Page 56 of Declan's Hope

It had been a quick surrender.

Now, how to handle what came next. They had dead bodies, prisoners, a kidnapped busload of children, along with a missing assistant DA and that DA’s daughter to deal with.

So, not a clusterfuck at all.

Hopefully, the colonel had come up with a plan. He just hoped it was a good one. Because whatever it might be, he expected the media to descend on them in droves. It was going to be a circus, with the EPA team smack dab in the middle of it.

Declan slowed as he got to the front walk of the house, then paused at the man he’d shot in the chest where he lay draped across the bushes. If he hadn’t raised his gun on Hope, he might still be alive. But he had. Declan glanced over the man’s dead gaze fixed on the sky.

"That’s the only glimpse of heaven you’ll get," Declan muttered, then bounded up the steps and straight into…

Salazar.

He eyed the body of the fallen drug czar who obviously had no respect for human life. And though this man had probably committed more atrocities than anyone might ever know, Declan had found no pleasure in taking his life. But if he had to make the choice of doing it again, he would.

"Are you kidding me?" Declan lifted his head toward the open door and Mercy’s incredulous voice floating out to him. "I’m an officer of the court." He didn’t envy the colonel as he followed her voice inside and pulled his mask off. His sister had that whole prosecutorial tone going on. "And even I have no idea how to explain all of this."

"Most of it will be handled through the State Department," the colonel said, his tone even. Declan strode into the living room in time to see the colonel crossing his arms over his chest. The leader of their team skewered his sister with his you had better do what I say look. "But understand me, even as an officer of the court, I need you to cooperate."

Mercy’s back to Declan went ramrod-straight as she faced off with his boss. Did the colonel know how argumentative his sister could be? It’s why she made such a great lawyer. He glanced toward Noah leaning against the side of the fireplace with a scowl on his face—one he had aimed square at his sister. Declan had been on the receiving end of Mercy’s knee before, so he could relate.

"Cooperate," Mercy said low, her fists clenching. "You want me to cooperate with—"

"Uncle Declan!"

Relief swelled up inside him as Kara rushed around a ripped up couch toward him. She jumped up right as she got to him, and he easily caught her, then lifted her high over his head. His niece was growing up so fast, it wouldn’t be too much longer before she wouldn’t let him do this.

He brought her into the circle of his arms and hugged her tight, while his gaze went to his sister pivoting toward him. Her hard stare met his. Anyone not knowing Mercy well would think she’d been left unfazed by the day’s events. But Declan wasn’t one of those people. He knew his twin better than anyone. So, no matter how hard she tried to maintain her tough facade, he could almost feel the stress radiating off of her.

"I’m sorry," he told her as he rubbed his cheek over Kara’s soft, dark brown hair. "I never wanted what I do to come to your doorstep. If something had happened to you or Kara, I…" He cleared his throat. "I—"

"Just stop," Mercy said, her eyes narrowing on him, then she looked him up and down. "At least you finally got your fucking head out of your ass."

A slight giggle sounded in his ear, while Noah groused, "So, she’s allowed to say fu…the F word and I’m not?"

Mercy rounded on Noah. "I’m trying to cut back, but considering the situation…" A frown filled her profile. "And who are you again? You…" She tilted her head. "Why do you look familiar?"

Noah’s almost startled expression closed up as he straightened away from the fireplace. "DEA Agent, Noah Jennings." His dark brows drew down. "Well, former DEA agent now."

"We’ll talk about that later," the colonel told him. Jennings didn’t try to hide that startled expression as his boss speared Declan with his light blue gaze. "Good work."

"Thanks for believing I could do it." Declan had doubted himself, right up until the moment he pulled the trigger.

"You just needed to prove it to yourself," the colonel said, then let out a deep sigh. "Now, I need to get our damage control started before the cavalry from, well, everywhere starts showing up."

"Damage control?" And there went that tone again. Mercy turned with the colonel’s progress around the couch. "You know this can’t just be swept under some covert carpet."

The colonel paused beside Declan and gave him a knowing look. It most certainly could be swept under a covert carpet. And hell, if the look the colonel gave him indicated anything, it would be. Just how, Declan had no idea. The colonel gave him a slight grin before turning back toward his sister.

"Ms. Carter." Mercy’s brow rose at the colonel’s hard tone. "Don’t worry. My friends have big brooms."

His sister huffed as the colonel strode out of the room.

"I’ll just…" Noah grimaced, then glanced between Declan and Mercy before shaking his head and following after the colonel.

Little arms tightened around his neck. "Did you shoot them?"

Declan tensed at Kara’s quiet question, while Mercy’s gaze on him softened and she gave a slight incline of her head.

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