Page 59 of Blackstone's Heart
"Yep. He loves her like I love you."
Debbie leaned over and kissed him. "And she loves him as I love you Nicky."
***
Ethan studied the room he and Krista would be sharing for the next few days. When they landed in New York they had been informed by Tessa and Carl that he and the rest of Blackout were staying in their home. Of course Ethan started arguing against intruding, but he quickly found it was a lost cause.
"Hey boss." Gage said, walking into the room. He looked around let out a low whistle. “Nice digs.”
"The perimeter secure?" Ethan asked shaking his head in amusement.
"Yep. I think I got a bit of wood when Carl showed me their security system. Tony did too I think. They have a more sophisticated set up than Blackout. He said he'd put me in touch with his guy." Gage grinned.
Ethan couldn't help but laugh. "Shouldn't be surprised. Know what he did before retiring?" Gage shook his head. "Carl Summerland was in charge of security at Langley."
Gage let out a whistle. "Sweet. No wonder the few times Jerry and I talked security he knew what I meant."
"Yeah. Carl said he had offered to hook Krista up with his security but she turned him down. Something about not fully trusting spooks." Ethan chuckled.
Gage cracked a smile. "Can't blame her there. Anyway, me and the guys are all settled in. We're fixing to head out to the funeral home, then the church. We're not taking any chances in case this asshole followed us here."
"Keep me posted. Carl and Tessa are upstairs resting and Nick was taking Debbie out for a walk. I'm going to check on Krista." Ethan nodded.
Gage gave a two fingered salute and left the room. Ethan sighed. He was dreading the conversation he was going to have with Krista. He had seen her brave façade beginning to crack on the jet and it tore his heart in two. Nick had told him after he retook his seat that Krista would need him. Yet Ethan knew how Krista was. She had always tried to carry so much on her shoulders. Well, his woman needed to know that she was no longer going to carry that weight alone.
He finished putting his things away then headed downstairs to find her. The Summerland home was a beautiful three story home in the suburbs of Manhattan. Carl had told them on the drive over that he didn't want to raise a family in the city. He had designed and built the home for Tessa just before Jerry was born. Though Carl had spent most of his time at Langley he had told Ethan he had wanted his family secure while he was gone during the week.
He found Krista sitting on the front porch looking through what looked like a photo album. He said nothing as he sat beside her and glanced down. He smiled as he saw a picture of Krista, Jerry, and Krista's brothers at what looked like a beach.
"This was taken in Miami. We went down there for spring break the year Danny turned twenty-one." She explained.
"Looks like you guys had fun." He replied.
"It was a great time. Me and Jerry were juniors at Hamilton, Jax had just joined that firm in Dallas, Hayden had just passed the bar, and Danny had just been selected for his first undercover assignment. He went on it about three days after we got back."
"Krista, we need to talk."
She sighed and closed the album. "I figured that after what happened on the plane."
"Baby, I don't like that you're trying to be strong and not let me in."
"Ethan, I'm not trying to keep you out..."
"I know you're not, but you are. Yes, you cried in front of me and hell even in front of Lance, but you’re still holding back. Look, all your life I've watched you carry the burden of pain in your family, just like Nick does. When your Uncle Kenny died you were there making sure your brothers, you parents and the rest of your family were okay. That's what you do. You look out for everyone else but you."
"I can't just turn it off."
"I'm not asking you to. Krista, what I'm trying to say is that I'm here. I'll help you carry this. Your pain is my pain. You hear me? We're a team now Krista. I don't want you to feel you can't talk to me."
Krista sat the album on her lap to the side then scrambled into his lap. Her arms wrapped around him and she buried her face in his neck. Ethan just breathed her in as he held her and just whispered to her. Telling her he was there, that he loved her and to let him in.
"I'm scared Ethan. Scared I won't be able to handle this. Handle Jerry being gone. I feel lost."
"Oh Krista. You're not alone. I won't let you get lost baby. I'll help guide you home every time. I promise. You can and will get through this. If you break, I'll be right there to catch the pieces and together we'll put them back together."
"Ethan."
"Sshh. I love you Krista. Just hold on to me honey. I'm here."
