Chapter 23
Ya Got Trouble
Mara wasn’t sure whether she was making things better or worse. She couldn’t seem to stop babbling. Seth had stopped talking, so she hoped she was giving him time to put his plan into action. He’d have one, she was sure of it.
Unable to come up with a different idea, she kept talking. “I know Caden was good enough to excel in the military. He would have been promoted often. But I also know he wanted to follow in your footsteps, and make room for other dreams in his life.”
She heard another sound from where she thought Blake was standing. Hoping she was doing the right thing, she kept talking.
“Everyone should have more than one dream. I know you found a new one with the cars you fix. Maki wanted to dive into medical research and help make lives better for others. Again. Military people do that all the time, don’t they?
They help innocent families and kids stay safe or escape from dangerous situations into better ones.
I bet Maki had fun with the kids overseas.
He wouldn’t have had any trouble transcending language barriers.
He would have played soccer and tag with them.
Probably learned some words so that he could play. ”
“He loved kids.”
Relief swooshed through Mara. He was talking to her. The rage had drained from his voice and it dripped with sorrow.
“He’d want you to have the chance to have some. And he’d brag to them about how he’s got the bravest hen at Chick Inn Time named after him.”
Another sound that might have been a laugh or a sob. Then a shadow detached from the trees and moved forward.
Blake moved toward the enclosure and shone his flashlight onto the papers beside the door. He was silent for a few minutes. “You weren’t lying.”
She had to swallow her own emotions. “No. Caden was well-respected. He was an honorable man, and he is missed by so many.”
Another shadow approached. Even in the almost dark, Mara knew it was Seth. He moved slowly until he stood a yard from Blake.
Seth’s soft voice reached her. “She’s right. Caden was a hell of a guy. His loss rips me to shreds in nightmares. He was one of the best, and he loved you so damn much. He’d want you to live a good life, to find joy and love. Have a couple of kids he would want to spoil.”
The man dropped something on the ground. “He shouldn’t have died. It should have been me.” The words were barely discernible with the sobs.
Seth patted Blake on the shoulder. “He would hate that. He’d want you to live a full life. Caden would want you to be happy, Blake.”
The man broke into sobs, and Seth wrapped his arms around him as he cried.
Relief and sorrow flowed through Mara as she watched. More shadows emerged and approached. Two of them surrounded Blake and Seth. Two others moved to the enclosure door.
There was a shuffle of bodies, and then Seth moved toward her. All the men were muscled and strong, but even in the shadows, she knew it was him.
Sure enough, he was beside her in a moment, and she was wrapped in his arms. “Mara.” Her name shuddered out of him, and she wished she could hug him back.
He kissed her hair and ran his hands over her. “Are you hurt? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, but I think there’s a bomb strapped to me.”
He swore creatively, and then Ford was there too with a flashlight. Ford hugged her quickly, while Seth pulled out a jackknife and started cutting the duct tape holding the item to her.
With a curse, Ford handed the light to someone else. She didn’t know who because she couldn’t focus on anything but Seth and Ford. On getting free.
Her body shook so hard, she worried Seth’s knife might not be able to cut the tape holding her in place.
“I’ve got you, Mara. Only a few seconds more.”
Then her limbs were free, and he wrapped himself around her. Ford wrapped them both in his arms.
For a long minute, they sat, all three of them trembling and holding on.
Ford ran his hand over her hair. “You were so damn smart, Sis. Brave and smart. I’m so damn proud of you and so glad you’re okay.”
Then he stood to give her and Seth some privacy. She wanted to thank her brother, wanted to hug him back. But that would have to wait because she couldn’t loosen her arms from around the man she loved. “I love you, Seth. I didn’t think I’d have a chance to tell you.”
He squeezed her hard enough; she thought she might imprint herself onto his chest. “I love you too, Mara. So much.”
Then he leaned back and cupped her face with his big hands. He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “With everything I am.”
His lips brushed softly over hers. “You were incredible. Smart and intuitive. You reached him, touched a man who planned to kill you. Kill us both. You talked him out of it because you’re amazing.
If I hadn’t already been completely in love with you, I’d have fallen right then, watching you use your empathy and kindness to help a man focused on vengeance. ”
“He’s so sad.”
Seth’s lips brushed over her bruised ones again. “He is. But that’s better than angry. You helped him take the first step to healing, Mara.”
“I only followed your lead. I knew if I distracted him, you’d have a chance to fix everything because I knew you’d have a plan. Thank you for saving me.”
His arms banded around her again. “You saved yourself. As well as me and Blake. You’re incredible.”
A tremor ran through her as feeling returned to her limbs. Seth leaned back. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
She shrugged. “Nothing worse than bangs and bruises. My arms and legs are tingling, and my shoulders hurt from having my hands behind my back for so long. I think he used chloroform to knock me out.”
Seth growled. “That’s more than enough. I want to kick his ass, but I also understand how gutted he was by Maki’s death.”
She managed a smile. “You’re such a good man, Seth.”
Ford dropped beside them again and pulled Mara into another hug. “So proud of you, Mara. So grateful you’re okay.”
Feeling her brother shaking in her arms had her emotions swamping her again. “I was so scared, but I knew you and Seth would save me. Thank you.”
He huffed out a shaky laugh. “Your man raced off after you before most of us even knew what was going on. You’ve got yourself a good one, Mara.”
“I know.”
He laughed and squeezed her tight before reaching out his hand to Seth. “Thanks, man. You’re now locked into the Evans family forever, whether you like it or not.”
Seth shook his hand with a grin. “I’m one hundred percent on board with that.”
