Forever Betrayed: Forever Bluegrass #3 (20 page)

“Mila isn’t just some woman looking to get nailed by a prince. She’s my girlfriend, you ass!”

Gabe didn’t bother to look embarrassed, probably because he wasn’t. Gabe’s globe-trotting, bachelor attitude didn’t do embarrassed. “I’m impressed. She knew I wasn’t you the second I kissed her.”

Blind rage at the idea of someone else kissing Mila sent a second punch into Gabe’s midsection. The air was forced from Gabe’s lungs as he gasped for air. “Okay,” Gabe said as he held up a hand in surrender. “New girlfriend is off limits. I get it. At least you didn’t punch me in the nuts like she did. Never has someone been able to tell us apart so fast.”

Zain turned and grinned at Mila. “You hit him in the nuts when you figured out he wasn’t me?”

Mila nodded, then leaned around Zain. “Sorry about that. I guess I shouldn’t hit royalty, but you kind of deserved it.”

By that time Cy and Jackson were working hard to smother their laughter.

“True enough,” Gabe admitted as he struggled to stand up again. “Sorry about that, Mila. Zain’s never been really serious about any girl before.”

Zain read the look Gabe sent him. Gabe wanted to know why Mila was different and what was going on. “Guys, why don’t you go downstairs. Mila and I will meet you in a minute. I’ll explain everything then.”

Gabe gave a flourished bow to Mila. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mila. I await with bated breath to hear of your grand love affair.”

Most women tittered at Gabe’s antics. Zain couldn’t even begin to count the number of women who fell at his feet when Gabe did his little bow routine. Although, he normally followed it up by taking the lady’s hand and kissing it. Wisely, this time he left that part out. Zain looked at Mila to gauge her reaction and caught her rolling her eyes. Gabe blinked and looked slightly injured as he stood back up.

“I think I’m losing my touch,” Gabe whispered to Jackson as they walked out of the bathroom.

Zain turned and pulled Mila into his arms. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the one who met you in the bath.”

“Mmm, me too. I guess you’ll just have to use your imagination.” Mila leaned up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before dropping her towel and sashaying her bare bottom to the bedroom.

“You little devil!” Zain called after her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Mila got dressed quickly as Zain told her about dinner. She enjoyed the easy-going nature of the talk. Even the shock of kissing Gabe had worn off in the comfort of being with Zain. When she was finished, he took her hand and walked downstairs with her.

“Do you all know that a squirrel is in the kitchen?” Gabe called out when he heard them on the stairs.

“Yes, we found him this morning,” Zain told him as they headed for the cage. Gabe was grabbing a beer from the fridge. Cy and Jackson had taken a seat on the barstools.

“He has a broken ankle. And he seems hungry.” Mila took Gabe’s place at the fridge and pulled out some more food for Squirrel.

“What’s his name?”

“Squirrel,” Zain and Mila said at the same time.

“Dear Lord, you two are made for each other. Zain had a cat when he was younger. Can you guess her name?” Gabe teased. “Your children will probably be named Boy and Girl.”

Mila snickered as she opened the cage door to feed Squirrel. She liked hearing Zain with his friends and family. It was something foreign to her. While her parents loved her, they weren’t really the teasing type of family. Her father was always a happy sort, but her mother was far too serious about appearances to dare wade into those waters.

Squirrel hobbled over and blinked his big eyes. Mila smiled at him and ran a finger lightly down his back. “Aww, do you miss your mommy?” Squirrel pushed his head against her hand. When she lowered it, he climbed into her palm. She slowly moved her hand from the cage and cradled Squirrel to her chest. Squirrel nuzzled against her and curled up.

“So, are you going to tell us what’s up?” Cy asked. “I’ll need to let everyone know Gabe’s here, too.”

Mila turned her attention from Squirrel to Zain. He had asked Gabe to come, and she wanted to know why, too.

“I want Gabe to be me tomorrow morning. I announced at dinner that I was going to walk the property before meetings in the morning. I also let them overhear me tell Dylan that I was going to be staying at the bed and breakfast tonight,” Zain explained. She didn’t get it, but it appeared everyone else did.

“Why would you do that?” Mila asked.

“He’s setting a trap,” Jackson responded.

Zain nodded. “I’m going to send Gabe out as me with my normal security. Then we’re going to put in place a secondary security team to watch from afar. They’ll see if anyone else is watching. If they are, then we capture them.”

“But why do you need Gabe to do that?”

“Because, while he’s wandering around the farm, I’m going to be having a little meeting with the Queen of Surman. I can’t be in two places at once. I’m hoping she’ll give away something at the surprise of seeing me. I’m guessing she’s already told her man of my plans, and he’ll make his move before the meetings. They’ll do whatever is necessary to stop the talks tomorrow.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Mila asked Gabe. She couldn’t imagine putting her brother, if she had one, at risk.

