A Valentine Destiny [Holidays in Destiny 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Belle wiped Ava’s face. She’d given birth to the little bundle of joy six months ago.

  “You two are such wonderful mothers.” She took a sip of coffee. “I can’t wait to have a baby of my own some day.”

  “That might be sooner than you think, Grace,” Belle said with a grin. “Amber told me about seeing you at the club with Cooper Tuesday night.”

  “With Cooper, yes.” She sighed, feeling the weight of worry return. “But not Brock.”

  “Sweetie, Brock had to get up early for the ride to the campsite,” Amber said. “I’m sure he just wanted to get some sleep.”

  “I wish that was all there was to it, but it’s not.” She told them about Brock turning up at her doorstep, showing his scars, and about how he’d walked away. “I don’t care about any scars. I just care about Brock. Cooper wants me to be patient. He says once I get Brock to tell me about his past, I’ll understand. But what if Cooper is wrong? What if Brock doesn’t really want me?”

  “We’ve seen how he looks at you, Grace,” Amber said. “That’s definitely not the problem.”

  Belle nodded. “My sister is right. We’ve seen love before, and there is no doubt that Brock is in love with you. He showed you his scars. To me that has to be his way of saying that he doesn’t feel worthy of you.”

  “Oh my God, do you think that really is it?”

  “We do,” Amber said. “But you’re the one with the psychology degree. What do you think?”

  “You may be right. I should listen to Cooper and be patient. But honestly, that’s hard. I’ve actually been waiting for Brock to come around since I arrived.”

  “We know,” they said in unison and then laughed.

  “Am I that transparent?”

  Amber reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “Yes, but so is he.”

  * * * *

  Cooper shook hands with the man he and Black had come to Langley, Virginia to see. “It was a pleasure meeting you, sir.”

  They’d spent two grueling days in meetings, but it looked like the effort had been a success.

  “Very productive, Officer Ross.” The guy was young for having such a powerful position at the CIA. Cooper guessed the Director of Science and Technology to be in his mid-thirties. The director turned to Black and extended his hand. “I see why you brought Ross with you. He is quite impressive and persuasive.” The man smiled. “I’ll give you the funds you’re requesting, Black. You and your team have done terrific work. Keep it up.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Be sure to tell Officers Brown and Strange I said hello.”

  Except for Black, Joanne Brown and Dylan Strange had the most years in the Agency on Shannon’s Elite. Black had informed him on the flight to Langley that Jo and Dylan had actually worked for the director when the man was still in the field.

  “I certainly will.”

  He and Black left the director’s office and walked into the hallway.

  “You hungry?” Black asked.

  “Starving. We missed lunch today.”

  “We don’t have any specific time we need to leave since the Knight brothers loaned us their jet. The pilot is on standby whenever we’re ready to leave. There’s a terrific Italian restaurant on Old Dominion Drive that I love. Family run, with traditional red and white checkered table cloths.”

  Even though he was anxious to get back to Destiny and to Grace, he and Black did need to eat. “Sounds perfect.”

  They walked through the main lobby, around the large CIA granite seal, and out the doors.

  Black had been right about the restaurant’s atmosphere. The three generations of family running the place were warm and welcoming.

  “Would you two gentlemen like to see our dessert menu?” The young woman smiled.

  “Coop, the tiramisu here is out of this world,” Black told him.

  “Maybe we could get it to go. I’d like to head to the airport, if you don’t mind, sir. I’m anxious to get back to Destiny.”

  Black turned to the young woman. “Two tiramisus to go, please, and our check.”

  “Coming right up.” She left them to get their desserts.

  Black looked at him with understanding in his eyes. “You’re worried about Grace and Brock, aren’t you?”

  “You hit the nail on the head.” He’d left Grace with promises that Brock was going to come around. But was he? The longer Cooper was away from Destiny the more anxious he became.

  “Love must be very powerful,” Black said. “I’ve seen how it impacts the members of my team. And you and Brock are no exception.”

