24. Chapter 24
Chapter twenty-four
Day 7 Denali, Alaska
As soon as the helicopter landed, Cosky shoved back the cargo door and hopped to the ground. Turning, he grabbed Trident’s kennel. She couldn’t tell whether the cat was making a fuss. The deafening scream of the engine and whop whop whop of the blades spinning overhead filled her ears. Huddled in the jacket O’Neill had handed her when they’d boarded the Bell, she exited the helicopter. Instinct kept her head and shoulders curled and her hands over her hair as she hunched her way out from beneath the blades.
The helicopter had set down in the middle of a circular driveway, one that snaked toward and then away from a rectangular house bursting with windows. The road had been plowed, but there were clumps of ice scattered about. They sparkled like diamonds beneath three triangulated overhead lamps.
Once she was far enough from the chopper blades that her hair agreed to stay on her head, she stopped to stare in wonder.
The helicopter had whisked her to a Christmas paradise. The house and its surroundings looked like something ripped from a Nicky Boehme painting. The rectangular house, with bright white light streaming through its endless windows, lit the night like a flare. Icicles and jewel-toned Christmas lights dangled from the edge of the bonnet style roof. Snow-flocked trees, wrapped in jewel bright lights glittered from every direction.
“Christmas in February,” Demi breathed.
She should have expected something like this. Kait loved Christmas. And God knew Alaska was the place to go hog wild with the decorations and lights.
“Christmas 24/7, 365 days a year, if Kait has anything to do with it.” Cosky set Trident’s carrier down next to her and rocked back on his boots, studying his home with an indulgent expression. After a few moments, his voice turned brisk. “I texted her from the bird to let her know we were on the way. I need to talk to Zane. I’ll carry the cat inside in a minute.”
With that, he turned and walked back to the helicopter, the ice crackling beneath his boots.
With a soft sigh, Demi tore her gaze away from the glittering beauty of Kait’s home and looked down at the cat carrier. “I’m sure you’re sick of that kennel, but I’ll let you out soon.”
According to Cosky, Kait already had a litter box, along with Trident’s vet-recommended wet and dry food on hand. When she’d heard of Trident’s inclusion on the trip, Kait hadn’t blinked, hadn’t balked. She simply stepped up to make sure Trident was taken care of.
Behind her, the roar of the helicopter intensified as it took to the sky.
“You’ll love Kait,” she told the cat, before taking a deep breath of mountain air. She held it, savoring the crisp pine scent. “This trip will be good for you. The fresh air will help you heal.”
The smell surrounding her—fresh air, conifer needles, and wood smoke—reminded her of her childhood, of all the weekends and vacations spent hiking and camping with her parents in the Six Rivers, Redwood, and Sequoia national parks. Her mom and dad had loved the outdoors, preferring tents to motels. They immersed themselves in various forests throughout the year. The flashes of memories brought both warmth and sorrow. Even now, sixteen years after their deaths, she still missed them.
She’d often wondered about Kait’s new life. After she hooked up with Cosky, Kait’s life became shrouded in secrecy. Sure, they talked almost daily, and they’d met up often for mini and lengthy vacations. But the locations where they met were always a rendezvous at a beach town, or in New York city. Never at each other’s homes. She hadn’t even known where Kait lived until today.
The amount of secrecy had been weird, even with Kait’s explanation of what had happened to Cosky and his teammates. Would the men still have a price on their heads after three years? It seemed unlikely.
Kait mentioned during one of their phone calls that she’s started creating stained glass panels and windows. Demi saw some of those creations glowing in the house’s windows. Like most of Kait’s art, the panels were full of vivid colors and comically drawn animals. There were dramatically colored birds with excessively long legs and necks, yet with fuzzy torsos. Raccoons with elongated hands and confused faces. A mountain lion smothered in dandelion fluff.
Fifteen years ago, they’d bonded through photography. But Kait had already been making a name for herself as a blown glass artist whose work was steeped in vibrancy and color. That love of color was visible in the crimson blankets thrown over the porch swing and the bright blue cushions on the rocking chairs to the left of the front door.
