Retribution (Secrets & Lies #3)(6)
“Why?”
“Because she's too good! Despite the problems she has, despite the issues that have torn her apart for most of her life, she is still a beautiful soul. Better than I deserve, that's for damn sure. How can I even dare to think that someone as bloodstained and violent as I have been could have a life of peace? Face it Andrea, those angels sitting in the barn don't have anything on her. When she passes on, if there is a God, she'll already have earned her wings. Me... when I die, I am sure Satan's got a special corner of Hell reserved for me. I cannot change that.”
Andrea looks down, shaking her head. “You're wrong, Nathan. But I can't force you to do anything your stubborn ass isn't willing to do yourself. Just know if you f*ck this up, it's on you, trooper. Now, let's run.”
Andrea's words are still disturbing me later in the afternoon while I watch Melissa work in the barn. She's got the doors open today as she finishes her sculpture. She's looking for flaws but also evaluating how the piece should be displayed. It's a commission for a school out in Arizona or something, and I'm moved seeing it. Every time.
“Hey Nathan!” Melissa calls from the barn and I wave from the porch, where she can't see the Colt on the table next to me. “How's it look?”
“Beautiful!” I call back, not meaning the statue in the least. Melissa doesn't know that though as she gives me a dazzling smile and climbs back up the side, taking a polishing cloth to one of the wings. I don't know what she saw, but she's working hard, and I think about just how beautiful she really is.
When all this shit with Peter kicked off, I had no idea it'd bring me to this place, to the company of this woman. And along the way, I made a very serious promise. I promised I would protect this family. From Katrina, who is very capable but still not quite as hardened as she thinks she is, to Andrea, whose mind is strong enough to more than make up for having such a small body., And of course, Jackson and Carson as well. But of the whole family, the two that I will always defend hardest are Melissa, and Baby Andrea, Katrina and Jackson's daughter. Both are so innocent, both are still able to be something worthwhile. I know the reality of living in this f*cked up world where a man like me has nearly as much money as Melissa does, and all of it earned via blood and death. Nobody in the family knows the full extent of my past. The body count is enough to fill a small cemetery, and every night I'm haunted by the ghosts of those dead men, women and children. They whisper in my ear, telling me there's no way I'll ever have the peace and happiness I want when I see Melissa.
I sigh, and wonder what I'm going to do. I do know one thing, though. I will protect this family, no matter what. I just have to figure out how I'm going to be able to protect them from Peter. Andrea and Carson may have given him an ultimatum, warning him to stay away, but I worked for the man for too many years to think he'll stop now. His entire life is in chaos after being burned severely. Peter had sent a deadly assassin named Vadim Orloff after us, Andrea in particular, having her kidnapped. Carson was able to kill Orloff when he rescued Andrea, and together they rigged the motor home where Peter thought he would be meeting Orloff. The man will not back off. He will only strike back. The only thing that has bought us this much time of relative peace is that Peter's had to use so many of his resources just to keep himself out of prison and to keep up the facade of his lifestyle. He can't devote all of his resources to us. But this reprieve won't last forever.
“Hey, Nathan?” Melissa calls, and I look up, perhaps a bit more excited than I should be to hear her voice. She sounds so happy and innocent, I can't take that away from her. I can't destroy this angel.
“Yes, Melissa?”
“What about some afternoon tea?” she asks, climbing down. “I can call Carson to send the crew out to collect Ascension.”
“I would love some,” I say happily, getting up. “I have one I haven't shared with anyone here yet, would you like to try? You and I can be the first.”
“Is it a hot one?” Melissa asks, coming up and rubbing her hands together and blowing on them. “That steel is so cold to the touch!”
I reach out, taking her ice cold fingers in my hands. I warm them carefully. They’re creator's hands, artist's hands, not the stumpy, bloody hands of a butcher like myself. I have hands that only know how to destroy. Face it, it feels good to hold her hands, even if only to warm them, and I give myself this moment of greedy pleasure. “Does that help?”
“Th... thank you,” Melissa says shyly, giving me a little smile. “Nathan...”
Before she can say anything, my cell phone rings, and I can tell by the call it's from Katrina, who rarely calls unless something is wrong. For her to call me... a stab of concern goes through my heart, and I let go of Melissa's hands. “I'm sorry, 'Lissa. I need to take this.”
She nods, maybe with a bit of regret, and goes inside the house. She busies herself with drawing water for my ceramic water heater while I answer the phone. “Yes, Katrina?”
All business, I hear in Katrina's voice the warrior I've come to respect and listen to. “I just got word from my sources. Peter's making his next move.”
“What is it?”
“Another Orloff. Maybe a team of them. We need to have a family meeting. Where are Carson and Andrea?”