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  “His name was Jackson. I’m not sure what his first name was. That’s all he was called by the man in the chopper with him.” Hawk asked about the pilot. “He was no better than the boss that was there. He had a great deal of child porn on his computer that the police are going to find as soon as they identify them.”

  “How will they think this happened? I mean, they won’t think that someone just pulled them out of the sky and pounded them into the earth, will they?” She looked at him, and he wondered if she knew just how beautiful she was. He decided now might not be the time to tell her that.

  “They’ll think it was a faulty engine. When they came down, instead of slowing, as it might have done if he could have controlled it, it accelerated and hit the ground harder than a normal fall would have done. No other people were hurt by this. I wouldn’t do that.” He said that he knew that. “Then why are you staring at me as if I have something in my teeth? If you see something, just fucking tell me.”

  “All right. I think you’re stunning.” She rolled her eyes at him. “You told me to tell you—I am. And while I love the way you dismiss any kind of compliment, I’m telling you what I was thinking when I was staring at you.”

  “Lauren was on a high when she said that to me. Glad that she was not hurt, or her family.” Lauren had told Jamie that she was brilliant and that she was forever beholden to her. “And I’m not stunning. I’m just a person that has this incredible power.”

  “I think that you’re as beautiful as anything I’ve ever seen. Once when I was overseas, I saw the sun coming up over the desert. The colors were blended together in such a way that it looked as if they faded one into the other. It was gorgeous. I have seen a lot of sun rises and sun sets in my time away from home, and they’ve been remarkable. But you take my breath away with your beauty.”

  “Did you just compare me to a sun rise?” He grinned at her, and thought that he didn’t do that often enough. “You’re a sap. A fucking sap that needs to have his head examined. I don’t think you’re seeing the overall big picture here. I’m a monster. I mean, not all the time, but that matters little in the larger scheme of things.”

  She looked down at the wreckage and he turned to do the same. From their vantage point, he could not only see who was down there, but could read the license plates of all of the vehicles as well. Relaying the information back to Lauren, he asked her who was in the diplomatic car that showed up, as well as asked her why they were there.

  One of the dead is a man by the name of Jackson. He and the pilot were on their way to a meeting in Ohio, or so the paperwork that they turned in said. But they were armed with a great many weapons on their ride, and enough of it to have destroyed most of the downtown area. Hawk told Jamie what Lauren had said. The diplomat, I haven’t any idea who it is right now. See if your mate does, please. And be nice to her. I’ve yet to tell you what I’ve found out.

  Hawk told Jamie what Lauren needed and she nodded. When she didn’t say anything, he asked her what was wrong. Jamie said that Lauren wasn’t their only target, he was as well. They had been caught up in something recently—she had only just figured that out—that had stopped several shipments of arms that came in.

  “The man in the limo, he’s an envoy to the president. While he doesn’t seem to think that the president knows about his little scheme of making deals, there is an ongoing investigation that Lauren is looking into.” He asked her if they were in trouble with this. “I suppose it depends on what your idea of trouble is. They want you both dead, and your families. The man in the limo is, as we speak, trying to find out what he can about the two of you and where you live. The people there, the ones that know you, aren’t saying a word to him.”

  Hawk told Lauren and waited while she cussed, stringing words together that didn’t make any sense—but he supposed that was the point. Hawk didn’t know what to think about this. If they found either of them, they’d have to be protected forever. Men like this, they’d never give up until they got what they wanted.

  “Lauren knows the man. As do you. His name is Frank Jackson. He’s the bastard that you’ve been trying to pin gun sales on for eight months. And he’s right, the president doesn’t know at this time about his work, but he will soon enough. Lauren needs to drop this, or she’ll be hurt.” Hawk told her that she’d not do that. “Yeah, I didn’t think she would.”

  He had no idea what to do about this. The man had been in on several meetings with them. Their home addresses were only known to Jarvis and no one else. Not even a scrap of paper had them. Sitting down on the ground, he thought of what he’d been working on recently and thought of two things.