Where she didn’t see Kait was in the house’s color—which was dark. Very dark. Even with the light streaming through the windows, she couldn’t tell what color the exterior was. Maybe charcoal. Maybe navy blue. Cosky, according to Kait, was the kind of guy who surrounded himself with dark, solid colors—on his clothes, his cars, and no doubt his houses. The exterior of their house felt like all Cosky, or maybe a compromise between the two of them.
Cosky’s dark exterior, protecting Kait’s sunny interior.
Compromise and the merging of tastes came with time and proximity. Kait and Cosky had been living together for three years now. They shared their lives, a bed, breakfast, and dinner. Demi’s eyes drifted to the swing. An ache filled her chest. Kait’s man was home for the quiet moments, for the squeak of the rocking chairs, or huddling beneath blankets on the swing. It was those quiet moments that built a life…that led to a home.
This was what she’d had with Donnie. It’s what she’d wanted with Aiden.
She shook her head and swallowed hard. The lump in her throat tasted like sorrow and broken dreams.
The front door flew open, banishing the unwelcome bout of melancholy. Kait flew across the porch and down the stairs. Demi took several steps forward and then they were wrapped in each other’s arms.
“I can’t believe you’re finally here!” Kait half screamed, before pulling back. She grinned and flicked Demi’s bangs. “I love your hair. That bluish-green suits you.”
Demi laughed. “Wait until it grows out and my normal mousy color comes through. I’ll look like a mess then.”
“Mousy?” Kait shook her head so hard her long, golden braid almost slapped Demi across the face. “You could never look mousy. Or a mess. You’re always beautiful.”
Which wasn’t true. Had never been true. But that was the beauty of Kait. She truly believed what she said.
“If anyone’s gorgeous, it’s you.” Demi pushed Kait back to scan her from head to toe. “Alaska certainly agrees with you. You’re glowing.”
A weird, almost hesitant look lightened Kait’s brown eyes. She glanced toward Cosky.
“What’s wrong?” Demi glanced behind her. Cosky and his buddies were still huddled together. Nothing seemed off back there.
When Kait turned back to her, the tentative look was gone. “Nothing. I’m just so glad Wolf’s finally agreed to let you come visit.”
Wolf, aka Kait’s half-brother, had been the one to prevent her from visiting? Demi bristled. What had she ever done to the asshat to make him so hostile toward her?
Kait must have picked up on Demi’s annoyance, because she squeezed her hand. “Don’t blame him. There are still people after Marcus, and they know about me. If they knew the two of us were friends, they could follow you up here. Wolf’s anal about the security around this place.”
“Your brother’s excuses sound more paranoid than anal.”
Kait grimaced and for a moment darkness stalked her face. “Trust me, he has his reasons.”
“I’m sorry.” Dismayed by the shadows suddenly swimming across her friend’s face, Demi caught Kait’s hand and squeezed. “I shouldn’t have been so dismissive about Wolf’s concerns. Let’s change the subject. The Christmas lights and the stained-glass panels in your windows are beautiful. They’re so…you.” She paused before adding quietly. “You look so happy.”
Or she had, until Demi had crapped all over their reunion.
A huge smile split Kait’s face and filled her eyes. “I’ve never been happier.”
Demi believed her. Kait had always been gorgeous, but she seemed to glow now. Tall and lean, with curves that caught men’s attention—even grumpy ones, like her adoring husband—she’d always stood out in a crowd. And that was before people got a look at her hair. Her long, golden, Rapunzel-esque hair. Since she usually caged her thick tresses in a braid, most people never saw the full glory. But Demi had seen it loose, and hell’s bells, was it ever stunning.
But truly, the most beautiful thing about Kait was the fact she was as lovely on the inside as the outside. Not a bitchy bone in her body. She was the best friend Demi had ever had. And she’d missed her so much over the past three years. Phone calls and vacations had kept them in touch, but it didn’t come close to the bond they’d shared when they’d lived in the same building.
