Chapter 34
Hannah
Grant Carter does his best to keep me calm. It’s not his fault that it doesn’t work.
“Hannah, you need to calm down. It’s not good for you or the baby.”
I inhale deeply as I pace. He’s right, of course. This can’t be good for me or the babies, but I won’t be able to calm myself until I know Brooks is safe.
The man with Grant comes over, leaning into Grant as he whispers something.
“What is it?”
Grant says, “The suite you were in is empty, well, except for your mother.”
“Is she…”
“Dead,” he confirms.
I let out a small laugh. “I feel like I should be sad or something.”
“Was she a good parent?”
I shake my head once.
“Then you don’t owe her anything, including feeling sad that she’s gone.” He pauses. “Is there anyone I should call?”
“No one.” I run my fingers through my hair. “My Dad is in Oklahoma, and I don’t want him to come here just for this.”
“As I said before, I will stay with you for as long as you need.”
“Thank you.” I look him over. “You never said why you were here, in Miami.”
“Fundraising,” he answers, untying his black tie. “It’s getting down to the wire and Senator Ryans is proving to be a tougher opponent than expected.”
“Well, you have my vote, if that makes you feel better.”
“It does.” There’s a long pause. “Tell me, Hannah. Does it change your opinion of me, as a voter, that I’m unmarried?”
“I guess I haven’t thought about it much.”
“I didn’t think it would matter, but I’ve been told by my team that it does, indeed, matter.” He gestures to the short man and tall woman in the room”s corner who are huddled together. “They’ve reminded me repeatedly.”
“It shouldn’t matter,” I say.
“No, it shouldn’t. But I have a feeling it’s going to become my main obstacle before too long.”
“Did Brooks tell you what Senator Ryans said to me?”
He shakes his head, so I give him the short version.
“Why on earth does he think you’re planning my wedding?”
“That’s what I said, but he must have gotten his information from somewhere.” I pause delicately. “Brooks said the Brotherhood likes their members to be married. Could someone higher up be planning something that you are unaware of?”
“Fucking hell. Yes, that is very possible. It’s also possible that my team is in on it, too.”
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“No, this isn’t your fault. I should have seen it coming.” He straightens his shoulders. “I’ll do my duty for the Brotherhood and for my country.”
I’m about to respond when there’s a knock on the door. The room goes silent as a security guard looks through the peephole.
“It’s Mr. Henderson and Mr. Moretti, sir.”
A sob works its way up my throat as the door opens and Brooks and Alessandro walk in.
Brooks rushes to me, pulling me into his embrace.
“Are you hurt, Angel?”
“I’m fine, Brooks.” I look up at him. “Are you okay?”
“Never been better.” He brushes his lips against mine. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, Hannah.”
Brooks suggests finding a new hotel, but I want to go home. So, that’s what we do. On the jet, Brooks fills me in on everything that happened, though I think I get a very watered-down version.
“And you swear that bastard didn’t hurt you?”
“Brooks, he saved me. You didn’t see the look in my mother’s eyes. Or hear what she said to me before Pastor Sullivan called. She was going to kill me because they lost everything.”
A dark look flashes across his face.
“I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there. I should have never sent you off alone.”
“No. We’re not going to do this.”
His eyes widen. “Do what?”
“We’re not going to blame ourselves for this. We had a plan, and it was a good one. Thank god Gabriel was watching, too, and could save me and Isa.”
“I hate owing that bastard anything.”
“Well, he can’t be all bad. He hasn’t hurt you.”
He smiles. “Fucking hell, Angel. You always know just what to say to make me feel better when I’m supposed to be the one comforting you.”
“We’re a team, Brooks Henderson. We lift each other up.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him. “And speaking of lifting each other up, I’d like to ride your face again when we get home.”
“Is that so?”
I nod. “Mmmhmm. I quite enjoyed it.”
“Well, Angel, I can’t do that.”
Hurt spears me for a millisecond before I see the glint in his eyes. That hurt turns into a tidal wave of heat.
“Oh? Why not?”
“Because there’s a perfectly good bedroom on this jet where we can do it now.” He leans in, brushing his lips against mine. “Want to join the mile-high club?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
He pulls me to his feet. “Come on, Angel. Let’s go have some fun.”
I let him lead me and say, “Do you have your wrestling gear with you?”
“I do. Why?”
“I’d like a round with Brooks the Body McGruff, too. He caught my eye tonight at the match.”
Brooks laughs, pulling me into the bedroom.
“I love you, Angel. So fucking much.”