Total Surrender

  Plus, they’d make sure to protect Piper, which would allow him to die in peace. Sure, they’d be pissed he died, and he’d try his best to figure out his chip after taking theirs out, but chances weren’t good.

  Once a wireless link was broken, there wasn’t much of a chance to repair it. Not really.

  Considering he was the computer geek of all computer geeks, regardless of his ability to fight and kill, he understood the impossibility of the challenge before him. How ironic that the one thing he truly excelled at was computers, and one would soon kill him.

  The idea of leaving Piper alone cut him deep, and he exhaled some of the pain.

  But he’d save his brothers first, and that was a good death, if he had to die.

  He set down with a silent thud, and switched off all electronics.

  Nate jumped out and opened the back door while Jory stretched to his feet and loped around to help him.

  Matt and Shane leaped out and assisted Piper, Rachel, Earl, and the three kids.

  The front porch light on the ranch house flipped on, and the door banged open. A petite blonde ran out with a happy yip, raced across the lawn, and jumped full bore into Shane’s outstretched arms. She peppered his face with kisses.

  Riley the dog jumped around their feet, catching the excitement, barking.

  Another woman walked out of the house, her brown eyes soft and concerned.

  Next to him, Matt blew out a soft breath. Relief? He strode through the darkness and up to the porch, gathering the woman and dropping his head into her neck.

  Jory rubbed his chin. Interesting. He’d never seen Matt in love before. Looked good on his brother.

  A sixty-something rancher type in blue flannel and worn jeans assisted a really pale woman to the door. Jory squinted. Audrey Madison. He remembered the sweet girl from when she’d dated Nate years ago. Now, pale as hell, she was just as beautiful as he remembered.

  Her eyes widened, she turned, and promptly threw up into the scraggly leaves of a hibernating geranium plant.

  Nate sighed and walked her way. “Still having morning sickness, darlin’?”

  Audrey nodded and waved him back, bent over the bush. He continued on and gathered her hair into one hand while rubbing her back with the other.

  Wow. Nate in love turned him, actually, nice?

  “Who’s the rancher?” Jory asked Shane.

  Shane smacked the blonde on the mouth in a quick kiss and then grinned. “Senator Nash.”

  Piper gasped. “I thought he died.”

  “He did.” Keeping hold of his blonde, Shane made introductions and then introduced the three boys as new Dean brothers.

  The entire group eyed the boys and then smiled.

  Accepted. Jory watched the boys feel it and accept their new reality. With hope and a sense of wonder.

  Seeming entirely comfortable remaining wrapped around Shane, Josie Dean waved at the kids and held out a hand for Jory. “I’m so glad you’re not dead.”

  Yeah. He instantly loved his sister-in-law. “Me, too. I’m glad Shane found you again and was smart enough to keep you this time.”

  Josie grinned. “I had to hit him over the head a couple of times, but it’s all worked out.” Then she lost her smile. “I mean, if we can get rid of the chips.”

  “We can,” Piper said, reaching for the mangled hard drive tower. “I need to get working, actually.”

  “After Laney patches up injuries, I’m ordering three hours’ sleep for everyone,” Matt called from the porch without looking back. “Everybody take three hours, and we’ll meet up then. None of us are any good if we pass out.” He lifted the brunette and quickly disappeared inside the sprawling ranch house.

  Shane snorted. “Good plan.” He eyed the boys sitting so quietly, surveying the ranch. “I’ll show you guys to the bunk room.” He started for the house.

  Chance glanced at Jory, and he nodded. “I’ll be in to check on you in a few.”

  The other two boys waited for Chance to start after Shane. The second he moved, they fell in step. Just like soldiers.

  Jory rubbed his chest right where a pang hit. If it were the last thing Jory did, he’d figure out a way to make them boys again. Even if he didn’t survive, his brothers would take care of the kids. Help them to be kids.

  He wished he could be there. Help them overcome the training and pain.

  The three hours weren’t for sleeping—they were for saying good-bye. Just in case they couldn’t deactivate the chips.

