CHAPTER SIX
By the time the Chinese food was devoured, and it was devoured thought Lennon, it was nearly eleven.
“You guys just ate enough food for fifteen people,” she smirked.
“Nah,” laughed Brooks. “Trust me, our whole family eats like this.”
“You keep saying whole family like you have a big one. I mean, I know there are six kids in your family. Is there more?”
“Oh, definitely,” laughed Mitchell. “Our father, Christopher Jordan is a triplet. His father is also a triplet.”
“Stop,” she said in shock.
The two men laughed and Lennon couldn’t help but notice they laughed in sync with one another. It made her smile but once again noticed that her eyes stayed on Brooks.
“It’s true,” said Brooks. “There are quite a few multiple births on the property, even quads.”
“Seriously, I am not eating or drinking anything there.”
“You have to eat and drink,” grinned Mitchell. “Besides, we have the best food on the planet. I swear.” Both of their phones pinged and they read the text message, their faces falling.
“What’s wrong? I know that face,” said Lennon. “Something is wrong.”
“The man you saw them shoot was who we believed it was. He was a good man, a good officer. His body was found just south of the border on the beach.”
“If they know it was this man, if I know it was this man, why won’t they arrest him? I’ll testify against him.”
“It’s not always about that, Lennon,” said Brooks. “Sometimes it’s something bigger. We have no doubt that Bora did those horrific things. He had the opportunity, the ability, but we need to know why?”
“Money,” said Lennon. “Money, drugs, women, isn’t that all motive enough?”
“You would think so, but there has to be more to this. Why throw away a twenty-five-year career in the Marines, at the top of his game? He could have retired, then gone and done this. Why now?” asked Mitchell.
“I didn’t think about that,” she said disheartened.
“Hey, it’s a lot to think about,” said Brooks reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. She stared at his massive, palm, lean, long fingers and strong veins pulsing through the flesh. She could feel her face flushing, hot and pink.
“Maybe I’m not cut out for this kind of reporting,” she murmured.
“Is this what you always wanted to do?” asked Mitchell.
“No,” she laughed. “I wanted to write the great American novel. I wanted to rival Dickenson, Angelou, or Morrison. Silly, I guess.”
“Not silly. If that’s what you want to do, you should do it,” said Brooks. “One of our non-blood aunts, we pretty much call everyone aunt and uncle. But anyway, she’s a famous author.”
“No kidding? Who is she?”
“Have you ever read any of the books by CC Robat?” asked Mitchell.
“Are you joking?!” she asked excitedly. “She’s my favorite. God, her books are just amazing and the sex. Holy cow, the sex scenes…” She trailed off, now a bright color of red, while the men laughed.
“We’ve read them,” grinned Brooks.
“You have? That’s so strange. I’ve never known a man to read romance novels.”
“You didn’t know the right men,” smirked Brooks.
“Obviously,” she mumbled. She stood, walking around the living room, looking at the books on the shelf, then walked toward the front windows, carefully staring out at the ocean.
“Stay away from the windows, Lennon,” said Brooks. “We’re relatively safe here but where we’re going will ensure our safety.”
She nodded, moving back to the sofa and taking her seat. She lay her head back, closing her eyes and Brooks noticed the way her long red hair covered her breasts. The thick black lashes kissed her cheeks and those ruby red lips were more than he could stand.
Mitchell stared at his brother and jerked his head toward the kitchen. Brooks nodded, following him.
“What are you doing? Do you have feelings for that woman?” whispered his brother.
“No! I mean, I don’t know her. No.” Mitchell frowned at him shaking his head.
“She’s a fucking reporter, Brooks.”
“So. We’ve got former reporters in our family.”
“You’re talking about bringing her into the family? Already?” he nearly squealed.
“Shh,” said Brooks staring at him. He began to sign to him and Mitchell nodded. Their phones pinged, disrupting the conversation and they both walked back into the living room. Lennon was sound asleep.
“You carry her,” said Mitchell. “I’ll get the bags and meet you out back.”
Brooks nodded at his brother, bending lower, hovering above Lennon for a moment. Her eyes fluttered open and she was surprised to see him so close at first, then reached for his neck, slamming her mouth against his own.
Brooks melted into the kiss, tasting her, massaging her lips as he lifted her against his body. She pulled back and he grinned.
“I was actually just going to carry you to the car but I appreciate the kiss,” he smirked.
“Oh, God. You can’t be serious. I’m so humiliated,” she said covering her face. “Put me down.”
“Nope,” he smiled. “I like you in my arms. Besides, we’re leaving. Our family jet is on base. We’re getting the fuck out of here.”
“But I don’t have any clothes, I don’t have any cash, I have nothing. I can’t go yet,” she protested.
“Fine,” he said setting her feet down on the floor.
She stood, wobbly at first, then stared up at him.
“But just how long do you think you’re going to last against Bora and his team?
They are good at what they do and that’s not lost on my brother and me.
That’s why we’re getting help. We’re going to take the time to plan this right and then go after Bora.
You, beautiful Lennon, won’t last twenty-four hours if you stay. ”
She stared up at him, tears filling her eyes. Brooks felt like an asshole but he couldn’t leave her here to die.
“I’m sorry for being so blunt. We’ll get you whatever you need. Anything. Clothes, make-up, anything. Just trust me, Lennon. We won’t let anything happen to you.”