Rebecca Zanetti: Blind Faith

Shane slipped an arm around her shoulder. “We have the computer program, and I can duplicate it. Then we’ll figure out the codes.”

Laney cleared her throat. “Is Jory really alive?”

“Yes.” Raw emotion darkened Matt’s eyes. “He’s alive, and we have to find him. We’re going to go through every ounce of data we have to find that other location. Jory has to be there. He just has to be. I’ll show you the video later.”

Laney rubbed Matt’s arm on the table. “We’ll get him back, Mattie.”

“I know.” Matt seemed to force a smile. “In the meantime, Sins Security personnel, ones I trust, confirm a body has been found outside of DC, and the DNA will match one Senator Nash.”

The senator grinned and reached for another pancake. “Perfect.”

Nate sighed, his fingers tangling through Audrey’s as if he couldn’t stop touching her. “You understand that it’ll be isolated out here? We can get you a new ID, but you can’t go gallivanting around town making friends.”

The senator eyed the group at the table. “I have everything I need right here. After Ellen passed on, I didn’t think I’d find a reason to keep going. Now I have one.” He patted Josie’s hand. “Pass the syrup, would you?”

Audrey blinked several times and put down her napkin. Man, she was tired.

Nate stood and helped her up. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you settled in.”

She nodded and followed him through a massive living room and down a hallway lined with gorgeous oil paintings to a bedroom that smelled like Nathan—wild and free. He lifted her as they crossed the doorway to lay her gently on the bed. “The bath is through there, and we have a huge closet.”

“That’s nice.” Not that she’d brought any clothes. “I like it here.”

“Me too.” He leaned over her, his mouth wandering along her jawline. “I’ve been dying to touch you the last two days stuck in that car.”

Warmth washed over her. “Me too.”

He kissed her, slow and deep.

Her entire body dissolved into softness and need.

He lifted his head. “As soon as Laney checks you out, maybe we can continue this.”

Audrey tangled both hands in his hair and held tight. “I’m fine. No bleeding for two days, and my ribs feel better. Nobody but you needs to check me out right now.” To emphasize her point, she clasped her feet at the small of his back.

Emotion filled his eyes. “I’ve loved you since the first second you smiled at me on that dismal training field so long ago.”

Her heart swelled, and tears pricked her eyes. “I’ve loved you since the same day—when you took my hand, so careful not to hurt me.” She’d been thinking all morning, and now the words deserted her.

“What’s spinning through that brilliant head?” he murmured, his eyes darkening.

Brilliant? Yeah, she was smart, and she should use that intelligence for good. “I’m not sure what I can do here.” Her gaze dropped to his chin.

One knuckle gently lifted her face back up. “What do you want to do here? Anything you want, I’ll make it happen.”

She swallowed, forging ahead with plans as if the kill chips didn’t exist. It hurt too badly to think about those right now, and she needed to give hope. “I know everyone works hard here. You guys run Sin Security and will do so after we deactivate the chips. Laney patches you guys up after missions, and Josie does all the books for the security company.”

Nate frowned, thoughtfulness quirking his lip. “You can do any part you want. Or if you don’t want to help here, I’ll try to figure out a way for you to do what you want.”

“That’s just it.” She was making a mess out of this explanation. “I don’t want to go and do anything.”

He tilted his head. “Okay?”

She shook hers. “No. I mean, I want to have this baby and just love him. Play with him and keep him safe. For a while. I mean, I can get a job—”

“You don’t ever have to get a job if you don’t want. Honey, we’re loaded.” Nate grinned.

“But I should. I mean, I should be more than just a mom—”

“Wait a minute.” He cupped her face in his big hands. “ Just a mom? You’re kidding, right?”

“Um, no?”

He kissed her gently on the nose. “You’re talking to a guy who would’ve done anything to have a mom. We all would have. One who wanted to have us in the first place and who wanted to play with us. Protect us. Do the Band-Aid thing. You know, like on television when the kid falls down and the mom cares. There’s no just there. It’s the most important thing—ever.”

She nodded, a tear spilling over. “I might want to work someday.”

“Whatever you want, you get.” He slid his lips over hers, emotion and love in every movement.

“I want you safe with me forever.” God, she needed him.

“Then I’ll make it happen.”

Nate didn’t break promises. For the first time, Audrey relaxed. “We’re going to fight our hardest to find Jory and deactivate the kill chips. We just have to.”

“We are.” He kissed her nose, one hand sweeping down her rib cage. “This little guy will be fine, and we’ll get his uncle Jory back. I’ll find the code for the chips if it’s my last act on earth. We have hope and determination. Then, Audrey, I guarantee you everything you will ever want or need.”

“Everything?” A little sister for the boy growing in her would be nice.

“I promise.” Nate lowered his mouth to hers. “Forever.”

USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner—only to culminate it all in stories about alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA who has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and she has a journalism degree with a poli-sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a juris doctor from the University of Idaho.

Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild North with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Learn more at:

RebeccaZanetti.com

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