Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
V ander gritted his teeth as his bound arms were hauled above his head.
“You’re going to regret this, Nomad,” Brynn spat. She twisted, but the big biker who was her captor held her still.
Beside her, Nomad watched with a smile on his face.
They were in the engine room, deep in the bowels of the ship. Three men were holding Vander, throwing the rope binding him over some overhead pipework. They hauled him up until he felt the strain in his shoulders and his toes barely touched the floor.
“I’ll be quite the legend in San Francisco. Taking down the infamous Vander Norcross.” Nomad stepped forward. “You aren’t so tough. I think you’ve greatly exaggerated your skills.”
Vander just lifted his head and stared at the man. “I don’t need to exaggerate anything. And I don’t go around talking about my greatness like some people.”
The man’s face twisted. He punched Vander in the gut.
Air whooshed out of Vander and he jerked against the ropes.
“Oh, you’re so tough, Tony,” Brynn said. “You’ll only fight him when he’s tied up.”
Damn, she was magnificent. Her hair with all its strands of colors framed her face. He could see that she was hiding her fear, not giving up.
The door to the room opened and a biker strode in, carrying a bag. He set it down on the table and Nomad strode over, an eager look on his face.
He opened the bag, and pulled out a long metal bar and a blowtorch. He turned the torch on, and stuck the end of the metal rod in the flame.
Vander saw Brynn stiffen.
“Detective Sullivan,” the man said. “Please remove the top of your man’s wetsuit.”
She lifted her chin. “No.”
The biker behind her shoved her hard, then followed through with a slap to her face.
Vander jerked against his bindings.
Nomad nodded at his bag. Another biker reached in and pulled out a large pair of scissors. He shoved them into Brynn’s hand.
“You try to use those as a weapon—” Nomad lifted the blowtorch higher “—and I’ll use this on you first, starting with that face of yours.”
One hand cupping her cheek and the other clenching the scissors, she straightened and walked toward Vander.
Now he saw the fear in her eyes. Her freckles were stark against her skin.
“Vander…” she whispered.
There was that blend he loved so much—strength and softness. He saw her fear, but under it was the steel that would hold her together.
She reached up for the fastening of his wetsuit, then slowly opened the zipper.
“It’ll be okay,” he murmured.
She bit her lip, then lifted the scissors. Her jaw was clenched tight as she cut through the neoprene. With his arms bound, she couldn’t slide the sleeves off, so she cut through the fabric.
Finally, she pushed the top half of his suit off, baring his chest.
She touched his skin, tracing the inked words on his pec.
“Freedom is never free,” she whispered.
“Trust me,” he said.
“I do, but…”
Yeah, the situation looked bad. “I vow to get you out of here safely. I won’t let anyone touch you, hurt you—” his tone lowered, and he let what he felt show through “—or take you from me.”
She swallowed.
“I came alone because I told my guys that I had all the backup I needed, right here.”
Her pretty pale-blue eyes flared. She nodded.
“Get back.” A biker grabbed the back of her shirt and yanked her backward. Vander saw her hands clench—one on the scissors and one into a fist—and he knew that she wanted to strike.
But his detective was smart.
She slid the scissors down by her side and out of view.
Nomad turned. The rod in his hand was glowing red at one end.
“Let us go and I won’t kill you all,” Vander said.
The bikers all laughed.
Nomad smiled. He moved the burning hot brand around. “You’ll be screaming shortly. I love seeing marks branded deep into skin. It’s an art. And the scent of burning flesh is so primal.”
“You’re a pig,” Brynn snapped.
Nomad glanced her way. “Your lovely skin will look beautiful covered in my marks, Detective.”
Vander’s muscles strained. He fought not to react, grinding his teeth together. “Last warning, Nomad.”
The biker shook his head. “Stubborn. You just can’t see the writing on the wall.” He strode closer.
Vander sucked in a breath, then released it slowly.
Nomad stepped in front of him.
Vander flexed his abs, and lifted his feet. He kicked the branding rod out of the man’s hands, and it flew away, clattering to the floor.
Nomad shouted and Vander landed a savage kick to the man’s head. He flew back and crashed to the floor.