Kait linked her arm with Demi’s, then pulled back to study Demi’s face. “Marcus says those horrible men didn’t hurt you.” She scanned Demi’s body next, lingering, like she was looking for signs of hidden trauma. “But knowing my big lug of a husband, he’d whitewash what happened to prevent me from worrying. So please, tell me the truth. How are you?”
Demi considered the question. “Honestly? I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt. They never even touched me. I distracted them by convincing them to help me get Trident into his kennel.” She blew out a breath and smiled ruefully. “It was rather anticlimactic to be honest. I expected a battle, maybe a gun fight, when Tag and Tram showed up. Instead, Aiden’s buddies had those guys zip-tied and on the ground in seconds. No fuss, no struggle. Not even a punch thrown.”
Kait considered that, her worried expression disappearing. “That’s because you distracted the bad guys. You kept them occupied so the good guys could get a jump on them. Thank God you’re so levelheaded and clever.” She turned, scanning the driveway until her gaze fell on the kennel. “That must be your cat. Let’s get him inside and out of that crate. I’m sure he needs to use the kitty facilities.”
Arms linked, they started toward the cat. With each step, Demi felt her tension ease. Being with Kait felt so normal, like they hadn’t been separated by thousands of miles and new relationships.
Kait was the only close friend she had. She had Aiden, of course, but not as a friend. A lover? Sure. But friend? Not so much. She’d been friends with Donnie, as well as lovers. They’d known each other inside and out. But her relationship with Aiden was different. Superficial even. There was still so much about him she didn’t know. Parts of him that were closed off—at least to her. But then there were parts of her that were closed off, too. They hadn’t spent enough time together to explore all the closed off spaces between them.
She used to think that love went hand-in-hand with friendship. That you couldn’t have one without the other. But her experience with Aiden proved that assumption was false.
This time, the melancholy didn’t set in. Not with Kait by her side.
“Hey,” Kait yelled at Cosky. “Can you tear yourself away from your boy band and make yourself useful? Maybe pretend to be a good host and carry Demi’s cat into the house?” She grinned as she yelled, a huge radiant smile that almost split her face in two and proved to everyone that she adored her big lug of a husband.
As Cosky broke away from his buddies, Kait turned back to Demi.
“I put your cat’s litter box and food and water dishes in the basement. It’s quiet down there. Plus, there’s a sofa and recliners. We can sit and chat and keep him company. Maybe once he gets to know us, it will be easier to give him his medicine.”
“The basement sounds perfect.” Demi bent to peer in the crate. A glowing emerald eye stared back. “Although he’s been surprisingly mellow since O’Neill gave him his medicine.” She straightened. “It was kind of weird, actually. Trident was in full-blown murder mittens mode until O’Neill told him to shut up. After that, he settled right down. I tell you; the man has mad cat magic.”
Her face full of shock, Kait stopped dead.
“O’Neill? As in this tall dude?” Kait held her hand a couple of inches above her head. “Brown, bristly hair? Tattoos everywhere?”
“You forgot his green eyes. They’re identical to Trident’s.” Curiosity swelled at her friend’s incredulous tone. “I take it you don’t like him?”
“O’Neill? That’s who you’re yapping about?” Cosky swooped down and lifted the cat carrier. “Trust me, the dude’s an ass.”
Kait waited to continue the conversation until her hubby was several steps ahead.
“I’ve seen him around base, but I’ve never spoken to him.” Their arms still linked, Kait and Demi swung around and followed Cosky toward the house. “But as you see, Marcus and the rest of the clones universally detest him.”
“The clones?” Demi asked in a whisper.
“Zane, Mac, and Rawls.” Laughter rang in Kait’s voice. “Haven’t you noticed that other than hair and eye color, those three and Marcus are four peas in a pod? Tall, dangerous, and seriously ripped.” She fanned her face energetically. “I may be committed to my man, but I still have eyes. They all shed that swoon-worthy sexy, alpha vibe.”
Demi choked on a giggle. Holy shit, Kait had totally nailed that depiction. “You’ll need to broaden the clone club to include Aiden. He definitely meets all those parameters.”
“Ewww.” Kait made a face. “Aiden? He doesn’t spew hot, sexy vibes.”
