Protected, page 15
part #1 of Holt Agency, Book Three Series
He knew Mel had put on a brave front for the past month, though Callie refused to elaborate. Mostly when he spoke to her she reminded him he was an idiot. She hadn’t done that for the first two and a half years, but in the last month she’d gotten hostile.
Holden hadn’t told Callie a single thing about his plans because he hadn’t wanted her to tell Mel, nor had he wanted her to meddle.
Grant knew, but he would never tell a soul, not even his wife.
Holden left the bedroom and headed downstairs. He dropped his bags by the front door and headed toward the kitchen. He knew he would at least find the two people who were the rocks behind the entire Holt Agency.
Frank and Nancy Holt had been foster parents to a lot of kids. When Ajax and Ryker had decided to start the Holt Agency and use this amazing couple’s name, no one had been surprised. Thank goodness the old farmhouse was as huge as it was because people were coming and going from here all the time.
Several of the men who worked for the agency had built homes and lives on the land. A few were married. A lot of the guys came and went, staying in the numerous bedrooms upstairs.
Holden had been here for the better part of the past month, helping tie up all the loose ends from the stolen government data. It hadn’t been easy. Two senators and a few high-level judges had been involved in the scandal.
Holden wanted the entire thing wrapped up with a tidy bow before he could rest easy. After all, as long as a piece of that chain was still out there, someone might harbor ill will toward Melanie even though her involvement had been accidental and involuntary. To say the least.
The very day he’d walked away from Melanie, he’d come into the office and informed everyone he would be resigning as soon as this assignment was over. It had been the easiest decision of his life.
He had no idea why he’d waited so long. He’d known this job was a mistake for over two years, but something about that phone call informing him his woman was being held hostage by a madman had snapped him out of his long-term insanity. His mind had been made up. He’d never wavered since.
Surprisingly, no one had been shocked. Not even Frank Holt. Ajax and Ryker had simply nodded as if the information was as plain as the noses on their faces.
Holden was startled to find nearly everyone who was currently living in the main house or one of the surrounding houses standing in the kitchen. He shouldn’t have been. They had all gathered to nonchalantly wish him good luck. Besides Nancy and Frank, the kitchen was packed. Ryker and Ajax of course, but also Keene, Heath, Larson, and Kenner. They all seemed to be hanging around waiting to say goodbye.
“I’m heading out,” he told the room at large.
Frank came over to pat him on the back. “So, this job you’ve lined up… It’s doing what again?”
Holden chuckled. “Installing security systems.”
Frank laughed too. They’d had this conversation several times already. The man liked to get another chuckle out of it.
Nancy groaned and rolled her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Holden and hugged him tight. “Stay safe. Take care. Bring that sweet woman around to meet everyone when you get a chance.”
“Like after she stops throwing things at you,” Heath joked.
“Or even lets him in the front door,” Larson added. “That alarm system of hers is pretty tight and the window in the laundry room has been fixed. You aren’t getting in unless she lets you in.”
“You can always come back here if she doesn’t let you in the door,” Keene joked.
Kenner set his coffee mug down on the counter and nodded toward Holden. “Don’t forget to upsell those security systems, man. You’ll make at least ten or twenty extra bucks per call if you get them to add on a few extra window sensors or a motion detector.”
Nancy groaned again. “You boys cut it out. You all know he isn’t working for a company that installs small single-family home systems. Stop it.”
Holden didn’t give a fuck how much they harassed him. No one was going to dampen his mood. He was grinning and intended to remain that way.
The truth was he was beyond overqualified for just about any job he could apply to. He really didn’t give a fuck. The money he and the rest of the guys who’d been held hostage in Ethiopia had been awarded by the government for wrongdoing was enough to set them all up for life. Having a job was something he needed to keep busy.
Nancy was correct. The company he’d be working for mainly serviced businesses and high-end clients. They needed his expertise, not his installation skills. He would be visiting sites to make recommendations. He would not be carrying a screwdriver.
The job didn’t start for another month because those were his terms. He wanted to spend the rest of Melanie’s summer vacation with her. He knew through the grapevine she’d resumed working on her research but also didn’t intend to finish it by September.
In addition, he would not be working fulltime. He would be consulting, called in when they needed him for a job.
“You sure you have everything?” Nancy asked.
“I think so. If not, I’ll get a new one.” He smiled at her.
“We’re gonna miss you,” Ajax said, all kidding aside.
“He’s right. But we understand. Some things are more important than a job,” Ryker agreed.
“Stay in touch, son,” Frank encouraged.
Holden took a deep breath and nodded toward everyone. He wasn’t ordinarily an emotional guy, but leaving these people who were essentially his family was tough. Not because of the job. He didn’t give a fuck about the job anymore. But he would miss his family. He and Melanie could visit, of course.
Hell, he hadn’t been to his own house in a month either. He knew Melanie had enjoyed the view, so he figured they’d probably keep it as a vacation home, but he doubted she’d ever want to live there. She was a city girl with a job.
