OUTLIER: Blood, Brotherhood, And Beauty (Beauty 0f Lifee Book 4) Read online

  “Hey, we could cook Drake for dinner! Fish sounds good,” Craig quipped on his way to the monitor room. He hid a grin as he thought, Drake better be careful or Mike will tear a strip off him if he fools around with Becca.

  Drake closed his mouth, turned his body towards Becca, crossed his arms casually, and made eye contact. She was wearing a fabulous red sundress today—it accentuated all her curves so nicely. He wanted to knead her full-bodied breasts and make her wild with pleasure. He smiled as he held her sparkling blue eyes a moment. He shouldn’t be flirting with Becca—she was the general’s daughter. But he couldn’t help himself.

  The quick glance at Drake’s green eyes and those impish dimples when he laughed caused Becca’s insides to flitter. She picked up on Craig’s quip but changed it up as she said, “You know, perhaps we could have duck tonight. I hear the common Merganser duck is oilier and has more fat. It wouldn’t dry out as much.”

  Glancing down at the floor a moment, Drake held in his laugh at her use of his last name which was a common species of duck. Drake lifted his eyes—innuendo present in them as he said, “Duck’s an acquired taste. You need a sturdy, heavy-duty rack to handle it and best cooked very slowly. It goes well with wild rice, full-bodied red wine, and should only be eaten by candlelight.”

  Becca blushed and turned to the side so he couldn’t see. She understood exactly what he alluded to. Part of her wanted to jump in the rack with him. It had been months—she isn’t promiscuous—she is very selective. Yet something about Drake made her want to be reckless. But here and now with her mother—that isn’t happening. She would rather eat burnt chicken.

  Her eyes glanced at the horrible chicken—nope, not really. It would be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for everyone tonight. An idea popped in her head … maybe they wouldn’t be stuck eating PB&J after all. Becca turned back to Drake and sarcastically challenged, “Well, if you don’t like my Louisiana blackened chicken, I’d like to see you do better.”

  Drake tried to dial back the innuendo because playing with fire is fun yet dangerous. The general scared the crap out of him. Though Mike terrified him more and would rip him a new one if he dallied with Becca. If her hurt her, Drake would end up naked in some back alley of a country whose name he wouldn’t be able to pronounce—Mike’s most often used threat. One Drake believed Mike quite capable of carrying out.

  So he changed tactics and decided he might be able to get out of doing Becca’s chores for the next week. Drake accepted her challenge. “How about this, I make dinner and if it’s better than your blackened chicken you do my chores for a week?”

  Crossing her arms, Becca glared at Drake a moment. “You’re on. But we need someone to judge.”

  “How about Jack and Craig? They would be impartial,” Drake suggested.

  Becca nodded. They shook on the bet then Becca walked over to her mom. “Can I get you anything, Mom?”

  “I’m fine.” Yvonne softly sighed as Becca turned back to Drake and they mocked each other’s cooking skills. Her keen eyes and ears picked up the sexual tension between Becca and Drake.

  She thought about the young man. Master Corporal Damon Merganser is a decent person. He had to be to be a member of Mike’s unit. At twenty-six, Drake is four years older than Becca. He is an accomplished Special Forces soldier and skilled medic. William ensured Drake took additional training so he could care for her if her CFS became a problem. William’s foresight proved to be spot on.

  Drake is a caring young man and helped her so much in these past months. She wouldn’t mind if a relationship budded between Becca and Drake. But Becca is still wild and young. Her daughter still needed time to find what gave her life meaning. Yvonne thought fashion design might be it. Becca stuck with it longer than anything else. Her designs were outstanding—like the sundress Becca is wearing today.

  Her eyes moved to the clock. She noted the Broderick men were in the air and on their way to William and Danny. Waiting is familiar, all too familiar to her, and she did it with grace, but it is never easy.

  A Sea of Sapphire Eyes

  20

  July 19

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Private Waiting Room – 9:30 p.m.

  Bram returned to the private waiting room. He noted it had been five hours without a word on Dan. When he entered, Bram said, “The general is doing alright physically. Although, the stress of waiting is getting the better of him. They upped his sedation, so he is sleeping at the moment. I thought I’d come and check in here. As I was leaving, the doctor told me the general’s brother should arrive shortly.”

