Rafael Martinez

Since we had already contacted the cleaning team before leaving San Jose, we didn’t have to wait long for them to find us and take care of the problem, eliminating any evidence that could be linked to us. The flight back was smooth, with Brooke flying in the back with us. The blonde fell asleep, her head swaying between my shoulder and Kyle’s.

It would take a long time for me to forget the helplessness I felt when I saw that gun pointed at my brother’s head. Panic set in the moment I realized that if I dared to shoot, Hill would have enough time to kill Kyle. I was so desperate trying to find a solution that I didn’t even remember Brooke was there until Seth mentioned Fallujah. During a mission there, we had planned an ambush to eliminate the leader of a terrorist unit. That time, I was 450 meters away, covering the rear of our team when Kyle acted as bait and let himself be caught by our target, trusting his life to me, giving the signal for me to take the shot.

I will never be able to thank Brooke enough. I’ve never been so grateful to have taught someone how to shoot in my entire life. She is the reason our family is still intact.

And as if my thoughts had conjured her, the blonde walks into the kitchen, tying her hair up. Her pink T-shirt lifts, exposing the skin of her stomach, and my fingers tingle to touch her.

"How was your session?" I ask, getting up and walking over to her, wrapping my arms around her waist and caressing her soft skin.

The day after our visit to Mexico, two weeks ago, Brooke informed us that she was starting therapy. She already had the contact of a psychologist who lived in New York but did online sessions. We agreed, on the condition that we vetted her choice, but both Dr. Luana Masseria and her assistant Yuri Saito raised no concerns, and she’s had three sessions since then.

"It was good." She turns around, and I see her red eyes—I know she cried again.

I kiss the tip of her nose.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I offer.

"There’s not much to say," she replies, shrugging and turning to get something from the fridge. "Have you had lunch?"

"Not yet. I just got back, had to take the dogs for a bath, remember?"

"I thought it was weird that none of them were at my door. I’m making a salad, want some?"

"Sure. Need help?" She shakes her head and I give her space. Leaning against the counter, I watch her movements, once again taking in the fact that she’s safe—and more importantly, she’s healing.

She separates the ingredients, seasons the chicken, and sets it to cook while chopping the vegetables.

"We talked about the day I went to the mall with Liv," Brooke says softly. I can see the muscles in her back tense under the thin fabric of her shirt. "I thought it had been a complete failure, but Dr. Luana helped me see that it wasn’t. I tried. I exposed myself to something that terrifies me, and just because it didn’t go how I hoped, doesn’t mean I failed," she adds. "She suggested I keep trying, but consider the kind of environment. Maybe it’s better to go somewhere less crowded than a mall during a sale."

That gives me an idea, and I start making plans while I answer:

"I like this doctor more and more," I say, walking back over to the blonde and placing my hand over hers. She looks up at me, the vulnerability clear in her green eyes. "She’s right. You have no idea how proud I am of you," I say sincerely. "You’re a force of nature, babygirl."

Her eyes well up, and she bites her lower lip.

"And you’re about to burn my lunch again," I tease, just to make her smile, and after giving me a slap and rushing to turn off the stove, her lips curve.

"And once again, it would be your fault. I’m going to forbid you from keeping me company in the kitchen."

I place a hand on my chest, pretending to be hurt.

"You wouldn’t dare."

"Want to bet?" she asks, arching an eyebrow and placing a hand on her hip.

I close the distance between us in two quick steps, pressing her body against the counter. One of my hands grips her waist while the other slides up her arm in a soft caress that makes her skin shiver until it reaches her neck. I place my hand there, my thumb massaging the sensitive spot behind her ear. Her eyes close, and her lips part in anticipation as I lean in closer.

"I’m willing," I murmur against her lips, then pull away, and the blonde groans in frustration before lunging forward to claim my mouth and bite my lower lip.

"That’s what you get for teasing me," she declares, turning to prepare her plate.

"Who says I don’t like it, babygirl? You being all aggressive like that?" I slap her butt. "But let’s eat because we’re going out."

"We are?" she asks, frowning in confusion.

"Yeah, there’s somewhere I want to take you."

"Where?"

"It’s a surprise, but I suggest you wear comfortable shoes." I wink at her and start eating.

***

I park the car in the state park lot and turn to see Brooke smiling. She spent the entire drive humming along to the songs on the playlist she picked.

"Are we going on a hike?" she asks.