Demi sputtered out a laugh. “Maybe not to you, as you’re his sister. But trust me on this, Aiden spews out that vibe with every breath he takes.”
Kait heaved an exaggerated sigh. “If you say so.” She glanced at Demi as Cosky disappeared inside the open door. “Have you talked to Aiden yet?” She paused before adding quietly, “Assuming you haven’t changed your mind.”
“I haven’t changed my mind,” Demi said as Kait let go of her arm and stepped through the door. If anything, she was even more certain of her decision. “But I haven’t talked to him yet. There was no privacy on the plane. And I never saw him again after we landed.”
Although, she was certain he’d been somewhere inside the tight knot of men talking in front of the plane. O’Neill had been the one to carry Trident’s kennel to the helicopter and keep her company. Aiden had been too focused on the conversation with his friends to even notice she’d left the plane.
She knew why. Understood it even. He was on a mission to find the people who’d killed his teammates. No doubt that’s what that masculine huddle had been about. Of course she would be a lesser priority. As she should be. But he could have focused on her long enough to say goodbye, long enough to make sure she was okay. His lack of effort proved she was so far down his priority list she didn’t even register.
Kait reached back and tugged her through the door, and into an open, airy room with a ceiling so high, and filled with so many diamond-shaped windows, it seemed to touch the starlit sky. Awe stole her breath.
“Kait,” she whispered. “This room is incredible.”
With her hands planted on her hips, Kait tilted back her head to look at the diamond windows above them. Moonlight crept through the panes, while thousands of stars sparkled overhead.
“I know, right?” She sighed, her braid swaying in the air, her face dreamy and soft with love. “It was Marcus’s wedding gift to me. We couldn’t live outside the base at first, not with a price on the guys’ heads. But I was getting depressed buried inside Denali like that. No sunlight. No moonlight. No fresh breeze or clean air. And then Faith developed her shield. Finally, we could live out in the open, protected beneath the shield. This house was a true collaboration. We designed everything together—except for the ceiling. That was all Marcus. He said he wanted to give me the sun and the moon and the stars. He designed the ceiling himself, then hired some of the base tech guys to build it. After we returned from what I thought was a romantic vacation, he unveiled his gift. He called it a late wedding present.” She sniffled before offering a watery smile. “I might have cried.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s perfect.” This room, with every diamond-shaped window, proved how well Cosky knew Kait, how much he loved her. He’d known the perfect gift to give her. One she’d treasure forever.
Kait was a lucky woman. But then Cosky was a lucky man.
“How do you keep the snow off the roof?” Demi asked, craning her head back to get a full view.
“Through the awesome work of the Shadow Mountain engineers and mechanics. The roof is metal, and slopes on all four sides, so the snow slides off easily. Plus, they wired the entire roof for heat. It’s the coolest thing. You can see the snow falling, but it doesn’t cover the windows. My work shed is outside. I’ll introduce you to it tomorrow.” Kait glanced around the living room. “It looks like Marcus already took your cat downstairs.” She walked around Demi to close the front door. “What did you say you named it? Trident? What did Aiden think of that?” Curiosity brightened her eyes as she headed back to Demi and led her across the light drenched living room.
“He didn’t seem to care about the name. But he sure hates the cat.” Demi followed Kait across the room and into a wide, airy hallway. Halfway down, Kait opened another door and led the way down a flight of carpeted stairs.
Kait snorted. Hands on both rails, she glanced over her shoulder. “I’m not surprised. Aiden hates cats. But to be fair, they hate him right back. Aunt Issa had a cat when we were growing up. When she moved in with us after Mom died, she brought it with her. It attacked Aiden constantly. Issa said it was because Aiden teased it. But no, Aiden avoided it. It didn’t like me much, either, but it never left me bloody.” She grimaced and shook her head. “Kind of left a lasting impression on him.”
“Well, don’t get too attached to Trident—the name, I mean. That was a spur-of-the-moment choice. I’ll probably be changing it.” Demi reached the last step and followed Kait into the basement, which was massive and fully furnished.