  “I was to take down a man that is dealing with arms on the street. He was just under the radar until recently. Then he started selling higher priced as well as bigger weapons. I’m going to see him in two days to buy from him.” Jamie told him that he wouldn’t now, he had been the pilot. “Good. The other thing that I am involved with is a trail of weapons going across the states. They’re dropping the load off, then someone picks it up. It’s never at the same place twice so far. We can’t keep an eye on them because they have monitors on their trailers, as well as the truck cabs. Also, we’re waiting to catch one of them so that we can follow him back to wherever they’re starting out from.”

  “Again, the pilot, though he wasn’t the only one in charge. And the shipments won’t stop until they’re all dead or captured.” He nodded, no longer talking to Lauren too. He asked Jamie if she had anything else for them. “Yes. I’m not going to be able to leave you like I had hoped. The men will harm you, if not destroy all that you love. I don’t mean just family, though they’ll be harmed as well, but the town and everyone that lives and works there. Everything.”

  “Thank you. I honestly don’t know what to do without you helping us with the information that Lauren would eventually get, but perhaps too late.” She looked at him, and he felt her sadness all the way to his heart. “I won’t rush you into anything, Jamie. I might be a big hulking sort of man, but I’m not a brute or a bad person. My mom would kick my ass if I ever tried that.”

  “You said you have a house?” Hawk nodded. “We’ll go there and figure this out. I’m going to vamp up your security around the place, and that of Lauren. But this doesn’t mean that we’re going to be any closer than we are now. You will see what I mean when I have to work.”

  “I don’t care. I honestly don’t care what you do or how you do it. So long as at the end of the day, everyone that I love is safe. And that would include you, Jamie.” She rolled her eyes again, something that he found adorable rather than annoying as he would from someone else. “We’ll go back to the office, and I’ll take you to our home after that. All right?”

  “No. It’s not all right. None of this is.”

  She moved away from him and disappeared. Hawk thought that he was truly in over his head with this woman, and he found that he didn’t care. It was sort of exciting. He only hoped that she would find him just as charming. Hawk decided that he might have to work on being charming a bit. Right now, he only knew how to be one thing—Army. He’d been in it for too long, and he had no idea how to woo a woman. He thought of his mom and decided to go and see her about this.

  Chapter 3

  Bea was nervous. She had heard that Hawkins had found his mate, but they had yet to meet her. Lauren had, and she said that she had a mouth on her worse than she did. That was saying a great deal. Also, that she was stronger than Jon. That scared her more than it comforted her. She looked at her husband and asked him what he was doing in her kitchen.

  “I’m tasting things for you.” She put her hands on her hips and glared. “You used to let me do this all the time. I don’t care for being left out of the test tasting process. It hurts me all the way to my feels.”

  “Richard McCullough, you know that you are putting on weight. We all are. There will be no more stopping by the diner for you either. Reese told me that you were taste testing for her
as well.” He said that she’d needed him. “No, that’s not what I heard. I heard that you show up every morning hoping for something new to taste. What am I going to do with you?”

  He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “Love me, my love. That’s all I ever wanted from you. Your love and your friendship.”

  “Well, that’s not the answer I was hoping for, but it’s a good one.” He laughed at her, and swatted her on the butt when she started toward the counter. “You sure are frisky. What have you been up to?”

  “All our boys have mates now. That’s the best thing I’ve heard for some time, you know?” Bea nodded at Rich. “I heard tell that she’s a bit on the rough side, but has no trouble keeping Hawkins in his place. I wish I could have been there when she punched him in the face. That must have been a sight.”

  “I’m sure that she had a reason to do it. Lord knows that I can think of a reason hourly to do the same to you.” He looked at her with a wounded expression. But beneath it, she could see the twinkle in his eyes and the mirth on his lips. “You never were one to keep your mouth shut. There are days when I swear you were hatched under a rock.”

