Bringing Benjy Home (Security Ops) by Kylie Brant Read Free Book Online Page A

“Sometimes it’s hard to tell which of those two men is the most stubborn.”
    “They do seem to have a lot in common,” Jaida observed wanly.
    Raine’s gaze narrowed in concern. “You look ready to pass out. I’m going to make you something to eat and then you may as well get some rest. I’ll bring in your luggage and get the guest room ready for you.” Not waiting for an answer, she rose and joined the men in the kitchen.
    Jaida sighed, and gave in to the temptation to close her eyes for a minute. Unbeckoned, a picture of Trey formed behind her eyelids. She’d never met a man like him before, one who wielded such tight control over his emotions. The only time that careful mask slipped was when he was talking to his sister. Then one could catch glimpses of the same frustration and anguish that ate at Lauren. He was a hard man, but not a completely unfeeling one. She wondered fuzzily what it would take for the man to show that kind of devotion to someone other than his family.
     
    Two hours later, Trey rubbed a hand across his burning eyes. His system was feeling the effects of an overdose of coffee and too little sleep. “This whole thing is just too hard to believe.”
    “You heard the call I made. It verified what we found on the web. There’s only one motel on Highway 128 called Glenview.” Mac raked one hand through his hair, stretched. “They even admit their sign is partially burned out.”
    “And it’s located outside Boston.”
    “Where Lauren’s husband lives.”
    “If I believed in even a word that came out of Jaida’s mouth, I’d be real worried right now,” Trey said tersely.
    “If Jaida’s on the level—” Mac started.
    “She’s not.”
    “But if she is, we’d be almost certain that Penning has finally tracked Lauren down.”
    “We still can’t be sure that he hasn’t.” Trey rubbed a hand over his face. “We always knew the jealous bastard wasn’t going to just let her disappear without a trace. I’ve been aware of his efforts to trail her ever since I rescued her from his estate.” Although Lauren was using a new last name and Social Security number, those precautions wouldn’t deter someone who had unlimited resources at his disposal. Penning had the money and connections needed to conduct a sustained search. And given his insane possessiveness, he was certainly determined enough.
    Mac frowned. “So let’s assume for the moment that Penning somehow discovered Lauren had a brother and tracked you both here. You said he was unaware of Lauren’s pregnancy before you helped her escape him.”
    “Believe me, Benjy’s existence would be an unwelcome surprise to him. He always insisted she use birth control. He was so damn jealous he couldn’t even stand the thought of sharing her with children. She was terrified when she found out she was pregnant. She was certain he’d force her to have an abortion.”
    “She must have been just as scared of what would happen to the child if he was brought up with William Penning for a father,” Mac said soberly.
    Trey nodded. It hadn’t take Lauren long after her marriage to discover that her husband was an abusive, controlling bully. In the years that followed, however, she’d become convinced that she’d married a monster. By the time her brother had reentered her life, she’d already begun taking steps to escape from Penning. With Trey’s help she had done so, and he’d kept her hidden ever since.
    It had been many long months before Lauren had stopped looking over her shoulder. Trey believed that his presence helped her make that transition. And Benjy’s birth had given both of them the opportunity to revel in the simple pleasure of being a family again.
    Mac frowned. “Something about this just doesn’t add up. If Penning was so desperate to get Lauren back, why wasn’t she the one snatched? If he hated the thought of kids so much, why would he have Benjy taken, instead?”
    Trey didn’t answer right away. That