Chapter 61
Chapter Sixty-One
The next morning…
I lean over and kiss Marianna on the top of the head as the hotel elevator descends. We both knew our alone-time was limited until we would need to deal with the chaos—we just didn’t expect it to end so abruptly.
The last few hours have been tense.
Once again, I wish I had the right thing to say. But the call we got at three this morning was everything I dreaded, yet we both needed to hear.
Mayor Marcus Flora and Sylvester Strickler were arrested after Vik’s raid on the compound.
Sylvester confessed to putting a bomb on my truck to try to get rid of me because of his jealousy.
He also admitted that his car exploded because one of his own IEDs went off unexpectedly—there was no attack against him.
A garage full of contraband was seized at the compound which is seemingly related to the undercover mission Vik and his team were working on.
Many more arrests are happening thanks to Vandamora’s federal task force against crime getting involved. The bank president is going to be picked up this morning for laundering money and collusion with the police chief to allow robberies.
It’s a lot to process. Marianna’s life is changing by the second. Including her father going down for his involvement.
As we ride the frustratingly slow elevator, I ask a question that’s been bothering me.“Do you want to try to see your father before the feds move him to the city?”
She abruptly looks up at me, her resolve firmly in place. “No. I don’t want to see him. I’m not surprised he and Sylvester were up to something bigger. That was the entire motive behind my father trying to pressure me to marry that scumbag. I just didn’t know they were involved with an international crime ring. That part will take some time for me to process.”
With sadness filling her eyes, she looks at her reflection in the door. “I’ve spent my entire adult life wishing I never had to talk to my father again. I have even more conviction after finding out my mother was upset with him when she wrecked. I truly understand what it means to walk away and never look back. Marcus is never going to hurt me again.”
Her strength rocks me. Makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. “I’m proud of you for taking care of yourself.”
She surprises me with her next announcement. “I’m going to try to forgive Peter.”
Damn. She’s a better person than me. I’m not sure if I can ever excuse his actions, but I’m not going to tell her that.
Glancing at the floor for a beat, she sighs. “I just wish he would have talked to me.”
I just wish I could take her pain away. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. You deserved to know what was going on.”
When she looks up and I search her eyes, I fall for the thousandth time into the warmth of the golden shine. “You’re so fucking strong, you amaze me.”
“It’s because you’re holding me together.”
I lean down to her and take the kiss I need.Fuck, that feels good.
When I pull back, her eyes are softer and her lips are pure temptation.
“You look really pretty.”
She slowly grins at me. “Why thank you. Some handsome man had a new dress sent to my hotel room this morning.”
The band around my chest loosens a fraction and some of the stress of the last few hours fades. With her smiling at me like that, it’s impossible to resist the urge to pull her into both of my arms. “I like you in red.”
“Just because I was wearing this color on the day we met.”
“Maybe. Could be because you look like an exotic piece of fruit.”
She smacks my arm playfully, but her blush tells me how much she likes it.
Unable to resist, I nibble on the side of her neck.
“Ahem. The elevator is open. We’re supposed to get out now.”
Damn, she’s right.
I slide my hand under her hair and let my fingers wrap possessively around her neck. We ignore the stares from the motor-mouth hotel clerk who was giving the mayor all the information about me, and step out onto the sidewalk.
Rain is coming down in sheets outside. But we’re safely tucked under the portico. A few seconds later headlights pierce the downpour. The Agile Security & Rescue truck pulls up with Scout behind the wheel. As expected he’s wearing his usual arctic expression.
I’m beginning to think his face is frozen that way.
We dash out into the rain. I open Marianna’s door and help her in the back seat, before I jump in the front.
“Something looks different.” I shake the water out of my hair, and shut the door. “Is this a new truck?”
He gives me a look. “I wondered if you fucked your brain out and wouln’t notice.”
I flip him off. I also need to warn Marianna that my teammates have no couth. “Crude. But, how did Marshall get one here so fast?”
“Luke had it flown down to Vandemora overnight.”
I sit back, surprised. “Damn, that man’s got fucking bank.”
“Yep.” Scout throws the truck in drive. “You know he became a billionaire after inventing some kind of special prosthetic. The man’s got bottomless pockets and he has no problem pumping money into Agile.”
He takes off so fast, Marianna slides across the back seat. The tires sling water as he pulls away from the curb. Grabbing for the handle, she grumbles at him. “Here we go again. I need to remember to buckle up before I close my door.”
“We got work to do.” Scout drives through Karma a hair too fast, throwing water in wide arcs around the truck tires.