  Waiting until his family had entered the house, Jory turned to Rachel. She hovered a foot below him, her face pale, her hands wringing together. Had he scared her by punching Brian? “Are you all right?”

  She swallowed, her thin neck working. “Um, no.”

  Piper grasped her mom’s arm. “Let’s go inside, Mom.”

  Rachel drew back. “No. I, uh…”

  Earl frowned and patted her back. “What’s wrong, Rachel?”

  “I shot you,” Rachel said, staring up into Jory’s eyes.

  Jory rocked back. Why would the sweet woman make that up? “Excuse me?”

  Piper released her mom and grabbed Jory’s hand. “It was an accident. She didn’t mean to shoot you.”

  He swung his focus to Piper. What in the hell was going on? “Excuse me?”

  “It wasn’t an accident. I infiltrated the people who had you, the PROTECT people, eased my way in by giving yogurt samples, found you, and shot you.” Rachel patted his chest. “I’m the one. I’m so sorry.”

  Jory blinked, the world narrowing in focus. “Yogurt samples?”

  “Yes, dear.” She sighed. “I owned yogurt shops, and it was an easy way in when the commander blackmailed me.” She frowned. “If it helps, he didn’t know you were the target.”

  Jory grit his teeth, his brain flaring. “That doesn’t help, believe it or not.”

  “I know.” She rubbed her eyes. “He said he’d put Piper in jail, and since he’d set her up as a hacker, he could’ve done it. But at least I didn’t kill you.”

  So much heat burned down Jory’s throat, his larynx spasmed. “You didn’t kill me? That’s the upside here?”

  Earl stepped in front of Rachel. “Leave her alone.”

  “No.” Rachel pushed him to the side and visibly steeled her shoulders.

  Piper touched Jory’s arm. “I can explain.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Sweetie, I’m a crack shot. If I’d wanted you dead, you’d be dead.” Her sigh echoed through the morning, and she turned toward Earl. “I’m sorry about my past.”

  Tension vibrated around the group during the peaceful morning.

  Earl rocked back on his heels. “That’s okay.” He grinned. “It’s not like you killed him.”

  Jory’s neck began to ache. “You tried to murder me.”

  Rachel’s eyes widened. “Again, no I didn’t. Crack shot here. Don’t be such a baby.”

  His shoulders launched back in an effort to keep from striking. “Baby? I was in a coma for two years.”

  She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I am sorry about that, although not entirely sure that was a bullet problem and not substandard medical care.”

  He shook his head, his thoughts zinging around like a ricocheting bullet.

  She patted his arm. “Listen, Jory. I was scared, and I did the best I could to keep my only daughter out of prison and not end your life. Not one of my shots was a kill shot.”

  Jory glanced from Rachel’s steady gaze to Piper’s worried one and then back. His shoulders settled, and his mind cleared. He’d been on missions before, and he understood trying to save family. And he loved the woman’s daughter, which made her family. No matter what. “I guess you didn’t try to kill me.”

  The relieved sigh from Piper eased over him and helped him the rest of the way. “I forgive you, Rachel.” There went his big plan of revenge up in smoke. He still reeled from the information, but he did understand. “No more shooting people.”

&nbs
p; Tears filled her eyes. “I really am sorry.”

  “Apology accepted.” For some reason, the woman needed to hear those words, so he gave them. Frankly, it was a fucking relief to know who’d pulled the trigger. Finally, he could concentrate on something else—namely, saving his brothers. “I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into this mess.”

  Her lips curved in a smile. “So long as Piper is away from that bastard, I’m fine here.” She glanced around. “Where are we?”

  “Montana.” Jory slid an arm around Piper’s shoulders and maneuvered her toward the house. “We have a few guest rooms and bunk rooms scattered throughout. Do you want one room or two?”

  “One,” Earl said firmly.

  Jory bit back a grin. “One, it is. Follow me.” He glanced down at Piper. “Have Laney patch you up, and then we’re getting in three hours. I’d love for you to explain why you didn’t tell me your mother had shot me.”

  Piper sat on the main bathroom counter and held her breath while Laney, Matt’s girlfriend, slowly stitched up her shoulder. She’d removed her shirt and now tried to suck in her stomach. “So. You’re a doctor?” Hopefully.