  “Boss, haven’t you ever been in love?”

  “Never found the right girl. My career always seemed to get in the way.”

  That didn’t surprise Cooper. Easton Black was one of the best in the Agency. He was ambitious, smart, and dedicated. “One day you might actually end up running Langley.”

  “I couldn’t stand sitting behind a desk all day, and the work we do is so important. I like my job just the way it is, Coop, and I’ve come to love Destiny and all the people there.”

  He nodded, feeling the same way. “It’s our home.”

  “Yep. After all my years traversing the globe I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

  “Me either. It’s a place I want to have a family.”

  Black smiled. “With Dr. Summers and Agent Grayson.”

  “Yes, sir, but you’ve read Brock’s file. You know what he went through in Afghanistan. He doesn’t believe he’s worthy of her.” He told Black about what had happened back at Grace’s home Wednesday morning. How Brock had lifted his shirt, shown Grace his scars, and then ran away. “Even though I told her that everything was going to work out, I’m having my doubts.”

  “Don’t, Coop.” Easton brought out his ROC, the secure communication device all the members of Shannon’s Elite carried. “I’m contacting Dylan. He’ll know exactly how to handle Brock.”

  “He will?”

  “Yes. Dylan went through a similar situation himself with Erica before he and Cam married her. You want a family with Grace and Brock? This is how we get it done. Hey, Dylan. I’ve got Coop with me. He needs to talk with you about a sensitive mission we need you on.” Black grinned. “Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, so let’s call it Operation Cupid.”

  * * * *

  Back at Blue’s Diner having a beer, Brock sat in the booth farthest from the entrance. Being four in the afternoon, the dinner crowd hadn’t arrived and filled up the place yet. At present, he was the only customer. He was glad for the solitude.

  Despite having stayed up all night at the campsite wondering what to do about Grace and Brock, he still didn’t feel worthy of her. Michael did have some good points, but he was just a kid. But he did throw my words back in my face. Damn.

  Brock’s mind kept going back and forth. Being with Grace would make his life so much better. But her being with me would make hers worse.

  The bell on the door jingled. He looked up from his drink and saw Dylan walk into the restaurant, scanning the place as if he were on a mission. Who’s he looking for?

  Wearing his usual garb, dark suit, and sunglasses, Dylan turned his direction and then walked toward him.

  Without asking, Dylan sat down in the booth across from him. “What’s this shit I’m hearing about you, Brock?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play games with me, buddy. You’re not fooling anyone but yourself.”

  “Damn it, Dylan. What’s this all about?”

  “You know what it’s about. You’re sitting here feeling sorry for yourself.” Dylan was normally a man of few words. So this outburst was quite a surprise. “We’re going to get this shit together. We’re going to get it together now. This is how it’s going down.”

  “What do you mean I’m feeling sorry for myself?” Brock had never seen the man so animated before. “If I did anything to upset you, I didn’t mean to.”

  “You did
upset me. What’s this I hear about you not giving Grace Summers a chance?”

  “I’m still confused, Dylan. How would you know anything about Grace and me?”

  “I have intel about how you went to her house and showed her your scars. Then you left without giving her a chance to respond.” Dylan removed his sunglasses, which he rarely did. The man’s eyes locked in on his. “I never took you as a coward.”

  Brock slammed his fists on the table. “What do you mean ‘a coward’? You have no idea what I’m dealing with. I. Am. Just. Not. Good. Enough. For. Her.”

  “Do you think you’re the only person in the world who has gone through this? I do know what you’re dealing with because I’ve been through it myself. I nearly ruined my whole life by running away from Erica.” Dylan leaned forward. “You know what that would have ended up like? My life destroyed. My brother Cam’s life destroyed. And more importantly, Erica’s life destroyed. You didn’t give Grace a chance. Aren’t you brave enough to give her the right to reject you or accept you? My money is on Grace. I can tell she cares deeply for you. So does Coop. They both deserve your best, not your bullshit. It’s not your right to make the decision to leave without talking to her. Do you love her?”

