Shadows (Black Raven Book 1) (51 page)

“Is that supposed to be a romantic proposal?" she laughed, still in his arms.

He was studying her, at first serious, then a slow smile lit his face as the reality of what he was saying hit him. Her laughter trailed off, but she couldn’t keep herself from smiling.

“There,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to see.”

She turned serious as she looked up at him. “What?”

“That smile. It’s pure magic. It transforms,” he paused, as though searching for the word, then settling on one, “life. Come on. Tell me there’ll be an us. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.”

“Are you proposing, Sebastian? Shouldn’t we take some time…” Her words trailed. Time? He might not have any more than now.

“Time?” He paused. He lifted his hand to her forehead, smoothed away her hair, then lifted her chin with his finger. “I live by snap judgments and fast decisions. This will be the most important one I’ve ever made. In going through you to find your father, I learned things about you that you’ve probably forgotten.”

“But I don’t know everything about you.”

He frowned. “Given what you already know about me, this might be enough for you to make a decision.” He paused, took a deep breath, and gave her a nod. “I fell in love with you even before we said hello. Before I walked into Creative Confections, Ragno was feeding me information about you and fast-streaming photographs of your life to me. What captivated me in those photographs wasn’t your beauty. It was your smile, and I couldn’t stop looking at how it lit up every room you were in, how everyone who was with you was drawn to it. When I saw your smile, in photograph after photograph, you had me. Then, when I saw you in person, and saw the deep, inner light in your eyes, I knew that you were the only woman I’d always return to. When I heard your voice, my first thought was that your voice could guide a man through hell. The last week has given me enough time to know that if I walk away from you, I’ll be making the biggest mistake of my life.”

“So this is what you need to know about me now, in order to answer my question.” He backed away from her, and then lifted her right hand and held it in both of his. “I want there to be an ‘us’ so I can know that for the rest of my life there’s a chance I’ll get to see your smile, even if there are times that it’s as elusive as the green flash on the horizon. I want to spend the rest of my life creating a world for you, for us, that is so wonderful that every morning when you awaken there’s the possibility that the day will bring you something to smile about, and that I’ll get to be there to enjoy it.” He lifted her hand, kissed the back of it, and with all the charm of his smile pouring into the radiant light of his eyes, he said, “Skye Barrows, will you marry me?”

His words rocked her world, but they were nothing compared to the intense emotion that was pouring out of his serious eyes. She had never imagined such a heartfelt proposal would come her way. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. “That’s so-”

“Say yes,” he said, “and I’ll make certain you’re never sorry that you did.”

“It won't just be me you're getting. Spring and I come as a package deal. It won't be easy.”

“Of course Spring is part of ‘us.’

“Then I guess there’s only one more thing for me say.”

He smiled. “I do?”

“Before that. I love you Sebastian Connelly. I will always love you. I’ll be there when you leave for a job, and waiting for you when you return. I’ll be your rock when the world around you shakes. I’ll be there for you. Always. Us,” she whispered, closing her eyes as his lips found hers, “yes.”

***

Sebastian floated in a dark abyss where he had no grasp on time. He didn’t know where he was, and was barely aware of who he was. Filmy tendrils of thought-zapping clouds shrouded his brain and fogged his thoughts for hours, or maybe days. Against what little will he could muster, forces that he couldn’t fight pulled him into a netherworld that had the finality of neither heaven nor hell, and nowhere in between. He was on a never-ending, spiraling journey, one where his mind and soul couldn’t find either eternal bliss or damning hellfire.

Hours later—maybe days—he was aware enough to recognize the sound of a door opening and was finally able to recognize voices.

“Skye, did you stay all night?” Brandon asked.

“Yes,” she said, her voice soft and steady. “I want to be here when he awakens.”

But I asked you not to come until I’m on my feet. I don’t want you to see me like this.

“He’s totally off sedatives by now, right?” Brandon said.

“They weaned him slowly. He’s been off them since yesterday evening,” Zeus said, worry heavy in his voice.

“He should be awake by now,” Brandon said.

He wanted to tell them he could hear them. That he’d be up, soon.

“You’re right.” Zeus said.

Why can’t I speak?
The clouds that enveloped him not only fogged his brain, they placed suffocating weight on his chest, rendering him speechless.

“Doctor Cavanaugh said to give it time.” Brandon’s tone was even. Measured. Cautious.

