Bryce. He made all the other introductions.
Jenna Riley appeared and timidly greeted the men, again thanking them for her rescue.
Riley bent to the side to look for Jason and then motioned for him to come over. With Kiley wrapped around his waist, he stepped into the foyer with all the others, and shook the man’s hand. Although bound in a wheelchair, Colin Riley’s bright blue eyes were those of a serious warrior.
“Thank you, sir,” Jason said.
“Oh, that didn’t turn out because of me. It’s all her. Do you know what a special lady Kiley is?”
“Yes, sir, I think I do.”
“I tried, but I nearly lost her. She pulled the whole thing off. This time, we won without any loss of life for any of the victims. I wish we could do them all that way, but—”
Kiley interrupted, “When the odds are in your favor, you win.”
Colin Riley chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”
They were served a platter of sandwiches and some soup, which was Riley’s steady diet. The chitchat was light until Jenna excused herself.
“You’ve all got rooms upstairs we’ll show you to. In the morning, after you’ve gotten some good rest, I want to have a serious discussion about what your future could look like,” began Riley.
Tucker squirmed in his seat. Ned and Damon glanced at each other but didn’t reveal any emotion. Finally, Tucker spoke up.
“I think I know what you’re going to say, Mr. Riley. And these guys know I turned you down last year, and I’m glad I did. But I’m going to keep an open mind. And I’m sure these guys will too.” He squirmed again. “I just want you to understand Brandy and I are a team. I don’t do anything unless she okays it. So you’re going to have to be patient with me, with all of us.”
Damon and Ned nodded. Jason also agreed.
Riley flashed them a big smile. “I would expect nothing less. But for you guys, it’s worth the wait. Take as long as you want. Now get some rest, and let’s talk about what is possible, for all of us.”
Colin Riley turned in his chair and zoomed across the marble floor like he was racing to be first.
“I don’t think that guy will sleep a wink tonight,” Tucker whispered.
Bryce nodded. “He’s a very special man. Been good to me and my family. I’d do anything for my girls.” He faced the four Team Guys. “He’s the real deal, like you are. All of you.”
Jason and Kiley were led to a huge suite with a four-poster bed and tall windows overlooking the lights of Portland. Rain was slicing against the glass. Behind them, a fireplace roared. He never thought he’d ever spend the night in such luxury. Ideas buzzed around his brain. It just wasn’t anything he was familiar with, so it was hard to stay grounded.
Until he touched Kiley.
“Sing to me,” she said, running her finger over his lips.
“Now?”
“Yes, now. I want to see it.”
“The thing, with the jumping and faces and all?”
“Yup. That thing. I want to watch you.”
“Okay.” He backed up, opened his eyes wide, stuck his tongue out and jumped high in the air, coming down without a sound. His elbows stuck out to the sides, palms resting on his hips. He began the Maori moves everyone teased him for.
Kiley giggled and fell back on the bed, watching him.
He cut it short to just watch her. How close he’d come to losing her forever. And here she was, waiting for him.
He climbed on the bed, taking her in his arms, feeling the heat of her body releasing to him. It was risky, but Jason decided to tell her the secret he’d learned about her.
“You know what I thought when I met you?”
“That I was crazy.”
“There was a little bit of that, yes. You remind me of the women in my family. They were healers.” He took her hand, brought it up to his mouth, and kissed her palm. “Your hands, they’re healing hands. Did you know that? It’s a form of magic in my culture. Healers are special. They keep the flame of life alive. They sing and dance.”
“That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever told me, Jason. Does that mean that I can heal you?”
“You did already. You healed me that night I took Thomas back to my ancestors. You were scared. But you healed me.”
She was watching his eyes. A tiny smile erupted on her pretty face. “I think you heal all the