Page 100 of Declan

Whoever this Natasha woman was, she meant something to him.

Thad and I were in the elevator on our way to the basement when he turned and smiled at me. Before I’d been taken, I’d seen pictures of Thad, I’d even video chatted with him once when he was living with Emmy. He was good-looking ten years ago, but over the years he’d taken on a hard edge that took him from a cute guy to a badass. In other words, I understood what had attracted my sister to him, or at least I thought I had. But right then, with Thad’s face relaxed, his eyes gentled, and a huge smile, I totally got it.

He looked like he had a really good secret, one he’d only share with Emmy. And I knew my sister, she was a sucker for a good smile. If he looked at her that way, she’d do anything he wanted.

“You have him wrapped around your finger.” Thad chuckled.

I didn’t ask Thad which him he was referring to. I knew he was talking about Declan, and the thought anyone could wrap Dec around anything was absurd.

“Hardly.”

“You totally do and it’s good to see. Dec keeps his cards close to his vest, always has, he shares bits and pieces when he wants. I knew something bad happened, but until the other day, I didn’t know how bad. Knowing what I know now, I never should’ve said what I said when we were in Afghanistan. I feel like a dick.”

“You shouldn’t. And, yes, what happened to Declan was beyond tragic. The worst kind of pain a person can feel, losing his daughter and wife. But sometimes it takes someone close to you, someone you respect, to smack you in the head before you wake up and look around. I think he’s finally decided to look around. We both have, and we’re finding that there are people around us who care. But for him and me, that’s hard to accept, so you need to push every once in a while. But understand when he pushes back.”

“You’re perfect for him and it fucks me to say this, but I admit I wasn’t sure. Both of you…”

“Are screwed up,” I supplied.

Thad huffed then smiled. “I won’t go that far.”

“Lighten up, brother-in-law.” I nudged his shoulder. “He lets me be me,” I whispered.

“Yeah?”

“He accepts that I’m broken and doesn’t try to fix me, but at the same time, he is. It’s scary and exciting, and I’m terrified I’m gonna mess everything up, but at the same time, I don’t think he’d let me mess it up. He says it’s me, that I’m the only one strong enough to patch him back together. He’s that for me, too. It had to be him. Not Mom and Dad. Not Emmy. Not you.”

“We get it. And maybe one day you’ll understand that you can just be you with us, too.”

“I’m getting there, Thad. It’s just gonna take time.”

Thad leaned forward and kissed the top of my head.

And I let him.

I was pretty damn proud of myself.

* * *

Ten minutes later, I was fully kitted out with weapons and ready to roll. It took five minutes longer than it should’ve because I’d stopped to peruse the wall of sniper rifles on display. I wasn’t a gun person per se, they were tools I used for my job. But the display was impressive, made more so because I knew each of those rifles were custom made. Zane Lewis wasn’t rich—he was filthy rich.

“Brooks went up to supply and grabbed you a vest and the rest of your gear. Are you going to be okay in jeans or do you need cargos?” Thad asked on the way back up.

“Jeans are fine,” I assured him.

“This should be an easy in and out.”

“Are you worried about me?” I teased, and Thad pinned me with his brown eyes and frowned. “I know what I’m doing.” His frown deepened and I sighed. “Seriously. I’ll be fine.”

His gaze dropped to my still-healing throat and he mumbled, “Right.”

Jeez. Touchy.

“You ever been hurt on the job?”

Silence. He had.

“And did it stop you from going back out? Did your teammates coddle you and ask you to sit out the next mission?”