“I’d do anything for my brother, and he’d do anything for me. And my friends have my back. There’s no group I trust more,” Gabe said, seemingly unaffected by the prospect of being attacked or killed.

“Wait a second,” Mila said suddenly. “You’ve been talking about this doctor speaking tomorrow. Is she safe?”

“Piper has been in a safe house since you saw her in my mom’s room with the rest of the town. Ryan’s FBI agents and the U.S. Marshals will help bring her in tomorrow and keep her safe. However, I’m hoping that by then, we’ll have caught the people behind this.”

Cy nodded his head. “Solid plan. Let’s go with it.”

The doorbell rang and Jackson went to answer it with his gun drawn. Mila wanted to roll her eyes again. Was an assassin really going ring the doorbell?

“Hello!” Annie Davies called as she came in heavily armed. Her husband, Cade, followed close behind. “We’re so excited for our date night. I brought the entire
Die Hard
collection and my favorite pistol. It’s going to be so romantic.”

Mila felt her mouth drop open as the woman turned the coffee table into an armory.

“Don’t worry, she’s very good at her job,” Zain whispered to her.

“But what about her husband? Isn’t he a high school teacher? And what is he carrying?”

“Oh, that’s a grenade launcher. And Cade used to be in the Special Forces with Miles and Marshall. At least, that’s what I was told. I’m starting to doubt everything our parents ever told us,” Zain said as he leaned over to run a finger down a sleeping Squirrel’s back.

“I am seeing two of you, right?” Annie asked Zain and Gabe.

Zain slid his arm around Mila’s back and kept it there while he explained his plan.

“Sounds good. I’ll let everyone know and make sure they’re all in place tonight and tomorrow. Give me a second to notify tonight’s group to get in position before you leave, Gabe.” Cade didn’t wait for Gabe to agree, he was already on the phone with Miles.

“Mila, can I have a word?” Gabe asked quietly while Cade and Miles laid out a plan. Mila nodded but felt Zain’s hand tighten on her waist. She looked at him and saw traces of anger there. She didn’t want the two brothers to be at odds over her.

“Sure,” Mila said as she turned and handed Squirrel off to Zain. Squirrel happily burrowed under his suit coat while Zain glared at his brother.

Mila followed Gabe to the formal dining room off the kitchen. “I’m sorry if I behaved like a jackass.”

“Yes, you did.”

“No wonder my brother likes you. You’re nothing like the women we’re used to.” Gabe smiled disarmingly.

No wonder he could get away with anything he wanted. When he and Zain smiled, they could melt the panties right off a girl.

“Except for most of the ones around here. But we could never date them,” Gabe said as his smile slipped a little.

“Why not? They don’t put up with your superior alpha male act?” Mila asked sweetly.

Gabe chuckled. “Do you have a sister?” Mila shook her head. “Too bad. No, if we messed up a relationship here, everyone would know about it. The girl’s mom would call our mom, and well, it would just be a nightmare. But I did want to sincerely apologize. Deep down, I’m not that guy. Neither is Zain. College and becoming more active in the international community just kind of left us with dual personalities. It's our way of protecting ourselves from being used. But I see my brother is already in your safe hands.”

Mila blushed at Gabe’s sincerity. “Thank you for apologizing. And you’re right—his heart is safe with me.”

Zain paced as Cade positioned his troops. What did Gabe want with Mila now? He should have followed to make sure his brother dropped his playboy attitude with her. Cade hung up the phone and smiled at them.

“We'll have people in the café and at the Rose sisters’ house next door to the B&B all night. They’ll be set up in ten minutes. They’ll see anyone coming through town at night and will be able to watch Gabe at Poppy’s. At five in the morning, a second group will take position for your walk. I’ll need to show Gabe the path we need him to take,” Cade told the group as he pulled out a map of the property.

“You can show me now,” Gabe said as he sauntered out of the dining room with a smiling Mila. Zain clenched his fists. Why was she smiling? He’d better not have made a move on her. They used to do that when they were in college to test girls who made it to the level of “almost girlfriend.” It was an unfair test, but surprisingly few actually passed it.

“You’ll leave Poppy’s at seven and drive home. You’ll come inside, change, and keep on your bulletproof vest,” Cade instructed.

“What vest?”

“This one,” Annie tossed him a vest. “Put it on under your shirt.”

Gabe began to unbutton his shirt and Zain leaned down to Mila. “What did he want?”

