Page 95 of Never Quiet

Chapter Twenty

September – October 2016

While it was not a difficult task for someone like Hayden to rent out an entire restaurant, fill it with his people, and sit calmly waiting for people to kidnap Amanda in public, such an operation couldn’t be maintained. Now that her location was known, she had to get out of the Keys.

An impromptu celebration at Amanda’s house followed cleanup and she found herself in a cluster with Hayden, Noel, Dakota, and Chaz.

Her aunt said, “Your training is officially over, Amanda. You kicked righteous ass for three solid months and stayed calm and focused today.”

Nodding, Dakota said, “Outstanding reflexes and I loved your impromptu fuck you message.”

“Your mind operates rapidly, logically,” Chaz murmured. “It helps you remain steady. I’m impressed, Amanda.”

“Thank you.”

“I know we pushed you hard, honey.” Dakota reached out to take her shoulder. “We had to know you could withstand the pressure and needed to cram six months of training into three. However, we underestimated the emotional toll. I’m truly sorry, Amanda. You hide how you feel so well that we had no idea we were hurting you.”

Chaz gathered her close and kissed her temple. “Going forward, bitch more, sweetheart. We’re all older and very different than you. We can set aside emotion, shut down feeling, to accomplish a goal. That’s not a skill I ever want you to learn.”

She hugged each of them tightly. “Thank you for training me. I know I derailed your lives the last few months.”

Dakota shook her head. “There are three of us. We rotated kicking your ass and you took it. You were exhausted, hurting, and feeling incredibly isolated.” She added, “Chaz and I were still running charters, still training recruits. Noel picked up two bounties in Islamorada last week. Our lives went on…but you didn’t have one.”

Noel cupped her face. “Now you go to New York.” She glanced past Amanda to Hayden. “You’re sure about this? There will be a lot of interest in you as a pair.”

“What do you think, Amanda? Shall we make ourselves two very flashy and much-desired targets?”

“I say let them come.” Amanda sighed. “They’re going to come anyway, right? We can’t escape it. I’ll supermodel, you superhero, and we’ll face them together in our free time.” She held up her fist and he bumped it.

Her aunt looked back and forth between them with a small frown. “Tread carefully. Both of you.”

Amanda smiled slowly. “Are you talking about our intense sexual chemistry? We literally can’t do anything about that, No-No. I pinky promise that I’ll be extra careful with my uber hot and mysterious boyfriend.” She wiggled her pinky.

Noel took it with a grin. “Mentally, you’re on his level and he doesn’t get that much. Emotionally, you’re a good influence. I trust your judgment.” She glanced at Hayden. “I’m really relieved you and I never hooked up. Talk about awkward.”

“I don’t...what?” Hayden’s eyes widened. “I have no intention of seducing your niece, Noel…”

“Spend lots of time with her and tell me that in three months. You said something earlier that you should keep in mind, darling. She’s not like us. You’re about to get a fuck ton of sunshine in your life.” Her aunt walked away laughing.

Amanda looked at Hayden and said solemnly, “You can relax. I won’t be any trouble.”

Frowning, he replied, “People who are entire continents of trouble always say that.”

“Thought-provoking observation.” She patted his chest. “We’re going to have a blast and I’m going to feel safe as a baby with you grabbing my ass in public.”

“I…”

“Chaz, I haven’t danced in forever. Indulge me.”

“As the lady desires.” He led her into the living room and took her in his arms. Quirking his brow, he asked, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Amanda? This is a rather big fish you have on the line and you are not secured to the deck.”

She shrugged. “He won’t fall in love with me, Chaz. I’d kind of like to test the theory about whether I can love him, to be honest. Even if it came with heartbreak, I need to know.”

“Erick…”

“Has visited you and Dakota seven times since I got here. He hasn’t contacted me in person, by email, on social media, or by text. He knows exactly where I am and what I’m doing. To be honest, I really could have used a friend the past three months. Davis is off grid for work. To Erick, I just…didn’t exist.”

She stared into his eyes. “I told you once that you didn’t have to worry because I wasn’t like other girls. I meant it then and I mean it now. You know the truth, Chaz. I love him and want him…but I don’t need him. I’ll never beg a man to love me. Never. No matter how lonely I’ve been lately.”

---