Secret Obsession (15 page)

He crossed the room and sat in the chair beside the bed. “Are you okay?”

“A few bruises from knocking the chair over and breaking it so I could hit the deck.” She held out her wrists. “The rope cut into my skin. Otherwise, I’m fine. What are you doing here? I thought you were going home.”

He stared up into her eyes, trying to read her emotions, trying to control the swirl of want inside of him. Should he tell her how he felt? He wanted to, but his entire body shook with apprehension. He’d faced death more times than he cared to admit, but he’d never been truly afraid until this moment.

She could destroy him.

He covered her hand with his. “I couldn’t leave. I had to be sure—”

She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I’m fine. Jocelyn will be fine. I’ll make sure she knows what an amazing woman raised her for the first two years of her life. We’ll be f-fine,” she stammered.

He grabbed her hands. “I know you will. That’s the thing, Lyssa. You’ll be fine on your own. I have no doubt about that. You don’t need me. But I—”

She leaned forward. “What are you trying to say?”

“I want you,” he rushed out. “I know it’s too soon. I know you still love Jack, but I want to be part of your life. I...I love you, Lyssa Cafferty.”

He squeezed her hands until she winced. Cursing, he let her go.

“I’m sorry.” He turned away. “This was a mistake.”

“Noah,” she said softly. “I love you, too.”

He spun around, afraid to hope, afraid her big heart was lying to her, but he couldn’t stop himself from tucking her into his arms and sitting down on the chair with her in his lap. His hands gentle, he kissed her slowly, reverently, and pressed his closed eyes against her shoulder, unwilling to admit the burn behind his eyelids was anything other than the residual effect of the fire and smoke.

“Are you sure?” his voice choked out. “We’ve been through a lot. It might not be—”

“Don’t say it isn’t real, Noah. I know what I feel. You’re brilliant, you’re determined, you’re the man I fell in love with. All of you. All your masks. The Falcon, Noah Bradford, CEO, but mostly, I just love you, the man, Noah.”

His smile broadened and he lowered his lips. Her mouth parted under his. His body surged with desire until they heard a toddler squealing.

A harried orderly walked into the room and thrust her at Lyssa. “She’s all yours. Nothing wrong with her lungs.”

Tears fell down Jocelyn’s face. Lyssa stood and held out her arms, but the little girl pulled away. “Marmie. I want Marmie!”

Noah couldn’t bear the crying. He took Jocelyn into his strong arms and bounced her a bit. “What are those tears for, pumpkin pie?”

The orderly gulped in relief and rushed away.

Noah lifted Jocelyn in the air. Her green eyes—so like her mother’s—stared down at him, then she smiled and giggled. After a few more soars into the air, he pulled her into his arms and sat down next to the bed.

Lyssa touched Jocelyn’s hair. “Mama loves you, baby girl.”

Jocelyn blinked her eyes, settling her head against Noah’s shoulder.

He smiled, holding the small body as gently as he could. “She’s going to have me wrapped around her finger in no time.”

“Me, too.” Lyssa risked a look at him. “She could use a good man in her life.”

“One man?” Noah asked. “Would you settle for one man, Lyssa? Me, the man who loves you, who runs his companies, who stays home and doesn’t live an exciting life?”

“What about the Falcon?” Lyssa asked. “Won’t you miss it.”

“The Falcon is dead,” Noah said. “I think it’s time I remind myself who I am and hang up the adventures for a while. Besides, I have a feeling you and this little lady will provide plenty of adventure for me.”

* * *

R
OWS
OF
WHITE
crosses dotted the military cemetery. A nip of cold brought a chill to the winter air, but Noah didn’t feel it. Lyssa’s joyous smile warmed him from the inside.

When they’d pulled Archimedes’s body from the remains of the gym, he’d finally seen that little line on her forehead smooth completely away. Until that moment, somewhere in her mind she’d wondered if he was still out there.

The nightmare was over. Archimedes was dead.

Now they had one more goodbye.