“To apologize. Relax, you’re the only Ali Rahman I want.” Zain felt ten feet tall when Mila leaned her head against his shoulder as they watched Cade explain the plan for tomorrow.

“And Mila, Abby will come get you at 6:30. She’ll sneak you into the B&B so you can be seen leaving there later,” Cade told her. “Then Abby will escort you back to the house and then to the meetings at 8:00.”

“What about Jamal? He’s staying, too, right?” Abby asked.

“Where is our cousin?” Gabe wondered.

“He told your dad he’s crashing on the couch in the office. He wanted to read all the reports Zain left him so he’s prepared for Piper’s lecture tomorrow. Who knew?” Cade asked rhetorically. “So, Mila, Abby will pick you up at 6:30 but you’ll leave the bed and breakfast at 7:30 to meet here. You’ll make a show of—I’m sorry for this, Zain—kissing Gabe and then you both head out in separate directions at 7:32. Gabe will walk until we call him back. In the meantime, Zain will start the meeting at 8:00.”

“No way she’s kissing Gabe.” Zain wasn’t about to let the woman he loved kiss anyone else ever again. Those lips were his.

“Zain, she can just give him a peck on the cheek,” Annie said gently.

“Cade, do you let Annie kiss other men?” Zain asked as Annie rolled her eyes.

“Hell no,” Cade responded instantly.

He felt Mila sigh. “I’m going to kiss Gabe on the cheek while holding his hand. Deal with it. And by the way, I don’t think either of you
let
us do anything.”

Annie snickered. “I like her.”

Zain felt frustration flow through him. The pressure from the summit, from balancing all of the egos, and then the attacks on himself and Mila. He had to take a deep breath. He was overreacting. Mila was right. He didn’t
let
her do anything. “Make it a very brother-sister type kiss. Please.”

“It sounds as if I need to call the café and place an
order
,” Gabe said as he teased Zain.

“Yeah,” Mila said dryly. “I know about the betting.”

Gabe looked guilty. “About time we left, huh, guys?”

Zain felt Mila’s body shaking next to his. When he looked down, he saw that she was quietly laughing.  Yes, it was about time for them all to leave. There was nothing sexier to him than the woman he loved laughing. It was strange to get a sense of confidence from her laugh. But it made sense, considering all that was going on around her.

Zain slapped his brother on the back and walked him to the door. “Gabe, really, thanks for doing this. I know you laughed it off, but—”

“But there’s nothing funny about this. I know. And I was serious. It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for me. I love you, and I’ll never tell Mom, but I’m glad you found someone like Mila to marry even if it puts pressure on me now.”

“Marry? We haven’t known each other long enough to talk about that.”

Gabe smirked at him. “You might not have talked about it, but you’ve thought it. I saw the way your eyes softened when I mentioned children. I’m happy for you, even if you’re pathetically whipped.”

Zain laughed. He could never hide anything from his twin—even things he was hiding from himself. Zain stepped behind the door and allowed Gabe, Cy, and Jackson to leave without being seen. Annie had already closed all the curtains and gone to the kitchen to make popcorn.

“So, are we all set for tomorrow then?” Cade asked. “Do you have any questions?”

“No, I understand it all. Mila, do you have anything to add?”

Mila shook her head. “I’m good. I just appreciate all you two are doing for us.”

“Do you want to watch
Die Hard
? I know it's not Christmastime, but it’s a still a classic.” Annie asked as she put the popcorn in a bowl and headed for the couch.

“No thanks. I’ll let you two have your date night.” She turned to Zain and said, “I’ll see you upstairs.”

Zain watched her walk upstairs before pulling out his phone and texting Gabe. “Thanks, you two. I appreciate you both staying the night.”

“You know your family is just an extension of ours and family sticks together. We’re happy to help,” Cade told him as he grabbed a handful of popcorn.

“So, if you were DEA and you were Special Forces,” Zain hedged, “then what is your daughter Sophie?”

“She works in some lab,” Annie answered.

“Right,” Zain said slowly.

“It’s not like you kids tell us parents everything,” Cade responded.

“I’m starting to think that’s a two-way street,” Zain mumbled as Annie smirked.

Zain’s phone buzzed. “Gabe is about to walk into the B&B." Zain stared at his phone for minutes as if he could see the path Gabe was taking on his dark screen. His phone finally buzzed.

The attic? I didn’t even know this was up here.

Zain let out a breath. Gabe was fine. “He’s all tucked in for the night. I’ll see you all in the morning.

Annie and Cade said goodnight. As Zain headed upstairs, Annie rested her head on Cade’s chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Would he and Mila have that someday? When Zain opened his bedroom door to find Mila lying naked in the middle of his bed, he sure hoped they would.