Rebecca Zanetti - Forgotten Sins

Memories. Flashes of light ripped through Shane’s head like sharp knives. Pain coursed until he was sure his ears bled. He couldn’t block it. Like a million paparazzi cameras flashing at once, the sight and sounds grew deafening.

Jory.

His brother, shot in the chest, falling to the floor. Eyes open.

Shane’s memories poured in like thick concrete. Undercover. He’d found the video, and he’d watched it. Tears had choked him with fury. But then almost two years into his assignment, he’d found the second video. The one where Jory blinked after being shot. Maybe. Maybe it had been a trick of light—the angle of the camera. But… maybe it had been a blink.

Shane gasped, nearly bending over at the memory.

Movement sounded. Josie screamed. Shane turned instinctively toward the sound, the movement saving his life.

Tom tackled him, head into stomach. Shane hit the counter inches from the open hatch. The plane jumped, and then tilted to the left. They were going down.

Shane pivoted, sweeping his leg underneath Tom’s. He shoved.

Tom flew out the hatch and into the dark night, his yell echoing behind them to taper into silence.

With a pissed growl, Shane leaned down and yanked the ladder inside before sliding the hatch closed. His ears rang in the sudden silence.

Josie rose from her seat, hurrying toward him. He grabbed and yanked her as close as possible. The scent of wild berries filled his nose. “It’s okay, Josie. We’re safe.”

She lifted her face toward his, tears filling her eyes. “Tell me you know how to fly a plane.”

He grinned, lifting her over the dead body of the pilot to sit in the cockpit. Settling his bulk into the pilot’s seat, he grabbed the stick and righted the plane. “Of course, sweetheart. I learned how to fly when I was twelve.”

“Where are we going?”

“Home.”

Whether she liked it or not.

The peaceful chirp of birds filled the early hours of a Montana morning. Shane bit back a wince as Nathan finished taping his ribs. “You have the finesse of a bulldog.”

Nate stepped back, a frown on his face. “No training for a week because I’m not stitching you up again.” He glanced toward the door as Matt stalked inside, stomping his boots on the stoop first.

Matt tilted his head toward Shane. “Is he all right?”

“Yes.” Nate threw bloodied bandages into the trash. “Did you dismantle the plane?”

“Pretty much. We’ll use it for parts… can’t be traced.” Matt yanked open the refrigerator door and grabbed a beer, drinking it in three swallows.

Shane shifted on the wooden chair, his elbows resting on the round table. There was probably a smooth way to say what he needed to say, but he couldn’t find it in his head.

Matt grabbed another beer, slamming the door shut. “I can’t believe we missed the commander.” He dropped into a chair across from Shane. “Though I’m sure we’ll see him again soon.” His gaze took in Shane’s bandages. “Where’s your wife?”

“Shower.” Shane eyed the long hallway. They’d arrived at the ranch thirty minutes earlier, and she’d headed straight for warm water. “Tell me again about the security on the ranch.”

Nate nodded. “Full perimeter. Sensors, cameras, even booby traps I can deploy from here.” He leaned against the counter. “The control room is downstairs and has tunnels leading miles away in case we need to escape. I have a helicopter and three land routes out, even without the tunnels.”

Impressive. Shane nodded. “Does anyone know where you are?”

“No.” Nathan leaned back and grabbed a Guinness from the fridge. “We have office managers in New York and Chicago who report to me, but they don’t know where our headquarters is located. Nobody would even guess Rebel, Montana.” He swallowed deep and then set his bottle on the table. “Are you and your wife moving in, Shane?”

“Temporarily. Then I’ll find her a safe place.”

“No. If you’re making her family, then she’s my family, too.” Nate’s eyes darkened.

“Never alone,” Matt said quietly.

Relief and the sense of home washed through Shane. “I, ah—”

“You’re welcome,” his brothers both said quietly and in unison.

Nate sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

He did. And he knew, without a doubt, that his brother would protect Josie with his life if Shane were off on a mission.

Nathan stretched his arms. “Enough emotion—next we’re going to end up hugging and talking about our feelings. I’ve been monitoring all lines… no record of the explosion or anyone falling out of a plane.”

Shane hissed out a breath. Damn government conspirators. He’d even dropped off the body of the dead pilot near the explosion site when he’d fetched his brothers. Apparently the commander had gained some serious clout. “I talked to Malloy. He came up with some story about an anonymous tip that he checked out at the airport… and found the fire and bodies.”

“The cop is protecting us?” Matt asked, both eyebrows raised.

“Yes.” Shane stretched his hands. “Malloy’s a good guy—and he wants Josie to be safe. We’re the only ones who can guarantee that.”

Matt eyed Shane. “Well?”

“Well what?” He fought the urge to shift his weight under the watchful gaze of his older brother.

“Say what you can’t figure out how to say.” Matt took another swallow of beer.

“I think maybe Jory is alive.”

The world froze. Or maybe only his brothers stopped moving. Stopped breathing.

“What did you say?” Only Nate’s lips moved. His body remained still, ready to pounce.

Shane eyed each of his brothers in turn. “I said that maybe Jory is alive. Or rather, maybe he didn’t die from those bullet wounds.” If his brother was still alive, why hadn’t he contacted them? “I saw a second video. He might’ve blinked.” Or it was a trick of the lighting.

“Jesus.” Nathan dropped into a vacant chair. “Might have? Shane, you’re dreaming here. I understand it, but you’re dreaming.”

Matt’s expression didn’t change. Pure stone. But those eyes. Dark, dangerous, they swirled with enough emotion to make sound. “Tell me you’re sure.”