Pressing my feet hard against the floorboard, I wave a hand to get his attention. “Hey, why don’t you slow down before you run over some little senior citizen?”
“No right-minded person would be out in this weather.”
He grunts his displeasure, but taps the brakes.
Marianna leans between the seats, making a horrified sound. “Oh my god, speaking of seniors, I forgot all about paying for the damage to Ms. Pelletier’s car.”
“Done.”
Marianna and I both give Scout a confused doubletake.
The truck’s signal light clicks. When he makes the turn at the town’s only stop sign, he shrugs. “Someone was busy while you two were getting down and dirty.”
“We were actually getting clean,” Marianna says with a laugh.
I turn to look at her, with my blood stirring. “After we got really dirty.”
Blushing, she covers her face with her hand. “The hotel’s going to freak out when they see all that camo paint on the sheets.”
“You two, please.” Scout makes a choking sound. “For the love of god, spare me the details.”
Damn. They really have been looking out for us. “You’re the one that started it. But seriously, thanks for taking care of the damage to the car.”
As rough as Scout is around the edges, I appreciate the hell out of him and the rest of the team. I got lucky as hell when I was invited to join Agile.
Shrugging it off, Scout says, “Tell Beast, not me. He’s the one who thought to do it.”
Marianna’s making all kinds of unhappy sounds. “That accident was my fault, he’s not paying for my mistake.”
Scout smirks and glances at her in the rearview. “Take it up with him. You’ve seen Beast. Good luck.”
I admit, Scout’s face isn’t frozen. It has two modes. Scowl and smirk.
He slows the truck for a massive puddle of water on the road. The rain hammers the truck roof so loudly it’s hard to hear Marianna grumbling. But when I look back, she’s got her arms crossed.
“Seriously you two. I’m not okay with this.”
I don’t point out that Scout is right. Beast can’t be budged.
The rain drowns out any other conversation, until we slow and make the final turn onto the road to Marianna’s place.
When I reach back, she takes my hand. “Doing okay?”
“I’m kind of sick and it’s not because of Scout’s driving.”
She tries to grin, but it doesn’t really reach her eyes.
We pass the sign for the farm. Bright blue letters are painted on the wood—DonAzule Agave Farm.
The business is still hers. We’ll find another piece of land. I’m more determined than I’ve ever been in my life to make that happen.
Scout glances in the mirror, catching Marianna’s attention. “Just so you know there’s a lot going on at the house. Consider it a non-hostile takeover. Vik and his team are planning some kind of mission. Cornelia is camped out in your guest room, although I’m pretty sure she’s not being allowed to leave the room. Anyway, all of those Russian guys are there and we’ve got six people here right now, plus you two.”
At the top of the hill, it looks like a used car lot for trucks and SUV’s with blacked out windows.
“Is Nyx here?”
“No, she was tagging along with me down in El Dorado, but she found out there was some yoga thing.”
“She’s still struggling?”
He nods solemnly. “I encouraged her to go.”
Damn, Nyx has been to hell and back, but when she showed up in Vandemora it looked promising for her coming back to work. “I wondered if she was really ready to join the team again.”
“So did I. I think the truth is, she needs to do something, but I don’t think it’s this.”
“Are the rest of the team back?
“Nope. Truck’s still getting treatment stateside for the infection he got in the earthquake. Levi’s going to be an uncle any minute now. No baby yet.”
He parks next to the other identical Agile truck and turns off the engine. “Marshall and Luke are inside and need to see you.”
This news lands in the pit of my stomach like a dart. The CEO and his silent partner want to see me. “Right on. I guess I might be getting a pink slip.”
Silently, Scout gets out of the truck. And leaves without offering anything else.
Typical.
Marianna pulls on the gray and yellow raincoat that she had in the cave and I shrug on a camo one that was laying in the back seat.
She makes a face. “Scout was acting weird.”
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen in there.”
She glances out the window as she pulls the hood over her head. “Great, more surprises.”
“If they fire me, we’ll go stateside and figure things out. If they don’t, I need to finish this assignment, then we can make some decisions.”
The rain has already soaked our hands when we clasp them together and run for the house. To my surprise, as we roll up on the porch, we’re greeted with laughter.
I glance down at Marianna as I shove back my hood. “Not what I expected.”
Marianna shakes off her jacket and stomps her feet. “Who's laughing?”
“Camile, remember her from the hospital?”
I’ve barely finished saying this when Beast’s girl appears at the door and pushes it open for us.
“Marianna!” she shouts as she flies out and grabs my woman in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay and that I get to see you again.”