  “But you love me, don’t you, darling?” She told him that she did. “Good. Now, what are we having tonight to welcome the newest member to our family? By the way, did you hear that she’s hanging around to help Hawkins and Lauren out? I was dumbfounded when I heard that. And here I thought that Lauren knew it all.”

  “She’d like for you to think that, I believe. But whatever the reason is, I’m hoping that she will stay here with him. Having Hawkins leave us again, I don’t think that my heart could take that.” She had lost him to the Army when he was so young. And they got to see him, but not often enough for her. And now that he was home, she found that she missed him more when he went off to work. “I wonder what sort of person this woman is. Is she nice or really as rough as you’ve been told? I know that she’s not a pushover if Lauren likes her. Lauren would befriend a braying jackass if he was able to help her with things.”

  “Yeah, I think you’re right about that. But I know as much as you do about her. She’s a lab rat like Jon was. She’s powerful, even more so than him. And she is being looked for.” Rich shook his head. “You think there will ever be a time when we don’t have to worry about someone coming to get one of our children?”

  “Doubtful. But they all live their lives to the fullest. And we have grandchildren to fuss over and babysit. I don’t think I’d have it any other way, would you?” He shook his head and smiled at her. “Now, go and set the dining room table up for all of us. I’ve already talked to the girls, and they’re each bringing something to share. And before you ask, no, Lauren isn’t bringing any Army rations. Nor, thankfully, is she cooking.”

  “Yeah, that is something to be thankful for. Oh, before I forget, you aren’t to touch the newest daughter. Not unless she gives you permission.” Bea asked him what he meant. “I don’t know. I was just told not to touch her unless she gives you the okay or something. It will hurt you or her, I guess.”

  She was going to ask him where he’d gotten his information when her sons came home. They came en masse, and she loved it. All six of her boys under one roof again, and all of them with a wife now. Well, not Hawkins yet, but she had faith in him.

  “Everyone, I’d like you to meet James Fitzpatrick. She goes by Jamie.” Bea glanced at Hawkins to see if he was joking or not, but one look at him and she was happy to see that he was in love with the girl. And he was also befuddled about something. “We’re working things out between us, and she’s thinking I’m not charming.”

  “I never said that, you moron. You said you were charming, and I just rolled my eyes at you. Who does that? Tells someone that they’re charming?” Jamie looked around the room at them all, then looked at Bea. “You’re either very brave, or simply too dumb to realize these guys will eat you out of house and home. I’m thinking brave. What do you think?”

  “Well, I don’t want to be considered dumb about anything. And if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather you didn’t start off a conversation with me calling me such.” Jamie just grinned at her and she fell right in love with the girl too. “I’ve been told not to touch you. Is that true?”

  “Yes. Unless of course you’re fond of getting kicked hard in the ass.” Bea laughed when the rest of them stepped back. Jamie glanced at them and then at her again. “They’re afraid of me. Why is that, I wonder? Because if it’s my mouth, you’re really fucked regarding that. I don’t change for anyone.”

  “Yes, it’s your mouth, but I think I can overlook it if you would keep it to a minimum for me.” Jamie said that she’d work on it but not to expect any miracles. “I’ll take what I can get. May I hug you, dear?”

  “Yes. But again, don’t expect too much from that.” Bea was delighted with her and wrapped her arms around the younger woman. When she pulled back and looked at her, Bea had a feeling that she was looking deep into her soul. “You don’t have to worry about that. I won’t leave until this is over. Your family, they’ll be all right if I can make it so.”

  “Thank you. I guess, again, that’s all I can ask for.”

  Bea looked at her son and went to Colin to get one of her grandchildren. When Jamie came with her but stood back, she handed her the little girl.

  She didn’t know who was more surprised, Jamie or Abby. They stared at each other for a good minute or two before Abby reached out to hug her. When Jamie allowed it, Bea looked at Lauren, who held the other two babies. She seemed as surprised as Jamie did.

