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Innocent
Book II
The Beckett Series
By
Mary Martinez
Available July 2012
Chapter One
The slight breeze of Indian summer teased the curls cascading down Jessica Beckett’s smooth bare back. Gabe Despain swallowed the urge to reach out and rub the silky strands between his thumb and forefinger, knowing the bride and groom wouldn’t appreciate the gesture literally behind their backs. He ruthlessly wrenched his attention from the beautiful bridesmaid back to the ceremony. The old ball and chain was about to be placed firmly around the ankle of his best friend, Tyler Beckett. Though Ty looked anything but miserable.
Keira Cavanaugh, Ty’s bride, radiated happiness. As much as Gabe didn’t envy his friend entering into the state of holy matrimony, he knew Ty and Keira deserved their day. After what the two had been through at the hands of the DeLuca’s, Gabe wished them a lifetime of happiness. And if marriage was what they wanted, so be it.
Jessica, Ty’s lovely sister, was not going to convince Gabe that a lifetime of bliss together would be good for him. Now why on earth did that thought even cross my mind? He’d broke off with her a year or so ago so she wouldn’t distract him. No, thank you very much. So not for him. Besides, she cried when she broke a damn nail. He liked tough, confident women. Not girly girls. Most of all, he liked no commitment kind of women.
A not too gentle elbow connected with his ribs. He turned to scowl at Tyler, the groom. Tyler raised an eyebrow at him and hissed out of the corner of his mouth. “The ring, jackass.”
Oh, God, he’d forgotten his duty as best man, all because of his thoughts of the beautiful, tempting, and so off limits, Jessica Beckett. Fishing in his pocket, sweat beaded down his back. Where was it? Did he leave it in his car? About to turn an embarrassed face to the crowd and bolt to his Jeep to retrieve the band, his fingers grasped the cold metal.
With a sigh of relief he pulled out the shackle—er, he’d better adjust his thinking—the ring, and handed it to Tyler.
His friend turned toward the priest, and the rest of the ceremony commenced. Gabe forced himself to pay attention until the death knoll of “I do’s” were said.
Hours later, the crowd still hadn’t thinned. The wedding couple had a backyard full of friends, from the department, to the family, who wanted to enjoy the celebration. Gabe glanced around the Beckett’s decorated yard. He’d spent a lot of time with the family. They were good people, and he loved all of them. Even the irritating, too young, math teacher, Jessica. He’d never let her know his feelings though.
Being an agent, he needed all of his concentration. She had commitment written all over her. She’d want the shackles, kids, everything that would put him in jeopardy every time he went on assignment. Nope, he would be a confirmed bachelor until he was ready for a desk job...which would be never.
An image of hair the color of corn silk, sky-blue eyes filled with laughter, caressed his mind. His sucked in a tight breath. Regret hit his gut like a sledge hammer. “Kimber.” Her name, whispered softly, passed his lips. He swallowed and took a swig of his beer to clear the vision. That was a long time ago, even so, he knew he couldn’t handle to lose another woman he cared about, no, loved. Best to stay clear of the delightful Ms. Beckett.
“You look like you’re drinking your final beer before execution. Is seeing Tyler and Keira married so terrible?” Warmth trickled down his spine, as Jessica’s words feathered over his ear.
Even after all this time, Jessica’s voice could sucker punch him when he least expected it. That was the problem. She could make him forget what had happened. Turning slightly to look down into her moss green eyes, he smiled. “They deserve to be happy.”
“You never change do you Gabe?” Jessica removed her attention from him to smile across the yard at her mother.
Cold washed over him where moments before heat had settled.
“Neither do you.” His comment brought her gaze back to him, and raised his glass in a toast. “To staying single.”
Color drained from her face in a single wash. “I need to see if the bride needs anything before they leave.”
She pivoted on her heel and marched in Keira’s direction. Temper radiated into the cool evening air. She was, if nothing else, magnificent.
“Still have the touch.” Tyler’s voice startled him. He swung around to look at his friend.