  Laney bent closer as she worked, her brown eyes narrowed. “I was a surgeon. Now I’m a bartender.”

  Piper frowned. “Where?”

  “Nowhere.” She breathed in, carefully stitching. “You sure I gave you enough lidocaine?”

  “Yep. Don’t feel a thing.” Piper gave up on trying to have ripped abs and sank against the mirror, which cooled her back. “It’s probably difficult being a bartender while hiding out on a Montana ranch.”

  The door slid open, and Josie clipped inside, her hands full of glasses and a bottle of champagne. “I thought we should have mimosas, but we’re out of orange juice. So champagne it is.” She quickly poured three glasses. This close, she was even more petite than Piper had thought.

  Piper accepted one and lifted an eyebrow at Laney. “After I’m stitched up?”

  Laney grinned. “Fine. Spoilsport.”

  Josie took her glass and sat on the toilet seat. “How’s the wound?”

  “Not bad,” Laney said, drawing out string. “She’ll live.”

  Josie drank deeply. “Shane is so happy right now. Finally. We’ve found Jory.”

  Laney blew out air. “Thank God. Matt has been tortured for too long.”

  Piper bit her tongue to keep from spilling the truth about Jory’s chip being unreachable. He’d want to be the one to tell his brothers. “It’s nice to see them all together.”

  “They’re quite the bunch, right?” Josie sighed, her fingers tapping on her glass.

  Laney shook her head. “Don’t get maudlin. We’ll save them. We have to.”

  The door slid open again, and a pale woman walked in. The one who’d been throwing up. “Hi. I’m Audrey.”

  “Piper.” She studied the woman. “Feeling better?”

  “No.”

  Josie moved from the toilet seat and helped Audrey sit down. “Those rumors about morning sickness just lasting three months are plain wrong.” She jumped up next to Piper on the counter.

  Audrey sighed. “I know, right? This has to stop soon. Nate is driving me crazy with the hovering.”

  “Control freaks. All of them.” Josie took another sip of her drink.

  Piper swallowed. “Yeah. About that.”

  Laney snorted. “It’s who they are. Live with it or not… but it’s who they are.”

  Josie nodded. “I usually like the protectiveness, because it makes me feel safe. And we haven’t been safe much.” She chewed on her lip for a second. “Other times, I kind of want to shoot Shane in the foot.” Her laugh was contagious. “I held a gun on Matt and Nate once.”

  Piper turned her head. “So that was you.”

  “Yep. Then I held one on Shane and Nate. But that time, Shane got it and threw the thing on top of the refrigerator so I couldn’t reach it.” Josie’s lips curved. “Good times.”

  Laney laughed. “I held a gun on Nate and Matt once.”

  Piper stilled and glanced down at her new surgeon. “Why?”

  Laney shrugged. “Long story, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  Josie shook her head. “It rarely is, though. Don’t pull a gun on these guys unless you mean to shoot.”

  Laney nodded. “True that.”

  Piper glanced toward Audrey. “Any gun stories?”

  “Nope.” The pregnant woman shook her head. “I don’t think Nate would respond all that well if I pointed a gun at him.” She shrugged. “Although I did hit him with an umbrella once, and it ticked him off because I didn’t swing hard enough. He’s a bit intense.”

  Laney nodded. “I’d like to think that once the chips are out, the guys will relax a little bit.”

  Audrey snorted, and the sound seemed forced. “You don’t believe that, do you?”

  “Not really.” Laney leaned back to study her handiwork. “I appreciate everyone putting on a good face, but we’re all worried and can show it.”

  Josie nodded, her eyes filling.

  Laney cleared her throat. “So, Piper. What’s up with you and Jory?”

  Piper coughed. “We’ve only known each other a week.”

  “So?” Josie said, swinging her feet. “A week with a Dean brother is like a year with anybody else. You know. With the shooting, the espionage, the fighting for their lives.”

  “And the great sex,” Audrey said, leaning her head back against the wall. “Don’t forget the over the top, excellent, many times over… sex.”