"You said your therapist suggested going somewhere less crowded, and I’ve always wanted to bring you here. It’s one of my favorite places on the West Coast," I explain, sharing the idea that came to me the moment we talked in the kitchen. "And they say being in nature helps calm the mind."

Her eyes sparkle as she grabs my shirt, pulling me toward her and pressing our lips together in a quick kiss.

"Thank you, Raffi."

"We’ll see if you’re still thanking me when we’re done," I reply, knowing the hike to the waterfall takes nearly an hour on foot.

We get out of the car, and since it’s still early on a Tuesday afternoon, there are only three other cars around. I sling the small backpack I packed with granola bars and water bottles over my shoulders before taking Brooke’s hand and heading toward the trailhead.

Under the canopy of trees, the air is cooler, and I take a deep breath. My muscles instantly relax at the familiar scent of nature. Brooke and I walk hand in hand along the trail, and every time our eyes meet, she smiles, and I mirror the gesture.

"Not to sound like a five-year-old, but are we there yet?"

"Almost, we’re about halfway, I think."

"Hmm. Are we climbing a mountain? Or just walking through trees until we turn back?" she asks.

"You’ll see when we get there. The idea is to relax, babygirl. Quiet the mind and the worries. Enjoy the moment."

"Alright. But is it much farther?" she asks, bumping her shoulder into my arm, her laughter blending with the birdsong.

"Are you bored of my company, Brooke?" I ask.

"Never," she replies instantly.

"You almost convinced me," I tease.

"And what do I have to do to convince you?"

"I can think of a few things," I suggest in my best seductive tone.

A blush colors her cheeks, but she doesn’t disappoint with her reply.

"Oh yeah? Any in particular?" She pushes her tongue against her cheek, her gaze darkening with desire as it meets mine.

"Plenty," I say, turning her to face me, placing a hand on each side of her waist, pulling her closer. The images my brain conjures up are enough to make my cock start to harden against her stomach. "But I think you on your knees in front of me with your mouth around my—"

Voices interrupt my sentence as a couple with a child walks past us. The red on Brooke’s face deepens, and she stares at me with wide eyes and pressed lips. Once the family moves out of earshot, we both burst out laughing.

"You think they heard us?" she asks.

"I doubt it. None of them gave us a dirty look," I answer, resuming our walk. Thankfully, they went right, and we need to go left to reach our destination.

"Good thing, or we might’ve traumatized that little girl."

"That’s all your fault," I accuse.

"Excuse me? How is that my fault? You started it."

"How many times do I have to say it? You exist, babygirl, and that’s more than enough."

"You’re impossible."

"And you love it."

I start to hear the sound of water growing louder as we get closer to the waterfall—the reason I brought Brooke on this particular hike. I watch her face out of the corner of my eye and see the moment she realizes what’s waiting for us. Her expression lights up, and she squeezes my hand tighter, picking up her pace.

We round a bend, and the forest opens up, revealing a huge waterfall surrounded by large rocks. The blonde moves ahead to the lookout point, close enough for the icy water to spray us.

"It’s beautiful. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before," Brooke says after a moment. "I’ve lived in California my whole life."

"That doesn’t surprise me." She raises an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah? And why’s that?" How can someone be so beautiful? Seriously, even her annoyed look gets to me. Brooke doesn’t have to try to be attractive. She could be dressed up in fancy clothes with makeup or wearing a pink t-shirt and black shorts like she is now—either way, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

"Because you’ve always spent your free time at the ocean. That’s actually why I picked a trail that had something to do with water. It’s always been your element." I shrug. "Which I always assumed was one of your mermaid traits." I pull our intertwined hands, and we start walking again.

"Mermaid?"

"Yeah, you’ve always had a kind of power over me—over us," I add, remembering when I met her years ago and how, even back then, she already claimed a place in my heart. Of course, the affection I felt for her then was different from the love that burns inside me now. I never imagined she’d be mine. "Add that to your obsession with the ocean, and the logical conclusion is that you’re a mermaid who enchanted us." I smile at her.

"You’re ridiculous."

"But you didn’t deny it, which means I’m right." I turn to her and lean in to whisper in her ear, "Don’t worry, babygirl, your secret’s safe with me."

She rolls her eyes, but her lips curl into a grin worthy of the Cheshire Cat, and I know the lightness in my chest is completely tied to her happiness—to catching a glimpse of the joy that used to surround her so often.