“PETE’S DEAD?” MITCH repeated stupidly. No way. Pete couldn’t be dead. It wasn’t right-he’d saved Mitch, he had a baby on the way.
“I’m sorry,” Fidela told him, tears filling her eyes. “His brother called. I have the number.”
Mitch couldn’t feel anything-not pain or anger or regret. There was only a cold numbness that fogged his brain.
He took the number and stared at it as he tried to figure out the next step. Then he grabbed the phone and dialed.
“Hello?”
“This is Mitch Cassidy. I’m looking for Zane.”
“That’s me.” The other man sounded tired. “Thanks for calling. You heard?”
“About Pete? I’m sorry. He was the best.”
“I know.” Zane’s voice cracked. “Look, he talked about you all the time. We all know about you, how you saved his life.”
Saved Pete? “He’s the one who dragged me to cover.”
“Yeah, but you held off the snipers. He loved you, man. I know you were hurt so I don’t know if this would be asking too much, but we’d like you to come to the funeral. Lisa, his wife, wants to meet you.”
Because they’d never met. Mitch felt he knew her, but that was all through Pete.
“When and where,” Mitch said, the numbness wearing off. “Just tell me and I’ll be there.”
He wrote down the information and promised to call with the flight information. The funeral would be in three days. Full military. They wanted him to speak. He had no idea what to say.
“I’ll call Skye,” Fidela said when she hung up.
“No. Don’t bother her.”
“She should know.”
“No.”
He couldn’t talk to her right now, couldn’t talk to anyone. Rather than fight about it, he left and headed for the barn, where he saddled Bullet and took him out.
He waited until they’d passed the house before giving the horse his head and hanging on for the ride. It took Bullet a few seconds to realize he wasn’t going to be held back, then he took off, his long stride covering ground. Mitch bent low over his horse’s neck. Wind burned his eyes and pulled at his shirt. He wanted to go forever, but knew that no matter how fast they went, he couldn’t outrun Pete’s death.
Skye’s car was parked behind the house when he got back. Both he and the horse were breathing heavily, although Bullet had done all the hard work. He slid out of the saddle and walked his horse in, moving past Skye without speaking. She followed him into the barn.
“I heard,” she said, coming up behind him. “I’m sorry, Mitch. I know Pete was your friend.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Fidela called me,” she added, as if he hadn’t guessed that.
“She should learn to mind her own business.”
“She cares about you. I want to help.”
He pulled off the saddle and the blanket, then began to walk the horse to cool him. His leg ached, but he didn’t care. Nothing much mattered anymore.
“You’re going to the funeral,” she said. “Let me help with that. I’ll make the arrangements. I can go with you, if you want. Or not. Let me help. There’s not much else I can do, so let me do this.”
He looked at her and instead saw Pete laughing. Pete had found nearly everything about life inherently funny. He enjoyed the early mornings, the nights of waiting, the rush of jumping out of a plane.
“His wife is pregnant,” Mitch said.
“I know. That must make her feel both better and worse. She’ll always have a part of her husband alive, but he won’t know his child.”
“Pete was so damn proud. He kept talking about how he came from a long line of good swimmers.”
Skye frowned. “Don’t you have to be a good swimmer to be a SEAL?”
“Sperm,” he said. “He was talking about his sperm. Lisa got pregnant the first night they tried. We all thought the sonogram picture looked like an alien, but Pete claimed the baby was all him. Even had the family sports equipment.” He glanced at her. “That means-”
“I know what it means.” She gave him a faint smile. “He sounds like a good guy. Fidela told me when the funeral is. You can fly out that morning. Do you want to spend the night?”
“No. I’ll come back.”
“Fine. I’ll make the arrangements.”
She hesitated, as if she wanted to say more. Or maybe she just wanted him to say something. But he didn’t have any words. Not yet. He couldn’t think about what she’d told him earlier. Love? Not today. Not with Pete gone.
“Thank you,” he said, standing next to Bullet and patting the horse’s neck.
“You’re welcome. If you need anything, just let me know.”
He nodded.
