Now, he had more money than he knew what to do with, but
happiness and days of carefree living were gone. He would always fall under the shadow of SKALS’ authority, and as his family, Monique would always fall under the same dark cloud. The burden fell on him. It was never far from his mind that if he failed to protect her, she would join the rest of their family in the ground. Pulling himself from his thoughts, he forced a small smile for his sister’s benefit.
“It has been a crazy ride,” he admitted, tracing the black granite countertop with his finger. “But I don’t regret it. You’re my family. It’s my job to look out for you.”
“Maybe that’s true, but you didn’t have to do it so well. You’ve always done everything for me,” she said, reaching for his shoulder. “You’ve always went above and beyond the call of duty.”
Steeling his jaw, Sebastian
jerked back, eluding a touch that might damn well be shattering. “Stop it, Monique.”
“Sebastian…”
“No,” he said, edging away. “I’m not looking for a pat on the back, and I don’t need you to coddle me.”
“I wasn’t trying to,” she whispered, lowering her head to hide the hurt. “I was just trying to say I love you.”
He cast his arms open and spread his palms. “Then say it. Why beat around the bush? Is it really that hard?”
Monique’s reply was so soft he almost missed it. “You seem to accept that you’re good at your job, but not that there is any good left inside you.
Deep down, you’re still a decent person.”
He pinned her with a pointed stare. “You’re remembering the man I was, not the one I am.”
“I love you regardless, Sebastian. Please remember that.”
His eyes narrowed as he studied her for a moment trying to figure out her angle. It wasn’t like her to be so persistent. Was he coming across as soft or just that wounded and desperate? Ever since he’d walked through the door, he’d felt like a damn zoo exhibit put on display for someone else’s amusement. He was tired of everyone watching and analyzing his every move.
Sighing beneath his breath, he nodded. “I’ll try,” he stated in a quiet rasp. “I love you, too.”
“Aw, isn’t that sweet? How about a group hug?”
He whirled at the sound of his partner’s voice. Seeing Josh standing there with his arms outstretched, Sebastian leveled him with a fierce glare and brushed past.
He prowled down the foyer, stopping when he spotted Taylor still seated at the dining room table. She looked so small and lost huddled in the high-backed seat. Her eyes were troubled as she stared
into the candlelight, much as he had during dinner, the dancing flames casting shadows across her delicate features.
Frowning, he walked into the room and eased into the seat beside her. Taylor glanced up as he poured some wine in her empty glass.
“You’re legal now,” he whispered, leaning over to nuzzle the side of her neck.
She arched a brow, some of the light returning to her grey eyes as they met his. “Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me, Agent Baas?”
He snared her chin with a disapproving rumble. “I’d say there is a serious problem if I need to ply you with liquor in order to do that. What part of my job am I not doing right, Miss McAvay?”
She squirmed, cheeks flushing
, as he brushed his lips across hers in a feather light caress. Her warm breath fanned his skin, luring him away from the temptations of bitterness and rage. Threading his fingers through the soft silk of her hair, he pulled her head closer and kissed her again.
“I missed you,” he murmured, resting his forehead against hers. “Just being here and sharing simple moments like this.”
“Me too.”
He glanced up as Josh’s raised voice carried from the kitchen. Seeing Taylor’s smile falter, he sighed. The playfulness lighting her face
shifted to a worried grimace as she tried to peer down the foyer. Tightening his hold on her hair, Sebastian brought her focus back to him with a gentle tug.
“No, baby,” he said, with a slow shake of his head. “It’s none of our business. Let them work out their problems on their own. We have enough to deal with.”
“He sounds upset.”
Sebastian rubbed the back of her scalp. “Monique probably jumped his case. He tried to lighten things up earlier, but I’m
afraid I’m not very good company tonight and my humor is lacking. They’ll work it out.” Taking her hand, he pulled her from her chair. “Grab your drink and come on,” he said.
The small tremble worming through her was not lost on him. Part of him wondered if it was out of fear for Monique or herself. The thought only led to more guilt. Leading her through the house, he pulled open the sliding glass doors off the kitchen and ushered her onto the deck. Fortunately, Josh and Monique had taken their argument into the living room, away from the
central hub of the house.
The crisp night air washed over them in a cooling wave. He breathed deep as he steered
Taylor toward the wooden rail, relishing the invigorating scent of spring as it rolled down off the mountains. Easing behind her, he pulled the glass from Taylor’s hand and set it on the banister. He rested his chin on her shoulder, content to share in the view of the forest and snow-covered peaks looming in the distance. Gold and deep purple streaks brushed the twilight sky in lazy swirls.
“Better?”
Taylor nodded and leaned against him to escape the chill. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he drew her closer.
“I forgot how beautiful it was here.”
He smoothed her hair down as the wind kicked it up and stray wisps tickled his nose. “It’s nothing compared to you.”
“You’re so full of it,” she said with an amused snort.
“Mm. No. I believe that’s your lot to bear in life, darling, not mine.” He emphasized his point by bumping his hips against her.
She choked on her laughter. “Real nice, Sebastian!”
“It’s true. I like nothing better than when you are full of it…of me. The way you look, the way you feel when I’m buried deep inside you…”
A slight prickle on the nape of his neck alerted him to the fact that they were no longer alone. On edge, Sebastian searched the shadows below with narrowed eyes. Some of the tension fled him as he watched one of the security guards stroll
past with a polite nod in their direction. He didn’t return the gesture. Instead, he returned his chin to its previous perch on Taylor’s shoulder and breathed in her scent, searching for the peace only she could bring. Another cool breeze lifted her hair and she snuggled deeper against his chest in search of warmth. He tightened his hold, his heart sinking when her slender form rose and fell with a soft sigh.
