Page 40 of Dark Medicine

“Because,” he said, pointing to the screen, “that house is where the records were kept. All paper, nothing electronic.”

“Fuck!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The garden wedding was everything Aislinn ever dreamed her wedding would be. The Brennan sisters ensured that every detail met with perfection, and the Irish weather cooperated, the sun shining bright and warm in the backyard garden, not a cloud in the sky.

When Kane turned to see Flip walking Aislinn down the aisle, he nearly lost it. He’d faced criminals and terrorists, murderers and rapists, but this woman. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. For a brief second, he watched his friend staring at Fiona and knew it would only be a matter of time before another wedding would take place.

Uri Bellum sat in the back row quietly, his body tense with worry. He remembered his own wedding and his beautiful Melanie waiting for him back home. They were both so young and innocent when they married. She had been so sweet and innocent when they met, seeing him as a hero dressed in his military uniform. She was the ideal military wife, taking care of the home fires while he was off fighting in any country his commanders sent him. He was dutiful, and she was quiet and unquestioning.

Now, she was hiding in their secret place, keeping their beautiful daughter safe, and he prayed he would see them both again soon. Uri jumped when the sound of applause filled the air, Kane kissing Aislinn as if his life depended upon it.

The Brennan sisters truly outdid themselves on the food for the small gathering. They invited neighbors as well as three distant relatives of Aislinn’s mother. They seemed more interested in the buffet than the wedding, but regardless, Aislinn was happy to make a family connection.

Kane pulled his wife close to him, snuggling her beneath his arm. He kissed her soundly, trailing kisses along the side of her face, his lips resting against her ear.

“I’m sorry the honeymoon has to be put on hold,” he said.

“Don’t be sorry, Kane. Being married to you is the only thing that matters to me. I love you, and the rest of our lives can be a honeymoon. I’m just happy being Mrs. Kane Jackson.” Kane smiled down at her.

“Mrs. Kane Jackson. That has a nice ring to it.” Kane felt the vibration of his phone and pulled it from his jacket pocket to view the text. He kissed Aislinn and turned to walk towards Uri.

“I have three highly trained men outside your property. Your wife knows they are there, and she and your daughter are safe. If they suspect any trouble coming, they’ll take her to a safe house.” Uri let out a long slow breath, tears threatening to spill.

“I’ll never be able to repay you,” he said quietly. “I’m forty-eight years old, Kane, an old forty-eight. I don’t expect to hit forty-nine, but I never intended to dishonor my brothers or the United States Army. I regret the decisions I’ve made. They’re mine alone. My family shouldn’t have to suffer for them. I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I got lost. You may not know it, but you’re helping me find my way back.”

“Help us stop this maniac, and that will be payment enough. And Uri, if we have anything to say about it, you’ll see forty-nine and beyond. Your choices were forced choices by Moore. Threatening your family made you lose all sense of honor and reason. Any man would have felt the same.” Uri nodded and stood, entering the house.

Adam stepped up beside his friend and watched as Uri walked into the cottage, the invisible burden of a ton weighing on his shoulders.

“Do you think he’ll make it?” asked Adam.

“I don’t know, brother. I don’t know. For now, his family is safe, but if we don’t figure out how to get to Moore, we’ll never stop this fucking train.”

“Do you buy the idea that he’s Fiona’s father?” Adam stared across the garden at the redheaded vision who had captured his heart.

“It makes sense, brother,” said Kane. “He didn’t want her dead, only brought to him to heal him. He was definitely trying to kill the rest of us, but I suppose that doesn’t exactly speak of good parenting. We won’t let him get to her, Adam. I promise. But the more difficult task may be keeping this woman, K, away from her. We need to find out who she is and how much power she really has.”

Adam gave a pained expression to his friend and nodded.

“I’m a man of medicine, Kane. I save lives. But I was also trained just like you. I won’t hesitate to kill anyone who tries to take what’s mine.”

With those final words, Adam crossed the garden and took Fiona’s hand, leading her to the dance floor. Kane watched his friend hold the woman tight, her beautiful face looking up at him adoringly.

For the tenth time in as many days, Kane wondered what was in the mysterious pink dust and if the effects could be reversed. He felt the small, warm hand of the love of his life slide into his own. Her fingers linked with his, and his heartbeat elevated, smiling down at her.

“I love you, Kane,” she smiled. “I know what you’re thinking. I can almost hear it. We’ll figure this out together.”

“You had a dream last night,” he said calmly.

“I did. It wasn’t horrible, but it certainly wasn’t rainbows and unicorns. There was fire and screaming. You pulled me out as always.”

“Do you think it’s a forewarning?” he asked.

“Maybe. Yes. I don’t know,” she sighed. “I hope not.”

Kane kissed Aislinn, pulling her onto the dance floor with the other few couples. Flip had one of the Brennan sisters off her feet, held a foot off the ground, twirling her in the air. Her girlish giggle was like magical music in the garden.

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