Lyssa placed a small photo on top of the cross. She laid her hand reverently on the stone. Part of Noah winced. Would she ever love him the way she’d loved Jack? For now, he’d just accept what she said, but he had to admit he doubted. She and Jack had been perfect together, but Noah wasn’t Jack.

He couldn’t pretend to be.

She walked over to the car with Jocelyn. The toddler didn’t smile much but clung to Lyssa.

“You ready?” Noah asked, opening the back door for her so she could put Jocelyn in her car seat.

She nodded. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You okay?”

Lyssa smiled up at him and gripped his fingers, squeezing tight. “Yeah. We have Jocelyn back. We’re safe. Jack would like that.”

After she’d put Jocelyn into the car seat, Noah opened the passenger door. Lyssa scooted inside out of the wind.

Noah paused, glancing at the gravestone. “Give me a minute?” he asked.

Her gaze quizzical, she nodded.

Slowly, he walked to the lone cross and stared down at the name.

Jackson David Holden.

His chest tightened with emotion, filling his chest and heart. Hope and more fear than he wanted to admit. “You were a lucky man, Jack. I wish I had been there that day, more than you know, but she’s safe now. You’d be proud of her. Man, she’s a hell of a fighter.”

He swiped at the bit of dirt at the base of the cross. “You have an amazing daughter, my friend. That little girl is just like her mom. Beautiful, smart, funny. And stubborn. She tells you what she wants and doesn’t let go until she gets it.” He rubbed the base of his neck. “She’s got your charm, too. I’m in so much trouble when the boys start coming around. I’ll take good care of her. Of both of them. I promise you that. Until the day I die.”

A swirl of hope pushed Noah to his knees. “I thank God every day for them, Jack. I’m sorry she lost you. I’m sorry you lost her, but I love them both with all my heart and soul. I don’t know if she’ll ever love me as much as she loved you, I’ll probably always be second best but I’ll take what I can get. A little piece of her heart is worth the world.”

He pressed his fingers to his eyes, straightened his shoulders and turned around. Shocked he hadn’t heard her walk up behind him, Noah flushed.

Lyssa stood behind him, her eyes wet with tears, and Jocelyn in her arms. She gripped his shirt collar and pulled him to her. “You listen to me, Noah Bradford. I loved Jack. I’ll always love him and remember him, but you, you hold my heart. Jack loved the woman I was. You accept the woman I became. The woman I am now.” She brought his head close to hers. “You healed my heart, Noah. I never thought I’d believe in love again. I need you with everything in me. Believe that. Believe in me.”

He wrapped his arms around her and Jocelyn and pulled them close. His body trembled. “I want to, but won’t you always wish for what might have been. How can I compete with a memory?”

“You don’t have to.”

She pulled his head down to hers and took his lips in a kiss. The passion in her touch tugged at his heart. “I admire the man who was smart enough and strong enough to stop the man who killed Jack. I need the man who holds me in his arms each night. I adore the man who took Jocelyn into his arms and quieted her when she cried. I cherish the man who even now checks on her in the middle of the night when he thinks I’m still asleep.

“And I love the man standing in front of me with all my heart. I love
you,
Noah Bradford. And I always will.”

“I love you, Lyssa. I’ll always love you.” Noah tightened his hold, the fear in his heart melting when she placed her head on his shoulder. Together they walked to the car.

He opened the door.

“Da!” Jocelyn yelled when he got in.

He stared at Lyssa. She grinned. “She learned a new word. Guess she knows who you are.”

He leaned over and kissed Lyssa’s lips tenderly, then ruffled Jocelyn’s hair.

“Let’s go home, family.”

Epilogue

Noah drove up to his father’s Denver ranch house. It looked the same as it had a week ago. Of course, Noah’s life was completely different now.

He rounded the car and opened the door for Lyssa. She hesitated. “Are you sure they’re not angry with me? I stopped you from coming home.”

