Whispers in the Dark (KGI #4)(65)

Now it was up to him to return the favor and give her that same peace. He didn’t have a hell of a lot else to offer her. He was damaged. He wasn’t even sure what he was going to do with the rest of his life. But no other man would ever love her as much as he did. He knew that much. And no one else would be willing to give his life to protect her. Because he would if that was what it took.

He’d give her the goddamn moon if she wanted it.

He wasn’t the best man for her. She could do a hell of a lot better. But he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He’d savor every single moment with her and hope like hell that, when everything was over with, she’d want to stay. With him. Because there wasn’t a thing on this earth he wouldn’t do to make her happy and feel secure.

CHAPTER 27

“WELL, well, looks like the entire welcome wagon is here,” Donovan said as he stepped off the plane, dragging his gear with him.

Shea squinted against the sunlight as she stared onto the tarmac to see what looked like an entire military outfit. It was an imposing sight. Men…wait, there was a woman in the middle of them. Smaller but she had a look of all business. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and she wore a baseball cap so that the brim shielded her eyes.

On further inspection, the men looked to be sectioned off into groups. Not so much that they’d been partitioned intentionally, but it was like certain individuals gravitated toward each other and the result was three sections of badass-looking men—and woman—and they were all staring at her and Nathan.

Nathan bumped into her from behind, grabbed her hand and all but hauled her down the few steps. Ethan and Swanny came up behind them, flanking Nathan and Shea. She appreciated that show of support. It was silly, really, but maybe they’d realized how terrified she was of exposure. Regardless, she was extremely grateful that she didn’t have to face these people alone.

It took her a moment to realize that Nathan was every bit as nervous and agitated as she was. He stared forward, silent and tense. His mind was a chaotic whirl of regret and worry.

Her heart softened and her anxiety slid away. What did she care what these people thought of her? Nathan was behind her and so were Ethan, Donovan and Swanny. Right now Nathan needed her not to be a whiny twit. He needed her strong.

She slipped her hand into his and squeezed just as they’d done for each other time and time again. The action seemed to startle him, and then he looked down at her, warmth building in his eyes, replacing the worry.

You’re not crazy, Nathan. No more than I am. If they think it of you, they aren’t worthy of your respect or your regard. But they don’t. They love you. Look at them. They’re as worried as you are. They’re afraid to approach you. They don’t want to do anything wrong. So they’re waiting for you to make the first move.

As if reinforcing the very thing that Shea had spoken in Nathan’s mind, Donovan put his hand on Nathan’s shoulder and urged him forward.

You’re amazing. Thank you. I didn’t realize how…unsure…I was about all of this. Not about you, baby. I need you to know that. Things have been off between me and my family—my brothers—ever since I came back from Afghanistan. This is the first time I’ve really faced them openly. I’d never admit this to anyone else, but I’m terrified.

The frankness in Nathan’s thoughts staggered Shea. He didn’t try to shield anything from her. He was an open book. That kind of trust was unimaginable.

Three men broke from the group and approached. The others remained behind, bags at their feet, calmly surveying the scene in front of them.

At least one of them had to be one of Nathan’s brothers. Maybe all three. But there was one who looked an awful lot like Ethan. Black hair, startling blue eyes. But bigger. Not by much, but he seemed to dwarf the others with his presence. It wasn’t just his build, though he was certainly a big guy. It was his expression. His demeanor. He wasn’t someone you’d ever want to cross. At least not without a gun and at least a hundred yards between you.

The one standing to the right had lighter hair but the same blue eyes. Definitely another Kelly. There was concern but also relief as he stared at Nathan. No condemnation just a healthy dose of relief.

When her gaze swept to the left, she felt a jolt all the way to her toes. Her mind was suddenly crowded with a surge of emotions. Anger. Relief. Confusion. Impatience. The man was broadcasting loudly in her mind. He briefly glanced over her. Dismissed her with brief irritation. He was irritated by Nathan’s seeming preoccupation with her. He didn’t understand why Nathan would drop everything to go to her. Why he wouldn’t ask his twin for help.

He felt threatened by her.

“Joe,” she whispered. This was Joe, Nathan’s twin brother, and she could slip into his mind just like she could slip into Nathan’s.

In a twisted way it made sense that she’d be able to connect to Nathan’s twin. But then little about her telepathy made sense. So much of it was random that it actually did surprise her that this could actually be called predictable. It made sense that her psychic link could be forged with the person Nathan was closest to in the world. And nothing about her gift had ever made sense before.

Joe glanced up at her sharply, his eyes narrowing. He couldn’t have heard her faint whisper but perhaps he’d heard it in his mind. She would have to carefully guard her thoughts around him and focus her connection so it would only extend to Nathan.