Defending Zara (Mountain Mercenaries #6)(64)

“I just want you to be happy, Zar. And Mags would too.”

“I like to think so. When I get too down about what they might be going through in Peru, I try to keep in mind how amazing they are. Mags is super smart, and Gabriella grew up in the barrio, so she knows how to fend for herself. I just wish I could somehow share the safety and contentment I’m feeling with them.”

Zara yawned against him, and he felt her sink even deeper into his body. It was dark outside now, and the crickets were chirping away. The air had cooled a bit, and the wind whistled through the trees on his property.

Meat knew things couldn’t stay this peaceful forever. Zara would surely want to move out on her own to start her life again. His home was a temporary haven for her, one he’d let her stay in for as long as she wanted.

But the longer she stayed, the more he wanted her there—permanently. He liked listening to her read to him as he worked out in his workshop. He liked teaching her how to cook and drive.

He knew once she felt more comfortable with her surroundings, she’d blossom. He had no doubt she’d soon have her GED in hand and would move on to bigger and better things than living in the middle of nowhere with a retired Army guy and furniture maker.

Things with the Mountain Mercenaries had also been slow. Meat wasn’t sure if that was because everyone was busy with their own families and lives, and Rex had taken notice and backed off the assignments, or what. He’d only talked to Rex a couple of times since they’d been back from Peru, and honestly, he hadn’t really missed the adrenaline-inducing missions. After getting hurt on this last one, and he and Black having such close calls, he was ready for a change.

He and the guys had met at The Pit a couple of times since they’d been back, and everyone agreed that while women and children would always need help, they couldn’t help everyone. Once he and Black were completely healed, they all agreed to have a talk with Rex and ask him if he might be willing to contain their missions to the continental United States. To work closer with the FBI on cases so they’d have more official backup in case the shit hit the fan. With the birth of Darby, and the imminent birth of Arrow’s little girl, things had changed. None of them were on their own anymore.

And the longer Meat spent with Zara, the more his willingness to put his life on the line waned. She needed him. He didn’t want to be another person in her life who left her. Even if it was through no fault of his own.

How long he sat on his back porch with Zara quietly sleeping on his chest, Meat didn’t know. But by the time he got up and carried her inside and up the stairs, placing her on her bed, he’d made a decision.

He’d do whatever it took to convince Zara to be his. If she wanted to date other men, he’d try to be okay with it, but ultimately, he hoped she’d choose him.

It was crazy how fast life could change. One day you could be lying in the dirt in one of the poorest areas of Peru, thinking your life was about to end, and the next you could be planning on spending the rest of your life with the angel of mercy who’d rescued you.

Meat knew he’d fallen hard and fast, but apparently that was what a Mountain Mercenary did. He’d move heaven and earth to give Zara the life that had been stolen from her, and make her happy in the process.



“It’s taking too long to get the money,” the man mumbled under his breath as he paced back and forth. “And she’s not even using it herself. It’s going to waste, just like it has for the last fifteen years!” He turned to his companion and threw an arm out. “She just sits at that guy’s house and never goes anywhere. Doesn’t buy a damn thing! We’ve sent her a ton of emails, giving her that down-on-our-luck sob story, but she just ignores them all. I want that money!”

“So do I, but it’s not that easy.”

“We need to step this shit up,” the man mumbled. “Get this done. I’ve talked to my contact down in Mexico, and they’re ready and waiting for us to get there with the cash. Do you know how much cheaper Black Eagle is down there? Instead of a hundred bucks a gram, we can get double or triple that.”

“Speaking of which, do you have any on you?”

“No.”

“Then maybe you should go and take care of that, don’t you think?”

“Fuck you!” the man said. “I’ll take care of the drugs, you take care of the money.”

“I will. We’ll get it, one way or another.”

The man nodded, then pulled out his phone to call his dealer. Things would look better after they’d smoked some dope. Things always looked brighter when they were high.

The thought of getting out of Denver and heading to Mexico sounded better and better with every day that went by. He’d lived in this fucking city his entire life, getting nowhere, and he was more than ready to leave.

He’d done enough waiting for a chance at Zara Layne’s inheritance, and he’d be damned if he let this opportunity slip through his fingers.





Chapter Twenty

“Do I look okay?” Zara asked as she wiped her sweaty palms down the sides of her jeans as they stood inside the restaurant.

“You look beautiful,” Meat assured her, kissing her on the temple before stepping back.

Something about him was different, and Zara couldn’t quite put her finger on it. He’d always been protective of her, concerned about her well-being, but lately he seemed even more so.