Noah unbuckled Jocelyn from her car seat and pulled the chatterbox into his arms. “Sierra is safe. That’s all that matters. They understand.”

Still, Lyssa paused.

“Hey, it’s my family. I love you, they will, too. Besides, you’ve got me staying in Denver most of the time. They like that. A lot.”

Holding her hand, he strode up the stairs and gave three short knocks.

His sister stood in the doorway, smiling at him. “It’s about time!” He studied her face. Her cheek was scraped and her arm was in a sling. There was a haunted look in her eyes he understood but didn’t like. She should never have been taken.

Sierra turned to Lyssa. “I’m so glad to meet you.” His sister pulled Lyssa into her arms.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears filled Lyssa’s eyes. “It’s my—”

“Don’t say it.” Sierra waved the apology away. “He was a nut job. I’m glad he’s dead.” Even then, Noah noted the tremor in his sister’s hand.

After a gulp of wine, Sierra tilted her head. “I heard he left a list of all his so-called sacrifices. Way more than anyone knew.”

“How’d you figure that out?” Noah asked.

“It’s not like you’ll brag,” Sierra said. “I had to find out through the grapevine that the code you deciphered from his crazy symbols opened a safe where he kept a record of everything he’d done. You guys make quite the team.”

Lyssa looked up at him. “Yeah, we do.”

They entered the Bradford home. The wooden floors gleamed, and Paul wheeled over to them. “So, you finally brought her here.” He smiled at Lyssa. “Thank you,” he said, holding out his hands.

She reached out to him, a furrow of confusion on her brow. “I don’t understand.”

“You gave me back my son.”

Paul looked up at Jocelyn. “And who might this be?”

Jocelyn tilted her head at Paul, then she grinned and held out her arms, wiggling toward him. Noah maneuvered the baby into his father’s arms. Paul laughed and set her on his knee. “Want to go for a ride, little lady?”

She giggled and Paul wheeled them around the room.

“Where’s everyone else?” Noah asked, taking Lyssa’s hand in his and giving her a slight squeeze. She smiled up at him, even while keeping an eye on her daughter.

“Mitch and Emily will be here soon,” Sierra said. “Emily’s only two weeks away from delivery, so they’re a little slow getting out of the gate sometimes. Chase is on his way.”

Noah took Lyssa’s coat and hung it up. His shoulders tingled. He turned. Rafe stood in the door of the kitchen. Noah strode over to him. “Thank you.”

Rafe nodded, but as usual said nothing.

“How’d you find her?”

Rafe scowled at Sierra. “You might want to ask your sister.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, for God’s sake.”

“I’m not leaving until you tell everyone.” He crossed his arms. The tension between them crackled.

“What’s going on?”

“Your sister isn’t just an accountant,” Rafe scowled. “She’s working for CTC. You know the ace forensic accountant Ransom tapped for special jobs. It’s Sierra.”

“What?” Noah shouted.

Jocelyn whimpered from Paul’s lap, her lower lip sticking out.

Noah quickly knelt in front of them. “Sorry, babycakes.” He blew a raspberry on her tummy until she smiled again then glared at Sierra. “How long?”

“A few years,” Sierra said with a death stare aimed at Rafe. “It’s a good thing I had the training, too. I knocked that door cockeyed just enough you noticed it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have found me.”

“I was in the damn building.”

“Yeah, when it exploded.”

Rafe growled under his breath. “I’m out of here, Noah. Talk some sense into her or get her fired.”

He disappeared through the kitchen and Sierra flopped onto the couch. “Good riddance.”

Noah stared down at her. “Why the secrets?”

Sierra shot him a disbelieving look. “You’re one to talk.”

“She’s right.” Lyssa sidled up beside Noah.

He rubbed his chin. “I know. But you’ll give Ransom your resignation.”

She shrugged.

“Sierra—”

“It’s my life to live, big brother. You can’t control everything.”

Lyssa turned to Noah and grinned, then kissed him.

Noah lingered a little bit before pulling away. “What are you smiling at?”