She walked back toward her car. When she was nearly there, he called, “Wait.”
She looked at him.
“Can you come with me?”
“Of course. I’ll clear the day.”
“I won’t be good company. I’ll probably act like a jerk.”
“You do have practice.”
One corner of his mouth twitched. “Nice. Potshots at the cripple.”
“I do what I can.” She opened her car door. “I’m sorry, Mitch. I wish there was something magic I could say to make it all better.”
“Me, too.”
THE RICH REALLY were different, Mitch thought as he moved down the steps of the private plane Skye had arranged for their flight to Phoenix. A black Town Car waited on the tarmac of the private airport. She joined him in the back of the car.
“You doing all right?” she asked.
“Nice car.”
“I thought it would be easier to have someone else do the driving.” She looked at him. “You don’t want to tell me if you’re okay?”
“I don’t want to talk about my feelings.” They were too close to the surface. The funeral was going to be hard enough to get through as it was.
“I understand,” she said and touched his arm.
She’d dressed in a black suit and pulled her hair back. She looked dignified and serious. Did dealing with this make her remember Ray’s death?
For the first time since he’d heard the news about Pete, he allowed himself to think about what she’d said to him. That while Ray would always matter, she’d never stopped loving him.
Was it true? Did he want it to be true? Could he trust her?
Not the time or place, he told himself, but he was glad she was with him.
She put her hand in his. “If you need to yell or fight,” she said quietly, “just let me know. I’ll argue or be annoying. I’m good at both.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
They arrived at the church. Skye got out of the car, then waited for Mitch to join her. He took so long, she wondered if he’d changed his mind. Then he climbed out and stood on the sidewalk, looking as if someone had shot him.
There were well over a hundred people outside the church. Mitch stayed close as he introduced her to a few people he knew. They were all men, SEALs she would guess. Strong and confident, they moved easily through the crowd. But there was a restlessness about them-as though if they stopped moving they would have to deal with the loss of one of their own.
The service was difficult to get through, Skye thought two hours later, and she’d never known Pete. Several people had told moving stories about what he’d been like as a young man. Mitch talked about how Pete had saved him. He glossed over what must have been a terrifying and dangerous situation, instead focusing on how Pete was a funny, easygoing man who didn’t believe he was a hero. Sort of like Mitch himself.
Once they went to the graveside, they stood through a military burial. At the end, an obviously pregnant widow came up and spoke to Mitch. Skye didn’t hear what she was saying, but it was enough for Mitch to tightly hug her, then turn to Skye and say they had to leave.
He was quiet on the drive back to the airport. Once they’d cleared Phoenix airspace on their way back to Dallas, he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
“It should have been me,” he said quietly. “I should have been the one to die. Not Pete.”
“You weren’t even there,” she told him. “How could you have taken his place?”
“I don’t know, but this is wrong. He’s a good guy.”
“From what I learned about him today, he wouldn’t want anyone to take his place. That wasn’t his way. He died in a firefight, doing something he believed in. Am I wrong?”
Mitch didn’t look at her. “It should have been me. He’s got a kid he’ll never see. A wife. A family.”
Skye wanted to tell Mitch he could have all those things, too. It hurt so much to see him this way, to feel his pain, and not be able to do anything to help.
“You’re the one who’s here,” she murmured. “Wouldn’t Pete tell you not to waste the opportunity?”
“Maybe.”
She wanted to push but didn’t. Later they would talk, but for now she forced herself to stay quiet.
They’d driven together in his truck. When they reached Glory’s Gate, she leaned over and turned off the engine.
“What are you doing?”
“Erin’s spending the night with Lexi and Cruz. My dad is gone. Come inside.”
He hesitated. “I won’t be very good company.”
“We’re not going to talk.”
She thought he might refuse. That he would wait until she got out of the truck, then drive away. But he didn’t. He collected the keys and followed her inside.
She led the way upstairs, to her bedroom and closed the door behind him.
Once there, she stepped close and put her hands on his shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, then pressed her lips to his.