Two bikers rushed at Vander. He kicked one, who staggered into the other. His next kick was direct to the man’s nose and blood sprayed.
The slimmer of the two charged, and Vander got his legs around the guy’s neck. Before the man could do anything, Vander tightened his grip and squeezed his legs, trapping the man in a chokehold.
The guy struggled, but Vander tightened his grip and held on. A moment later, the biker sagged, and Vander dropped him.
Vander lifted his legs all the way up. He saw Brynn fighting with the big biker. She got in a good front kick and a punch.
Vander managed to pull his hidden knife from his boot with his bound hands. It was awkward, but in Ghost Ops, they’d practiced loads of situations like this. They were always tying each other up and trying to get free.
Carefully, so he didn’t drop the knife or cut himself, he started sawing on the rope.
The knife was very sharp.
A second later, the ropes fell and Vander dropped to the floor in a crouch.
He yanked the remaining ropes off, just as Brynn slammed the biker into the wall and rammed her elbow into his neck.
Gagging, he slid down the wall.
She spun, saw Vander free, and blinked.
Then she smiled. “You are so badass.”
They both moved, and collided together. Their kiss was hot and hungry.
“I know it’s so wrong, but I’m so turned on right now,” she said.
Vander hugged her tighter. “You are something else, Detective.”
“You too, Norcross.” She looked past him, her eyes widening. He spun.
It was no new bad guy.
But there was a fire.
Flames were dancing up the wall.
“Fuck.” The brand must’ve ignited something. “Come on.”
He took her hand and they ran. They exited the room and sprinted down the corridor.
They passed a group of bewildered sailors.
“Fire!” Brynn yelled. “Evacuate.”
They were almost to the top deck when an alarm started blaring. She saw sailors running all over the place.
The night air hit them.
Boom .
The ship rocked beneath their feet.
Vander pulled her to the railing and looked at her. “Trust me?”
“Always.”
There was another boom and some of the hatch covers blew upward, flames shooting into the night sky.
Vander tightened his hold on Brynn’s fingers, then they leaped off the side of the ship and into the water.
* * *
Brynn kicked to the surface, spitting out water. She circled her legs, watching as Vander came up right beside her.
They both looked back at the burning ship, watching sailors jump into the water.
“Nice rescue,” she said.
“The exploding ship part was an added bonus.” He circled an arm around her and kissed her.
She wasn’t sure how long they stayed there, holding each other and kissing in the water. It was the roar of a boat engine that made them separate.
She looked up, just as a bright beam of light hit them. A sleek speedboat raced closer.
It slowed and circled around them.
“Here we are,” Saxon drawled from the bow of the boat. “Worried you both just exploded, and you’re making out.”
“Screw you, Buchanan,” Vander said, no heat in his tone.
Hunt was at the speedboat’s controls.
Saxon pulled them aboard. Brynn was sopping wet, and when the cool breeze hit her, she shivered.
Then her cousin wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.
“I’m all right,” she said.
Hunt looked at Vander. “Thank you.”
Vander shrugged a shoulder. “She was already partway through rescuing herself.”
She grinned.
Her cousin shook his head.
Vander pulled her close. Saxon found a blanket and Vander draped it around them. He sat down, pulling her onto his lap, and wrapping his arms tightly around her. Like he never wanted to let go.
Brynn was fine with that.
She pressed a hand to his damp, bare chest, her palm against his beating heart. As they headed back toward the shore, they passed several police boats speeding toward the burning ship.
As they neared the port, she saw lights, cars, and a crowd.
“Brace yourselves,” Saxon warned. “The gang and the families have all descended.”
Among the crowd, Brynn saw her mom, her sisters, and her brother. She groaned.
Vander just held her tighter. Hunt slowed the speedboat and they came to a stop alongside the pier. Saxon tied it off and Vander helped her off the boat.
“Brynn!” She was engulfed by her mom. Then her sisters were there, babbling and hugging her.
Bard looked freaked. He glanced at the burning ship in the Bay, then back at her. “Jesus, Brynn.”
“I’m okay.”
He nudged their younger sister aside and hugged her.
