Whispers in the Dark (KGI #4)(74)

“We want you to feel safe, Shea,” Donovan said softly. “And not just because you’re someone who needs help. You’re family now. We look out for our own.”

She blinked in surprise and then turned her gaze up to Nathan in bewilderment. He merely smiled down at her and then kissed the tip of her nose.

“Everyone has accepted the inevitable except you. You’re it for me. They know it. I know it. It’s time you start believing it too. I’m not going to let anyone or anything change that. You’re mine. I’m yours. It’s as simple or as hard as we make it.”

Her knees wobbled as a ridiculous giddy sensation stole over her. The room was closing in on her and she desperately wanted to be in the sun for a few moments. Breathe in fresh air. Process everything that had been said over the last few hours. It all seemed so unreal and yet it was real. Very, very real.

“Let’s get you to the house,” Nathan said. “It’s been a long night and an even longer morning. You have to be on overload by now.”

“Let me holler at Sam, and Swanny, Joe and I will go with you,” Donovan said.

NATHAN and Shea followed slowly behind Joe and Donovan as they walked into the lakefront cabin where Donovan still lived. Swanny came in behind, and he and Joe tossed their bags down on the couch.

Donovan turned to Nathan. “You guys can take the back bedroom. Swanny can bunk with either me or Joe.”

Nathan gently squeezed Shea’s neck and massaged. “If you want to grab a shower and change, I’ll show you the bathroom.”

A shower sounded next to heaven. As did clean clothes. Her stomach growled, and she realized it had been hours since they’d eaten.

Joe glanced sharply at Shea and frowned. Then he looked over at Donovan. “What have we got to eat around here? Shea’s starving.”

Her stomach tightened and she stared open-mouthed at Nathan’s brother. She snapped her lips closed and looked away. Damn it. He’d heard her thoughts.

How are you doing that in my head?

Her gaze snapped up and she took a wary step back.

I’m not going to hurt you, damn it. Is this how you talk to Nathan?

Slowly she nodded and then caught herself.

Yes. Nathan and I can communicate this way.

Can you talk to just anyone?

No. It’s…I have no control over it. It just happens.

Joe frowned again. Then why me?

I don’t know. Maybe because you and Nathan are twins and so closely linked. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry if it made you angry. I wasn’t trying to pry.

With a sigh, Joe walked over and took Shea’s elbow. Nathan’s eyebrows shot up and then came together as he stared in confusion at his brother.

“Can I have a word with Shea?”

Nathan’s frown deepened. “What the hell is going on?”

“I just need a minute. We’ll step outside.”

Nathan was going to protest, but Shea put her hand on his arm.

It’s okay, Nathan.

She let her hand slide off his arm as he nodded. His gaze followed as Joe led her out the back door and onto the wooden deck that overlooked the lake. She closed her eyes as sunshine washed over her and she inhaled deeply. A breeze lifted her hair and tickled her nose. It was so very beautiful here.

He stopped at the railing, where they stood sideways to the lake. For a moment he simply stared off in the distance and then he leaned against the wood with his hip and glanced down at her.

“Look, it’s apparent we got off on the wrong foot, or maybe no foot at all.”

“We only just met,” she murmured.

“And yet you look at me like I’m an ax murderer and you apologize like you think I’m going to take your head off.”

“I’m not sure what you want here,” she said slowly, drawing out the words.

He blew out his breath. “This connection between us, I mean it’s special, right? You said you couldn’t speak to just anyone like that. But you could with Nathan and now with me.”

She nodded.

“My brother came back from Afghanistan a different man than he left. But you know what? The important thing is that he came home at all. The odds were against him. Swanny’s told me more about what happened than Nathan has, and if you hadn’t been there, with him I mean, they both would have died.”

“He wouldn’t have died,” she said quietly. “He wouldn’t have given up. I don’t care what he said.”

“Maybe I agree with you there, but knowing the hell he went through and the fact that you took it for him…I don’t have the words to express my gratitude. I know everyone’s thanked you. They’re grateful. But Shea, he’s not just my brother. He’s my twin. He’s my best friend. You didn’t just give him back his life or give him back to his family. You gave me back a part of myself. And now there’s this connection between us like what you share with Nathan. In a weird way it feels right. Maybe…Maybe one day I’ll be able to repay the favor you did the Kelly family. I don’t profess to know a whole lot about this telepathy thing, but if you ever need me or need help, I hope you’ll call for me as you did with Nathan.”

She smiled at the sincerity in his tense expression. His dark eyes, so much like Nathan’s, were fastened intently on her.

“I’m glad it doesn’t freak you out. Not everyone takes it well, this stranger popping into their head.”