Falcon Falls Security Boxed Set: Books 1-3, page 90
Beckett expelled a deep, exhausted breath, aware that everyone in the room was waiting for him to share the Ivy arrest story.
He considered offering the bare minimum to end the conversation quickly and stole a look at Gray, now leaning against a pillar.
The snippets of Gray and Sydney’s conversation he’d heard earlier outside the bungalow moved through his mind in slow motion. “Your ex was a moron for cheating on you. The stupid son of a bitch threw you away.”
Beckett wished a thousand times over he hadn’t left the bungalow to check on Sydney at that exact moment. At the time, he wasn’t sure if the shocked look on her face was due to his presence or Gray revealing he knew Seth had cheated on her. His guess was both. Sydney didn’t strike him as the type to go around telling people, Gray included, that her ex had been having an affair.
But Gray’s further comments confirmed Beckett’s theory about her asshole ex—that he’d more than likely instilled some insecurities in her, ones she guarded well.
“Care to share more?” Carter’s deep voice drew Beckett’s attention.
“Yeah, sorry.” Beckett forced his shoulders to relax. “Two years ago, Ivy showed up on my doorstep late one night. She said she was there for McKenna. That she wanted to get to know her niece.” He cringed at the memory and the anger he’d felt at the sight of her. “I told her to get off my property and never come back.”
“You didn’t ask her about Cora?” Mya quickly asked. “Weren’t you curious?”
“I asked her the next night when she returned.” Ivy had been a persistent pain in his ass. Far more than just a burr in his saddle. “She said Cora was happy and safe. That she had a new life, and that life didn’t include Ivy. Not sure why she chose to avoid seeing her sister, but Ivy said although she and Cora spoke regularly, they hadn’t seen each other in person in years. Not since the last time I saw her, apparently.”
He’d considered them lies at the time, but now he had to believe that part of Ivy’s story. Otherwise, Ivy was jeopardizing her life by going to Chile with the cartel if someone from Cora’s new life might have recognized her.
“And then,” Beckett went on, “Ivy launched into a story about recently learning she couldn’t have children of her own, which was why she desperately wanted to meet and get to know McKenna.”
Despite the time crunch, the team remained quiet, allowing Beckett to unravel his twisted past at his own pace, and he appreciated that.
“I didn’t trust her, so I told her if she wanted a family, go visit her sister. To leave us alone.” He gripped his temples with his thumb and forefinger.
“She clearly didn’t heed your warning if you arrested her,” Mya said.
“No, I came home from work and found Ivy on the front porch talking to McKenna’s babysitter, trying to con her to get to McKenna. My babysitter was smart enough not to let a woman she didn’t know inside my house with my daughter.” He set his fist to his chest as he shared the bitter memory. “But when I saw her there, I was so pissed. I was in the process of slapping cuffs on her when my daughter came outside.”
“I take it McKenna never learned who she was?” Sydney asked.
Beckett looked her way and shook his head. “No, I didn’t want her to know.” He opened his fist, realizing he was letting his memories trigger him too much. “Once I took Ivy to the station to question her, to learn her real motives, she claimed Cora asked her to get an update on McKenna because she couldn’t come herself. To text her some new pictures. Details about her.”
“Why would she suddenly want to know about her daughter after so much time had passed? Doesn’t make sense,” Mya pointed out, which had been Beckett’s question too.
“Ivy said it wasn’t the first time Cora sent her to Walkins Glen for an update about McKenna. The damn woman had spied on my family for her in the past. She showed me old images on her phone. But this trip was the first time she’d decided to try and talk to her.” Beckett shoved away from the pillar, his back ramrod straight. “She said Cora was too afraid to ever come herself, worried she’d want to make contact if she saw McKenna in person.” The thought made him physically ill. “And Ivy said Cora’s new situation didn’t allow her to visit anyway.”
“Guessing her new situation has to do with this Jorge Rojas guy,” Carter noted. “Well, if Ivy was even telling the truth.”
