Page 92 of Damned
Chapter Forty
Robin looked adorable walking sedately down the center aisle of the makeshift chapel Kruze’s brothers had generously created in Chance’s barn. Her hands were clasped in front of her. Her dress was white. Pink ribbons were woven through her curly hair. A gazillion fairy lights covered the sturdy beams overhead, making her pretty green eyes sparkle and her black hair shine.
The sight brought tears to Kruze’s eyes. Go figure, him a big, tough Navy SEAL, crying over a little girl. Better yet, she now knew he was her father. That had to have been the easiest talk ever. But then, he suspected, at some level, she’d already made the connection. Damn, she was smart, further proof she took after her mother.
Robin walked like a princess, with her chin up and rarely glancing to the left or right, as if she knew peasants were watching. Until she caught sight of him. Like a kid shot out of grade school at recess, the regal pretense fell away, and Robin ran to him, her arms pinwheeling while she yelled, “Daddy! My Daddy!”
If those words weren’t enough to send him on another crying jag, Kruze didn’t know what would. The second she flung herself into his arms and snuggled under his chin, he lost it. Kruze bowed his face into her coconut-scented hair, thinking he could hide his tears.
But once again Robin shattered his manly resolve by patting his chest and announcing to the world with her usual, rowdy enthusiasm, “Hi, everybody! This is my Daddy, and I’m his best girl, and I love him more than anyone else! Well, ’cept for Mommy and Nana and Grampa!”
Everyone clapped. Senator Sullivan outright laughed. Kruze’s buddy, Julio Juarez and his wife Meg, grinned at him. The little guy sitting in Julio’s arms had to be Dom. Kruze knew the story of how Julio and Meg had rescued that little guy from his asshat father, the sadist from Brazil, Domingo Zapata. Now there was a miracle for you. That a vile snake like Zapata had fathered an angel like Dominic meant there was still hope for the world. Dom giggled and waved. Of course, Robin waved back at him, and just that fast, an innocent, new friendship was born.
The guys from Kruze’s SEAL Team gave him their chins or nods of approval. They knew what he’d lived through in Panama. That they’d each brought their wives or girlfriends with them told Kruze they’d moved on, too.
Even the mostly teenage waitstaff lingering by the giant buffet table in the corner grinned and joked with each other while Kruze quietly fell apart. Thank fuck! His days of empty, one-night stands were over. He had everything, his woman and daughter living under the same roof with him. Sharing breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Learning each other’s likes and dislikes, preferences and quirks. After this official ceremony, it’d be legal. Robin was already his daughter, Bree would finally be his wife, and he’d be their devoted slave for the rest of his days.
Walker Judge picked that tearful moment to enter through the barn door. His wife Persia squeezed in beside him and fluttered her fingers at Kruze. Damned if Walker didn’t come to a full stop, throw his shoulders back, and send Kruze a sharp, crisp salute, Navy style. No one else saw the show of loyalty performed in the shadowy dark at the back of the barn. But the respect from that particular SEAL hit Kruze hard.
While still active duty, Walker had been thrown to the wolves by his Navy superiors. Jailed, condemned to Leavenworth on bogus charges, Walker had been hunted by the asshats from the International Criminal Court for war crimes he’d never committed. Yet there he stood now, a free man, working for Alex Stewart’s TEAM, and honoring a brother.
Goosebumps roared over Kruze’s shoulders and up the back of his neck. He jostled Robin to his other arm and returned the salute. Which caused everyone else to turn around to see what they were missing. By that time, the moment had passed. Walker and Persia just smiled at everyone, waved at Robin, and grabbed a couple seats.
As if he needed another kick in the heart, some joker flung those same barn doors aside and in strode the USMC bastard from Alexandria, Virginia. Alex Stewart. Kruze had worked with him in Ireland, of all countries, that time to get justice for Walker Judge. Alex sent Kruze a sharp nod of acknowledgment, which was more than he usually offered. But the gorgeous brunette at his side, his wife Kelsey, sent Kruze a real smile and a fluttery, feminine wave. How Alex deserved that classy woman, Kruze hadn’t a clue. But then, he didn’t deserve Bree, either.
