blinked. “Who?”
She dragged in a deep breath and made the biggest gamble of her life. “Me.”
“Okay.”
Iona waited for the repercussions. They didn’t come. “Wait. That’s it? Just acceptance?”
His lips curved. “When can I get out of here?”
She stared. “Seriously?” Iona dropped the volume of her voice. “Elias, I just admitted to killing your father, and you want to know when you can get out of here?”
“It’s the most important piece of information I need.”
Iona blinked. “Why?”
“Is your memory going?”
“I don’t think so, but I’m wondering about yours.”
“Baby, nothing is more important to me than putting my ring on your finger. The only thing stopping me is the doctor’s permission to leave this hospital. How soon will the doctor let me out of here?”
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t say until you came around and could talk to him.”
“What time is it?”
She glanced at her tactical watch. “Just after two in the morning. Why?”
“I want you in line at the County Clerk’s office when they open today.”
“Elias.”
“You promised to marry me as soon as possible. Today is the day.”
She shook her head. This couldn’t be happening that fast. Didn’t he want pictures? Iona studied his face and decided that perhaps pictures could wait until the swelling and bruising went down in his face. “Elias, I want to wait until you’re able to leave the hospital.”
His bruised jaw hardened. “No.”
“Honeymoon, babe. I want one somewhere besides this hospital.”
Elias paused. “Hmm. That is a problem.”
“Right. I’ll get the license, but we’re not getting married until the day you leave this place. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Thank God. Stubborn man. She sat on the edge of the bed and cradled his hand between the two of hers. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.”
Iona held up a hand. “Don’t apologize for something that isn’t your fault. I thought we would die together in those woods.”
“Then why did you reveal yourself in the compound? You should have stayed hidden instead of making yourself a pawn for my father to use.”
“Separately, we’re vulnerable. Together we’re unbeatable.”
“Can’t argue with the results.” He raised their clasped hands and kissed the back of hers. “I love you, Iona Byrne.”
“Good thing, Elias Knight, because I love you too.”
“Baggage and all?”
She smiled. “We’ll have a bonfire and burn it.”
He chuckled, then groaned. “Oh, man. That hurts. Don’t make me laugh.”
“Sorry.” Iona leaned over and kissed him. “Are you sure I’m what you want?”
“Absolutely. You’re perfect for me.”
“Will you forgive me for killing your father?”
“You did what was necessary.”
True enough. “How do you know?”
“I know you. Iona Byrne never kills without careful thought. You analyzed the situation and determined that was the only way to keep me safe. Am I correct?”
The ball of ice in her stomach melted. “Yes.”
A knock on the door sent Iona to her feet with a weapon in her hand and aimed at the door.
“It’s Maddox. I’m coming in soft.” A moment later, Brent Maddox walked into the room and stood at the foot of the bed, his assessing gaze raking over Elias. “You look terrible.”
“Gee, thanks, boss.”
“I understand you’ll be off the job for at least four weeks, probably longer.”
That was news to him, but Elias wouldn’t argue with his boss. That would give him and Iona weeks together before they had to return to work. “Good.”
Maddox’s eyebrows rose. “I didn’t expect that response.”
He clasped Iona’s hand. “Gives us time for a honeymoon before we return to work.”
Maddox’s gaze sharpened. “Do you have a place in mind for your honeymoon?”
He shook his head. “If I’d had over two seconds to think about it, I might have come up with something.”
“Do you trust me?”
Elias blinked. “Yes, sir.”
“I’ll set something up for you. When do you want to leave?”
“As soon as the doc signs off on me leaving this place.”
Maddox nodded. “Tomorrow, then. What about a marriage license?”
“Don’t have one yet.”
“I’ll take care of it. I know a few people who can help.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” He sobered. “How much trouble are we in with law enforcement?”
“Plenty,” Maddox said cheerfully. “The feds claimed jurisdiction and, even though the locals are fighting it, the feds will win.”
“Iona killed my father to protect me, Brent.”
“I thought as much when I saw the crime scene. Since you’re awake and coherent, you and Iona will talk to law enforcement of all varieties. Once you’re finished, I’ll boot them out, and we’ll make plans for tomorrow.”
“But, sir, you know they’ll have follow-up questions. They always do.”
“Too bad for them they don’t have a case against Echo and Artemis.
They do, however, have men trussed up like turkeys and left on law enforcement’s doorstep along with enough evidence to arrest and convict each one, thanks to Zane and Riley’s fast work.
Law enforcement found your father with the stolen weapons and ammo.
Rival biker gangs are blamed for the dead bodies laid on the police station’s doorstep.
You and the rest of my operatives are innocent bystanders.
Only the FBI agents who sent you in undercover know the truth, and that’s the way it will stay. ”
Elias frowned. “What do we tell the cops?”
Maddox gave them a story close to the truth. “Got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“The feds want a piece of you first, then the locals.” He headed for the door. “Let’s kick this party off in style.”
Five hours later, the cops from every level of law enforcement were satisfied Fortress operatives were innocent of wrongdoing and caught in a turf war.
When the last law enforcement officer left the room, Maddox turned to Iona and Elias. “A judge who owes me a favor is on his way up to this room. Do you want to get married today, Iona?”
“Yes, sir,” Iona said.
“Elias?”
“Absolutely, sir.”
“All right, then. Let’s make this happen.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were husband and wife, with their teammates and Maddox as witnesses to the solemn ceremony.
“Don’t worry about wedding pictures.” Maddox smiled. “Zane’s wife, Claire, will take photos when you’ve both healed up and she won’t have to do so much touch-up to the pictures.”
“As a thank you from the federal government, you and Iona are going to an estate in Miami, all expenses paid for two weeks,” Seth said. “I suggest you eat at the most expensive restaurants in town for the entire two weeks.”
The operatives laughed.
Elias kissed the back of his wife’s hand. “Sounds good to me. How soon can we leave?”
“As soon as you get dressed.”
He froze. “Sir?”
Seth grinned. “I pulled a few strings myself and got you sprung from this joint. You’re cleared to leave immediately. Noah and I will drive you to the airport where you’ll board a company jet and fly to Miami to start your honeymoon.”
Elias’ eyes narrowed as his gaze skimmed over his teammates. “No offense, but get out so I can change clothes.”
More laughter from his friends as they all left the room, except for Noah and Seth. He raised an eyebrow.
“We thought you might want a hand to move faster.”
“Good idea.”
Ten minutes later, he was winded but ready to go. He paused and looked at Seth. “We have nothing with us.”
“We’ve got you covered. Everything you need is on the jet.”
They were right. When the jet leveled out in the sky, Elias and Iona found two bags packed for each of them along with envelopes of cash and tickets to a play, the zoo, two movies they had been wanting to see, as well as reservations for dinner every night they were in Miami.
They also had instructions to call Zane if they wanted anything delivered or tickets to other events happening around the area.
As a last gift from the boss, a team of operatives was on guard around the clock on the estate with orders to stay out of the mansion unless there was an emergency. The team leader handed Elias a note from Maddox.
“Enjoy yourself. That’s an order.”
He passed the brief message to Iona. “You heard the boss. Let’s go have some fun.” Elias paused for effect. “After we take a nap.”
Iona laughed.
And that was the best way Elias could think of to start a new life with the woman he loved. Joy and laughter.