Then she was tugged away. Vander pulled her tight to his side, his face warning her not to argue.
Her sisters stared at him.
“Wow.” Carrin’s eyes went wide.
Naomi’s lips formed an O.
Gia, Easton, and the rest of the Norcross gang were behind him. They didn’t look upset at all. They must be used to this kind of action-fueled drama.
“Brynn!” Mrs. Norcross moved forward and hugged her.
Mr. Norcross appeared and patted her shoulder. He winked. “Thanks for looking out for my son.”
“We looked after each other,” Brynn said.
Vander slid an arm around her shoulders. “Can I have my woman back now?”
“Wait.” Bard looked shocked, and a little green. “You’re Vander Norcross.” He turned to Brynn. “You’re sleeping with Vander Norcross? Are you insane?”
She bristled. “No, Bard, I’m in love with Vander Norcross.”
The crowd went quiet, and Vander’s grip tightened on her. She turned her head to look up at him.
“And he’s in love with me.” She didn’t look away from his dark gaze. “You’re in love with me.”
He just stared, but she saw his bare, muscled chest rising and falling.
Her heart clutched. Come on, Vander . “Do you have the guts to tell me how you feel?”
She was excruciatingly conscious of their audience glancing between them.
“I warned you that relationships aren’t for a man like me,” he said.
Someone let out an angry hiss. Brynn thought it was Gia.
Brynn made a scoffing sound. “Come on, Vander. Everything you do is for your family, your friends, your employees. Those are all relationships. You’re big, badass, and tough on the outside, the ultimate protector. But underneath, you’re all soft and gooey.”
There were several gasps from the audience.
A muscle flexed in his jaw “Brynn—”
“You take care of everyone. You’ve helped them get their businesses started.
You go all out to help the women they fall in love with.
And I know that you help returning vets integrate into civilian life.
I investigated you too. I know just how much money and time you funnel into the Returning Warriors charity.
I know that you started it, all quiet and anonymous. ”
His mouth firmed. “None of that matters—”
“Oh, yes it does. You’re so in love with me you can’t think straight.”
He stared at her and didn’t say anything.
The silence stretched on.
Her heart caved in, and suddenly the adrenaline of the night crashed in on her. God, what if he could never deal with his feelings? She was standing here, baring her heart to him, and he was still protecting himself.
She scraped a hand through her wet hair. “I guess there is something that Vander Norcross is afraid of.” She turned away. “I just want to go home.”
Vander surged forward and grabbed her with a growl. “Will you let me talk?”
“I don’t—”
He kissed her. It was hard, intense, and filled with feeling. He slid his hand into her wet hair. Of course, even though she was tired and angry, it was Vander, so she kissed him back.
When he lifted his mouth, she was surprised her eyes didn’t roll back and her legs collapse.
“I’ve never loved a woman before. Never wanted to, never came anywhere close to love. So, a little patience, please.”
Her heart took off like a race horse. “Oh.”
“I told you that I’d never let you go. You’re mine. I’m yours. Your home is with me . Nobody’s ever going to love you as much as I do. Nobody will feel what I feel for you.”
She melted. She didn’t feel cold anymore. “Oh, Vander.”
It was so Vander and it was perfect.
His mouth took hers again.
There was clapping and cheering. Brynn heard Mrs. Norcross crying. When she lifted her head, she saw Vander’s mom leaning against her husband. Brynn’s mom and sisters were smiling. Bard’s face was blank. Oh well, he’d adjust.
“Poor Jack never stood a chance,” Naomi said.
Vander gripped Brynn’s jaw and she looked back at him.
“I want marriage and babies,” he said.
She jerked. “Right now?”
That got her one of those gorgeous smiles. “No, but soon you’ll wear my ring, and one day, you’ll have my babies.”
“You’re supposed to ask, Vander.”
“I will. Eventually. When the time’s right.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips and then ran his thumb along her cheekbone. “For now, you’re moving in with me.”
Another order. She rolled her eyes. “Ask me.”
“Brynn, will you make a home with me?”
“ Yes .”
They kissed again and she didn’t care that they were surrounded by people and smelled like dirty water. She was right where she wanted to be.