Someone could have taken him to the airport. They’d all offered. But he’d opted to use a driver so he could be alone with his thoughts and regroup. He still had no idea exactly what he might say to grovel when he arrived.
“Where are you?” Grant asked.
“Rental car about ten minutes from Melanie’s.”
“’K. Warning. Something’s up with her.”
Holden stiffened. “Up how?”
“Don’t know. Callie says she thinks she was crying this morning when she called, and she’s tried to call her a few other times today, and Mel won’t take her calls.”
Fuck. Holden drew in a breath. “Well, I’ll be there shortly, and I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
In less than half an hour he expected to convince this woman she was his and start his perfect life. He realized she might need some convincing, but he didn’t intend to take no for an answer. He was sleeping in her bed tonight, not in a hotel or over at Grant and Callie’s place.
“You’re whipped,” Grant said.
Holden could hear the snicker in his voice. “Yep.” No sense denying it.
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. Talk to you later.” Holden needed the last few minutes to fortify himself and go over what he intended to say.
When he finally pulled into her driveway, he rubbed his palms on his jeans and climbed out of his car. He couldn’t know if she was watching him approach or not, so he wasn’t going to waste time.
He left his belongings in the car and headed for the front door. After ringing the doorbell, he faced the camera so she could clearly see who was outside before she answered. He certainly hoped she would never open the door to a stranger again.
Nothing. No answer.
He rang again. Maybe she was out back or in the shower. He could hear the doorbell from outside, so he knew it was working, and no one could possibly not hear it.
Ten seconds. Twenty. He was trying to decide what to do next when suddenly the door opened.
“Holden?” Her voice cracked and she looked like she’d been crying. “What are you doing here?”
“May I come in?”
She pursed her lips and stared at him for several seconds. He was starting to think she might not easily grant him permission to enter. Finally, she stepped back.
“I’m not…”
He stepped inside, shut the door, and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t feel like playing some silly game where he eased into her world, sat on her couch, drank a glass of iced tea maybe.
Nope. He was going all in. Now.
She didn’t return the hug, but she didn’t shove him away either.
He held her tight, rubbing her back. It felt good to have her in his arms even if she was out of sorts and obviously upset about something.
When he finally leaned back enough to meet her gaze, he didn’t release her. “Can you tell me why you’re crying, babe?”
“No. Why are you here?” she asked again.
“This is where I belong.”
Her eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m sorry it took me a while to wrap things up, but I’m done. I quit my job. I left the Holt Agency. I have three large suitcases in the rental car.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out the ring he’d been carrying for three weeks, and held it up. “Got you a ring too.”
She gasped and stared at him blankly.
Still holding her close, he tucked her against his side so he could hold the small ring box with one hand and extricate the giant diamond with the other hand. He lifted her left hand and slid it into place.
She shifted her attention to her finger and the sparkling diamond that fit her perfectly. “What the hell?”
He lifted her chin and smiled at her. “This is where I belong,” he repeated. “Here. With you.”
“But your job…”
“Don’t give a fuck about my job. I promise I won’t be unemployed for long. I got something lined up starting in September.”
“Where?”
“Here, Mel. Less than ten minutes away. It’s a consulting job, so I won’t work fulltime, and I’ll be here for dinner every night.”
She swallowed. Her face was pale, and now that he looked closer, there were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked like she’d lost weight. Whatever was upsetting her hadn’t started today.
“You quit your job?” It was taking her a bit to grasp everything. Not to mention she was sluggish. That wasn’t helping. She didn’t look like she’d slept. She glanced around his face. “You grew a beard.”
He chuckled before leading her over to the couch so he could sit, pull her down next to him, and keep her close. “Tell me why you’re crying?” He was growing worried now. She didn’t look like someone who was upset because her research wasn’t going well. She couldn’t possibly be crying over him. If she’d been despondent for the entire month, Grant would have told him.
“No. You talk some more.”
He cupped her face and kissed her gently before lifting her hand and bringing her fingers to his lips. He kissed the tips and held the ring out to look at it. “I want you to marry me, Melanie.”
“Are you going to ask me?” She was frowning.
“Sure. Later. After you tell me what’s going on.”
“Life, Holden. Life has gone on while you were catching the bad guys. It happens.” Her voice was a bit sarcastic and even angry.
“I’m so sorry. I wish I could have been here sooner. I did not want any aspect of that case to follow you around and possibly bite you in the ass. I wanted every damn person involved behind bars before I could rest easy.”
“And you succeeded?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened. “Does this have anything to do with the arrest of two senators and a few other high-profile government officials?”
“Yes. They are all toast.”
“I should be relieved.”
“You’re safe.”
She flinched and pushed back from him. A second later she was on her feet, putting some distance between them. “What the hell, Holden?” She ran a hand over her hair. It was a mess of curls.