Marianna looks over Camile’s shoulder at me, with her eyes wide. “That’s really sweet of you.”
If I don’t get fired, Marianna’s going to have to get used to the unpredictable and very loud team. The house is buzzing with their voices when we make it inside.
After hanging up our coats, I squeeze Marianna’s hand and kiss her temple. “Hang tight, sweetheart. I need to catch up on what’s going on here.”
Marshall is the first person I run into. He grins when I step into the kitchen doorway. “Damn, good to see you, Mr. Walker, although Mr. Goodlove was pretty funny, Danee’s still laughing about that one.”
Weird. He’s happy?
Maybe he gets some perverse joy from firing people.
But, he strides toward me and extends a hand.
“Good to see you, too.” I glance around at the chaos. “What’s going on with the case?”
He points toward the dining room where the Agile crew is gathering around some large maps. “Working on some new plans. But first, Luke and I wanted a word with you and Marianna.”
I can see the axe hovering over my career. “Right. No problem. Let me go get her.”
I almost ask him what she has to do with this, but decide to just take a breath and relax. Marshall and Luke aren’t the kind of men that do things without a reason. Even if I don’t know what that reasoning is.
Once I tell Marianna about the meeting, she takes hold of my hand. “Let’s use the office.”
Luke and Marshall follow us down the narrow corridor and into the spacious room and I still have the weird sense that I’m walking to my demise.
A glimpse of clarity hits me. Maybe this sick feeling swirling inside me is because I was thrown away when I was a kid.
Fuck. Okay, maybe it is time for me to get that therapy I never thought about getting before. I don’t want that bullshit messing up my chance with Marianna.
As if she’s hearing my inner dialog, she squeezes my hand. I look around. Right. Meeting. Get this done. Doesn’t matter if I get fired. I’ve got my entire future with her to look forward to.
I was in this room when I cleared the house both times. But it looks different now. More important because this was the heart of her business. Not just a room with old furniture.
A big antique desk takes up one end of the room, the other has a small table with four chairs. The walls are covered with photos. Some faded. Some newer. For the first time I realize that this is a time capsule of the farm’s story.
Family memories, too. A pictorial history back to the days when the agave plants were small.
I turn to Marianna and search her eyes. “You sure this is a good idea being in here? I didn’t even think about all of this?—”
“I’m fine. I’m mad about losing the farm, but fine. This is about you so if you’re okay, I’m okay.”
That hits me hard.
All this is going on and she’s thinking about me. Damn.
When I get my composure, which takes a few breaths, I turn to face Luke and Marshall. “What’s going on?”
“Shall we sit?” Luke motions to the chairs. “I have some interesting news for you two.”
Marshall’s smile is weird.
My irritation at being in the dark shows in my tone. “If I’m being fired this is a fucked up way to do it.”
They share a glance.
Marshall takes a seat. He also speaks first. “You’re not fired, yet. I mean it could happen, but I don’t want to lose a good man like you.”
I look over at Luke as he sits down to find the weirdest expression on his face too. Delight?
Marianna and I join them at the table.
Luke quickly holds up an envelope. It’s large and blue. The paper the thing is made from has an official air about it.
I have no idea what would be in it.
Luke starts with a light laugh. “I should probably start by saying this is my wife’s idea. Well, not her idea entirely, but her idea on what to tell you. You’ll understand in a moment.”
Marianna and I both stare as uncomfortable tension builds between our clasped hands.
Luke scrubs a hand through his dark hair making the longer strands stand up. “Anyway. This is an early engagement present.”
He shoves the envelope toward us.
Neither of us move.
Nothing moves. Not even the air.
Marshall nudges it closer. “Open it.”
Marianna reaches out, and it’s a good thing because I am frozen stiff.
En…gage…ment?
A loaded silence fills the office as she opens the envelope.
Her mouth slides open. “What is this?”
When she jolts, all the color drains from her face.
I lift the document from her hand and frown as I scan the text. “This is a deed.”
“To this farm,” Marianna says in disbelief.
Luke drums his fingers on the table in a fast rhythm. His smile is broad now. “I bought the place and I’m giving it back to you.”
She’s staring at Luke as her fingers dig into my arm. “How did this happen?”
“Crazy coincidence, really.” He relaxes back into his chair. “I’ve been keeping an eye on real estate in Vandemora for a while. This area would be a great staging ground for us for Central and South America. Anyway, my contact called me last week and told me that he found something interesting—a huge property with a house and eight cabinas on it.”
I feel like I’m in one of those pranked reality shows as Marianna squeals and jumps out of the chair. “Oh my god. You bought this farm? This farm? My farm and you’re giving it to me?”