When the barn doors opened wider, Kruze’s fist went to his mouth. He blinked. Alex’s whole damned TEAM was there. Mark Houston, Harley Mortimer, Zack Lennox.My God,Cassidy, Izza and Connor, Rory and Ember, too. Shit, it was getting harder and harder to see through his tears. Kruze wiped a quick hand over his face.
The famous fearsome threesome ducked in next: Taylor Armstrong, Gabe Cartwright, and Maverick Carson. Every agent had their wives with them, some had brought their kids. Lee Hart. Adam Torrey. Hunter Christian and… Wait. Was that Eric Reynolds? It was, and he’d brought Shea and their triplets. One after one, Alex Stewart’s TEAM agents took a seat, then sent a grin or a thumbs-up Kruze’s way.
He was speechless. They could’ve been his TEAM. There was a time he’d deliberated quitting Sullivan for Stewart. Back then, he’d thought he’d needed space from his brothers. He’d thought he’d needed distance from their joined history, to break loose and start over. But he’d thought wrong.
It hit him hard as Kruze realized he already belonged to a family. A damned big family of brothers and sisters, and there they were. Kee-rist, Beau Villanueva and Renner Graves had just ducked inside. And Jameson Tenney with his pretty wife! My God, they were all here supporting him just like they’d supported Walker Judge.
Senator Sullivan, who was right then standing tall and proud at Kruze’s side, along with Chance and Pagan, his other two groomsmen, leaned into Kruze’s shoulder and muttered, “Figured you wouldn’t mind if I invited a few of your friends.”
“No, I…” was all Kruze could manage.
Damned if Pagan didn’t keep wiping his face, that soft-hearted mess of a man. How he’d ever toughened up enough to make it through Hell Week was beyond Kruze. But he couldn’t begrudge Pagan his tender side. Kruze was feeling pretty tender today, too.
Chance leaned around Pagan and gave Kruze a brotherly chin nod.
“Also made an offer on that place in Maine,” Sullivan murmured. “You know the one. The cleaners I hired did a good job. Now you’ve got one less thing to worry about. Consider it my wedding gift to you kids.”
Kruze turned to Sullivan and shook his hand. “Thank you, sir.”
For that he and Robin got pulled into a fatherly hug. “Don’t mention it.” Sullivan slapped his back while Kruze wondered how he’d lost control of—Kee-rist, everything! He’d never planned on keeping the house where Harvey Lantz had met his end. Hadn’t asked Bree to even consider such an awful thing. She deserved better, and Kruze now knew that he did, too. He just hadn’t expected Sullivan to step in and take the burden off his shoulders.
The Sinclair home in Montanawasbig enough to house three growing families, and Kruzedidown one of the four lavish wings. But this time, when he’d gone home like Chance had suggested, things were different. He’d found a deeper appreciation in living close to his brothers. They were the Sin Boys once again, ready to rumble, but just as ready to kick back and stay home with their families. Kruze already adored Suede and Remmie, but Paloma? Well, that was another challenge for another day. He owned every last one of his past mistakes, including his ego in ever thinking he stood a chance with her. But who would’ve ever guessed she’d had her sights set on Pagan back then?
At last, Bree stepped out from the enclosed bridal area, aka the flowery, fairy-light decorated horse stall, and walked to the center of the back of the chapel. Brandon stood smartly in his tux at her side. Lark, her only bridesmaid, walked a few steps ahead of her.
Bree made a stunning bride. She was so damned beautiful, Kruze ached just looking at her. She’d chosen a cream-colored gown with long lace sleeves. His gaze fell to the scoop neckline that dipped just low enough to entice the hell out of him. It showcased her plump breasts, and she’d gained weight living with him these last two months, but damn… He couldn’t remember if she’d told him if it was organza or silk, and he didn’t care. Both would end up on the floor in Cozumel later tonight.
“Mommy’s so pretty!” Robin whispered, her hands clasped together under her chin.
“Yes, she is,” he whispered back. He wished Bree had chosen a see-through veil, though. Something gossamer or transparent. This one was made of the same fabric as her dress. He couldn’t see through it, and he’d very much wanted to watch her eyes on him as she took every step of her chosen walk into their life together.
When she finally landed at his side, Kruze knelt and set Robin on her feet. “You remember what to do, right?” he whispered.