  “I do. She’s all I think about.”

  “Then get your ass up and go to her now. I’m not going to sit back and watch you ruin everyone’s life, including your own. Don’t make me have to drag you there.”

  Everyone was telling him the same thing. Coop, Sam, Michael, and now Dylan. “I get it now. You’re right. I need to talk to her about everything. All my darkness. No matter what the outcome is, Grace deserves the right to decide, not me. Thanks, buddy. I needed that.”

  “Yes, you did. Now go.”

  * * * *

  Sitting on the jet, Cooper looked out at the window. The fog hadn’t lifted.

  Damn it.

  They were still stuck on the runway in Virginia.

  “How did you like the tiramisu?” Black asked him.

  “Very delicious. Any word from the pilot?”

  “He says the forecast for us to be able to takeoff could be ten to twenty minutes.” Black looked at his ROC. “Incoming message from Dylan. He sent it to you, too.”

  Cooper brought out his own communication device. He clicked on the icon of Strange’s message.

  Operation Cupid is a success. Target is on his way to speak with Dr. Summers now.

  Chapter Twelve

  Grace was surprised and so pleased to see Michael coming through her office door wearing his new clothes.

  “Hello, Dr. Summers.” Michael was grinning from ear to ear. The change in him was far beyond just his outfit. “Sorry I’m late, but I needed a shower before I got dressed.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here, Michael. I know you must be tired since all you boys only got back to the ranch a couple of hours ago. If you would rather reschedule our session, I would understand.”

  “No. I want to talk to you. Actually, I thought about what I wanted to say riding from the campsite back to the ranch.”

  “Have a seat.” She cared deeply for Michael. “I’m here for you.”

  “You have been the whole time, Dr. Summers. I was such a jerk to you and everyone else, but you never gave up on me. I’m sorry it took me so long to wake up.”

  “I don’t think it took you long at all, Michael, for all you’ve been through in your life.”

  He smiled, looking so happy. “That’s the past, Dr. Summers. Coming here to the Boys Ranch and meeting you and the Stones and all the other boys, especially Joey, is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was actually scared to accept how good you were all treating me. I was afraid it would be taken away from me again. But now I know that this is where I belong. This is where I’m staying. Forget the past and hang on to the here and now. That’s my motto from now on.”

  She was so impressed by him. I love this kid. “Very mature of you, Michael.”

  “That reminds me of what Brock said to me on the campout after our talk.” Michael laughed.

  Brock was so good with all the kids and he’d taken a special interest in Michael and little Joey. She couldn’t blame him. So had she.

  “Brock was certain my records at the foster homes I’d grown up in were wrong,” Michael told her. “That I had to be much older than thirteen.”

  “I can understand why he thinks that. You have so much wisdom for your age.”

  “You like Brock, don’t you, Dr. Summers?”

  “I think he is a very nice man.” It was clear that she was as transparent as Amber and Belle had told her this morning. “But this is your session, Michael. Let’s talk about you, okay? Tell me what else happened on the campout.”

  “Joey was thrown from his horse because of a snake.”

  “Oh my God. Is he okay?”

  “He is. Me and Brock made sure of it.” Michael recounted what had happened.

  “I’m very proud of you for taking care of Joey.”

  “It’s my job, Dr. Summers. Joey needs me. Brock thinks me and Joey are brothers even though we came from different parents—just like him and Cooper.”

  “You are, Michael. Joey is your family now. We all are.”

  “I know.” Tears welled up in the teenager’s eyes, and without warning he left the sofa and gave her a hug. “Thank you, Dr. Summers.”

  She hugged him back, glad to have a glimpse of the innocent boy still inside him.

  He stepped back and cleared his throat. Michael was a teenager again. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady. “Now, is there anything I can do for you?”

