The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1) (11 page)

We’d kissed a lot.

Done…
other things
.

But we hadn’t made love yet, and I’d been content with that.

Until now.

The valet driver opened my door and Ryker grabbed our bags from the backseat, rounding the front to take my hand. He looked so handsome tonight, wearing dark jeans and a blue button-down shirt. He’d skipped shaving this morning and the result was breathtaking.

Once we checked in, we made our way downstairs. We were a little early because his parents wanted to have family photos taken before everyone else got there. They were all standing out on the veranda when we arrived.

“Uncle Ry, Uncle Ry!”

A young girl, who I assumed was Isabelle, spotted us first. Barreling toward Ryker at breakneck speed, she wore a soft pink dress with a big bow on the front and a pair of white, high-top Converse sneakers.

“Uncle Ry!”

Thrusting herself into his arms, her small hands locked around his neck as she squeezed.

“I missed you.”

“Hey, Dizzy Izzy, how’s my sweet girl?”

She pulled back, frowning at him. “Today has been a lot better than yesterday. Yesterday was horrible.”

“What happened?”

“No one played with me all day. First, my best friend, Gracie, wasn’t there. Then Baylee got in trouble and couldn’t play with me. Then John Michael left early. Then that stupid Eli took my chair from me and no one would sit by me. And worst of all…Remi wouldn’t even play with me all day. And he always plays with me. Like one minute of Ninja Turtles and then he played with two other boys and not me! It was perfect in the morning and then BOOM! Worst day ever!”

“I’m sorry you had a bad day, Izzy girl, but I’m not sure how I feel about you hanging around all those boys. Your father knows about this?”

“Yes, but he doesn’t like it either. He says if I ever invite a boy over to play, he’ll change him from a rooster to a hen with one shot, but I don’t know what that means. What’s that mean, Uncle Ry?”

“It means you better stop playing with boys.”

“Well, girls are dumb. I only like Gracie and Baylee because they like playing with boys, too.”

Ryker looked up at Denver. “I think this Gracie and Baylee are bad influences on your daughter.”

“No kidding.”

She favored Denver a lot, but I could see Suzy in her eyes, always kind and outgoing. My heart ached for her, knowing what it’s like to lose a parent. At least I was lucky enough to know mine for thirteen years before she died.

Izzy hadn’t been that fortunate.

“Who is she?” Izzy asked, pointing up at me.

Ryker stood to his full height, holding Izzy’s hand. “Izzy, this is MaryAnn.”

She extended her hand. “My name is Isabelle Rae Cunningham.”

“MaryAnn Nicole—” I paused, not wanting to say his last name.

“Glover,” Ryker finished for me.

“Are you his girlfriend?”

Ryker swung his eyes to mine, possessiveness heavy in his gaze. “Yeah, Izzy, she’s all mine.”

Izzy wrapped her tiny arms around my waist, hugging me tight. “Nice to meet you, MaryAnn.”

“Nice to meet you too, sweetheart.”

After Izzy released me, Denver stepped forward. “Good to see you again, Lil Bit.”

I giggled, hugging him. “It’s been a long time since someone called me that.”

“You’re still crazy short,” he said, giving me a wink.

“No, you’re just crazy tall.”

They were all giants compared to me, each hovering well over six feet tall. All of them had dark hair and light colored eyes, just like their mom and dad.

“Your daughter is beautiful.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m in deep shit.”

“Well, look on the bright side, at least she’s got plenty of protection.”

“Got that right!” Benson said, snaring me in a big bear hug, my feet leaving the ground as he swung me around. “Well, look who went and got all hot on us.”

Ryker punched him in the arm. “Put her down, asshole, and watch her foot.”

Benson set me down gently, making sure I had my balance before his hands left my waist.

“You were always smooth with the ladies,” I said, blushing.

He winked. “Still am, sweetheart.”

Asher was next, swooping me off my feet. “Damn it, Ash, be careful,” Ryker scolded.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt her.” A laugh broke free as he placed me back down on the ground.

