B00MV3HMDW_EBOK (37 page)

“T
hat’s it? Ryland is staying in a penthouse suite at Hotel Ivy and we aren’t even given a fucking reason?” Taryn asked angrily, practically throwing herself in one of the chairs situated around the conference room table. Ethan, Jax, and Connor had all escorted Ryland to the hotel a couple of blocks away, ignoring the man’s digs about not being given a better suite. Ethan had thought of Taryn the entire afternoon it had taken to get things in order before Ethan and Jax had been able to return to the office. Crest had yet to make an appearance, and honestly it wouldn’t surprise Ethan if they all had to wait until tomorrow to find out what was really taking place. “Did you see the feds? They backed off like the President of the United States had given an order. Ryland has murdered countless innocent people and yet we’re sitting here on our collective asses.”

“I’m not any happier about this than you are,” Jax replied, squeezing his yellow stress ball until it appeared to be a small colored bouncy ball. Emily sat by his side as well as the other women because the men didn’t feel comfortable sending them home alone regardless that they had guards on them. She stroked his arm, but it didn’t seem to alleviate his tension. He looked over at her the way Ethan now looked at Taryn. “I’m glad that Derrick is with your aunt for the week. We knew this had the potential to blow up in our faces and I don’t want our son anywhere near here until we know we have things under control.”

“The only one who seems to have control over this is Crest,” Ethan replied, pulling up a chair and making sure he was close enough to Taryn to reach out to her once her anger dissipated. He knew her like he knew the back of his hand, and once she got this worked up she didn’t like to be touched. But he’d damn well be here for her when she needed him. “We trust him.”

“It’s not about trust, Ethan,” Taryn said, placing her small hands over her face in what Ethan was sure was exhaustion. She gave a small groan of frustration before pinning her brown eyes on him. He wanted to shield her from the days ahead. He would have given anything to have the power to eliminate her every fear. What he did have was the influence to ease her mind and body while they were away from this office. While she continued to talk, Ethan prepared a list of everything he’d need this evening. “I’m tired. Looking at Ryland reminds every one of us what he’s put us through for the last two years.”

“You’re not alone,” Kevin said, leaning back in his seat and taking Elle’s hand. The two of them had been relatively quiet, along with Lauren. Lach was even present, leaning up against the wall in his usual spot. “But Ethan is right. Top must have a damn good reason for keeping Ryland out of the feds’ hands and we need to follow his lead.”

“Do you think Ryland has put us in direct danger of something?” Emily asked, still stroking Jax’s arm. He lifted his wife’s hand to his lips, placing a kiss on her skin. The love between them was unmistakable. “Crest might be doing this for our benefit.”

“Kevin is right.” Lach wasn’t known for speaking unless he wanted something known. His future wife, Phoebe Dunaway, had been kept away from this situation due to who she was and the position that her family was in. Being the daughter of a promising candidate for President of the United States caused a few bumps in the road. “We follow Crest’s lead.”

“We’ll definitely be sleeping with one eye open,” Kevin said, standing up and offering a hand to Elle. For as tall as she was, she was very graceful in her movements. “I’m calling it a day and taking my beautiful woman home.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Lauren stood as well. She’d briefly spoken with Connor over the phone once they’d had Ryland secured at the Ivy. Ethan already knew what she was going to say before she spoke. “We’re not sure about the wedding taking place. With everything that’s been going on it might be safer if we postpone it.”

“You’re giving Ryland what he wants then,” Jax replied, working the stress ball over until Ethan wasn’t so sure it would go back to its original shape. “On behalf of the team, I’m asking that you two rethink that decision.”

“It’s just a thought,” Lauren murmured, not looking too happy about the prospect either.

“Connor said he’d run it by Top in the morning.” Lauren pushed her chair under the table, looking as if she wanted to say more. “Ethan and Taryn, we’re glad you’re back safe.”

“That’s it?” Taryn asked, resting her head in her hand from her propped up elbow. There were slight blemishes under her eyes, but the brown sparkled to life at another subject other than what had consumed their past couple of years and Ethan couldn’t prevent himself from reaching over and grabbing her other hand. Fuck it. The other men were touching their women and they weren’t in the field. She squeezed his fingers lightly, letting him know she was glad for the contact. The connection of her skin was enough to rear his protectiveness into gear and all he wanted to do was get her home and slip her into a warm bubble bath to ease her tension. This give and take between their personal and professional lives was something Ethan would have to get used to, but he was more than content with the power exchange in the bedroom. Her voice brought his attention back around. “You guys aren’t going to continue to give us a hard time?”

“Hard time?” Jax scoffed, standing as well and rolling the chair back with his legs. He threw the ball in Ethan’s direction and he caught it with his left hand before it had time to make contact with his chest. “Do you see any popcorn anywhere? I went easy on the two of you. You fucked with the dynamics of the team.”

“He’s saying you spilled blood in the water.” Lach smirked and then he pushed off the wall before walking toward the front of the office. Ethan couldn’t prevent his dimple from showing, although he allowed his friends and colleagues to get in their jabs. It was only fair since Ethan had used their personal lives as his personal entertainment. As for Lach’s reference to blood in the water, that saying went way back to when any of them would leave themselves open to some playful jesting. “Keep me informed. While you guys were on vacation, Phoebe’s father won the candidacy for his party. It’ll be a fucking nightmare through November.”