Kait had already mentioned the couch and recliner, but there was also a gigantic television stretched above a rock fireplace and a thick, rustic desk tucked in the corner. She saw Trident’s kennel, the door open, at the back of the room, along with a litter box and a couple of bowls.
A toilet flushed, and a door opened in the basement’s back corner. Cosky stepped out. Demi had spent enough time with the pair to recognize the gleam in his light gray eyes as he closed on them. That look hit his eyes just before he pulled Kait close for a lengthy kiss.
All righty then…
To give them some privacy, she headed toward the kennel, which was empty. She crouched, peering beneath the desk, and found an orange, fluffy ball curled against the wall. His glowing emerald eye watched her with suspicion, but he didn’t growl. At least that was progress. Still, the litter box hadn’t been used and the food bowl didn’t look touched.
By the time she straightened and turned around, Cosky was gone and Kait was sitting on the couch.
“Marcus is throwing steaks and potatoes on the barbeque, but we have some time before the grill is ready. How’s your cat?”
“He seems okay.” Demi sat down beside her. “He’s great with the litter box and has been using it since I brought him home.” She didn’t want Kait to think she was okay with the cat ruining her spotless carpet.
“That’s unusual with a feral cat, isn’t it? I thought they were hard to litter train.”
Demi had questioned that herself. “He’s either very smart, or he used to be someone’s pampered pet. Anyhow, I still haven’t decided on a name for him.”
“Why not Trident? You never said. Is it because you don’t want any reminders of SEAL stuff after you break things off with Aiden?” Kait’s voice was full of understanding and sympathy.
“Partly,” Demi admitted, her throat aching. “But I’ve also been told it’s a shitty name.”
Kait’s eyes widened. “Who told you that?”
“O’Neill.” Demi’s lips twitched. “He says it’s a pussy name. That a badass cat deserves a badass name, not a dirty, filthy squid name.”
“What?” Kait laughed. “I bet that went over well with the four clones on board. I mean, dissing SEAL culture like that. No wonder they don’t like him.”
“Oh, they didn’t hear him,” Demi assured her. “We were at the very back of the plane. The clones were sitting in the first few seats.
Kait gave her an odd look. “You sat with O’Neill instead of Aiden?”
There was no judgement on Kait’s face or in her voice. No reason for Demi to feel defensive. Yet she did.
“I didn’t sit with O’Neill,” she stressed. “I sat with Trident. O’Neill was sitting there too.”
“Hmm.” Kait made a soft humming sound. “It sounds like O’Neill was hitting on you.”
Demi thought back and shook her head. “No. He really wasn’t. He was concerned about the cat.”
There had been no appreciative glances from him. No flirting. He hadn’t even tried to goad Aiden by pretending to flirt with her.
“You’re sure?”
Demi nodded emphatically. “I’m positive. There were no…vibes…from him. He helped with Trident, that’s all. Even got some meds into him.”
Which reminded her...
“How far is the closest vet?” While beautiful, this place was out in the middle of nowhere.
“There’s one in Talkeetna, which isn’t far.” Kait’s demeanor quieted. “Getting back to O’Neill. You know I just want you to be happy, right? Sure, I’d love to have you as my sister-in-law, but we’re already sisters. That will never change, even when you move on from Aiden. If you’re interested in O’Neill, I’d support you.”
The lump was back in Demi’s throat. But this time, it tasted like affection and trust.
“Believe me,” Demi worked up a smile. “I’m not interested in O’Neill, and he’s not interested in me. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Which was a shame. Because O’Neill was exactly the kind of man she wanted. He was sexy enough to join the clone club. And he was kind—at least to her and Trident. Plus, he worked with Cosky, so he was home nights, weekends and holidays. And judging by Kait’s comments during previous conversations, it didn’t sound like Cosky and his teammates, which included O’Neill, were sent on many dangerous missions. Kait said their lives were drama free.
Too bad O’Neill didn’t curl her toes like Aiden did, or make her palms sweat. But nope, her libido had given him a hard pass, and she needed the tingles and belly flops, along with the proximity. It was the only way to build a future.