He reacted instantly, grabbing her around the waist, holding on as if he would never let go. His mouth claimed hers, demanding, taking, then suddenly gentling to barely a whisper of contact. He kissed her over and over again, tender kisses that offered every part of him.
Surrender wasn’t necessary-she’d given herself to him the first time they’d made love nine years ago and there was a part of her she’d never reclaimed. It came to life now, burning for him, but also feeling, embracing, wanting more than just the passion that always flared between them. She wanted the connection.
He ran his hands up and down her back, then pushed off her suit jacket. It fell to the floor. He licked her lower lip. She parted for him and he swept inside.
Their tongues played a game of tag, teasing, dancing, before the need began to grow. She tilted her head. He deepened the kiss. She pushed off his jacket. It was the first time she’d ever seen him wear a suit and he’d looked good. But right now she wanted to touch bare skin, be close to him. Make love.
He stroked her face then moved his fingers into her hair. One by one, he pulled the pins free until her hair tumbled down her back. He buried his fingers in the soft curls.
She worked on his tie, first loosening it, then tugging it until she could let it drop to the floor. He unzipped her skirt and it puddled around her feet.
She stepped out of her pumps. He moved down her back to her butt, where he grabbed her and squeezed. She shifted toward him, bringing her belly in contact with his arousal.
He was already hard. She rubbed against him, wanting to feel his erection, wanting to know he wanted this, too. She was already wet and hungry.
He slid his hands under her blouse, up to her breasts. There he made quick work of the front closure on her bra. He pushed the cups aside and cupped her curves in his big hands.
He continued to kiss her. His warm fingers stroking her skin made it difficult to think. When he brushed her nipples with his thumbs, fire shot through her. She wanted to cry out, but contented herself with a soft moan, then closed her mouth around his tongue and sucked. He tensed. Then he backed her toward the bed.
When her thighs bumped the mattress, she lost her balance and abruptly sat. He unfastened the buttons and shrugged out of his shirt, then reached for his belt buckle, only to pause. His eyes locked with hers.
She didn’t have to ask what was wrong-she knew. Just like she knew his hesitation had as much to do with him as with her.
They’d had sex twice before. It had been hot and fast and possibly safer for him because they’d never undressed. She’d never actually seen him naked since his return. She’d never had to deal with his amputation directly and he’d never had to deal with her reaction.
Without saying anything, while still holding his gaze, she pushed him back a step so she could stand. She pulled off her blouse and let her bra fall to the ground. Then she stepped out of her black panties. When she was completely naked, she took his hand and guided it to between her thighs.
“I want you,” she whispered, moaning as he explored her swollen center.
He rubbed all over, sliding against that one spot of pleasure before thrusting a finger inside of her. She grabbed onto his shoulders to keep herself from falling. Her eyes fluttered closed.
He moved in and out, filling her, then leaving her empty and wanting. Her insides tightened around him, trying to get more. There was something about the way he touched her-it had never taken much to get her over the top.
“Skye,” he whispered, as he withdrew his hand. “We have to talk.”
She did her best not to whimper that talking wasn’t what she needed right now.
She put her hands on his shoulders and smiled at him. “So talk.”
“I’m having trouble concentrating. You’re naked.”
She smiled. “I know. I want you to be comfortable.”
He glanced down at his erection. “Comfortable isn’t the word I’d use.” He returned his gaze to her face. “It’s not horrible, but it’s a shock.”
“I’m pretty clear on what to expect.” She’d been doing some reading online. She’d seen pictures. None of which had been Mitch, but she was reasonably confident she could manage without reacting.
“I want to be inside of you. I want to be on top.” He hesitated. “I’m not sure how to make that work.”
Why would he have a problem being…
Leverage, she thought, answering her own question. Everything would be different. He couldn’t brace himself the same way.
“Then we’ll just have to practice and practice until we get it right,” she said with a smile. “It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make because that’s just the kind of person I am.”
He didn’t return her smile. She read the worry in his eyes and wished she knew how to make him feel better. Probably the only way to reassure him was to go through the experience.
