She couldn’t argue with that.
He urged her forward once more, but he kept his hand at her elbow, while Terrence and Diego led the way. Every once in a while they’d stop and hold back a tangle of vines and branches so Grace could pass and then they resumed their journey through the dark. It was so dark, she could barely make out Terrence’s hulking figure in front of her.
A few minutes later, they stopped and Terrence and Diego bent, pulled aside what appeared to be camouflage netting and then pulled open a wooden door from the ground. It reminded Grace of a storm cellar, only this was flush to the ground and not readily visible.
Diego dropped down and Terrence stood guard at the entrance, motioning for the others to precede him. Rio held on to Grace’s hand until she found her footing and Diego was waiting, his hands around her legs as she descended.
The smell of dirt and mud was heavy. The ceiling was low and she had to duck, even at her height, so she didn’t bump her head. This was no high-tech escape tunnel like her father had constructed. It was a tunnel carved into the earth, with no lighting, no support.
She ran her hand along the side of the tunnel and felt snned i dirt and a tangle of roots.
Then Rio flipped on a flashlight, blinding her momentarily. He handed it ahead to Diego, who shined it down the tunnel to light their way. Rio then moved in front of Grace to follow Diego, but he reached back to take her hand.
She found comfort in the gesture as he pulled her along behind him. He held her hand tightly, his fingers laced with hers as they plunged ahead.
They came to a halt a few minutes later and Rio pushed in front of Diego and entered a code into the electronic keypad. The barricade that looked like a solid wall of steel suddenly parted.
Once again, Rio reached back for Grace’s hand and pulled her inside the door. They were in what looked like an ordinary mudroom.
“Shoes off,” Rio said, a slight quirk at the corner of his mouth. “I’m kind of picky about getting my floors dirty.”
She wasn’t entirely certain he was serious until the others started shucking their boots. She toed off her worn sneakers and then he unlocked yet another door.
This time, when they entered, it was into a spacious room that looked precisely like a normal residence. It was a living room, with couches, a coffee table, and a huge fireplace, although she noticed it wasn’t a traditional wood-burning hearth. It looked like a gas log.
There was a multitude of comfortable-looking leather chairs and a huge big-screen TV mounted above the fireplace. It looked like a veritable man cave. The perfect bachelor’
s den.
Rio flipped a series of switches, and more lights came on until Grace was blinking rapidly to adjust.
“Welcome to my home,” he said in a somber tone. He extended his arm with a slight flourish. “Mi casa es su casa.”
CHAPTER 12
SAM Kelly stood on the deck overlooking an expanse of Kentucky Lake, gripping the railing as he leaned forward. He was waiting for Resnick to call him back, and he found he had little patience to play a waiting game.
When it came to his family and the members of his KGI teams, he was fiercely protective. With Rio’s cryptic call, he now knew that both were in danger and they all had to be careful of every step.
Already he’d sent Nathan and Shea away. Shea was still vulnerable and fragile, though she was improving with each day. Sam worried, though, that this would set her progress back. Hers and Nathan’s both.
He sighed wearily. Sometimes the weight of so much worry wore him down. It was a burden shared by his brothers, but it didn’t make it any easier for Sam to bear.
The door leading out to the deck slid open. Light footsteps and then a warm, soothing hand slid over his back. Sophie. His wife. The mother of his child. How could it be possible that she meant more to him with each passing day?
He turned, seeking the comfort of the hug he knew was coming. And sure enough, her slim arms wrapped around his waist and she went into his arms, burying her face in his chest.
He tucked her head underneath his chin and savored the sweet scent of her hair. Of her. Nothing ever felt as right as Sophie did in his arms.
She pulled away and tilted her chin up so she stared into his eyes. “What are you out here fretting over?”
His mouth formed a grim line. “I hate this, Soph. I hate it all. I wonder sometimes if this family will ever find true peace. When does it end?”
She reached up to touch his jaw, tracing a line with her fingers before stopping at his chin. “I know you’re worried about Nathan and Shea and now R vcaped Wiio and not knowing where he is. But Nathan will be fine. Joe and Swanny are with him.”
He caught her hand and kissed the soft skin of her palm. “I love you, you know.”
She smiled. “I do know. I hate to see you like this. Always taking on the burden of responsibility by yourself. You have so many others willing to share it with you. Garrett. Donovan. Even Ethan. Your parents. We’re a team, you know? We’re family. And family supports family.”
He trapped her in his arms and hung his arms loosely around her waist. Then he leaned in to kiss her. “How did you get so damn smart, Mrs. Kelly?”
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “I’ve been told ever since I came back into your life what family is for and what it’s all about. Maybe it’s time I started dishing back what I’ve been served.”
He lowered his head until their foreheads touched. “You’re a pretty special woman, Sophie. My woman. My wife. My love. I don’t want you to ever forget that.”