“I can’t believe you’re finally here.” Strong feminine arms wrapped around Renee, and she couldn’t help hearing the soft sniffle as Shiloh’s mother pulled her close. “We’ve waited a very long time to welcome you home.”
Home. Such a simple word, but filled with so many emotions they nearly choked her. The concept seemed simple, yet never having lived anywhere she’d consider an actual honest-to-goodness home, a feeling of awe suffused her. Closing her eyes, she returned Ms. Patti’s hug, allowing the feeling of warmth to wash over her. Taking a deep breath, she breathed in the subtle scent of vanilla coming from the woman holding her, along with more homey smells. Citrusy fragrances she recognized, similar to the cleaning products she’d used. Wood smoke she assumed came from the grill one of the brothers mentioned. The scent of fresh-baked bread.
“Momma, don’t hog her. We all want to welcome Renee to the family.”
At the feminine voice, Renee opened her eyes and glanced over Ms. Patti’s shoulder, noting a young woman dressed in a pink button-down shirt tucked into dark jeans. Long blonde hair pulled up in a high ponytail swayed with every movement, and golden-brown eyes studied Renee.
Taking a step forward, the young woman tugged on Ms. Patti’s shoulder, and brushed a quick kiss against the older woman’s cheek. The smile she flashed at Renee held warmth and welcome, and Renee felt the coil of tension deep inside begin to unfurl. She’d been a bit leery of her welcome, despite Shiloh’s repeated assurances that the family would greet her with open arms. A little niggling doubt crept in during the drive from the Houston airport, which had been peppered with questions from Shiloh’s brothers.
“I’m Nica. All these big lugs are my brothers. Don’t worry,” she added, threading Renee’s arm through hers, “you’ll get use to the overload of testosterone around here. If they get too aggravating, bop ’em on the head, and they’ll back off.”
“Um, okay?”
Nica chuckled and led Renee into the kitchen. The space was large and open, with a big window over the sink allowing light to flood the space. Every surface seemed to be covered with huge amounts of food. Platters piled high with corn on the cob, bowls filled with potato salad, coleslaw, and homemade rolls stood alongside cookies and brownies, and one of the prettiest cakes she’d ever seen outside a professional bakery.
The kitchen was also filled to overflowing with bodies. Men and women ringed the open spaces along the walls, and she spotted a little girl with lopsided pigtails nibbling on what looked like a chocolate chip cookie. Tiny streaks of chocolate rimmed her lips with her next bite.
“Renee, meet the family. Family, meet Renee.”
Chuckles met Nica’s announcement, and Renee let go of the last bit of nerves and tension. The love in this family was a living, breathing thing. There wasn’t a shadow of doubt this home was a happy one. Her heart overflowed with happiness at the thought Lucas had grown up here, amidst the love and laughter and comradery. He’d had a good life.
But one question lingered. Where was he? Looking around the kitchen, she searched for the brother she hadn’t seen since she’d been ripped away from him so long ago. No auburn hair. No jade-green eyes. Where was he?
Nica leaned against her side and whispered, “He’s out back. We,” she swept an arm, indicating the family, “thought your first meeting should be private. Just the two of you, without a bunch of prying eyes.”
“I…”
She felt a familiar arm slide around her waist and lifted her gaze to meet Shiloh’s. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll be right here. Lucas has waited forever to find you again.”
“I want to see him, too. I’m scared. No, that’s the wrong word. Nervous, anxious. What if he’s disappointed?” Her words were barely above a whisper, and she hoped he couldn’t feel her body tremble.
“Never gonna happen. He adores you. He’s right outside, probably pacing back and forth, wearing a rut in Momma’s vegetable garden. You can do this. Go out there and put him out of his misery. I promise everything’s going to be okay.”
Renee took a deep breath and nodded. Now if she could only get her feet unglued from the floor. Taking one tentative step, she reached deep for strength and then took another. With each one, her mind raced, whether it was from nerves or anticipation, she wasn’t sure. When she reached the back door, she straightened her spine, pulling on all the courage she had. Deep inside, she knew Lucas wouldn’t hurt her. She was simply afraid she’d built the anticipation into something so big the reality could never match her expectations.
With one final deep breath, she reached forward with a somehow now steady hand and turned the knob, opening the door. Pulling it inward, she glanced outside, and spotted a man standing several feet away with his back to her. Watched his body stiffen at the sound of the opening door, he surprised her by not turning around.
Sunlight glinted off his deep auburn hair, its color an almost perfect match for hers. He was tall, probably six feet, standing with his feet braced apart. Tension radiated from him in waves she could also visualize, matching her own trepidation.
“Lucas?”
He spun around immediately at the sound of her voice, and she inhaled at the first sight of her brother in over twenty years. Though he’d aged from the little boy she remembered into a fully grown man, she instinctively knew she’d have recognized him anywhere. At the smile beginning to crease his lips, her heart squeezed, and her anxiety disappeared.