“We love you guys.” Lauren gave a wave as Lach exited the office and then she looked back at Ethan and Taryn. “We want you to be happy, and if that’s together, then we’re delighted for you.”

“I think this calls for another wine night, girls.” Elle smiled as she pushed her long black hair off of her shoulder. “Since the guys undoubtedly won’t allow us to be alone until things are sorted out with Ryland, we’ll get together at our house. The guys can hang out on the deck while we confiscate the living room.”

“Crest has already called in Gentry Security,” Ethan said, following up Elle’s statement. He rubbed the back of Taryn’s hand with his thumb in reassurance. “All of us will have additional protection until Crest examines this further. My bet is we’ll be given all the details come morning and then we’ll know what we’re working with.”

It wasn’t long before everyone else departed with Jax and Emily a few steps behind. Before they followed, he leaned down and patted Ethan on the shoulder as if in sympathy, causing Taryn to raise an eyebrow.

“We didn’t pop any popcorn because we kind of feel sorry for your ass,” Jax said in a staged whisper. “We all know how difficult she can be. You have to live with that now.”

“No worries, Taryn,” Emily assured, tugging Jax toward the exit while containing her laughter. “I’ll see what I can do to rein him in.”

“Oh, really?” Jax turned quick, but Emily was faster. With her hand in the air and waving goodbye, she scurried out the door with her husband fast on her tail end.

Silence descended over the office, leaving Ethan and Taryn staring at one another. “Come here,” Ethan murmured, knowing that no matter how lighthearted their friends had tried to make the situation, the ominous cloud had never really lifted.

“I thought when we returned home everything would go back to normal,” Taryn whispered, coming out of her chair and taking her place on Ethan’s lap. “It doesn’t feel as if anything has changed.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Ethan pulled her close and he closed his eyes as he savored her warmth. “You’re sitting here in my arms and about to profess your love for me. You know how much I love you, Squid. And don’t get me wrong, you getting shot for me said a lot. And your phone-in declaration? Spot on. But there’s nothing like hearing it, seeing it, and feeling it come off of your beautiful lips. If I had enough energy I would make a bowl of popcorn for your upcoming speech.”

Ethan felt Taryn’s body shake as she laughed at his announcement and he laid his cheek against her forehead, pulling her tighter into him. Her fingers wrapped around his shoulder holster as if she needed it for leverage. Once she had her laughter under control she relaxed into him.

“I do love you.” Taryn leaned back a little, her brown eyes meeting his. Ethan didn’t think she’d ever looked so serious and his chest tightened in fear at how life was so fragile. He would go to any lengths to ensure they had a future. “More than a partner, more than a friend. I can’t think of life getting any better than loving my best friend. My heart is yours, Ethan.”

“Then let’s get married.” Ethan surprised even himself with that statement, but it felt so damn right. He sat up a little straighter, more sure about this than anything else. “Right now. We both know people in the courthouse. We can go home as husband and wife.”

“Married?” Taryn threw back her head and laughed. When she had herself under control once again, she placed her hands on his shoulders and situated herself until she was straddling him in the chair. There was a glow about her and he knew it appeared due to the security of their love. They had a bond that no one else could ever understand and it was solely theirs. “What about your parents?”

“Fine,” Ethan conceded, knowing full well that his mother would never let them hear the end of it if they weren’t included. “We’ll swing by and pick them up. But what about your mother?”

“When things are situated here we’ll make a trip up to Wisconsin.” Taryn tilted her head as if she were waiting for Ethan to say something else. When he couldn’t fathom what she was expecting of him, she continued. “What about the team?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ethan asked, standing up while making sure he had a hold of her. She didn’t squeal like girl, but instead tightened her legs as he shifted and lifted her higher on his waist. That was fine by him. He knew exactly what to do to make her scream and once they were home alone to celebrate their nuptials, he wouldn’t waste any time either. This was their lives and he would see to it that they lived it to the fullest. “I’m not having them steal my popcorn trademark. Besides, I’m rather looking forward to the look on their faces when you show up with a wedding ring on your finger tomorrow—too bad they won’t see the pretty pink shade I’m going to leave on your ass.”

“Promises, promises,” Taryn teased before leaning forward and lightly biting his neck. She sure liked to push his buttons and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Ethan reached over for the light switch when she shimmied down his body, letting him know exactly what he was going to receive later this evening. Her mouth was slightly parted as she stared up at him with amazement. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You want to get married today!”

Ethan recalled Taryn’s words from when they had been back at the hospital and he wouldn’t take away from her the chick flick proposal they both made fun of because deep down, Taryn was more of a woman than any other female he knew. Bending on one knee, he took her left hand in his and stared up into the brown eyes of the woman he loved and saw the rare instance of tears.

“Taryn Emmeline Sisal, I have loved you for years and though it has taken us this long to realize that it is a forever kind of love, I wouldn’t change one thing about our past.” Ethan pressed the back of Taryn’s hands to his lips before continuing. Although there wasn’t a nervous bone in his body, he swore he was going to have a heart attack from the love that swelled in his chest. It fucking hurt to love this much, but he would gladly suffer the pain. “I swear that you were made for just me. You are perfection in my eyes and I will do my damnedest to be the man you deserve. I’m asking for your hand in marriage and I would be honored if you would be my wife.”

“Yes,” Taryn whispered, taking a knee herself and wrapping her arms around his neck. Ethan held her as tight as he thought she could take without hurting her, needing to convey through his touch how much he truly loved her. “Yes.”

Chapter Thirty-One