Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(88)

“I know the timing is lousy, but tell me again. Please.”

She blinked. “Tell you what?”

“You know what. Say the words again, Rowan. I need to hear you say them.”

Her lips curved with tenderness and amusement as her focus shifted from her niece to the man who meant everything to her. “I love you, Brent Maddox.”

“Thank God,” he muttered before his mouth captured hers. He spent long minutes expressing the depth of his feelings. Long, drugging kisses left her mind fuzzy and her heart racing. Even though he hadn’t said the words, Rowan couldn’t miss how he felt about her.

He lifted his head, lips swollen, and gazed deep into her eyes. “I love you, Rowan Scott,” he murmured. “When Phillips had you, then took you to Mexico, I was afraid I might not have the chance to tell you my heart is yours. I don’t want to live without you.”

“And Alexa?” she asked softly.

He laughed. “Are you kidding? She captured my heart the minute she held up her arms for me to carry her. I’m not letting either of you go.” Brent cupped her cheek. “I’m not in a hurry, my love. I know Alexa will need time to become used to me. I’ll wait until both of you are ready. We have the rest of our lives.”

How had she been blessed enough to have Brent in her life? “Shouldn’t take long. Alexa likes you.”

“Then we’re a matched set because I like her, too. Come on. Time for you to rest as well.”

“What about you?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“Your operatives aren’t on watch?”

He smiled.

Of course. A man of secrets. She suspected Fortress surrounded the house, keeping watch over the three of them. Minutes later, Rowan slipped into bed. Seemed as though minutes went by when she heard Brent call her name from the doorway. She sat up. “What’s wrong?”

“Perimeter alarm went off. We have company.”

“Again?”

“Sorry, baby. I want you and Alexa in the safe room.”

Thankful she chose to sleep in her workout gear, Rowan jammed her feet into tennis shoes, then ran with Brent to Alexa. She pushed past him and shook her niece’s shoulder. “Lex, wake up.”

“It’s still dark,” the girl complained.

“Shh. We need to play hide and seek again, Lex,” Rowan whispered.

Brent scooped the girl into his arms. “Come on, sugar.” He handed her the stuffed rabbit and dog she’d been sleeping with. “I have a special room for you and your aunt to stay in while I check the house.”

“The bad guys won’t find us?”

“If they find the room, they won’t get inside. I won’t let anything happen to you or your aunt, Alexa. I promise.”

“And you don’t break promises.”

“That’s right, sugar.” He moved into the hallway.

“How did Garcia’s men find us so fast?” Rowan asked.

“I don’t think the cartel is to blame this time.”

A deep voice coming from the end of the hall stopped Brent and Rowan in their tracks. “You’re correct, Maddox. It’s not a cartel soldier pointing a gun at your woman.”





CHAPTER FORTY


Brent’s blood ran cold, his focus wholly on the disgraced operative standing in the shadows. “Carstairs. The police are looking for you. Not a smart move to slip custody. They dislike it when people leave before they’re released.”

A snort. “They’ll never find me.”

Brent turned to the side, making Alexa a smaller target. He pressed a button on his watch, then handed the girl to Rowan. He moved to stand in front of them, shielding them from Carstairs’ view. “What do you want?”

“You, dead.”

Alexa started crying.

Ticked Brent off that she was being subjected to more trauma, this time in the place he’d hoped to make her sanctuary. If she couldn’t handle living in this house once he married Rowan, Brent would find another place where his girls felt safe.

His jaw clenched. If Rowan agreed to marry him after this latest incident. Something else to hold against the rogue operative if Rowan refused to merge her life with Brent’s.

He wouldn’t blame her, but he prayed she was strong enough to take him on anyway. “Let Rowan and the girl leave. They have no part in this.”

Harsh laughter echoed in the hallway. “Why would I let them leave when you’ll do anything to keep them alive? Besides, your woman attacked me. You think I’ll let that pass without repercussions?”

As Carstairs bragged about his prowess as an operative, Brent felt Rowan removing his Sig from his holster. He turned so his right hand was hidden from the man holding Brent’s future family hostage. Seconds later, his hand wrapped around the grip.

At the same time, his watch vibrated twice. His operatives were converging on the house and would arrive soon. Brent wanted this resolved before his operatives arrived. No one broke into his home and threatened his family. “Why do you want me dead, Carstairs?”

That stunned the man into silence for a moment. “You destroyed my life.”

“That was your doing. You made the choice to use drugs to get ahead and were caught.”