“That was last night, and Cavanaugh seemed worried when he said it.” Zeus whispered, but Sebastian still heard it.

“Hell.” Brandon dropped his voice, adding words that Sebastian couldn’t decipher, but he recognized the tension and worry.

Zeus responded, in a low whisper. Then louder, Zeus said, “Sebastian, you’re fine. The surgery was a success.”

“He’ll wake up when he’s ready,” Skye said, her voice soft and steady. “And he will be fine.” The sweet scent of vanilla and pine enveloped him. Her scent. He felt a soft, warm touch on his arm, and, before his mind slipped away again, into the land of murky, dark gray fog, he was able to focus on her. Soft lips traced kisses along his cheekbone. “Hey, Sebastian,” she whispered. “Sleep. Rest easy. Don’t let us rush you. We’re right here, with you.”

Now that he knew she was there, something shifted. Yes, he had asked her to stay away until he was on his feet. He hadn’t wanted her to see him helpless and weak. He should’ve known she wasn’t going to listen to him. Now, he was damn glad she was there, because her voice, her touch, became a lifeline.

I need you. Here. I’m somewhere worse than hell. Stay with me. Hold on to me. Be my anchor. Keep talking to me. Please
.

“You’re fine, sweetheart,” she said, gripping his hand. “You have plenty of time to wake up, and I’m going to stay with you until you do.”

For the first time in days, knowing that she was next to him, he slept without being in a disorienting, sickening fog. His brain and his body rested. He listened for her voice, soothing and gentle, as every now and then she’d touch his hand, his forearm, smooth the sheets around him, and murmur something in his ear. He had no idea how long it took, but eventually he found the strength to reach for her hand. When he finally fully awakened for the first time post-surgery and opened his eyes, slate green eyes, gleaming with light, glanced into his.

“Oh, my God,” Skye said, “he’s awake.”

He heard a rustle. Chair legs moved. From over her shoulder, Brandon and Zeus appeared, looking down at him. A flurry of activity ensued, with medical personnel and tests.

It was hours before he was alone with Skye, who rewarded him with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. He didn’t need more medical tests to tell him he was going to be fine. When he looked at Skye, he knew that he would be.

Keep Reading for an Excerpt from

JIGSAW

A Black Raven Novel

Coming in Spring 2016

Ana slipped her small hand into her father’s. His daughter’s soft touch pulled Zeus Hernandez from his conversation with two senior Black Raven agents, reminding him that the purpose of this gathering wasn’t work. “Daddy, hurry,” she said, pulling on his hand. “They’re getting ready to cut the wedding cake. Come with me.”

Zeus looked down, into velvety-brown eyes shining with the unfiltered excitement of youth. He bent to one knee and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. With his free hand, he straightened the bow on her red hair ribbon. Loose tendrils of silky black hair had escaped from her ponytail and fallen across her face. He pushed the wayward hair back, gently tucking the strands behind her ears. She let go of his hand, then draped her arms over his shoulders and pressed her forehead to his so that their noses touched. He inhaled her sugary sweet, girlish scent and stared into her eyes, as she asked, “Don’t you want to see?”

“Of course, my sweet angel.”

He let her lead the way through the courtyard of New Orleans’ City Park, towards the Pavilion of Two Sisters, where the wedding reception for his partner, Sebastian Connelly, and Skye Barrows, was taking place.

Accompanied by his daughter, Zeus opened the door to the reception venue. His eyes scanned the guests, before resting on Sebastian, who was talking to Skye and her younger sister, Spring. Zeus was happy for his friend. Barely eleven months earlier he had been on the operating table, having life-threatening brain surgery following a week from hell.

The Black Raven job that had involved Skye and her father, Richard Barrows, was completed before Sebastian went under the knife. But even while Sebastian was down, the world was still filled with bad guys. In the ensuing months, London, Miami, Bogotá, and Paris had been rocked with large-scale terrorist acts, leading to the inevitable conclusion that the terrorists were winning. People were afraid, waiting for the next horrific event. Economic markets were in turmoil. The global fall out was great for Black Raven’s security business, but not for one other damn thing.