  “Which one? He has three,” Loki asked.

  Ray asked, “How do you know that? Dan doesn’t talk about his family.”

  “Dan said he had ten cousins, remember? Besides, I did deep searches—it came up.”

  Blaze said, “When I was on the phone with Colonel Sutton earlier, he informed me he contacted Major Broderick and Mrs. Broderick to apprise them of the situation. From that, I assume it will be the major who is arriving.”

  “Will Mrs. Broderick be coming?” Nick asked.

  “Unknown at this time. Sutton is uncomfortable with moving them from the safe house without the general’s approval. Especially with Pletcher still on the loose.”

  “Makes sense,” Nick replied.

  Bram headed toward Nick and Jon and wondered how Mrs. Broderick would take the news that she isn’t allowed to come to her husband and son in their time of need. Without a doubt, Kellie would go nuts if it were him or any of their daughters. Bram was distracted from further thought on the topic when he noticed Jon seemed to be struggling with something, “Jon, you alright?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Jon said cynically.

  Bram and Nick shared a distressed look across Jon’s back.

  “Jonny?” Nick said and noted Jon kept his head down in his hands with his elbows resting on his knees. The same position it had been for the last half hour. His tactical lead is most likely taking on guilt that doesn’t belong to him. This was no one’s fault except Plouffe, Murphy, and Merrill.

  “Jon, talk to us. What are you thinking, buddy?” Bram prompted, not liking the tone or implication of Jon’s response.

  Not moving, Jon responded with a mix of anger and sorrow in his words. “This is my fault. Dan wouldn’t be fighting for his life if I didn’t let him talk with Tammy. My gut said no, but I let him go. On the way to the funeral, I told Winds that Dan is my responsibility now. I should’ve protected him better. So yeah, I’m just so fine.”

  Both Nick and Bram understood his meaning, it is Dan’s ‘fine.’

  Nick shifted in his seat to face Jon head-on. “Jon, you did everything you could do. There is no way we could’ve known the major is so sick, or he hired a sniper. Sadly, the truth is, that if it weren’t today, it would be someday soon. The man is too far gone to stop. At least today, we were there to help.

  “Dan wouldn’t want you to blame yourself. We arrested both Murphy and Merrill. Neither of them can hurt Dan again. You did the right thing. I know it hurts, we all hurt, and we are all worried. But we need to remain positive. Dan will need us to be there for him.”

  Jon stole a glimpse at Nick. Boss stared at him with an expression which said, ‘you know I’m right,’ and patted his back. Considering Nick’s words, he lifted his head, sat up straighter, and turned to his best friend, Bram.

  Bram nodded with conviction and patted Jon’s back, too.

  Jon blew out a breath he had been holding for far too long. Nick is right, but that didn’t mean Jon didn’t still feel guilty. He liked Dan’s word—it fit. Jon was fine now, but he would move toward okay when they got positive news on Dan. “Wish we would get an update, the wait is killing me.”

  Bram and Nick bobbed their heads in total agreement. Nick turned to check on Lexa—she had been silent for so long. He wondered if he should talk to her. Nick studied her and noted Lexa’s body language indicated she isn’t in a talking mood. Nick determined to giv
e her some space.

  Lexa curled up in her corner of the room—she pulled her feet up in the chair and wrapped her arms around her legs bringing her knees close. She kept her head down on her knees—she didn’t want to talk to any of them.

  Her mind was a mess and kept going back to last night and the soft kisses they shared. Lexa’s heart cracked as little pieces fell off with a clunk every time the door opened, and it wasn’t news on Dan. Her emotional reaction was more intense than she ever experienced—it confused her—just like Dan confused her. Feeling unsure and alone in a room full of her family, Lexa hugged herself more tightly as tears saturated the knees of her pants.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – ER Information Desk – 10:00 p.m.

  Nancy checked the surgery status board on the computer for the umpteenth time. She wanted to have some news to tell the thirteen anxious souls waiting for word on Dan. She was startled by a new voice.