She stepped aside and urged him to sit. Then she knelt on the carpet and removed both his shoes and socks. Underneath the left sock was the smooth plastic of his artificial foot.
Unexpected sadness flooded her. Sadness for what he’d been through and what he’d lost. He wasn’t alone in that. Hundreds of others had suffered the same way.
But thinking about that wasn’t helping. She had to focus on Mitch, on being with him, on letting him know that she loved all of him.
She straightened, then reached for his belt, but before she could touch it, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. He buried his face between her breasts and groaned, then turned his head and drew her right nipple into his mouth.
The sweet tugging caused her insides to clench. She held on to him and lost herself in the sensation. Then his fingers were between her legs, searching, finding, rubbing, thrusting. He used his thumb to caress her center while moving his fingers in and out of her.
She tightened her muscles as the need washed over her. She was already close and getting closer by the second. Her orgasm was just out of reach. A few more seconds and she would be there.
She cupped his head and ran her fingers through his hair as he moved from breast to breast. Almost, she thought desperately. Almost. Then she would-
She pulled herself away. It was agony as her body whimpered in protest.
“You’re trying to distract me,” she said, barely able to see straight.
He shrugged. “Maybe a little. You’re also naked, Skye. What am I supposed to do? Ignore that?”
She unfastened his belt. “No. You’re supposed to join me.”
He pushed her hands away and stood. His suit slacks fell. She didn’t look away from his eyes.
“Almost,” she teased. “I’m talking naked, cowboy.”
“You have to look.”
For her or for him? Did it matter?
He sat back on the bed and tossed away his slacks. She sat next to him and looked down at the prosthesis, then he removed it and slid off the protective sock.
It was wrong, she thought sadly, staring at the place where his calf had once been. There was nothing there. Just a smooth curve of skin and a few fading scars.
“I thought it would be more dramatic,” she said without thinking.
“Meaning?”
“At least some background music and a drumroll.”
He stared at her. For a second she thought he was going to get pissed off. Instead he started to laugh. When she joined in, he put his arm around her waist and pulled her onto the mattress. Then he was on top of her and they were kissing and nothing else mattered.
He claimed her mouth with a desperation that left her breathless. His hands roamed her body, finding all the places that made her squirm. Well, all the places but one. No matter how she flexed her hips and silently willed him to touch her there, he ignored that place between her legs.
He moved lower, kissing her neck, then her breasts. He licked his way down her belly.
She knew where this was going, what he would do, and nearly screamed for him to hurry. Hunger burned inside of her. She’d already been close once-it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge.
Finally he moved between her thighs, parted her and then kissed her intimately. He used his lips and tongue to arouse her to the point of mindlessness, licking and sucking until she wanted to scream. At the same time he slipped a finger inside of her.
The combination was too much, she thought as her body tensed. She pushed toward him, wanting more, wanting all of it. There was a moment of certainty, a promise, then she was coming and shuddering, calling out his name, begging him never to stop.
He continued to touch her until she stilled, then he rolled away. Seconds later he was back, kneeling between her legs. She reached for him to guide him inside of her. As his thick hardness filled her, nerve endings began to dance.
It was perfect, she thought as she stared into his eyes. He fit her as if he’d been made for her-stretching her just enough, finding exactly the right, delicious spot when he thrust in all the way.
They quickly created their perfect rhythm. Their gazes locked. She felt herself getting closer again, but was determined to hold back until he was falling, too.
Familiar tension filled her. The need was there, pushing her onward. She found herself trying to think about other things, which made her want to laugh.
“What?” he asked, still moving in and out of her.
“I’m waiting for you.”
He grinned. “I’m enjoying the moment. It’s easy. I didn’t know it would be easy.”
What was he talking about?
Then she remembered. His leg. He’d been worried. She’d been concerned. But they were making love and it was exactly as it had always been. Perfect.
“Take your time,” she told him, grabbing onto her self-control, determined to wait for him.
“You’re really close?” he asked.
“Mitch, are you torturing me on purpose?”
“Uh-huh.” His breath caught. “You ready?”
“I’ve moved on to desperate.”
