Rita slid onto one of the cushioned stools and sighed like she did when she was sad. “Do you think this is a good idea for Finley?” she asked in a lowered voice.
“What exactly?” Novah gave her a semi-smile.
“That you and her father are playing the revolving door. Are you together or are you not?”
Washing her coffee cup with renewed energy, Novah set it in the drainer then grabbed a paper towel from the roll and the bottle of cleaner from underneath the sink. She sprayed and scrubbed the already spotless counter. “We’re not together. You know that.”
“Then what’s he doing here?”
She didn’t have to examine her mom’s expression to know that her eyes were narrowed, and her lips were twisted. “Question is, what are you and Finley doing here? You said you were keeping her at your place last night.” Nothing was left of the paper towel, so she tossed it then stepped back to admire the shiny marbled granite. She didn’t want to even look at her mom. They’d had plenty of arguments about Egan over the years, but especially since the separation and Novah didn’t want or need another.
“She woke up from a nightmare early this morning and wanted to come home, so I brought her. Little did I know you had an overnight guest. Thank goodness your daughter and I didn’t walk into the house while you two were…”
“Stop!” It appeared Novah would get the argument she’d tried to dodge. She gave her mother a disapproving gaze. “Mom, I know you dislike Egan. I’m sure he rips off the scab on some old wounds. You’ve made that clear more times than I can count, but he’s Finley’s father and he’s a good one. So was Daddy when he was home. You have an opinion? Fine. Just make sure that you remember we must respect Egan. As for what he and I shared last night, I won’t talk about it or explain it. You above anyone should understand a broken heart.”
Rita’s shoulders slumped some. “I’m only worried about you, honey. I know you still love him, that’s obvious, but I don’t want to see you crumble again when he packs a bag and leaves for another dangerous overseas mission. And you’re right, I do understand a broken heart and loving someone involved in the Special Forces. If you want a relationship with Egan then have a relationship. I’ll never stand in your way.”
Soaking in her mom’s words, she shook her head. “I can’t.” That hurt to admit but going back and forth only made things harder in the end. “How do I let him go? I thought I had these emotions under control but then I saw him last night and the dam broke.” Tears blurred her vision.
Rita pretended to clean up crumbs on the counter with her finger. “If I knew the answer, I’d tell you. Maybe you just need to rip the bandage off, take on the pain, and let it run its course. One day it’ll hurt less and you’ll be able to breathe again. That I can promise, but don’t expect to ever feel completely whole again.” Tears flooded her eyes and she blinked them away, slipping off the stool. “Okay! Waffle time. Hurry up, Fin. I need your help.”
Novah stepped over and squeezed her mom’s shoulders. “I love you, Mom. You’re the bravest woman I know.”
Rita patted her hand. “And you remember whose daughter you are. Fix your crown and decide. I’ll be in your corner whatever that is.”
CHAPTER TWO
Three years later
EGAN ADJUSTED HIS uncomfortable tie for the tenth time as he strolled through the floor to ceiling glass doors into the Langley Enterprises building where he was greeted by a uniformed security guard whose tough expression was tempered by the friendly smile that followed.
No matter what room Egan walked into his immediate habit was to assess potential safety risks. The pattern was embedded in him from years of training and missions. In the vast polished lobby he saw at least a dozen possible security issues that could put candidate elect Mr. Langley, as well as his team, at risk. Egan had spent the last week researching the businessman turned politician and a man as rich as he was should have better security in place, especially after receiving death threats from elusive groups who disliked what the politician stood for.
This wouldn’t be the first political rodeo for Valor Knights.
A year ago, Egan had brought together the skilled team after retiring from Special Forces. VK was assembled of other retired military personnel who wanted to use their skills and training on friendly soil doing everything from finding missing people, putting an end to human trafficking, security cases, and much more. At first, the transition had been difficult for Egan, but as he started seeing the changes his team made, he believed this was where he belonged.
He’d learned some valuable lessons along the way, especially in how they approached their clientele depending on what they’d been hired to do. He wasn’t here to point out the weaknesses in Langley’s security, but rather to observe the man’s behavior.
Usually VK didn’t handle cases like this, where a politician was suspected of criminal behavior, but sometimes it took someone with Egan’s covert training to find answers. After doing his research, he found that Langley was neck deep in with the Russian mob, fittingly calling themselves Pravedny Renegaty, or Righteous Renegades, that were suspected in being involved in a recent kidnapping attempt on a campaign opponent of Langley’s, who was also an old friend of Egan’s. That made this personal. You fucked with one