  “Ma’am, can you provide us with the status for either William or Daniel Broderick?”

  She turned her head to find several attractive men staring intently at her. They ranged from the early twenties to maybe mid-fifties she reckoned. Wow, she lost her ability to breathe. Trying to recover, she gazed at the man who asked for patient status.

  “And you would be?” Nancy finally got out knowing she couldn’t release information on patients to just anyone no matter how good looking.

  “I’m Major Mark Broderick. William is my brother and Daniel is my nephew.” Mark showed the nurse his id.

  Nancy checked his ID. “In that case, William Broderick is resting in outpatient recovery. Daniel Broderick is still in surgery. We have a private waiting room set aside for family and friends. If you follow me, I’ll take you there.” Nancy rose from her desk to lead them to the room. Holy cow! So many people. I’ve never had this many waiting for one patient.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Private Waiting Room – 10:02 p.m.

  The click of the door opening caused everyone to stiffen in anticipation. They all hoped it would finally be some news. They expected a doctor or a nurse, but eight military men crowded into the room.

  Impressive! Lexa immediately thought at the sight of the men. All eight grouped together tightly inside the now packed room. She scanned those she could see, and it dawned on her they were all related to Dan. Their uniforms clued her in first, but then she noted they were all formed from the same mold—one she had intimate knowledge of.

  The erect military bearing, the various shades of military-cropped blond hair, and their attractive, rugged facial feature—alike in many ways. Though the most striking similarity is their eyes. Lexa’s heart lurched as she realized they were the exact same shade of sapphire blue as Dan’s.

  Unable to look at them—too painful— Lexa put her head back on her knees, closed her eyes, and ignored them. It might be rude, yet her emotions swirled too much to deal with it now. Later, once she knew if Dan would survive, would be time enough to meet Dan’s extended family.

  After the door shut behind them, Mark asked, “Which one of you is Sergeant Pastore?” He scanned all the bemused faces in the room trying to discern who it is by only looking. Do any of them look like Jasper Pastore?

  “That would be me, and you are?” Nick said as he stood, half knowing what the answer would be.

  Mark Broderick studied the sergeant. The man appeared to be younger than him by about ten to fifteen years, which would make him between forty and forty-five. The sergeant stood about five nine, sturdy looking—a bit softer looking than the other constables. His full head of short, dark brown hair was going white at the temples.

  His bearing was a man used to being in command, a trait Mark respected. Though his hazel eyes exuded kindness and compassion in his expression. Sadly, he saw no physical characteristics which related Sergeant Pastore to Dr. Jasper Pastore—a pity. It would have been nice to have that connection.

  “Major Mark Broderick, I’m the general’s brother. With me are my brothers, Commander Erik Broderick and Colonel Ryan Broderick. My son, Sergeant Jeffrey Broderick. Ryan’s sons, Captain Adam Broderick and Second Lieutenant Zachary Broderick. Erik’s sons, Lieutenant Scott Broderick and Able Seaman Kyle Broderick.”

  Each raised their hand at their formal introduction.

  Loki stared mouth agape at all the Broderick men, but when Scott Broderick stepped forward from behind the others when he was introduced, Loki blurted out, “Dan’s got a twin? No way! How cool is that? Wait … if Dan’s the general’s son … how can Scott be the commander’s son?”

  Lexa’s head whipped up at Loki’s comment. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open when her eyes landed on Scott. Dan had a twin? Wait? How?

  All the Broderick’s grinned as Scott chuckled. They were used to people’s reactions to how alike Scott and Dan looked and this one was actually tame.

  Bram stood as a grin played across his face. The memory of the SUV crash came to him. He addressed Scott. “You must be Dan’s eight years older twin. At one time, he thought we were triplets.” At their confused looks, Bram added, “Sorry, I’m Bram De Haven, one of Dan’s teammates. Dan mentioned you when he was on narcotics … well, I’ll tell you later … it’s a long story.”

  Scott shook the large man’s hand. “I’ll hold you to that. Cause if we’re triplets, my doppelganger must’ve been high as a kite.”

  Jon stood. “Dano was. I’m Jon Hardy, Dan’s Tactical Lead.” Pointing out the rest of the team he introduced them. “That is Loki Baldovino, Ray Palomo, and Lexa McKenna.”