“What are you thinking?”
Taylor shrugged. “Honestly? It’s going to sound stupid, but I was just thinking about how lucky we are.”
Lucky
? His brow furrowed as he tried to wrap his mind around her words. After everything they’d just been through, that assessment didn’t add up. Needing to see her face, he turned her around.
“What do you mean?”
The blush staining her cheeks deepened. “It’s hard to explain. Despite what happened, we still have so much. Those men could have taken everything from us…but they didn’t.” She reached up to run her fingers through the thick tumbles of his curls. “What happened was horrible, but we still have each other. We have a gorgeous house, a breathtaking view, and you have a family who loves you enough to make sure we didn’t have to come home and pick up the pieces. Some people will live their entire lives without experiencing a fraction of what we have. We have everything, Sebby.”
Stunned, he searched her eyes. He saw no hints of deception or flattery lingering in their silvery depths, just a simple and
eloquent truth. His heart wrenched with a staggering combination of guilt and pride. She never should’ve had to endure those things. Laychee’s men should have never touched her, but she was being so brave. So strong. It hurt to think that could all just be a show for his benefit. As much as he wanted things to return to normal, he needed to know that Taylor was coping with what happened. He supposed that was something that would come on its own time.
A sad smile plied his lips. “You are full of surprises.”
“Hopefully, that’s a good thing,” she said, scrunching her nose and pressing the cold tip against his.
Sebastian
winked. “Most of the time, darling.”
The circles under her eyes seemed even more pronounced in the shadows. He stroked one of the purple smudges with the pad of his thumb, wishing he could find a way to erase them. Wrapping his hands around hers,
he blew between them and tried to rub the chill from her fingertips. The gesture earned him one of those looks of complete adoration he’d come to crave so much. She was the only one who ever managed to look at him that way. Despite everything.
“I love you, Taylor. I’m sorry I didn’t
tell you that when you woke up. I wanted to more than anything, but that place…” he faltered, searching for the right words. “They watch everything, and I have to be a different person there.”
He studied her, watching
while relief warred with something unnamable. Both ravaged her beautiful features until they crumpled and her strained swallow echoed between them.
Hanging her head, Taylor nodded. “I know, Sebastian.
I get it. I know what Marx expects from you and who SKALS wants you to be. I don’t always like it, but I still love you.”
Shielding his shame,
he held her close and ran his hands up and down her back. So many things raced through his mind, making it impossible to grab hold of any one thought. Guilt, rage, and remorse clashed with the overwhelming desire to seek revenge. There was no end to the suffering and pain he’d harvest when he finally settled that score. He clutched Taylor tighter, focusing on the feel of her heart beating against his, searching for a way to stay anchored until another shiver drew his attention.
Keeping her tucked beneath one arm, he grabbed the glass off the banister and steered
her back toward the house. Josh and Monique were carrying in the last of the dishes from the dining room when they entered. His sister turned at the sound of the glass doors sliding open and greeted him with a hesitant smile. Sebastian let his gaze burn into her for a long moment before turning to Taylor.
“Go pick out a movie or something, baby. You need to relax and take things easy.”
“But I feel fine,” she said, looking around at the kitchen. “I’m capable of cleaning up. Can’t I at least rinse--”
Pressing a forefinger against her
mouth, he silenced her. “What did I just say?”
“Yes, Sebastian.”
Her pout didn’t go unnoticed. Nor did her begrudging tone. Staring after her, he gave a frustrated shake of his head. She was damn lucky he loved her as much as he did. Growling beneath his breath, he turned his attention back to his sister. She stood rooted in front of the sink, hands wringing in a nervous tell. His eyes narrowed.
“I am in no mood
for your drama tonight, Monique. Josh has enough on his plate without having to correct you, and I certainly don’t need any of it upsetting Taylor. Is that clear?”
Paling, she nodded.
“I hope so, because I won’t take kindly to telling you again. Straighten up or get out,” he snapped.
She winced at the harsh
tone. He strode toward the sink, not missing the way his sister scuttled out of his way when he drew near. Josh leaned against the archway, arms folded, as he quietly surveyed the scene. Ignoring them both, Sebastian slammed on the faucet and snared a plate off the counter. His head whipped to the side as Monique approached. Despite her fear, she reached for the dish in his hand.
“Let me get those
. It’s the least I can do. Please, Sebastian. I want to help.”
“Smart move,” Josh said,
levering off the wall to join them. He urged Monique along with a smack hard enough to rock her onto her toes and draw a quiet yelp.
Sebastian
resisted a smirk as he watched his sister try to rub the sting out of her butt. It was no wonder her and Taylor got along so well. In some ways, they were like two peas in a pod. Always pushing the boundaries and looking for guidance. He offered his partner a brief nod of acknowledgement before turning to join Taylor in the living room. He paused in the foyer as Josh fell into step beside him.
“I’m sorry about
earlier, Baas. I don’t know what got into your sister today. I’ll straighten her out.”
“I know you will,” he said, fighting to mask his impatience.
He raised an eyebrow as Josh grimaced and scrubbed a hand across his nape. It was a sure fire sign his partner had something to say and didn’t know how to spit it out.
“Is something else on your mind?”
“I was thinking if it is okay with you, we’d uh…hang out for a couple of days. Aiden is visiting my mom, and a little downtime for all of us sounds just like what the doctor ordered,” he stammered.
Sebastian tilted his head and pinned his partner with a hard stare. Though sheepish, Josh met his gaze. There wasn’t an ounce of deceit in those eyes. What was the reason then? His attention flickered toward the kitchen. Was this Monique’s doing? If she’d wanted to stay before, he’d almost guarantee she didn’t now.