Accidental Shield

Flint lays his hand over mine. “He’s right. Still plenty of pricks out there trying to save their own skins.”

I glance at him, then let my gaze circle the table to my brother, who can finally open both eyes without them swelling shut. Ray’s forehead still has butterfly stitches and a big, round, red burn.

Then I glance at Mother, who’d been flown back to Oahu by the FBI. Then to Beverly, who’s been playing nursemaid to both Ray and I. And finally, to Cash, our unforgettable doctor.

Letting out a sigh of my own, my eyes bounce back to Flint. “I lived most of my life in hiding. I just didn’t realize it. I won’t go back to that. I can’t.”

He squeezes my hand. “Then you don’t have to, Val. This is your decision. Not something forced on you.”

That’s part of what I love so much about this man.

Even when I had amnesia, he never forced anything, never dictated unless it kept me safe.

I look at Wes, a burly, no-nonsense man with curly blond hair. “I can’t believe there’s a house out there that’d be safer than this one. Especially with the beefed up security system Flint installed last week.”

“It’s top-notch, certified by Enguard Security, the best of the best,” Wes says, “but Cornaro’s group also has the latest equipment needed to breech any system ever made. They managed it once.”

“Actually…that was my fault.” Cash clears his throat, hanging his head. “When I returned the first time, I didn’t come through the gate. So when they shorted out the power system, the gate wouldn’t open. I had to climb over it, and by the time I got to the beach, the boat was already taking off. That lost minute was critical…time enough to steal them away to sea and then transfer them to another runner back to the yacht. It’s a miracle Nate was able to capture the boat we got.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Flint says. “We were all busy. I should’ve had a secondary power backup, fully protected from surges. Lesson learned. It’s going in today.”

“I’m not pointing fingers,” Wes says, holding his hands up. “Valerie’s right, this place is as close to a fortress as any safe house we’d have access to. My point is, if she declines a safe house, and doesn’t stay with Flint, she could be in danger. Same goes for Rayman and Lorelei Gerard.”

The implications of what he’s saying fully sink in.

For me to stay here, with Flint, in his secure environment, it means my family needs the same level of protection. Ugh.

I can’t expect Flint to house Ray and Mother for months on end. I’m not sure my sanity would make it, either.

“I’ve already discussed that with Flint,” Mother says. “His friends are lending us a hand. We have a state-of-the-art security system being installed at my house by the end of the week.”

“Flint had the same system installed at my place,” Beverly pipes in. “And it’s safer than Fort Knox.”

Mother looks at me and nods. “You’re right, doll. We’ve all practically lived in hiding for years. Well, no more. King Heron Fishing must rise from the ashes as the same respectable business our reputation was built on. We’ll be working with the FBI to put every single member of that hateful man’s organization behind bars. He killed my Stanley, and he’ll pay.”

She rakes her nails across the table.

I flinch a bit inside, having never seen my mother display such passion.

“They have my backing, Wes,” Flint says. “They can all stay as long as needed, until the systems are rigged up and tested.”

“And my backing!” Beverly chimes in.

“Same,” Cash adds.

“I have no doubt they’re well supported by the former Damysus team.” Wes smiles knowingly. “Including me. I just have people I have to answer to inside the bureau. They need to know I’ve given you the disclaimer, what it means to decline formal witness protection.”

“We know, Wes,” Flint says firmly. “And we thank you.”

He shrugs. “To be honest, I think staying with Flint and his people is the best option. The Outfit has to be falling apart with the head decapitated. They’d be hard-pressed to try anything with diminished assets.”

“Then it’s settled,” Flint growls. “You’ll keep us updated on everything. We’ll follow whatever guidelines you suggest.”

As happy as it makes me, there’s a part of me that questions if I’m doing the right thing.

By staying here, I’m drawing Flint and his family deeper into a situation my family caused.

A very dangerous one.

The weight of it clouds my mind as the day drifts on. Beverly takes over the kitchen, insisting on cooking a ginormous meal for everyone, even though Mother suggests moving Webster into the house to take over, plus one maid.

No freaking way, I insist. We’re not continuing the stuffy, time-honored Gerard tradition of having full-time household staff.