“That sounds bad. You can let go.”
“Are you sure?”
He pushed in deeper and groaned. “I’m sure.”
She felt the muscles in his back flex. She surrendered to her release and they lost themselves in each other.
SKYE WOKE UP alone in her bed the next morning, but she was okay with that. Being with Mitch the previous night had been like a renewal. They’d connected on a level she hadn’t thought possible. While they hadn’t talked about the future, she knew he was going to give her a chance. It had taken nine years and a lot of miles, but they were finally where they belonged.
She showered and dressed. It was Saturday and Erin would sleep in a little. Later she had a birthday party with one of her friends. Maybe Skye could sneak over and see Mitch again.
She hummed as she made her way downstairs. Everything was going to work out. She’d finally gotten her life together. All they had to do was get Izzy well and find a way to beat Garth. Then everything would be perfect.
“Not too much to ask,” she said as she walked into the kitchen.
Her father was already there.
“Dad. You’re home.”
Jed sipped his coffee. “I still live here.”
“You haven’t been around much.” Although it was the weekend and relatively early in the morning, he wore a suit, as if he had a business meeting.
“I’ve been busy,” he said. “There’s a lot going on. How’s your sister?”
“Doing better. I know she’d like you to go see her.”
“I hate hospitals. I’ll see her when she gets home.”
Skye glared at him. “She survived an explosion. You should make the time.”
“Don’t tell me what to do. I don’t have time for distractions. A guy named Jack is going to call you later and ask you out. I want you to say yes.”
She had reached for the coffeepot. Now she dropped her hand to her side and stared at him. “What?”
“You heard me. He’s successful, which matters to me. I’ve heard people say he’s handsome, which will matter to you.”
“No,” she said, too shocked to move.
“You’ll go on a date, see how things go.”
“Did you hear me? I said no.”
Sunlight poured into the kitchen. Jed sipped his coffee again. “Do you think I care what you said?”
She stiffened. “You’d better. I’m not doing this again. I married Ray. He was a good man and I’m grateful for Erin, but I shouldn’t have listened to you. I lost myself when I did that and it’s taken me all this time to find my way back.”
“That’s a bunch of crap. Jesus, why do you have to be so emotional? This is business, Skye. You’re going to do what I tell you because you like living here. You like the lifestyle. You gave away so much of your money to that idiotic foundation that you don’t have much left. So you don’t have a choice. This is a bad time for me and you’re going to do what I tell you.”
He didn’t raise his voice, but it still seemed like he was yelling. She raised her chin.
“No,” she said again. “I have plenty of money. As for the house-” She glanced around the room. “No, thanks. I’m not giving up my future so you can get the son-in-law of your dreams.”
It wasn’t the house, she thought sadly. It had never been the house. Staying here had been about being part of a family, of connecting. She’d wanted to give Erin that after Ray had died and maybe she’d wanted a little of that for herself.
“I’m not asking,” he said as he put his mug on the counter. “Dammit, Skye, this isn’t a negotiation. You’re my daughter and you’ll do what I tell you. You know all the shit I’m dealing with. Garth is everywhere. He’s coming at me from all over. He wants me in jail. You know that, don’t you.” He stared at her. “Look at what he did to your sister.”
She thought of Izzy lying in a hospital bed. “I’m very aware of that.”
“Then help me out.”
“Dad, I love you, but I won’t let you push me into another marriage. It doesn’t have to be that way. We’ll figure out how to defeat Garth. All of us. We can work together.”
Her father looked at her for a long time. “That’s not going to happen. You think I’d depend on the three of you? Lexi could barely handle her business. You’re a constant disappointment and Izzy’s no longer useful. Who wants a blind wife? You’re going to do this. You don’t have a choice.”
He left.
She stood in the center of the kitchen. Despite the fact that it was warm and bright, she shivered slightly from the chill.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON, as Skye walked toward the staircase, she heard Jed call her name. She followed the sound to the library, where she paused in the doorway, suddenly unwilling to trust her father.