Sebastian had recovered from his surgery with none of the troubling aftereffects they’d all dreaded. He was back to normal, at the helm of Black Raven with his partners where he belonged. Guests at their wedding were the inner circle of Black Raven agents, partners, and friends. The father of the bride, computer software genius Richard Barrows, the man whose kidnapping from prison had brought Sebastian and Skye together, was there. Upon his official release from imprisonment, he’d started work with Black Raven at their Denver headquarters. Zeus had been working with him, along with Ragno, the head of their data analysis unit. Zeus and Ragno had concluded that Barrows was brilliant when focused, his ordeal had done nothing to diminish his brainpower, and they were damn glad he was now working for Black Raven instead of a competitor.

Partygoers were gathered at one end of the reception hall. Screens were being wheeled away and, as the cakes came into view, the room became a collective gasp of oohs and ahhs.

“Daddy, I can’t see,” Ana tugged at his hand, as they stood at the edge of the crowd.

He lifted her, and settled her on his hip. At seven, Ana would soon be too big to hold like this, and too old to want her father to carry her, but today she wrapped skinny arms around his neck and held on. “How’s this?”

“Wow,” she said. “Look at all the birds on the groom’s cake. And the flowers. Dad! I’ve never seen so many flowers on a wedding cake. The colors are weird, aren’t they? But it’s beautiful. Wow.”

Zeus watched Sebastian bend to his bride and give her a lingering kiss. At this wedding, the groom revealed none of the hesitation that had marked Zeus’ own wedding day. None of the second thoughts. Not one bit of doubt. Zeus had pretended to be just as happy as Sebastian really was. Now, watching Sebastian’s genuine, heartfelt reactions to the moments that marked his wedding day, Zeus wondered whether he’d fooled anyone.

Skye led Spring to the cakes for photographs. For a moment, Spring looked overwhelmed by the attention, but she managed a smile for the photographer. Sebastian, who was hanging back and allowing Spring to bask in the attention given to the cakes she’d created, approached Zeus. His eyes changed from happy groom to serious Raven. “How are operations going?”

Zeus shook his head. “Not today. You’ve got a gorgeous new wife to focus on.” His eyes fell on Richard, who stood a few feet from the cake tables, smiling at his daughters. “A ready-made family. Besides, things are fine. Nothing unusual.”

Zeus and the other Ravens who were at the wedding reception were mic’d to Ragno, who was at headquarters in Denver. Sebastian was not. For the last two hours, in deference to the celebration, Ragno had maintained radio silence.

“Zeus,” as if she’d read his thoughts, Ragno’s voice came through the mic, as clear as though she was standing next to him. “You spoke too soon. I’m talking only to you, and it can’t wait. Understand?”

“Got it,” he said, as Sebastian walked away from him and toward the cake tables. The band picked up their instruments, a signal that soon he wouldn’t be able to hear Ragno. “Give me a second.”

For Ragno to drop the other Ravens and speak directly to him meant that attention was needed, immediately, and the matter involved him, personally.

Zeus walked over to the Black Raven agent who had full-time duties over Ana. Agent Victoria Martel was Nanny Vick to Ana, a beloved sitter, friend, disciplinarian, and confidant. To Zeus, Vick was a caregiver with a Glock, his insurance for Ana’s safety when he wasn’t at home with her in Miami. Overkill? He hoped so. With his daughter, there was no such thing as being too careful.

Ana wriggled out of his grasp and stood firmly on the ground, next to Agent Martel. She was used to Zeus’ sudden transitions to business mode. “Want me to get you a piece?”

“If one of those cakes is chocolate on the inside,” he said, touching her cheek, “absolutely. I’ll be right back, baby. Stay with Vick.” He turned from them and walked outside. “Ragno. I’m all ears.”

“Richard Morgan, Chief Amicus Counsel for the United States at the newly convened International Terrorist Tribunal, died six hours ago in Paris. His death looks like insulin overdose in a diabetic. Initial reports indicate it was accidental.”

“Okay,” he said, walking across the brick courtyard, the lone person outside of the reception hall. Zeus knew a bit about the International Terrorist Tribunal, ITT for short. Hearings were just beginning in France. The world was watching. The ITT had one month to conduct four proceedings in four countries, then reach a verdict regarding recent terrorist acts in France, the U.S., Columbia, and England. The world needed an answer. Something. Anything. From his point of view, the current ITT proceedings were too ambitious, convened too hastily, and promised to be a clusterfuck of epic proportions, fueled by a news-thirsty media that was in a feeding frenzy on the public fear of terrorism. Zeus had no doubt that terrorists, whether they were affiliated with an established group or random wannabes, would find targets among the proceedings. The media was thirsty for the first shots to be fired.