“Yeah, hard to tell with those sisters.” Beckett shook his head. “I warned Ivy if she ever came around again, I’d put her behind bars next time.”
Before anyone else could say more, Gray stepped forward. “Your brother is calling me. I’m guessing he wants to talk to you.” The world of pain Beckett had seen in Gray’s eyes earlier had been replaced by a darker, graver look.
“Anything else you need to share about Ivy’s visit before you take that call?” Carter asked, glancing at his watch. Beckett shook his head and started toward Gray. There was nothing left to say. “Fine. Five minutes and we roll out. We’re flying direct, so we’ll be in the air for about nine hours. In case your brother wants to know, we should arrive in Santiago tonight by seven local time.”
Beckett acknowledged Carter with a lift of his chin. At least they’d arrive in time to meet Emily and Elaina at the airport.
Gray held the phone out in front of him as Beckett neared, and he saw that Gray had already answered it. An uncomfortable band of tension stretched between them as he accepted the phone.
This is going to be fun. Beckett turned away and said, “Hey, A.J., it’s me.”
“Liam told me what’s going on,” A.J. began as Beckett started for the glass doors to get outside. His heart was on a collision course with his ribs, pounding furiously with each step, as his body and mind prepared for what was sure to be a dressing-down by his brother. “He’s obviously not fit to operate here given the circumstances, and of course, he wants to be with his family.”
Beckett opened the door and stepped outside into the courtyard where he and Sydney had danced last night. “I’m so sorry,” was all he could manage as he paced along the length of the rectangular pool.
“This kind of recklessness from you only happens when that damn woman is involved. Only then.”
“Things are different this time.” And he vowed to keep that promise.
“How? How are they different?” A.J. rasped. “Cora’s still fucking with your head. Manipulating you to get whatever she wants. She’s the devil, brother. The devil. And yet, she seduces you into her trap, and you help her each time.”
“She’s not going to seduce me.” Beckett tossed a look to the wall of glass, hoping to catch sight of the only woman capable of seducing him right now.
Sydney’s back was to him as Valentina spoke with her.
“When it comes to Cora, she says jump, and you’ll ask how high.”
“I haven’t helped her in six years,” he reminded A.J.
“Only because she didn’t call you during that time,” he shot back.
“She’s still McKenna’s mom,” he defended, clinging to what felt like a flimsier excuse by the second.
“Sharing DNA with McKenna doesn’t make Cora a mother.”
Beckett turned back to the pool, the harsh sun reflecting off the water. And in that blinding light, it was hard not to face the fact he had screwed up.
But he reminded himself if he hadn’t come to Mexico looking for Cora, Mya would’ve met her cartel contact today, and she may have died.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he found himself mumbling, unsure if A.J. would buy into that.
“Not only is our pregnant sister’s husband in danger, but do you have any idea what that voicemail from Emily did to Liam? Your actions are sending his family to Chile and—”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated, doing his best to keep calm, to not let guilt cut him in half. He needed to keep it together to push through and figure out what in the hell was really going on.
“You promised me you’d never see Cora again. That you’d never let her get to you. No matter what.”
“I know, and Cora may not even be alive.”
“Regardless, you should have come to me. I should’ve been the first one you called.”
“And if I had, you would have refused to help. You would have talked me down. And Mya would be dead.” No matter how Beckett looked at it, there was someone alive because of his pursuit for McKenna’s mother. “We have to trust Elaina on this.” Was he crazy for putting his faith in a twelve-year-old? Yesterday he would’ve said yes. After his call with Emily, not anymore.
“Mya Vanzetti?” A.J. paused to let it sink in. Beckett forgot A.J. didn’t know all the details of what had happened since Beckett had arrived in Mexico. A.J. had most likely gotten a bullet point version from Liam, who’d gotten it from Carter. Fucking bullet points. “She’s there with you? I’m confused.”
Beckett quickly filled him in, then pointed out, “You see what I mean? It’s fate or whatever you want to call it.”