“I’m not sure.” Shane squared his jaw. “There was a second video, and he may have blinked. That’s why I broke cover and headed to Seattle. To see you—see if any of your contacts could get a better image from the video.” The video that had disappeared along with his memories—probably in the river.

“What happened after he blinked?” Matt asked.

Shane concentrated on the memory. The camera angle had been toward the floor, where Jory lay. “A pair of shoes, high heels, crossed in front of the camera. Female hands grabbed his shoulders.” Doubt filled Shane as the memories tumbled back. He might be giving his brothers false hope. “Then the video went blank.”

“Dr. Madison?” Nathan hissed.

“I don’t know.” Many women wore high heels. God help Jory if it had been the psychotic doctor.

“Where’s the video?” Ty asked.

“I don’t know,” Shane repeated. “Though chances are I had it at the house I stayed in to watch Josie.”

Matt jumped to his feet. “We need to search that house and break into the police evidence room to find it. Probably on some sort of flash drive.” He glanced at Shane’s battered torso. “Good job, Shane.”

Shane shrugged. “I wish I could say for sure. Nathan’s right. I may be dreaming.” But he’d move hell to find out the truth. “I stopped by to get Josie on the way to Seattle, found the bugs, and figured I’d better hang tight to see if the commander found her—hoping I’d find him.” And have some answers about Jory.

Matt nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Shane, stay here and monitor the lines for any information on the explosion in Washington while you get your wife settled in. Nate will head back to Snowville to find the flash drive.”

Nathan stood. “I put the Texas coordinates in your phone for your next mission.”

“Thanks.” Matt poured the rest of his beer down the drain of the sink. He turned and strode from the house.

Shane frowned. “What’s in Texas?”

Nathan sighed. “Hopefully more intel on the commander and his funding.” He set down his beer and eyed the door. “I’ll go talk to Mattie before he leaves.”

Shane stretched to his feet, careful of the bandages around his torso. Long strides had him pushing open the heavy oak door to the guest room. Josie sat on the bed dressed in a sweat suit, her wet hair wisping around her face. Fragile and soft, she took up a tiny space on the huge bed.

His heart thumped. Hard. “Are you all right?”

She arched an eyebrow. “Of course. I’m not the one covered in bandages.”

He smiled, kicking the door shut behind him. Determined steps brought him to the bed. “So.”

“So.” Her intoxicating scent of wild berries filled the room, filled his heart. “Um. Thanks for my clothes. For having Matt grab them.”

“Sure. We’ll get the rest this week. In fact, we’ll get all your belongings for you.” He tucked his hands in his jean pockets to keep from reaching for her. They needed to talk. “First, I just heard from Malloy, and he came up with a pretty creative explanation as to why he was at the airport. But he played dumb as to why there are dead bodies around. Just claimed that he caught the end of the fight.”

Relief played across her pretty face. “I’m glad. He wanted to help me.”

“He helped us all. We definitely owe Detective Malloy a favor or two.” Shane cleared his throat. “Second, I don’t want to lie to you.” There had to be a smooth way to get her to stay. But all training, all manipulation flew out the window when he dealt with her. She deserved the truth.

“That would be a nice change.” A small dimple flirted at the corner of her mouth. The raw bruise on her cheekbone made him hope Tom landed on a spike.

“Do you love me?” He needed to know. He needed to hear her say the words.

Her eyes darkened to nearly purple. “I love you.” She plucked at a loose string on the duvet. “I always have.”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.” He couldn’t live without her. Didn’t want to. “I’m selfish, Josie. Life is hard, and I don’t want to fight it without you.” Sparks flared in her stunning eyes, and he fought a grin. “Because I love you. Because I need you with me. When I stopped by your house on the way to Seattle, I was going to ask you for another chance. Ask you to go with me to meet Matt.” Of course, he’d found bugs in her house instead.

He rested one knee on the bed. If he had to get her naked to listen to him, he would. “Now I could lie and say you need to stay here for safety.” He shrugged. “But you don’t. We could get you a new identity. Lots of money, lots of safety. You don’t need my protection.”

“I know.”

“But I need you. We’re family, and I need you in my life more than I need air. Please stay.”

Josie eyed her husband. She didn’t need his protection, but it was nice that someone finally had her back. The world was scary, and she’d navigated it for so long by herself. “I like your protection.” The words hinted at a vulnerability she’d never allowed herself to voice. “I like feeling safe.”

While they may only have three months together, she wanted every second. And she’d do whatever she could to make sure they had longer.

His gray eyes warmed to heated silver. Sliding forward onto the bed, he rolled onto his back and lifted her to straddle his groin. She settled herself away from his bandages. “I’ll keep you safe, angel.”

“Sure.” She flashed him a smile that even felt flirty. “We just need to catch the commander, destroy that bitch Dr. Madison, and find the truth about Jory. While remaining safe.”

Shane ran his hands down her arms to clasp her hands. “So you’ll stay married to me?”

“Yes.” Hell yes. He was everything she’d ever wanted. Family. Hers. And even better, he came with brothers.

Sorrow swirled in his eyes. “There’s a chance I can’t have kids. We don’t know if it’s possible. They might’ve goofed up our DNA so much that we can’t.” Vulnerability twisted his lips.

Her heart warmed, and she reached out to frame his face. “We’re going to get past the next three months and make sure that chip is gone. Then, we’re in this life together. If we can have kids, and we want to, we will. If not, we’ll adopt. Or it’ll just be us. Together.” Equal partners. “But I want all of you. The good and bad—no more secrets or hiding.”

“What about your numbers and accounting? I know how much it means to you.”