Ignoring Ty’s comment, he said, “Congratulations, you’ve been busy with your guests, I haven’t had a chance to give you my best.”
“Thank you.” Tyler regarded him for a moment. Gabe knew he wanted to say more about the scene he’d witnessed between Gabe and Jessica. But as any good friend he let it go. As her brother, Gabe was sure he wanted to give him a warning.
“When Keira and I return from our trip, the Cap has an assignment in Italy for us. Do you know anything about the case?”
“No. I did hear something interesting the other day. I wonder if Captain Rothschild wants Keira away for awhile.”
“Why on earth would the Cap want to send her away, she’s new to the department and still learning. I thought he was sending her back to Quantico for some more intense undercover training.” Ty sounded bewildered.
“He may want to test her mettle with a foreign assignment, judge what she needs to work on. You know Keira’s a natural.”
Tyler glanced in the direction of his new wife. Gabe watched the love sluice over his friend.
Dangerous.
“Yes she is. But that doesn’t explain why he wants us both out of the country. What have you heard?”
“Remember Johnny Borno, the hitman who took out Battista? Keira witnessed the hit, and you were down. She took off and word on the street is he’s out to clean up after himself.”
That brought Tyler’s attention back to Gabe. “She didn’t get a look at his face, she only saw the back of him.”
“Apparently he doesn’t know that. He wants her gone. I’m sure if DeLuca’s daughter is taking over the organization, she doesn’t want any loose ends with her new hit man.”
“Then it’s best we take the assignment. I know you’ll take care of Borno while we’re gone.” Tyler patted him on the shoulder, confidence firm.
Gabe felt the same for Tyler; they watched each other’s backs. That’s how it was with partners. Even though Keira was one of them, Tyler and Gabe still watched out for each other.
And now Keira.
“You can count on it.” He nodded in Keira’s direction. “You better go to your lovely bride, she’s looking for you.”
“When Borno is caught, and things settle down, I think I need to have a talk with you about Jessica.”
He watched his friend stride away. Ty, as Jessica’s brother, had issued a warning. Gabe knew it wouldn’t be comfortable. He should never have slipped and involved himself with Tyler’s sister. She’d assured him in her naïve way she knew the score. He was older and wiser. He should have been strong and resisted.
He sighed and looked around for a way to escape gracefully. Could the best man ditch the reception early or was that in bad form? He honestly didn’t know. He’d never been a best man before. He hadn’t realized all the responsibility. The bachelor party hadn’t been too bad, but he could’ve lived without the rest.
*****
“He’s a cutey that’s for sure.” Keira’s words held laughter.
Jessica pretended not to know who she referred too. “Well I wouldn’t exactly call my brother a cutey. Ick.”
“Okay so I do think Tyler’s sexy and cute. But that’s not who I was talking about and you know it.” Her new sister-in-law gave her a stern look. “When are you going to talk some sense into Gabe?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jessica swallowed, leave it to Keira to hit the nail on the head.
Tyler had fallen in love with his new wife the minute he saw her. Jessica loved to think someday she’d do the same. It was too bad, she’d had the misfortune of meeting Gabriel Despain first. Her first love, and she was having a hell of a time getting over him.
“You love Gabe.”
Jessica gave a snort. She watched Keira’s mouth quiver as she suppressed a smile. But the woman was relentless.
“Can you look me in the eye and say you don’t?”
Jessica looked a little to the left of Keira and answered, “No, I do not love him.”
“You’re looking over my shoulder. Come on.” Forming her fingers into a V she pointed to her own eyes, then turned them toward Jessica. “Look me right in the eyes and say that.”
Could she? No. Jessica had been head over heels in love with Gabe since the moment she’d walked into their living room and he’d been pounding out chop sticks on their old antique piano.
Keira gave a snort this time. “I didn’t think so. Now go talk to him. Kick some sense into him. Tell him you’re the best thing that’s ever going to happen to him and if he doesn’t pull his head out of his ass he’s going to lose you to some hunky football coach at the high school.”
