Sharpe struggled to stand, holding the newgash on his forehead, conscious but disoriented. It was clear heunderstood when his gaze landed on Payson, gripping the hurley inpreparation to smack him again, smiling mockingly at him.
Shaking his head with a superior smile, Ronantaunted, “You know, you should really be careful who you trust inthis business.” Ronan finished him with a solid right hook,knocking him out cold.
Payson flew into his arms. “It’s over,right?” Sirens wailed in the background; the fort notably emptyaround them as the area was secured.
Ronan climbed back up the wall and picked uphis phone. “Sara, you got all that?”
He heard a woo-hoo from the other end of theline. “Sure did, every word. You better believe I’ll be making somecalls. Chasing this all the way up. We’ve got the weapons too;they’re on the way to be destroyed. Apparently, they’d been stolenfrom a test facility. American, but they hadn’t been approved foruse. I’ve got a few calls in to ensure they never are.”
Another voice echoed through the line, thickIrish accent, “Nice work Ronan. I hope that’s the sound of our finepolice force approaching in the background.”
Ronan smiled, “That’s them. Thanks, Brody. Itrust he’ll be locked up securely until he can be extradited?”
“Absolutely. We’ll lock him in our mostsecure facility.”
Ronan ended the conference call. In thedistance, he watched as Nicolas gave him a friendly salute, andmade his exit before the police arrived. Seconds later, Irishpolice came running into the fort.
“I thought you were going to wait in the giftshop?” Taking her hand in his, he led her away from the chaoticscene once he was sure Sharpe was in cuffs and in custody.
Payson leaned into him. “I couldn’t let youhave all the fun. Besides, I haven’t been hurling since highschool.”
Hand in hand, ignoring the steady influx ofpolice all around, they slowly toured the fort. “When we get home,how about a few rounds at the batting cages instead?”
“It’s a date.”
Ronan sighed, starting to feel a sense ofrelief. “I’ll have to go back to Langley for a few weeks, at least.I’ll be drowning in paperwork for a while.”
Pulling back, Payson looked up at him with aplayful grin. “Don’t take too long. I’ve got work for you todo.”
32
Walking confidently across the airport, Payson sawMaddy waving madly at her. “You’re home. And you’re safe. Where’smy elusive brother this time?”
Reaching her friend, Payson tossed herbackpack, trusting Maddy to catch it and carry it to the car. “It’sgood to be home. He should be home soon. He’s stuck at work foranother few weeks. They’re making him teach an ethics class.”
Maddy threw her head back in laughter. “Oh,that’s fantastic. I’ll bet he loves that.”
Walking arm in arm, they chatted and laughed.Hoisting herself into Maddy’s jeep, Maddy stared at her friend’sbelly. “Are you starting to show?”
Shaking her head in adamant denial, Paysondefended herself, “I’ve just been eating out a lot; belly poocheshappen when travelling. I’m not that far along.”
Pulling out of the parking spot, Maddy rolledher eyes. “Maybe. What did Ronan say, is he thrilled?”
“Uh… well. He doesn’t know yet.” She’d meantto tell him, but there hadn’t been a time that felt right.
Swerving into the next lane, barely missingan airport shuttle that was trying to pass, Maddy was shocked. “Howhave you not told him? He’s going to notice pretty soon.”
Payson sighed. “When was I going to tell him?When he was sneaking out to capture the mercenary? Stopping anillegal weapons deal? Capturing a traitor?”
Maddy begrudgingly agreed. “Good point. Butyou have to tell him soon. I haven’t told anyone, well, exceptChase of course, but no one else knows and it’s driving me crazy.You know I hate keeping secrets. Mom’s going to freak.”
“For twins, you and Ronan sure don’t havemuch in common, do you?” she joked. “Besides, I haven’t even seenthe doctor yet. I’m calling as soon as I get home.” Payson nodded,resolving to make it official.
Maddy reached into Payson’s purse and grabbedher phone. She thrusted the phone into her friend’s face. “Call,now. And please tell me you’re taking a prenatal vitamin.”
Payson rolled her eyes. “Of course I am, it’sgreat for hair and nails. Ok, I’ll call.” She wanted to wait untilRonan was back so they could go together, but the nurse midwife shepreferred had an opening and wanted her in for an ultrasound toconfirm her due date.
Due date? What was she getting herselfinto?