His words had haunted her all morning. He hadn’t been the least bit subtle in his threat, and while she could tell herself she wouldn’t give in, a part of her was nervous.
He motioned her forward.
She walked toward his desk. “What is it?”
He studied her for a long time, as if assessing her. “Do you think you’re tough?” he asked at last. “Do you think you can influence me? You’re a fool.”
She took a step back. “Stop with the sweet talk, Dad,” she said sarcastically. “Tell me what you really think.”
“I will.” He pointed to the files on his desk, then flipped open a couple and turned them so she could read the contents. “I didn’t want to have to do this, but you’re not giving me a choice.”
She stared down at the papers. At first the writing didn’t make sense. She read it a second time, then picked up a letter.
It was on printed stationery, from a doctor’s office. The letter was addressed to Jed and detailed concerns about Skye’s mental stability. About her ability to take care of Erin. The doctor recommended Jed get Skye a psychiatric evaluation as soon as possible.
The second folder contained something worse. Information from a panel of doctors, all claiming she was not only an unfit parent, but a danger to Erin and to herself. It recommended she be put away indefinitely.
“You have a lot of your mother in you,” Jed said casually, as if they were discussing menus for dinner. “They think it goes back to when you were ten and found her body after she committed suicide. That would scar anyone. But you were weak, like her, and you never had a chance. It’s too bad. Erin will miss you. But not to worry. I’ll take good care of her.”
She’d never known that terror had a taste. It was bitter and metallic, almost like blood. It filled her mouth until she thought she might choke on it. She looked at the man she’d loved all her life and saw a stranger.
“I’ll do it,” he told her. “Do you doubt me?”
“None of this is true.”
“It’s not about truth, Skye. Haven’t you learned that? Who is going to fight me? A child is at stake. Don’t you know what we do for our children?”
“Lexi and Izzy know it’s all lies.”
“If you get in my way, I’ll hurt them, too.” He smiled. “There’s an easy solution. Break things off with Mitch and get together with Jack. I’m sure he’s a nice guy. It will be easy. After all, you did it before.”
She didn’t ask how he knew about Mitch. Nor did she bother to point out that everything in the folders was faked. The documents looked real. No doubt he would have doctors prepared to tell any judge that she was crazy. He wouldn’t be questioned-why would Jed Titan lie about his own daughter?
She thought of Erin reading upstairs. Love battled with fear.
“If you try to run, I’ll find you and I’ll use these,” he said. “I’ll lock you away forever and not give a damn. I’ll destroy Mitch and take everything he has. And I’ll have your daughter. Is there any part of you that doubts me?”
Nine years ago he’d threatened to withhold his love. When he’d worried that hadn’t been enough, he’d threatened Mitch. Now he had a much more dangerous weapon. Erin.
She wanted to cry out that this was wrong on so many levels. She wanted to fight him with her fists, and drive him into the ground. She wanted to hurt him as he was hurting her.
If only she could. But she knew in her gut that Jed was willing to go places she couldn’t imagine. That he had a streak of ruthlessness she could never match.
She would run, she told herself. But she needed time to make a plan. Time to make sure he couldn’t lock her away from her daughter. Time had always been her friend, but now it was the enemy.
“Skye,” he said impatiently. “You’re starting to piss me off.”
“I’ll do it,” she said.
Although the room was silent, she could swear she heard a door slamming shut. It was the door that trapped her in Jed Titan’s particular level of hell.
“Good. You won’t regret it,” he told her.
She already did.
She left before she threw up on his desk. Once in the hallway, she did her best to catch her breath.
She’d lost. There’d been a game in play and she hadn’t noticed in time to participate, let alone win. He would do anything-that was the difference. He would do anything, sacrifice anyone, including her. Or maybe especially her. Because she was easy.
Now he was going to force her into another relationship, but that wasn’t what bothered her. What devastated her the most was that she was going to lose Mitch a second time. And she was going to have to make sure it happened in such a way that he believed it was over forever. She couldn’t risk him getting caught in the cross fire.
Her happiness wasn’t the only sacrifice. Mitch was going to lose, as well.