Now that he was really looking at her with two feet between them, he could see she was wearing black yoga pants and a loose T-shirt. It looked comfortable. Not designed for style. Not that he cared. She looked good in anything and nothing. But she didn’t often lie around the house so casually.
“Are you sick?”
She let out a cackle that made the hairs on his arms stand up. And then she turned and started pacing. “I can’t believe you’re here. Did Grant or Callie talk you into this?”
“No, Melanie. They have nothing to do with me being here. I’m here because I love you so much it hurts. I’m here because I never want to spend another night without you in my arms.”
She stopped pacing to look at him, tears running down her face.
Maybe he needed to put a period on this even though she was clearly distraught. He slid off the couch and got on one knee. “Melanie Hurn—”
“No.” She took another step back, making his heart seize.
“Mel…” She was going to turn him down?
She left him kneeling there and stomped over to the kitchen table. A moment later she was back, holding something in her hand.
He couldn’t see what it was. She had it wrapped in her palm. “You need to know something first.”
Now she was scaring the fuck out of him.
She lifted her hand out for him to take the item. “We didn’t use condoms that morning.”
Seconds ticked by. Loud ones. His ears were ringing as he processed what she’d said and what she’d set in his palm.
A pregnancy test. He stared at the two lines of confirmation for a few seconds and then couldn’t stop the huge smile that spread across his face. He lifted his gaze. “You’re pregnant?”
Tears were falling down her cheeks again. She nodded as she continued to step back. “Apparently.”
“Mel…”
She pulled the ring off her finger, took two strides toward him, and held it out. “You should hold on to this. Let things sink in,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “No.” He grabbed it from her, tugged her hand toward him, and slid it back on. “Don’t take it off again,” he insisted. He needed to make it absolutely clear how he felt.
“Holden…”
He held her closer, set her palm on his cheek, and met her gaze from his kneeled position. “Melanie Hurn, will you marry me?”
She swiped at the tears, but they kept falling. “I’m pregnant.”
“People get married when they’re pregnant, babe. It happens.” He tried to sound lighter. “Let’s do it tomorrow.”
She gasped. “You can’t be serious. I haven’t even wrapped my head around this…” She waved her hand in front of her belly as if saying it out loud again would be unacceptable. “You’re being too calm.”
He set his other knee on the floor, pulled her closer, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her stomach. “I’m still processing, but I’m elated, Melanie. The only reason I’m not fist pumping and handing out cigars is because you’re crying, so I’m trying to contain myself.”
More tears fell and she sobbed. “Holden…”
“I love you, Melanie. I know you love me too. I’m here. For good. I love this baby too.” He kissed her stomach again.
“I can’t have a baby right now,” she shrieked.
“Why not?”
“I’m in the middle of my career. How the hell would I take care of it? Do you have any idea what daycare costs?”
He chuckled. It was impossible not to.
“It’s not funny, Holden. I can’t raise a child by myself. I…” She stopped and stared at the ring he’d put on her finger. “You want to get married?”
“Yep. And we can afford daycare if that’s what you want, or I’ll quit the job I haven’t started and stay home if you prefer.” He hugged her closer. “We’ve got this.”
“There wasn’t even a we until like five minutes ago. I’m struggling to catch up,” she pointed out.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to surprise you. Probably not my best plan.”
She finally wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back. “You’re here.” She rubbed his face. “You grew a beard,” she repeated.
“Yes.” He rose, sliding his hands up her body and then sitting on the couch again, this time pulling her onto his lap. He held her hand in his and tapped the ring. “We’re getting married and we’re having a baby.”
She was still crying but finally there was a small smile on her face. “Am I awake?”
He jiggled her hand. “Does your finger feel heavier?”
That gave him a bigger smile but then it fell. “I never wanted you to leave your career.”
“It wasn’t a task, Mel. You mean more to me than anything in the world. Once I got my head out of my ass, I realized there was only one option. There has only ever been the one option.”
“What if you miss it?”
“I won’t. It’s done. I’m done.”
“Doesn’t it feel a bit unbalanced that you quit your career for me? I didn’t do it for you,” she argued.
“This was never about careers, babe. I know that. It was about you worrying and being scared all the time. Your job doesn’t cause sleepless nights. Mine did. Your job doesn’t tear us apart six months out of the year. Mine did. It was a no-brainer.”
“You brought your things?”
“Everything I had with me. Most of my belongings are at my house in the mountains, of course, but I have clothes. Think you might let me have a drawer?”
She smiled again, wiping away tears. “Might as well empty them and take all of them. Nothing is going to fit me soon anyway.”
He stroked her cheek and rubbed under her eye. “Have you been sick?”
“Every fucking day for two weeks. I was in denial. I finally bought the stupid pregnancy test a few days ago, but I didn’t take it out of the box until this morning. I’m disgusting, Holden. All I’ve done so far today is sip tea and vomit. I haven’t had the energy to get dressed. I must look like I’m in a refugee camp.”
“You’re beautiful, and you’ll be beautiful every step of the way. Have you told anyone?”