“Renee? It really is you!”
He sped across the distance separating them, skidding to a stop about a foot in front of her. With a heavy indrawn breath, he lifted his hand and reach toward her, only to stop before touching her. His gaze caught hers, and she couldn’t help wondering what he saw when he looked at her. Could he see the little girl who’d cried for months after Child Services tore them apart? Had he screamed and fought, trying to make them bring her back, fighting a battle he couldn’t win? Because that’s what she’d done, day after day, never accepting the lies she’d been told about giving her a happy home. She never believed for one second she was better off without her big brother, although she’d been fed so many lies by both her foster families and her adoptive parents.
“I can’t believe this is really happening. A few days ago, I didn’t even know you were still alive. Today, you’re standing in front of me.”
“It’s a miracle.” Lucas took another step closer. “I’ve missed you so much, peanut.”
Her breath caught in her chest at the nickname. One she hadn’t heard in what seemed like forever. Lucas had called her that as a kid, because she’d loved snacking on those crazy marshmallow circus peanuts their parents would buy by the bagful. He’d tease her even as he took wet cloths and wiped her sticky hands and mouth. Then he’d pull her close and make elephant noises and tickle her, pretending he was stealing her secret stash of the sweet treat.
“I haven’t heard that name in years.”
“Renee, I—I have to…”
Without another word, Lucas pulled her into his arms, hugging her tight enough she let out a little squeak. Without thinking about it, her arms reached around, hugging him just as tight. His ragged inhaled breath proved his emotions ran as deep as hers. Feeling his arms around her felt right, and she sighed, leaning her head against his chest. Being with Lucas again felt like coming home.
She wasn’t sure how long they stood there, simply holding each other, without uttering a single word. Memories from her childhood sprang forth, one after the other, a kaleidoscope of colors swirling into each other. Like the time he’d crawled into bed with her during a vicious thunderstorm, huddling beneath the covers, holding a flashlight because she’d been afraid of the dark. Or the time he’d pushed her on the swing in their backyard. She’d fallen off and skinned her knee. He’d cried, thinking he’d hurt her. The cavalcade of images from the past rushed forward, one after the next, and she couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her cheeks.
After what seemed an eternity, yet could only have been moments, she dragged in a ragged breath. Taking a step back, she dropped her hands to her sides. Lucas’ cheeks were wet with his own tears.
“Ah, peanut, please don’t cry.”
“They’re happy tears, I promise.”
“There’re some chairs around the side, if you want to sit. I want to know everything. Where you’ve been. What you’ve been doing. Did you have a good life? Everything.”
Renee gave a watery chuckle at Lucas’ rapid-fire questions. “I want to know all about your life too, although Shiloh’s filled me in on some of it. Looks like you landed on your feet. The Boudreaus seem like good people.”
Lucas grin lit his face, his green eyes shining. “They’re amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved our parents, and think about them every day. Just like I thought about you. There wasn’t a day that went by I didn’t think about you. I—we looked for you. Douglas and Ms. Patti spent years trying to find you.”
Renee couldn’t miss the way his eyes glinted like steel as he spoke. She didn’t doubt his sincerity or the truth in his words.
“When I was old enough, I searched for you. I couldn’t find anything. My guardians told me the state of Texas said you were dead.” She didn’t try to disguise her contempt when she mentioned her guardians. Pitiful excuses for human beings. The truth about them was bitter and ugly, and had no place in this happy reunion with her brother.
“They lied. I’d love to know why, though.”
“We’ll probably never know.” Renee pasted a smile on her face and cupped Lucas’ cheeks. “I’m thrilled to see how erroneous their information was, and you’re alive—and from what I’ve heard—happily in love.”
Another grin from her brother. “I am. You probably saw Jill in the kitchen. She can’t wait to meet you.”
Renee glanced over her shoulder, and bit back a laugh when she spotted several faces peering through the kitchen doorway. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. I think your family is getting restless. Plus, I hear I’m going to get some real Texas barbeque.”
“Dad’s spent all morning getting the grill ready. Nothing he likes better than throwing steaks onto a sizzling hot flame. Claims it’s his God-given right as a Texan male.” He studied her face, adding, “We will talk later. I know you’re in trouble, or you wouldn’t have kept running and changing your identity, staying off the grid.” He raised his hand when she started to interrupt. “Doesn’t matter what it is, I’ll help you. We’ll help you. You are my family as much as the Boudreaus are. I know you’ve had a lot of stuff dumped on you the last couple of days, and knowing Shiloh, it most likely wasn’t done in the most diplomatic fashion.”
“Not true. He’s been kind.” She knew that wasn’t the most descriptive word to use when she thought about the man who’d barreled into her life, turning it upside down. Still, he had been kind. Patient. Understanding. But he also occupied her thoughts, even when he wasn’t around. The man was an enigma, larger than life, and if she was being honest, he fascinated her. Made her want things she had no business wanting. It scared her, because for the first time, she wanted to stop running. Find out if what she felt was real, something that could grow and blossom into something greater.