He nods solemnly. “I know how much it has to mean to you.”
She’s glowing. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to pay you back, but I’m hoping to start a line of tequila in the U.S., and if I do, that will help.”
Marshall laughs and claps his hands together. “You can sponsor the holiday party.”
But then he suddenly frowns. “Wait, no. I take that back. No tequila. This crew is hard enough to deal with already. We’d end up with people needing stitches.”
I grab her hand and pull her back to the table, this time, making her sit on my lap. “Seriously, Luke, how can we repay you for this?”
“That’s where the stipulation in the deed comes in.” His brows draw together, creasing his forehead. “Well, it’s actually a few stipulations, but I don’t think you’ll mind. Agile Security & Rescue gets domain over the cabinas. We’ll also build a helicopter pad, and a small airstrip. I’m sure there will be a few garages and a hanger built too.”
I realize I haven’t blinked in a very long time. My eyes feel like the Sahara.
Marshall sees my expression and laughs. “Evan, you’re gonna catch flies if you don’t shut your mouth.”
When Luke turns his attention to me, he reaches out and grips my shoulder. “I hope you’ll stay on the team.”
“Fuck, yes.” I hold his gaze, showing how serious I am. “I sure as hell will.”
He gives me a little shake. “Good, that pleases the hell out of me. But I hear you have urgent business in Alabama.”
I close my eyes as I shake my head. My laugh is more of a snort. “Let me guess Lana called you?”
Marshall grumbles something, finishing with, “You sure do grow some bossy women down South.”
I kiss Marianna’s hand. “Don’t worry, Marshall’s only allowed to say that because he married a Georgia peach.”
Luke confirms my suspicion about his conversation with Lana. “Let’s just say your sister read me the riot act and then some. She’s going to come down here and drag you two home if you don’t show up soon.”
Lana cares. She loves hard. She’s one of the reasons I’m still alive today.
My voice is rough with emotion now. “But the mission?”
“You’re on leave.” Marshall stands up and moves toward the door. “And I’ll make sure Beast doesn’t let these hoodlums destroy your house while you’re gone.”
Marianna’s eyes are a mile wide when Luke and Marshall walk out. “Did that just happen or did I have the weirdest dream in the history of humankind?”
“Agile rolls like that.”
Looking stunned still she nibbles on her lip. “You have a sister?”
“Not legally.”
That makes her frown but she doesn’t ask more. “Why do you need to go home?”
“Mike, the man who raised me, is sick. He’s got cancer.”
She lurches forward and gives me a fierce hug because that’s the kind of woman she is. “When are we going?”
“Tonight if that’s okay with you.”
“That’s perfect.” She presses the deed against my chest. “I guess we’re going to need to get engaged.”
“Are you ready?”
She leans up and kisses me. “This is crazy. All of it. But when your soul finds its mate you can’t deny it. I know, Evan. I know it’s you. I’m ready and willing.”
Soul. Mate.
That’s what this crazy, unshakeable feeling is.
“Beautiful, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I take her mouth, desperate to taste her. She welcomes me, holds me, surrendering, yet holding me captive.
I’m somewhere far away from her office, lost in bliss when someone interrupts.
“Hey lovebirds!”
Bastard.
Justice is standing in the doorway.
“What?” I grouse. “Can’t you see I’m kissing my fiancée-to-be?”
That gets his attention. He flashes a bright grin. “Okay, well then. But we need your help before you go running off. Marianna, do you know that cave system by Peter’s house?”
She leans back and looks his way. “My friends and I played in those caves a lot when I was a kid, but it’s a massive network. There are huge rooms and dozens of tunnels, it goes deep into the mountain with several openings. I’ll help, but there are some other people that know the caves far better.”
Justice’s expression turns to relief. “So, someone could be trapped in there and survive the floods?”
She covers her mouth as her eyes widen. “Maybe…”
Justice backs toward the hallway. “Good, we’re going to get a cave diving team in there to look for MZ and we’d like for you to talk us through what you know.”
She pulls out of my arms and takes my hand. “Let’s do it, we should have plenty of time before we leave for the airport.”
I tug her hand until she stops. “What did I do to deserve you?”
Her soft smile makes my throat sting.
She pushes a finger into my breastbone. “You rushed in to try to stop a bank robbery. You threw your body over me during an explosion. You watched over me while I slept. You were going to burn the world down because someone hurt me.”
I stand locked in place as she flattens her hand over my sternum. “It’s your lion’s heart, Evan. And I know you’ll always be there for me. I love you. Now let’s move. We’ve got work to do.”