Jessica choked on the sip of champagne, she coughed and tried to suck in some air. Setting the flute down on a nearby table, she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “You ruined that little speech with the jock. I cannot stand macho he-men.”
“And you’re in love with Gabe?”
“He’s not exactly a jock, there’s a big difference. Believe me.” Firming her mouth, she turned and pinned her glare on the object of their conversation. He seemed to be in deep discussion with Captain Rothschild. Work-a-holic, that’s what he was. “Okay I’m game, just don’t get your hopes up.”
Not waiting for Keira to answer, she strode toward her destiny. If she could convince him that is...
*****
“Don’t look now, but I think we’re about to be attacked.” Captain Abe Rothschild’s voice was filled with mirth.
Gabe knew he wasn’t going to like whatever it was the Cap was referring. Glancing over his shoulder, he held back a groan.
Barely.
Jessica had a determined glint in her eye as she swooped full speed ahead. And he was her target. Why hadn’t he taken the chance to leave earlier? Now it was too late. He really didn’t want to cause a scene during the wedding. His friend, not to mention Tyler’s parents, would never forgive him.
“May I have a word with you?” Jessica’s voice brooked no argument. And no way to gracefully say no. Jessica glanced at Rothschild. “Hi Cap. Sorry to interrupt, but I need a little privacy with your agent.”
“No problem, I’ll tell Tyler good-bye. Early day tomorrow you know.”
Gabe watched his safety net saunter away, an amused smirk on his face.
Just great.
“This isn’t the place Jessica, why don’t we have coffee next week.”
She tapped her high heeled shoe, drawing his notice to her delicate feet, pink toe nails matching the color of her bridesmaid dress. Sexy. He gulped. He needed to leave or he’d do something stupid.
“You know damn well you’ll ditch me for coffee. We need to talk now. What we had is not over.”
“Jessica.” Martha Beckett’s voice traveled to his ears. He’d never been so glad to be interrupted by a woman’s mother before.
Jessica wasn’t so happy, she gave him a warning glare, then turned to call to her mother. “I’ll be there in a minute, Mom.”
“Look Jessica, I promise we’ll talk later.”
She reached over and grasped his arm with her delicate hand, had a good grip, she was anything but weak. Electric shocks ran up his arm and for a moment, all he could think about was her long legs wrapped around his waist.
Beads of sweat popped up on his forehead, he felt them start to trickle down the side of his face. He swiped them with one hand. He had to get out of there.
Now.
“I’ve got to go.” He wrenched his arm away, she stumbled a little. “Sorry,” he mumbled, but didn’t stop.
The gate blocked his path, he grasped the wood pulled it open, feeling a sliver slice into his thumb in the process. Too intent on escape. He hardly noticed the sting. The gate literally smacked him in the butt as he left.
In the distance, he heard Martha call again. “Jessica you’re going to miss Keira throw the bouquet.” Safe. But for how long?
Thank you for reading!
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed the first book of my Beckett Series Disappear. The Beckett’s are like family to me. I know where they live, I’ve walked their neighborhoods, hung out at some of their favorite spots!
I really hope you enjoyed getting to know Tyler and Keira. I love feedback and would love to hear from you. Tell me what you liked, didn’t like, or would to like to have read. You can write me at marylmartinez3@gmail.com or you can visit me on my web site www.marymartinez.com.
I have a favor to ask you, as I said I love feedback. If you’re reading this letter, I can only assume you’re at the end of my book. Here’s the favor, if you’re so inclined, I’d love a review of Disappear, letting me know if you liked it or hated it, either way I’d love your honest opinion.
Reviews are very hard to come by these days. Most readers are off to the next book almost before they’ve finished reading ‘the end’. You, the reader, have the power now to make or break a book. If you have the time, check out my author Web site, where you can find all of my books.
Thank you so much for spending time with the characters from Disappear. Hope to see you again soon.
In appreciation,
Mary Martinez