“Never heard my brother called kind before. Lots of other words, but…” At her chuckle, Lucas reached out and clasped her hand. “I’m glad he found you and brought you home.”
“I might not be able to stay. You need to realize that up front. If things get too dangerous for you or your family, I’m outta here. Nobody else is getting hurt because of me, Lucas.”
“Give us a chance, Renee. I know you’ve been bombarded with a lot, and it’s all a bit overwhelming. But you’ll find the Boudreau clan protects its own. Whoever or whatever is threatening you, making you afraid, well, they’ve met their match if they think to go up against us. I give you my solemn word, you are safe here.”
“Okay.” She squeezed his hand. “We’ll take things one day at a time. Now, let’s head back inside and get this party started.”
Renee allowed Lucas to lead her back inside the Boudreau home, hoping he was right and she could finally end this nightmare. But if he was wrong, she’d run far and fast before she’d allow Darius and Eileen to get their hooks into her newfound family.
Darius meticulously stacked the files, lining each corner up even with the one behind it. He realized he was more than a tad obsessive compulsive, but his extreme caution kept him alive when others had failed. Knowing everything had a place, a purpose, maintained order in his otherwise chaotic existence. Eileen was no help. She liked money and power. It didn’t matter how she obtained it, as long as the coffers were full and law enforcement remained blind to where it came from.
Marrying her seemed like a coup at the time. He’d snatched her out from beneath his cousin’s nose. Truthfully, it hadn’t taken much effort, because Eileen might look like the typical flighty blonde, but nothing could be farther from the truth. She was a great white, a monster focused on her prey, and nothing and no one got in her way. Once she’d decided Darius had the ambition and drive to take her places, she’d walked away from her fiancée without a backward glance.
“Darling, how much longer are you going to be? We’re due at the Fosters’ in half an hour.” Eileen leaned against the doorframe, her beauty silhouetted by the chandelier’s light. No matter how long they’d been together, she still fascinated and enchanted him. He’d never grow tired of not only her physical allure, but her astounding mind beneath the beautiful exterior. People underestimated her, to their detriment. Like the predator he’d thought of earlier, she’d chew them up or devour them whole before they even knew what hit them.
He tapped the corner of the file folders. “Let me put these in the safe, and I’m done, my love.”
Straightening, she walked into his study, hips swaying with each step. “Have you heard from Bruce?”
Darius grimaced at the name. Using a mercenary, a gun for hire, rubbed him the wrong way. Elizabeth proved smarter and more elusive than he’d anticipated. She’d evaded his best efforts for several years. Part of him felt proud, because she’d fulfilled every instinct he’d had about her from the beginning. Cunning, intelligent, and clever, she’d slipped beneath his guard and managed to fool him into thinking she wanted to be part of his inner sanctum. To work with him, be guided by him, groomed as a rightful successor. Instead, she’d garnered enough information about the inner workings of his organization to take him down, have him thrown in federal custody for the rest of his natural life. Of course, his lovely Eileen would be right there with him, because she was neck deep and a willing participant.
“Not since the last time he called. If I haven’t heard from him within the next twenty-four hours, I am seriously considering finding someone else. I don’t trust him. Hiring unknown mercenaries, I can’t be sure where his loyalties lie.”
Eileen slid around in front of him and ran her bright red nail down his shirtfront. The brilliant splash of color against the bright white reminded him of blood. A premonition maybe? Shaking his head, he raised her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against her palm. While he adored everything about his wife, he wasn’t blind to her faults. Knew if and when an opportunity presented itself, she wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet between his eyes, and walk away without a backward glance.
“Darling, he’s come through for us before. Elizabeth,” she sneered, “might have eluded him, but he’s determined to find her. I wouldn’t count him out just yet. Remember, he came through for us with our little problem in Wyoming.”
Darius nodded. She was right. Bruce had handled the situation in Wyoming. No muss, no fuss. At least nothing that could lead back to him. As far as he knew, the bodies still hadn’t been discovered.
Turning, he punched in the combination and placed the files inside. With a quick move, he closed the door, and spun around, pulling Eileen into his arms. “What would I do without you, my love?
“Let’s hope we never have to find out.” Her hand cupped his cheek and she smiled, her loveliness snatching his breath away. Deep inside, where all his most carefully guarded secrets lay, he knew she’d betray him one day. Avaricious and without a moral compass, she’d been the perfect foil for him in every aspect.
Everything hinged on finding Elizabeth. She was the key to his survival. If Eileen managed to get her hands on the other woman first…
“Darling, what’s wrong?” Her saccharine sweetness set his teeth on edge. Only a little while longer, and he’d have the upper hand again, but until then, he had to bide his time. Eileen would finally learn where her real place was in the grand scheme, and it wasn’t at the top of the pyramid. It was beneath his boot heel.
“Nothing, my love. Time to go.”