He kissed my cheek before Justin stepped in next. “Lookin’ good, short stuff,” he said, wrapping me in his arms.

“All right, damn it.” Ryker swatted his hands away. “I’ve had enough of you animals pawing all over her.”

“Aw, you jealous, baby brother? Afraid she might leave you for one of us?” Benson teased.

“Hell no. She knows she got the pick of the litter.”

Benson barked with laughter, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Ryker flipped him the bird.

Living next door to the Cunninghams, we were all pretty close. Birthdays, family barbecues, we even rounded up some of the other neighborhood kids every summer for a big softball game. Even as they grew older, they always came back home and they’d always treated me like their own, which meant I was no exception when it came to messing with their little brother.

Marsha, Ryker’s mother, stepped forward, engulfing me in a massive hug. Her familiar scent wrapped around me, bringing with it the best years of my life. “Welcome home, honey.”

Sucking in a deep breath, I tried to hold back the tears but failed miserably when Neil wrapped his arms around us both, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “In this family, no one fights alone.” Ryker was right there when they released me. “We’re so happy to have you back.”

“I’m honored to be here. Congratulations on your anniversary.”

“Thank you for being here to celebrate with us,” Marsha said.

“Where’s Reid?” Ryker asked, resting his hand at the small of my back.

A sense of contentment washed over me. I craved the feeling he provided, the safety of his touch and embrace had become addictive, and he welcomed my need each and every time.

Neil wrapped an arm around his wife before he answered. “He missed his flight. Don’t worry, he’ll be here.”

“Let’s eat cake!” Isabelle begged, tugging on Denver’s arm.

“Not yet, Izzy girl. Pictures first.”

“But we can’t take pictures without Uncle Reid. Please!”

“We made it,” Reid announced he walked through the double doors, a beautiful brunette accompanying him. Neil and Marsha met them halfway, embracing their son in a welcoming hug.

Benson lowered his voice. “Shit, Denver, is that who I think it is?”

Denver nodded. “Cassidy.”

They all shared a look.

“Who’s Cassidy?” I asked.

“Cassidy Sky. Bodie’s little sister,” Ryker said.

“Oh.”

“We haven’t seen her since Bodie was murdered. What—seven or eight years ago?”

“At least,” Asher finished.

Justin’s brows were pinched together. “She would have been sixteen then.”

“Holy shit,” Benson cursed. “She grew up.”

“A lot,” Asher added with a smirk.

“That’s a fucking understatement,” Reid said, joining the circle, giving them each a manly hug before finally making his way to me. “Good to see you again, short stuff.” Of all the brothers, Ryker had always been closest with Reid. So growing up, he hung out with us more.

“You, too.”

Unlike the rest of his brothers, Reid wore his hair long, almost shoulder length. By all appearances, he looked laidback and relaxed, but I could see the darkness in his eyes.

The sadness.

Ryker leaned forward. “What’s Cassidy doing here?”

Reid inhaled a deep breath, folding his arms over his chest before looking over his shoulder at Cassidy, who was speaking with his parents. “Bodie’s killer was released on parole a few weeks ago. She’s been on the run ever since. Showed up on my doorstep two days ago. She’s been living in state parks, tents… I can’t even stomach some of the places she’s slept in. She thinks he’s after her.”

“Is he?” Denver asked, concerned.

“I’m not sure,” Reid said.

“She testified in his trial, right?” Justin inquired.

“Yeah, that’s why she’s so scared. He promised before going in he’d take care of her when he got out. That’s why she moved to Florida with her aunt.”

“Fuck,” Asher cursed.

“What’s the plan?”

“Right now she’s staying with me.” Reid supplied.

“I got a friend with the FBI, Ryder Jameson, I can give him a call, get him to check into things,” Benson offered.

“Yeah, man, I would appreciate that.”

Benson immediately pulled out his phone and began texting.