That had tears pouring down her cheeks, making the men share a grin before Seth wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. “It’s over, Mara. You’re safe.”
She nodded, trying to hold back the tears, but the emotions of the last few minutes were just too strong, and Seth’s arms holding her close were everything she wanted.
She snuggled in and breathed in the future she’d always wanted. An incredible man who loved her, a job she loved, in a place she adored. “I’m so happy you love me back.”
He chuckled into her hair. “Me too. You ready to get out of the coop?”
She nodded into his chest, needing one more squeeze before she stood. Instead, Seth stood with her cradled in her arms.
“I can walk.”
“Your arms and legs must be hurting with all that blood flow returning. Let me help.”
Her knee also ached from when Blake kicked her, but she didn’t mention it. Instead, she kissed Seth lightly and leaned into him. Now that the panic was over, she could feel the aches and bruises forming. “Just for a minute.”
Although she figured she could happily stay right where she was forever.
Seth didn’t want to let her go. Not ever, but definitely not for the next while. He’d been so close to losing her.
A shudder ran through him, and he held her more tightly, reminding himself she was safe. Whole.
Unlike Maki.
Had Blake made a homemade IED, intending to blow her up?
The empathy he’d been feeling for the man took a back seat to the rage.
Mara patted his chest. “It’s okay. We’re both safe.”
He blew out a breath. “He wanted to kill you, blow you up.”
She nodded. “I know. I was so scared, but I knew you’d come and save us both.”
He dropped a kiss on her head. “I was lucky.”
She lifted her head to study him as he paused just outside the coop door.
“I’m feeling pretty lucky myself. There’s this honorable, sexy man I’ve fallen in love with who loves me back.
We’re both safe. Blake didn’t do anything he can’t come back from.
You gave him a chance, Seth. A chance to heal from the pain he’s been in.
I’m guessing he wasn’t lucky enough to have anyone to talk to about his brother’s death.
It’s been festering inside him for a while. Maybe this will help him heal.”
She was such a good person. “I hope so.” And he realized he did. He didn’t want Maki’s brother to suffer anymore. They’d all suffered enough. Maki would want them all to heal and move forward.
Flashlights brightened the area enough so he could see that everyone who lived at the farm was there, along with Blake and the bodyguards.
Nash and Gray sat with MacNeil on the ground, with the bodyguards providing insurance in case things went sour. He appreciated their vigilance even as he hoped the danger was over.
Once he moved into the light, the group surrounded them. Mara patted his chest again, then squirmed down to her feet.
He wanted to haul her back up into his arms, but he knew the others needed to reassure themselves that she was fine.
Jolie flung herself at Mara with tears streaming down her face. “You’re okay? Tell me you’re okay.”
The other women crowded in, separating Seth from the group. Ford appeared at his side, and they both watched as these women who hadn’t known Mara for long surrounded her with love, hugs, tears, and laughter.
Ford slapped Seth on the back. “You did good. Not only in keeping Mara safe, but in making MacNeil talk about his brother.”
“Mara did most of that.”
Ford snorted. “Let’s just say that the two of you make a hell of a team.”
“We do. A lifetime team.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Knox approached the two of them and slapped Seth on the back. “Good job, Babs. Glad you’re both okay.”
Seth nodded, swallowing the emotions that rolled through him.
Knox continued. “Marcus is on his way from Phail. He’ll come in soft, without the sirens and lights, seeing as you and Mara contained the situation.”
Seth almost managed a smile at that and then thought of the device. “Was it a homemade IED?”
Knox sighed. “We didn’t take it apart, knowing Marcus will want it for evidence, but that’s what it looks like.”
Shit, he could have killed her. Rage ran through his veins again, and he tightened his hands into fists to help control it.
Beside him, Ford growled. Reading them both, Knox spoke again. “She’s okay. She’s safe, and MacNeil won’t be a threat again.”
Was that true? He sure as hell hoped so.
He turned to check on MacNeil, who was still sitting talking with Nash and Gray. The two had been special forces strategists. They had serious skills and read people better than anyone Seth knew. They’d be able to give everyone a good idea of Blake’s mindset. No one could fool the two of them .
Although Blake wouldn’t be able to fool many right now, the man was running with his feelings wide open. Mara’s words had reached him.
Seth would always be thankful she’d named the chickens after their team. That Maki had the position of honor within their coop. The hen was never going to lack treats for the rest of her life.
It could have gone wrong in so many ways. Because of his conversations with Maki, Seth knew his brother was a good man at heart. He’d been able to use that until Mara had joined in and melted the man’s anger, turned it into the sorrow and guilt that was at the core of his actions.
Blake might not be a veteran, but he was dealing with many of the same emotions veterans did. Getting help in working through those emotions would be key to the man’s future.
Seth had been lucky. He’d had his team. A solid family background. Another career choice. His new team here.
And Mara.
She’d been the key in turning Seth from a grumpy bastard into someone looking forward to the future, to decades of making love to the woman who’d healed him. Years of listening to her sing, dancing with her, making babies and helping them grow into good people, all here on this farm.
It would be a good life. Better than he’d ever imagined.
After another visual check of Blake, he returned his gaze to Mara. The other women were helping her smile, but he could see the exhaustion from the adrenaline dump seeping through the smiles.
He strode forward to lift her into his arms again. “You need to sit.”
She patted his chest. “I’m okay.”
“You are.”
She settled herself against him and sighed. “And so are you.”
Even as he strode toward the farmhouse, he nodded. “You’re right. As long as we’re together, I am.”
Mara rubbed her hand over his chest. “Agreed.”