Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lincoln
W hen we arrived, Rose and Zara had set up in one of the guest cabins on the edge of Asgard property. They’d laid out a spread with all sorts of goodies and drinks. I had to admit, after the day we’d had, it was nice arriving to such a welcome. Zara had showered and her hair hung in damp waves down her back. She was dressed in clingy loungewear that Rose must have lent her and looked good enough to eat.
She kissed me. “Down, boy, you need food first.”
I chuckled and held her close before relinquishing her to Colin who waited patiently for his turn.
“You look good enough to eat,” he said, voicing my thoughts aloud.
Zara giggled. “Real sustenance first. I need my men in top condition before we retire to bed.”
“Do you?” Colin bit down on Zara’s ear. “I’m listening, princess.”
A shudder moved through her and I couldn’t wait until we had some privacy. Lucky for us, all of the bedrooms in Asgard were practically soundproof so, even if Gabriel and Rose planned to stay here, we could be as loud as we wanted.
Zara served us food and urged us to eat and drink throughout the meal. She was a woman on a mission, and I couldn’t wait to have her all to ourselves. We did talk a bit about what would happen next in regards to the Albanians, but already we’d received a call from Jared who said the Albanian mob was claiming that the attack had been by a rogue group and had no association with them. He doubted the man would last a single night once he reached prison.
I shared that with the others over our meal and we speculated that would mean the Albanians had no interest in retaliating against us. “Don’t you find it odd that Jared has better information than the police?”
Colin shook his head. “You’re acting like he’s some sort of spy.”
Gabriel laughed so hard he choked. “Jared? Could you imagine? No, he’s just disgustingly rich with way too much time on his hands. I’ll admit the man is very well-connected around the world. He probably threw enough money at some people with the skills he needed. I’m honestly more surprised he bothered. He’s never done that before.”
That was a very good point and it made me also wonder about his actions.
Colin growled and shook his head. “What are you guys talking about? I swear the arsehole’s middle name is interference.”
We all laughed at his obvious annoyance.
“Now, Colin, just because he’s been the second older brother you’ve never wanted doesn’t mean you should call the man names,” Gabriel chided.
Colin glared at Gabe and that just made us laugh harder. It was moments like these that reminded me how grateful I was for my adopted family. I would die for every single one of them.
A few more stories circled about Jared before we called it a night and we were finally alone with Zara.
I pressed her toward the bed until the backs of her legs made contact with the mattress. I cupped her chin in my hand. “I’m so glad you are okay.”
“I’m better than okay. I’ve realized something today.”
I dropped to my knee so she and I were eye level. Colin followed suit. Zara’s eyes were so bright, like someone had turned on a light inside her. The darkness that sometimes haunted her was nowhere in sight. Joy and desire welled up inside me. I wanted nothing but happiness for her from that day forward.
“Go ahead, princess. What do you have to say?” Colin asked.
“I’ve been questioning how real all this is. Especially after today. The thought of you two, Brody or any of the rest of the men dying to keep me safe broke something inside me. I questioned why my life was worth theirs, or possibly yours. I didn’t feel worthy. I’ve never felt worthy. But then I realized I’d been looking at things from a place of lack. When I did that, your sacrifice and theirs showed me how honorable you are. In fact, you two are the very heart of honor. It dawned on me that not knowing your favorite color or any other detail didn’t matter because you two are the best men, and I know you will love me and protect me with your lives.”
Her eyes shone with so much trust and love that something in me cracked and shifted. She meant it and I saw myself through her eyes instead of the one on the field of battle. I could be everything I wanted and more, for her.
“I love you, Zara.”
It was the purest declaration my heart had ever made. The boldest words I’d ever spoken and it was because I finally knew what love was.
Colin gripped my shoulder. “We both love you.”
Like the last puzzle piece settling into place, I knew with all my heart and soul that the three of us were forever.
“Colin,” Zara began. “I meant what I said. What happened before… you need to forgive yourself. Circumstances were outside of your control, just like for me, and all we can do is the best with what we’re given. I love you and Linc loves you, but you need to love yourself.”
She hadn’t said anything the rest of us hadn’t thought before. In fact, I was sure that at some point, Gabriel had said something similar to Colin. Maybe it was because of the circumstances of today which could have led to her death, or maybe because seeing me accept love into my heart had affected him, whatever it was, I could see Colin let go. What started as a single tear, turned into several. There was a collective hush from Zara and I as the floodgates opened in my friend’s eyes for the very first time.
“Oh, Colin.” Zara flung herself into his arms and they collapsed backwards onto the carpeted floor. I joined them and pulled them both into my arms, holding him as great shuddering sobs wracked his body, and Zara cried right along with him.
It was the most remarkable experience I’d ever had and never thought to have. Time ceased to exist as the three of us cuddled and laughed, cried and loved. When we did finally rise off the floor, it was to grab tissues and climb into bed, exhausted. We slept, the three of us together, until late in the morning.
I was the first to awaken and rolled up onto my forearm to look on the other side of Zara to find Colin nested in her arms and looking more peaceful than I’d ever seen him. Happy, I rolled out of bed and grabbed a pair of sweats from the overnight bag we’d brought with us, tossed them on and silently left the room in search of coffee.
Gabriel was standing in front of the giant picturesque deck gazing out. He turned when he heard me. Gliding on the high from last night, I stalked over to him and threw my arms around him, giving him a bear hug. I couldn’t hold back the goofy smile when he finally disentangled himself from me.
“What has gotten into you?” he asked, looking amused.
“I’m just happy. It’s amazing how much the right woman can change.”
He smiled and nodded. “Damn straight. I was worried for the two of you. I’m glad you found your peace.” He pulled me back in for a hug and I let him.
Since returning from Iraq, casual touching had been something I avoided. It felt right for that to change as well with Zara in my life. It was going to be okay, and I was better than okay. I felt reborn.
“Let’s go to the kitchen and I’ll make you a coffee and then you can tell me all about it.”
“Aren’t you going into the office?”
“Rose took the helicopter in and told me to come in when I was ready. She had a hunch you guys might need my help today.”
“Your Rose is a very smart lady, and she’s right, I need to speak with you about the safe house.” I sat down on one of the stools while he made my coffee in his space-age coffee maker, like the one at the safe house.
“Let me guess. You guys want it for the three of you.”
I was genuinely shocked.
“Rose?”
He nodded and laughed. “Yep. It’s yours, you know you don’t even have to ask.”
He slid my mug across the counter without spilling a drop.
“Show off.”
“Well, I don’t do a lot really well, Lincoln, so I have to celebrate the small victories in life.”
“Now we both know that’s a lie, you do at least three things well.” He laughed and tossed a tea towel at me. “Seriously, man, thank you. I figured it wouldn’t be a problem, but as I recall, you paid cash for that one. Are you sure we can’t pay you for it?”
“Consider it a wedding gift.”
“Who’s getting married?” Colin entered the kitchen, looking ten years younger.
“We are. Anyone who can make you look like you were dipped in a vat of anti-aging gel deserves a big fat wedding ring, a contract, a collar and any other thing she desires.”
“Hooyah!” Gabriel cried.
“Hooyah!” Colin and I repeated.
The call was to a different type of battle, one in which there would be no casualties, not to say there wouldn’t be wounds along the way, but this was a battle played by our rules and one in which we could all win. One in which I was happy, and so was Colin. At long last, we were in a good place and I believed we could have our happy ending like Gabriel, Noah and Erik had.