“You going to be able to control yourself, little brother?” Asher asked, nodding toward Cassidy, who was making her way over to Reid.

“I got this,” he ensured, but none of them looked convinced.

And judging by his intense gaze, I didn’t believe him either. He cared for her deeply, that much was evident.

The next few hours were nothing short of amazing. Dinner. Dancing. It was all so well thought-out and romantic. Some of their closest friends and family were there. A lot of them were police officers that had worked with Neil or Ryker. Felix, Ryker’s partner, was there as well, along with his wife, Holly.

A few hours later, long after the sun had set and most of the guests had left, we were all sitting around the fire bar. The sound of laughter echoed off the nearby lake as Neil and Marsha, surrounded by their children, opened gifts.

Marsha held up Benson’s gift for everyone to see. A set of silver spoons mounted to an old wooden board that said…

Spooning since 1976

“I love it,” Marsha said, tears of mirth in her eyes.

Benson smiled proudly. “I knew you would.”

“This is from the rest of us,” Reese said, walking toward the easel covered with a silk ruby sheet.

When she revealed the painting, everyone gasped except Marsha, she was in tears. The background was a brilliant array of colors—blue, purple, pink, and yellow. There was a tree dominating the center, the thick long branches stretching out over the canvas, black birds perched on every limb.

Marsha and Neil stood to read the scripture painted close to the base of the tree.

The roots of a family tree begin with the love of two hearts.

The Cunninghams

Est. 1976

“Reese, it’s beautiful,” Marsha said, as she embraced her daughter.

Before I could stop my mouth, I asked, “Why are there twelve birds?”

“One for each member of the family,” Ryker answered next to me.

Doing the math in my head, it didn’t add up. “Seven siblings, two parents?”

“Plus Suzy and Izzy.”

Ten.

Eleven.

“And you,” he whispered next to my ear, dropping a kiss to my cheek.

Tears sprang to my eyes.

I couldn’t describe what I felt in that moment.

Acceptance.

Love.

Marsha and Neil went around passing out hugs, thanking everyone. Once they made their rounds, Neil raised his glass, Marsha pressed firmly to his side. “To the Cunninghams.”

We all raised our glasses. “The Cunninghams!”

At last, I’d found my place in this world. Next to a man I loved with a family I’d always longed for.

I
t’s taken some time and a whole lot of patience, but I’m finally beginning to find pieces of the girl I once knew. The one who used to laugh a little louder than the rest. The kind of laugh that settled deep into your bones and made you want to build a fort around it. Her beauty was the unknowing kind. She had no idea the effect she had on me or those around her. But especially me. Slowly, MaryAnn was beginning to realize just how strong she still was. Day by day, I watched her grow more confident, more sure of herself.

How she interacted with my family tonight…I couldn’t help but fall harder for her. I know it might seem too soon, but you couldn’t put a timeline on something like this. My heart didn’t care if I’d known her five minutes or my entire fucking life.

I wanted her.

Needed her.

I needed to love her until she couldn’t see or breathe anything but me. Until we were nothing more than two burning flames of bone and flesh, out to destroy everything bad that had ever come between us.

Walking back to our room, my hand rested possessively on her lower back while desire ran a marathon in my veins. Every single muscle in my body screamed to take her. But I wanted tonight to be special, and I wanted her to
feel
each moment. To live it.

Breathe it.

Pleasuring her had become my favorite thing to do. Her sounds alone were enough to drive me wild, paired with her hands and how they roamed my body. It was a wonder I’d been able to maintain any semblance of control around her.

She was nervous, I could tell by the way her eyes shifted to the side with each step, but it was also mixed with anticipation.

Desire.

We almost made it to the door before my restraint lost its battle with my addiction.

Her sweet lips.

My hand snaked up her back to curl around her neck, anchoring her to me in one swift move, before I pressed her back against the wall next to us. I tagged the back of her knee with my other hand, lifting her bad foot from the floor, relieving her of the weight.