  Laney nodded. “Amen to that.”

  Heat flushed up into Piper’s face as all three women stared at her. Finally, with a shrug, she gave in. “The sex is phenomenal.”

  Josie sighed, a smile brightening her beautiful face. “I knew it. Yep. I called that one.”

  Laney rolled her eyes. “Yeah. That was a stretch. Not.”

  Piper shrugged. “We have some issues, though.”

  “Yes. I heard you’re the commander’s daughter,” Audrey said.

  Piper stilled. Would they hate her? “Yes.”

  “Dr. Madison is my mother.” Audrey blanched. “She’s crazy, and I think the commander might be right there in loony town with her. Ah, no offense.”

  Piper relaxed. “No offense taken. They’re both scary nuts.”

  Audrey rubbed her chin. “So true.”

  Laney set down the needle and thread before taking up her glass. “Welcome to the gang, Piper. We have to stick together, and it’s nice having one more woman in our court.”

  Piper lifted her glass in the toast, her heart warming. Friends. She’d just found friends.

  CHAPTER

  24

  PIPER GLANCED AROUND the masculine bedroom after taking a quick look in the attached massive bathroom and tried not to think about her mother and Earl sharing a room. Nope. Not going there.

  The door opened, and Jory strode inside.

  She gestured. “Your room is nice.” Lame line. Geez. The guy had seen her naked, rocked her world, and being shy was silly.

  “Thanks. We built it after we escaped the Tennessee facility, and now I assume my brothers will build houses around the ranch. There’s a master plan somewhere, I’m sure.” Keeping her gaze, he drew his T-shirt up and over his head. “Did Laney patch you up?”

  “Yes. I’m fine.” Her mouth went dry. Hard, muscled, wounded—damn impressive, even with the scars. “What are you thinking?” she whispered, desire sensitizing her skin.

  “That your mom shot me, and you should come over here and ease my hurts.” Those eyes darkened to molten slate.

  She smiled, her nipples peaking. “I like this commanding side of you.”

  “I know.”

  Her fingers tingled with the need to touch that amazing flesh, but her feet remained rooted to the hardwood floor. “Thank you for being kind to my mother about the shooting. Most guys wouldn’t have quite understood.”

  “I’m not most guys.”


  No shit. Not even close. “I don’t want to get hurt.” Where the hell did that come from?

  He leaned back against the door and crossed his arms. Even his forearms were masculine and sexy. “I can’t offer you forever, Pipe. But I learned the hard way when I was young that life is full of moments, and if you get a good one, take it.”

  The words rang true. She lifted her chin, even as sadness threatened to swamp her. “You promising me a good one?”

  Slow and sexy, his lips curved. A matching sorrow glimmered in his eyes. “Yeah.”

  What if they had forever? What if she could save him—give him longevity in life? The words hung on her lips, storing in her heart. Sometimes she was a damn coward, because she didn’t want to ruin the limited time they had with the question. Or rather, with risking his answer.

  So she kicked off her boots. “I don’t have any other clothes.”

  “Then we should hang those up.”

  Why didn’t he move? If he’d just kiss her, just take over, then she could get lost. “We should.”

  His chin lowered. “Come here, Piper.”

  The dominance in the tone, the order instead of request… all demanded her compliance. As if he wanted her to make the move, to cross to him. As if he needed it.

  So she paused. Just how much did she want to push him? A part of her wondered how far he’d go, or how long she’d last. The other part wasn’t as curious and wanted to just get to the overwhelming sex and power that was Jory. “Why?”

  “Because I told you to.”

  She slowly tilted her head. “Maybe that’s not enough.”

  He held her gaze, and no way could she move an inch. “You sure you want to play?” The Southern accent again, and this time it wound through her body as if he’d licked a path from her nipples to her clit. “One chance, baby. Come. Here.”

  Her body kicked into motion as if he held the controls. Well, at least she could drive him crazy as she followed his command. For the moment, she let go of fear and sadness to just feel. Grasping her shirt, she dragged the light cotton over her head to drop onto the floor.

  His sharp intake of breath boosted her confidence, and she stepped toward him.