Page 77 of Kiana's Hero

Hawk, Rex, Teller and the rest of his team came around the sides of the house, herding the guards they’d captured.

Dev reached out to help Tina to her feet. “Are you okay?”

She nodded and then shook her head. “No. I’m not okay. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. As twisted as he was, my father did everything for me. He should’ve let me die a long time ago, and none of this would have happened.”

“I couldn’t let you die,” Mercer said from where he lay on the ground. “And I won’t let you die now.” He held his pistol aimed at Kiana.

Tina screamed and threw herself on top of her father.

The gun went off, the sound muffled between their bodies. The father and daughter lay still.

It all happened so fast Dev hadn’t had time to react.

“Tina,” Kiana cried and rushed toward the young woman.

Dev grabbed her before she reached the pair on the ground, afraid the father still held the gun and would finish what he’d started.

Tina’s shoulders shuddered, then she tipped sideways and rolled off her father’s body. She landed on her back, her chest covered in blood.

Dev shoved Kiana behind him, placing his body between her and Mercer’s gun.

The older man’s hand slipped to his side, the gun falling from his grasp to land on the gravel beside him. Though his eyes were wide, his chest didn’t move.

“He’s dead,” Tina said, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I killed him.”

“You saved your sisters’ lives,” Meredith said. Dropping to her knees beside Tina, she gathered the smaller woman into her arms.

Kiana ducked around Dev and knelt by her sisters, wrapping her arms around both. All three women cried.

Dev stood back, finally able to breathe. It was over. Mercer was dead, Kiana and Meredith were okay, and his job was done.

Hawk came to stand beside him and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Good job, Mulhaney.” He grinned. “Way to nail your first assignment.”

“It wasn’t just an assignment,” Dev said softly.

“No?” Hawk frowned and waved a hand at the women. “You found Meredith and saved your client. I call that a win.”

Dev snorted softly. “I did everything my client asked me not to.”

“How’s that?” Hawk said.

“She said she didn’t need a date. I made her promise to go out on a date with me when this was all over. She said she didn’t want a relationship. That’s all I can think about. She told me not to hit on her.” Dev’s lips twisted as he recalled making love with Kiana. “That ship has sailed. I wasn’t supposed to call her sweetheart. I can’t help myself; it just comes out every time I’m near her. And she said not to fall in love with her.” He met Hawk’s gaze. “Too late. I’m halfway there or more.”

Hawk looked from Dev to Kiana and back to Dev. “I know what you mean, man. That’s how it happened for me on my first Brotherhood Protectors gig. Kalea blew me away with her strength, loyalty, beauty, kindness and sass. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her.” He clapped Dev again on the back. “So, where do you go from here? Are you staying with the Brotherhood?”

Dev nodded. “Damn right. This team is my family.” His brow furrowed. “Does it matter what island we live on?”

“Not at all,” Hawk said. “Your assignments could take you to any one of them or anywhere in the world, for that matter. Which island will you choose?”

He nodded toward Kiana. “Wherever she lands.”

Kiana rose to her feet and crossed to where Dev and Hawk stood. “He forgot one other rule that was broken.”

Dev frowned. “I did?”

She gave him a crooked smile. “I said I’m not going to fall in love with you.” Kiana leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips across his. “I didn’t think it was possible. I thought love was something naïve women thought they needed to validate their existence. I thought I was in love once, even went so far as to get engaged, only to have my fiancé steal my money and dump me.”

“Is that what happened with your ex?” Dev’s fists tightened. “The bastard didn’t deserve you. I’d like to pound him into the ground you walk on.”

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