Paul chuckled. “She’s got your number, Noah. You done good.” He looked down at Jocelyn. “Want a cookie, little lady?”

“Cookie!” Jocelyn squealed.

Paul wheeled them into the kitchen. Sierra stood in the corner of the room, looking out the window. Lyssa shoved him toward her.

He sighed and walked over to Sierra. “I’m sorry, sis. I know what working for CTC means. You must be damn good at your job for Ransom to take you on. But...” He hesitated. “It can eat away at your soul. Just be careful.”

“I am.” She looked up at him. “Do you regret what you’ve done?”

“I have regrets. There are things I saw that...well, let’s just say I’ll never forget.” He glanced over at Lyssa. “But they gave me the means to stop Archimedes. So, no.”

Sierra tilted her head. “You kept it a secret. You must know why I did.”

“I’m going to slug Ransom when I see him.”

“I made him promise,” Sierra countered.

“Well, the secrets are out in the open now.” Noah looked toward the kitchen where his friend had left. “Sierra, be careful of Rafe. He doesn’t let anyone in.”

“I know,” she said sadly. “I tried that already.” She walked across the room and poked at the fire.

Noah bristled and started toward her. Lyssa stepped into his path and clutched his arm. “Don’t,” she whispered, meeting his gaze. “She cares about him.”

“He can’t give her what she needs.”

“And you can’t convince her of that, Noah.” Lyssa nodded her head. “Look at her.”

A shout sounded from outside. “Open the door!” Chase yelled.

Chase carried a huge turkey with both hands. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Mitch followed, his arm protectively around Emily as she waddled up the ramp with her son in her arms.

Both brothers engulfed Lyssa in bear hugs.

“So, bro, someone finally tamed you.” Chase chuckled.

Emily swatted at him and set down Joshua. “Just you wait, Chase.”

“Oh, no. I like my life just how it stands, thank you very much.”

Chaos ensued. By the time dinner was on the table, Noah stepped back for a moment and simply watched. For the first time in so many years, he relished the chuckles, with no need to hide what he said or lie about what he’d done.

His siblings needled each other diving for the last helping of sweet-potato pie. Mitch constantly watched out for Emily. Jocelyn and Joshua giggled as first one of his brothers and then the other lifted the toddlers across the table to fight over the turkey leg.

Noah slipped something from his pocket and placed it on a wishbone. He leaned back. Chase met his gaze then grinned.

Lyssa was deep in conversation with Emily. She hadn’t seen what he’d done.

“Can I borrow her, Emily?” Noah asked, suddenly nervous. “Want to help me clear the table?” He picked up the turkey.

She smiled. “Of course.”

She followed her in and he set down the platter. Noah clutched Lyssa’s hand and pulled her aside. “What do you think?”

She smiled up at him. “You have an amazing family. And I think Jocelyn is in love with Joshua.” The two kids held hands throughout dinner, when they weren’t covered in mashed potatoes.

He cleared his throat and then swallowed, his nerves nearly shot. “I have a special family tradition I wanted to share with you,” he said, reaching for the wishbone.

He looked up. The entire family stood in the kitchen doorway watching.

“Da!” Jocelyn shouted, stretching out her arms. He snagged the little girl. “Want to see if your wish comes true?”

Lyssa reached out and stared at the red ribbon attached to the wishbone.

Hanging off the silk was a diamond ring. An engagement ring.

He knelt down. “Would you be a part of the Bradford family, Lyssa? I love you. I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to make you and Jocelyn happy.”

She stared at the ring, then up at him.

“I love you, Noah Bradford. The one and only.” She smiled at him. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”

The entire family erupted in cheers.

A glass of champagne later and Paul wheeled into the corner with Jocelyn and Joshua in his lap.

Thanksgiving had officially come, and they had a lot to be thankful for.

Noah tucked Lyssa close to him and kissed her temple. She turned in his arms. “It’s forever, right?”

“Forever and always.”

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from HUNTED by Beverly Long.