“Liam didn’t tell me about Mya or what happened to you all yesterday. I assume he doesn’t know. He was just in a panic to leave here for the airport.”
“And where are you now?”
“By the Black Sea. That’s all I can say,” A.J. shared.
Ukraine? Turkey? Somewhere around there, Beckett assumed, doing something important.
“I’d be on that plane with Liam if I could, but we’re down a sniper now. The second our mission is done, you know I’m on my way.”
“You don’t need to explain. Or come. We’ll be okay.” We have to be okay.
“Gray’s sister will use her Agency contacts to try and find out what she can about this billionaire. Natasha will send you what intelligence she can find as soon as your jet reaches Chile. And knowing her, before your wheels touch the ground,” A.J. added, and Beckett was grateful they had a connection to the CIA for help. “How’s Ella?”
“Ella’s Ella. She’s tough. More worried about me than Jesse.”
A.J. huffed a laugh. “Sounds like she and I are on the same page.” He paused. “And are you okay?” Another pause. “I should have led with that, I’m sorry.” A somberness filled his brother’s tone this time.
“I’m trying to be.” When he looked back inside, Sydney was peering his way, and his chest constricted as they made eye contact. But I’m pretty sure I’m about to get my heart broken again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
IN THE AIR
“Do we know where Jesse is staying in Chile?” Beckett asked Oliver, sitting next to him on Carter’s luxury jet. “I assume he won’t be staying at the billionaire’s mansion.”
“Probably a hotel in the city, but we’ll track him down. And Carter will do his best to book us rooms at the same place,” Oliver shared.
Beckett turned his attention toward Sydney, alongside Mya, at the other side of the cabin near the cockpit. Their seats faced his way, but Sydney and Mya were studying something on an iPad. Most likely researching their new target, The Guarded One.
Oliver must’ve followed his gaze because he said, “Wouldn’t surprise me if Mason Matthews tracks Mya’s phone to Chile and shows up unannounced.” He cursed under his breath. “I’m still pissed he ever let her go to Tulum in the first place. Girls’ trip or not.”
“If you were in his shoes, you think you could stop a woman like Mya from doing what she wanted?” Beckett figured she was a hell of a lot like Sydney in many ways. For one, risking her neck to make contact with a cartel member if it saved others’ lives. However, based on her actions in the jungle yesterday, it was clear she had no real training, military or otherwise.
“I don’t know,” Oliver grumbled, tossing his hands in the air. “That woman aggravates me to no end. Not sure how I’ll work with her.”
“Mmhmm. I’m sure it’ll be unbelievably hard,” Beckett deadpanned. When Oliver narrowed his eyes and pinned him with a WTF look, Beckett added with a wink, “I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to handle it.” Oliver mumbled something and rolled his eyes.
Oliver nudged him with his elbow. “Why don’t you talk to Sydney? You can have some privacy in Carter’s bedroom.” Ah, he was playing dirty now.
Oliver knew exactly why he and Sydney couldn’t disappear into the bedroom.
Gray Chandler.
“Why would I need to talk to her?” The plane had reached cruising altitude, so Beckett unbuckled his seat belt.
Oliver did the same, then stood and braced a hand overhead, peering down at Beckett. “Gray’s a big boy. He’ll be pissed for a bit, but he’ll get over it.”
You don’t get over a woman like Sydney. “And Mason, you know him, right? Will he get over Mya working with Falcon for this op? Or joining the team on a more permanent basis?”
“He’s also a big boy. When he doesn’t have his head up his ass allowing Mya to make reckless decisions like taking a solo trip to Mexico,” he growled and swung his focus Mya’s way again. If the guy’s jaw were any tighter, it’d snap.
“She was with Sydney. Mason knew that,” Beckett reminded him, defending a guy he didn’t even know. “But yeah, I’ll talk to Sydney when we land. If there’s time.”
“Well, that bedroom has seen plenty of action from our team,” Oliver said when resetting his focus on Beckett. “Griffin and Savanna. Jesse and—”
Oliver let go of his words when Beckett scowled.