  Blaze introduced his unit. “I’m Captain Blain, Blaze, please. My second in command, Corporal Simons—”

  Winds interrupted, “Just Winds.”

  Blaze continued, “Master Corporal MacDonald, Corporal Weber, Warrant Officer Halverson, and Master Corporal Kostopoulos.” He pointed to Patch and said, “My former unit medic, now Toronto paramedic, James Shea.”

  Erik recognized the man who had been astride the gurney taking Dan out of the church on the news reports. He also knew by name who he was from what William had shared over the years. He strode forward to Patch who had risen and held out his hand. “We owe you a debt of gratitude we can never repay. Thank you for all you’ve done to keep Danny alive.”

  Patch shook his hand and found himself pulled into a firm one-armed hug by the commander. The handshake and hug were repeated by every Broderick. It left Patch stunned as he watched the Brodericks do the same thing to Blaze and Winds. All three of them dazed by the open display of emotion from the Brodericks.

  Nick watched the family express their gratitude, it was incredible to witness. He smiled knowing Dan had a good support system and he was curious as to why they were just now showing up. He wanted to ask where they had been for the past year, but then he recalled the stolen letters and the comment one of the unit men made about Dan’s cousins not abandoning him. This family had been put through the wringer from the sounds of things.

  Nick kept his comment neutral. “We were only expecting the major.”

  Mark turned back to Nick. “We’ve been planning a Broderick invasion since Erik spoke to William and we found out about Donner’s suicide note. I tried to call William this afternoon. Now we know why he didn’t answer. We learned about the shootings via the news about five thirty. Would’ve been here sooner but we needed to wait for the plane to be readied.”

  Kyle interjected, “And for me to arrive from Halifax.”

  Erik patted Kyle’s back then slung his arm over his son’s shoulders as he pulled him close. “Yes, that, too. We wouldn’t come without you.”

  Mark motioned to Erik and said, “Erik and I are going to go check on William. The rest will wait here for word on Daniel. The nurse out there said Daniel is still in surgery. Have you heard anything different?”

  Jon answered, “No nothing yet. If we hear anything, we’ll send someone to let you know.” Although Jon thought the hospital would inform the general first, so added, “If you hear, send someon
e back to us.”

  Mark nodded crisply, and he and Erik left the room.

  The room was beyond full now with nineteen people waiting for word. There weren’t enough chairs for everyone. Hal worked his way over to Blaze. “Sir, the guys and I should head out to give you all a little more space. That is unless you want us to take up guard detail once Blondie’s out of surgery.”

  Blaze replied, “Head back to the hotel and get some rest. Blondie will be well covered tonight. We’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.”

  Hal acknowledged his CO’s order with a slight incline of his head then motioned to Angus, Russ, and Duncan they were leaving. Before exiting, Hal requested, “Blaze, please let us know when you find out about Blondie.”

  “Will do.”

  As the four left, the Broderick men moved further into the room and spread out among the others. They started light conversations with Dan’s former unit and his current TRF team. The only one they didn’t engage was the lone woman who refused to look up at anyone and kept her head on her knees.

  In a fashion only Loki could get away with, he dug for personal information on Dan from two of his cousins, Kyle and Jeff. He found out they hadn’t seen Dan in seven years and they had thought Dan was always making up an excuse when he said he couldn’t attend family events because he was in the field. They thought it was because Dan wanted to avoid his father. The team was shocked by the recent revelations and that Dan had actually been forced to stay in the field by Plouffe. Loki was surprised to learn they all felt guilty that no one had realized what was going on.

  Lexa remained closed off in the corner by herself—unable to engage in any conversation with men who were variations of Dan. It was too hard given her current emotional state. Her mind was adrift recalling her reaction to Dan as she helped him with his shirt earlier today.

  It was such a simple, innocent task. Lexa had been shocked by the intensity of the heat which had seared straight to her core in the mere second she and Dan had locked eyes. It burned so brightly hot she had to break contact immediately fearing being burned. It petrified her and excited her simultaneously. She never felt that for any man.