Page 59 of Beautiful Vengeance

He nodded, silver eyes knowing. “She and Laidlaw together?”

“Would it matter if they were?” Kiyomi deserved every bit of happiness she could squeeze out of this life, even if it was short-lived. Trinity would give her friend every last moment possible with Marcus, but the end result was inevitable. By first light, they had to be out of here.

His lips curved a bit. “No.” The smile faded. “Did you read her the riot act for going after Rahman?”

“Yes, and she apologized to everyone. Though I have to admit, I’m glad that son of a bitch is dead. Even more so since she got to be the one to end him.” Hopefully that would give Kiyomi some measure of closure and peace, because she needed all the positive things possible to help her through the broken heart she was about to be nursing.

“I’m not as thrilled as you about it, since I’m the one left dealing with cleaning up the mess you guys left in Damascus,” he said in a wry voice. “It’s not easy protecting your identities when you leave a body count like that behind.” He angled the umbrella to cover her better, placing his body between her and the wind. “Got a call on my way over, so there’s been a change of plans. I’m flying to London right now to meet with MI6 and see if I can smooth things over there.”

“Right now? You could have just called and diverted there. And what about—”

“Oh, almost forgot. Brought you something.” He turned toward the plane.

Another male silhouette appeared in the doorway, a duffel in hand. Broader than Rycroft’s. Then the man stepped into the light and Trinity’s breath caught, happiness flooding her. “Brody.”

Her fiancé grinned and jogged down the stairs as she rushed for him. He caught her to him with a groan, lifted her off the ground with his powerful arms wrapped around her back. “Surprise,” he murmured. “Guess this means you’re glad to see me?”

She hugged him tighter, burying her face in his throat. He smelled incredible. Like evergreens and Brody and…home. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Her throat tightened, a telltale burn pricking the backs of her eyes. She didn’t care that Rycroft was right there watching, didn’t care that she normally wasn’t this emotional or demonstrative in front of others. They’d barely seen each other over the past few months and she’d missed him so damn much through the craziness of this whole thing.

Brody chuckled and set her on her feet but didn’t let go, upping the pressure of his arms. “Glad to be here. I missed you.”

“Missed you too.” Oh, dammit, she was going to cry.

“Okay then,” Rycroft said in amusement behind her. “You’re in good hands, so I’ll be off to London now.”

Winding her arms around Brody’s ribs, she leaned her head on his shoulder and aimed a wobbly smile at Rycroft. He liked the world to think he was a heartless bastard, but she and a few chosen others knew better. He’d made this happen for her. “Thank you.”

One side of his mouth kicked up. “Welcome. Contact me when you leave the manor. Briar and Georgia are heading here from Atlanta as we speak. I’ll be in touch when I know more.”

She nodded, stood there pressed tight to her man as Rycroft jogged back up the steps and started to raise them.

“I know I’m asking the impossible, but tell everyone to behave,” he called down.

“No promises,” she answered, all giddy and warm in spite of the cold rain and wind. She smiled up at Brody as they turned for her vehicle. “I can’t believe you’re here.” There was so much she hadn’t been able to tell him about what was going on. But she wanted to.

He hugged her to his side, carrying his duffel over one shoulder. “Lucky for me, I’m on the end of a really short and extremely well-informed grapevine, so I heard all about what’s happening from DeLuca, then Rycroft.” He gazed down at her, his brown eyes somber. “There’s no way I would let you face this alone.”

She didn’t need his protection, but him coming here and offering it willingly meant the world to her. “I love you.”

He stopped and gazed down at her, uncaring of the rain soaking his hair and shoulders. “I love you too.” Cupping her cheek in his hand, he kissed her.

Trinity took his bearded face in her hands and poured all her emotion into it, her heart full enough to burst. Even with her unconventional and ugly past, this incredible man loved her. Loved her enough to have her back and fly halfway across the world even when it placed him in harm’s way.

Enough to want to spend the rest of his life with her.

The solid gold ring pressed into her finger as she held him, a symbol of his promise and commitment. But him showing up tonight was more testament of his love than any ring or vow could ever be.

Deep inside her, those old insecurities she’d carried throughout her life—about her not being whole, not being good enough for someone like Brody—suddenly seemed to weaken. The ever-present fear of rejection and abandonment receded. Because tonight had given her the proof she’d needed to accept what Brody had been telling her all along.

He wasn’t ever going to wake up one morning and decide she was too much trouble. That her past was too much for him to handle. Or that he deserved a better life than she could give him.

“So,” he said, holding her close as they approached her vehicle. “What have you guys been doing to fill your time out here in the idyllic English countryside?”

She laughed softly at his teasing tone. “You’d be surprised.”

He gave her a knowing look. “Doubt it.”

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