“Riiiight. Ella’s your sister.” Oliver grinned. “So, we’ll just pretend I didn’t mention that bedroom, and I’m going to walk away now.” He tossed a thumb over his shoulder and retreated in that direction.
Good idea. Beckett stood a moment later and decided to use the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom rather than the one near the cockpit, which would require him to walk past Gray.
The moment he opened the door and caught sight of the bed, Beckett was slammed with the memory of Sydney’s moans and sighs as he worshiped every inch of her naked body, bringing her to orgasm three times mere hours ago.
“Can we talk?”
His pulse kicked up at the sound of Sydney’s soft voice from behind him. Better that than his dick standing at attention.
He turned to see her leaning against the interior doorframe.
“Should we wait until we land?” Beckett’s focus cut over her shoulder to Gray talking to Carter, but Gray’s back was to him at least.
“It’s a long flight, and we haven’t had a moment alone since . . . Gray.”
He supposed it’d be okay to talk briefly if they kept the door open. “I didn’t eavesdrop, by the way. I stepped out of the bungalow for a quick second to make sure you were okay.”
“Well,” she began, “I did see Cha Cha spying. He has no shame.” A tiny smile formed on her lips, and damn if it wasn’t contagious.
“And?” He smiled and arched a brow.
“You were right about Gray’s feelings,” she whispered, lowering her gaze to the floor between them. “I wish he hadn’t seen us together like that. You know, half-naked. But what’s done is done.” Sydney pulled her gaze back to meet his eyes.
She didn’t mention the part Beckett had overheard—Seth’s cheating. And it wasn’t his place to bring it up. She’d tell him when or if she trusted him enough to share.
“But we shouldn’t let it happen again while working together. Gray’s a friend, and I don’t want to hurt him.” She drew in a deep breath as if needing to convince herself she was doing the right thing. “Plus, we have to put all our focus on the job, especially now that Elaina’s involved.”
He agreed one hundred percent, but that didn’t change the fact he wanted to draw her into his arms and hug her right now.
“Okay,” he said, finally working the word free. “Just friends, then.” Friends? After last night—well, technically this morning—how the hell was he supposed to do that?
The regretful look on her face said she wished things were different too.
When she looked up at him and pressed her full lips together, he wanted to lean forward and suck on that bottom lip before sliding his tongue into her mouth and tasting her one last time.
Friends, sure . . . He didn’t want to have sex with his friends. No, scratch that. He didn’t want to make love with his friends.
“We can do this, right?” Another slow, deep breath sent his eyes to her breasts. “We can control ourselves?” she added as if struggling the same as him to get a handle on her desires.
Beckett reached out and gently grasped her forearm, hoping her body blocked the others from seeing his touch. “We have no choice.” He stared deep into her eyes, his entire body going taut. Every damn inch of him tensing. “But, sweetheart,” he rasped, bringing his mouth dangerously close to hers, feeling her sweet breath on him, “it’s going to be really fucking hard for me to behave.”
SEVEN HOURS LATER
“Were you just checking out my ass?” Mya accused, looking back and giving Oliver the stink-eye.
Beckett dragged a palm over his mouth to hide his amusement and watched the show playing out before him. He’d managed to get a few hours of sleep, and now he and Oliver were sitting next to each other mid-cabin.
“Well.” Oliver lifted both hands and mimed eyeballing the width of something. “It’s hard to miss. You’re literally standing right in front of me.”
Mya whipped around, grabbed Oliver’s wrists, and narrowed the space between his palms. “My ass isn’t that big, by the way.”
Oliver twirled his finger. “Maybe spin back around so I can take another look.” He winked, and she knocked the brim of his ball cap down over his eyes before shifting into the aisle.
“You’re nothing like—”
“Mason?” Oliver pushed his hat up, his tone switching from teasing to serious in the space of a heartbeat.
Beckett took that as his cue to bail and stood. Slipping past Mya, he looked around in search of the others. Griffin and Jack were asleep in the rear of the cabin near the bedroom. And Sydney?