  “Abby doesn’t allow anyone to hold her but the four of us. Even her uncles can’t.” Jamie said nothing, but stared at the baby when Lauren spoke again. “What were the two of you doing, anyway? Talking or some shit like that?”

  Bea supposed at sixteen months, they weren’t considered babies any more, but she loved them all. They all seemed to be waiting for Jamie to answer when Abby laid her head on Jamie’s shoulder and closed her eyes. That was something else that the little girl would not do—nap without being rocked.

  “She doesn’t care for the lunch that she had today.” Lauren asked Jamie if she was serious. “Yes, Abby doesn’t care for green beans. She’s been sliding them over to her sister’s plate when you’re not looking. Also, she would like to be able to say the words when she wants to. I don’t think she cares for mimicking you guys saying Mom or Dad.”

  “That’s not possible.” Colin glanced at Lauren when he spoke. “Is it? I mean, can she speak to our children?”

  “It would appear so. Maybe you should hand her David. She could probably see why he cries all the time until he’s exhausted at bedtime.” Jamie just touched the little boy, who turned to look at her. “What did he say?”

  “You’re not going to like it, I don’t think.” Lauren told her probably not, but to tell her anyway. “He’s afraid of the stuffed thing in his bed. Since he has no idea what it is, I can’t tell you. But it scared him the way it falls over on his face and makes him afraid.”

  Colin laughed, and everyone turned to look at him. “The stuffed thing is a bear, believe it or not. And on more than one occasion, I’ve found it very close to his face. Scared me too. We’ll take it out as soon as we get home. Thanks.”

  “No worries.”

  Bea watched Jamie. She was nervous, and Bea could understand that. Her sons were all large men. The women were smart and didn’t take much guff either. Bea thought that she’d be nervous too if she were to be dropped in this family.

  “I’d like to talk to Jon, if he’s here. I have something I need to ask him.”

  “I’m here.” Jon kissed Bea on the cheek and went to stand by Jamie. He was growing up too, she thought. Her first grandson was nearly as tall as his dad was. “Is it a private matter or can you ask me here? I can tell you now, they’re not going to be happy until they figure out what we talked about. They’re both nosey and intrusive.”

  Bea herded her family into the living ro
om to give them privacy to talk. She was also going to have a talk with Jon about calling them intrusive. They were just a very concerned family, and needed to know things to keep them safe.

  Hawk was the last to come into the room with them, but he didn’t seem to be upset about Jamie needing to talk to Jon. When he sat down next to Parker, he asked him about his garden. They were talking about the induction of some kind of pesticide that was safe both for the plants and humans when Jon came in alone.

  “Where did she go?” Jon put up his hand and asked Hawkins to wait until he explained something. “She’s gone after those men, hasn’t she?”

  “Not the men you think, but yes, she’s gone after two more of the idiots that are searching for her. She said to tell you that she’d not kill them if they didn’t do anything stupid. That’s not exactly how she said it, but you get it.” Hawk grinned and nodded. “I know where she’s gone, but it will do you no good to travel there to be with her. She will have it taken care of in moments.”

  “Then what did she want to talk to you about? I mean, if that’s all, she could have said it to our faces.” Bea looked at her husband when Jon did. “There’s more to this than a couple of idiots chasing her, ain’t there?”

  “Yes.” Jon looked at Hawk before he continued. “She said that she’d explain when she returned. To not hold dinner on her. I’m all for waiting for her if you guys don’t mind.”

  Everyone agreed that they’d wait on her to return. And within a couple of minutes she was there and handed a slip of paper to Lauren. “In the event you want to look the address up, I thought this would save you time.”

  “Who are they? Or should I ask who were they?” Jamie asked Lauren if they could eat first, and she promised to explain after dinner. “All right. But if you don’t explain it to my satisfaction, I’m going to kick your ass.”