  “Just keep taking care of Joey and yourself, Michael. That’s all for now.” She sent him a smile. “Go get some rest. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

  He yawned. “I am tired. Same time on Monday?”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “So will I.” He gave her another hug. The walls inside him were down and he wasn’t afraid any more to express his feelings.

  After he left, she sat down at her desk. Brock had been such a great influence on Michael, who looked up to him.

  “Why is he willing to talk to everyone but me?” She sighed, feeling the hopelessness of her situation return.

  Brock and Cooper were like brothers. That was obvious to her. Cooper believed that Brock would come around if they were willing to be patient.

  He showed me his scars and then left. What happened that had given Brock those scars? She desperately needed answers. What can I do to make him let me in?

  She didn’t have any idea. After finishing writing her notes into Michael’s records, she put away her files. She walked out of the office and down the path that led to her house.

  At her front door, she fished out her keys from her purse.

  “Hi Grace.” Brock’s voice startled her.

  She dropped her keys. She turned to him, her heart thumping in her chest. “You scared me again, or am I having déjà vu?”

  “This will be different than before.” He held out a bouquet of red roses. “I didn’t give you these the other day.”

  “They’re beautiful.” She took the flowers, nervous and excited at the same time. “Thank you so much. Would you like to come inside?” Please say yes.

  “That’s why I’m here. We need to talk.” He bent down and, like the other day, retrieved her keys. “I’ll get the door for you.”

  “Follow me into the kitchen and I’ll get a vase for my flowers.” Oh God, could Cooper be right? Brock is here, and he wants to talk.

  Brock looked around her house. “This place has your touch, Grace. Anyone would know this is your home. I really like it.”

  “Thank you, Brock.” She put the roses into a crystal vase. “I know just the perfect place for my flowers. The coffee table in the living room. I thought I’d open a bottle of wine. Would you like some? But if you would prefer beer, I have a six-pack in the fridge.”

  “Wine will be fine.”

  She handed hi
m the bottle and an opener. “If you’ll do the honors, I’ll get us some glasses. I’d like to sit on the sofa so I can enjoy seeing my roses, if that’s okay with you.”

  He smiled. “That sounds great to me.”

  They sat next to each other in the living room. Brock filled a glass and handed it to her. Reaching for it, her fingers grazed his hand. Their eyes locked and she trembled.

  She took a sip of wine, trying to gather her courage. There was so much at stake, with her heart topping the list. The last thing she wanted was a broken heart. “Brock, I don’t know how to begin.”

  “Grace, it’s me who needs to start.” His eyes never left hers. “I’m sorry about how I acted the other day. I was a complete jerk. I showed you my scars and walked away before you had a chance to say anything. I have to admit I was a little jealous of you and Cooper. That was also my fault. He tried to get me to join you on the date, but I refused.”

  “Why?” She hated to ask but had to know the reason. “Is it something about me you don’t like?”

  A puzzled look appeared on his face. “Grace, I’m crazy about you. There isn’t anything that I don’t love about you. You’re smart, kind, and unbelievably sexy. You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed about. I want you. I’ve wanted you from the very first moment I saw you in that cute yellow dress last summer.”

  He remembered what I was wearing. “You were in the pool with the boys.”

  “That’s right. Teaching them how to swim.”

  “If it’s true that you’ve wanted me all along then tell me what is the problem, Brock. Why have you been avoiding me since I arrived in Destiny?”

  “Because I’m not good enough for you. You saw my scars.”

  “I don’t care a rat’s ass about your scars, Brock. It’s you I care about. Can’t you see that?” She wanted him to understand. “I have my own scars. They may not be visible but they are there. If what you are saying is true, maybe I’m not good enough for you either.”

  “Grace, you’re perfect for me. It’s just—”

  “It’s just…nothing but bullshit, Brock. Did you know that I grew up in foster care? I never knew my parents, but I was told they were addicted to drugs and were both minors when I was born. That’s one of my scars. But there are more. Three of my foster fathers tried to fondle me.”