“Although there’s no indication of foul play,” Ragno said, “Morgan’s death has caused shockwaves about security concerns in at least one person, who has made a hiring call to us for personal security for the person who is stepping in to fill Morgan’s shoes.”

“Wouldn’t there be government-agency security for the judges from the United States and participating parties who are there on behalf of the U.S.?

“Yes. Marshals. DHS. Plus, the ITT has its own security forces in each country.”

“So someone is trying to circumvent the security that’s already in place?”

“Yes. The person who is hiring us believes that Morgan’s death was not accidental. He believes that drugs were administered that caused his death. Having low confidence level in the existing security, he wants Black Raven. Specifically, he has requested that you provide on site protection to the new Chief Amicus Counsel.”

“Did you happen to mention that I no longer do bodyguard details?” Zeus asked as he walked across a brick courtyard and stopped at a pond where gold and white koi swam lazily below lily pads. It was three in the afternoon, and the January sun had warmed the mild winter chill out of the air. He pulled off his suit jacket as his eyes followed the fattest koi in the pond.

“I explained that, but this man does not take no for an answer. Plus, his companies have been existing clients of Black Raven for some years, though he isn’t the one that usually makes the hiring calls.”

“Well, the answer is no. I don’t care who he is.”

“You’re the originating partner on his files, which over the years have produced millions in revenue.”

Zeus paused. The big fish shimmered with red and gold, with white spots, and it was a bully. When smaller fish crossed its path, it swam fast and nudged the others out of its way. Zeus bent down, picked up a few pebbles out of the garden that bordered the pond, and dropped one near the bully as he started an attack. “Tell him we have a number of highly qualified agents who can handle the job. I’ll oversee the operation and be personally involved from afar, but I’m not going to be on site, day in and day out.”

“He told me you wouldn’t say no, even after I had accounting provide a rough estimate of the daily fee, which included a ridiculous rate for you. It’s an enormous job. Multiple countries. High profile. I’m estimating you’ll need twenty agents. Minimum. Worldwide transports. Accounting factored in outrageous profit levels on every conceivable contingency.”

As Ragno rattled off astronomical numbers, Zeus dropped another pebble near the bully, wondering if the aggressive fish was smart enough to learn that his own actions were creating the threat. “Even with that kind of figure thrown at him, and a warning that the estimate will only go up, he said no one other than you is acceptable as lead agent. He insisted that I call you, tell you about the job, and ask you to do it.” She paused. “So that’s what I’m doing.”

Son of a bitch
. “Who is he?”

“Samuel Dixon.”

The name carried an out-of-the-blue gut punch, one that he hadn’t seen coming. For a man who was seldom surprised at anything, a man who had trained himself to react calmly to almost every conceivable situation, the adrenaline rush that came with hearing Dixon’s name resulted in a jolt to his very being. Zeus exhaled. He looked up, at the bright blue, cloudless sky, and waited for the words that would seal his fate. The sun’s heat warmed his exterior, while internal trepidation chilled his insides.

If he was right, ‘no’ was the only answer that made sense, but he knew he wasn’t going to say it. ‘No’ was not a word he was going to articulate, because Samuel Dixon would only be making this request on behalf of one person, knowing that, like a goddamn moth driven to light, for all the reasons Zeus’ answer should be no, Zeus was going to say yes. He’d been on a road leading away from her for years. It was a painful turn he’d taken willingly, resulting in a sharp, regret-filled detour that could never be undone.

Ragno continued, “Dixon believes she’s in grave danger and insists that you lead the protective detail. You saved his life once. No one else will do.”

Let me be wrong
. “She who?”

“The ITT’s new Chief Amicus Counsel for the United States is Dixon’s daughter. Samantha Fairfax Dixon.”

Not wrong
.

Of all the variations of hell Zeus had confronted in his life, this one would be the hardest to navigate. It was a hell that defied reason, a scorching inferno that he’d created. He tried to think of a way out, but couldn’t, even though walking through this fire-filled cauldron was going to test him in ways he didn’t want to think about, and that was even without worrying about the risks the job would present.

Samuel Dixon was right.

Zeus couldn’t refuse.

Fucking hell
.