Page 55 of Clear Blue Sky

“Part of it is because of what happened with Roxy. And the other part is knowing that Marcus was always one step behind me. It’s like I’ve been waiting for death to catch me.”

“Don’t talk like that.” She poked him in the chest.

He took her hand and kissed it. “I don’t mean it literally.”

“You better not.” She shifted her body, swinging her leg to the side and wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“I’ve never voiced this to anyone other than my brothers, but I think there was something else going down during that mission. Something that either my team got in the way of, intercepted, or stopped from happening. Marcus doesn’t want payback for Seth’s death. Or Roxy’s miscarriage.”

“You don’t believe that’s reason enough.”

“It is, but since he didn’t use it against me when he could have, I feel like I’m missing something.” He held her tighter. “I’m hoping my parents with their contacts can help.”

“You haven’t heard from them?”

“Only that they’re working on it and will call as soon as they have something.”

Her cell dinged. She pulled it from her back pocket. “My parents just pulled into the driveway.”

He groaned, dropping his forehead to her shoulder. “All of a sudden, I feel like I’m seventeen again and I’m about to get grilled about my intentions.”

“Oh, my dad will give you a hard time.” She laughed. “And I’ll have fun watching you sweat.”

* * *

Nelson hadn’t dated most women long enough to entertain the idea that he should meet their parents. The last time it happened had to have been a good four years ago and it successfully ended that short-lived relationship. Not because the encounter didn’t go well, but because he realized the girl wanted more than he was willing to give.

He ducked his head in the fridge and pulled out some cheese, pepperoni, and grapes to go with the wine he’d already opened. He arranged the food on the tray and found some chocolate to go on the side. Entertaining had never been his strong suit. Kind of funny, considering he’d bought a restaurant and learned the business by trial and error.

Sucking in a deep breath, he headed toward the family room for the grand introduction. He’d given Brandi and her parents a few moments alone together. He thought they would enjoy some time with their daughter, and they could get caught up from her perspective.

“Here he is.” Brandi jumped to her feet from the leather chair she’d been sitting in across from her parents. “Mom, Dad, you remember Nelson Snow from Blue Moon.”

He set the platter on the coffee table. Rubbing his hand on his thigh, he stretched out his arm. “It’s a pleasure to see you both again.”

Chandler Grant pushed to a standing position from his perch on the sofa, taking his hand in a firm shake.

“You have a lovely home,” Phoebe said as she smoothed down the front of her slacks.

“Thank you. I’m just sorry about the drama that my past is causing your business and family.”

“We’re more concerned about what Marcus’ intentions with you are at the moment.” Chandler leaned over and fixed himself a small plate before sitting back down. “I took the time to skim through the submission, and if any of that is based in reality, it’s quite disturbing.”

“There are some truths in the manuscript.” Nelson appreciated Chandler’s desire to get right down to business.

“I understand that the history of it all mixes fiction and true life, but it’s the ending that I’m worried about, if it’s meant to be a warning or threat of some kind.” Chandler shifted his focus between Nelson and his daughter. “We’ve discussed what it would take to postpone the premiere party or even move it.”

“I’m not opposed to either,” Nelson said. “It would take me out of the equation when it comes to your family’s celebration.”

“Let me ask you this. Do you honestly believe Marcus and his friends are dangerous?” Chandler held up his hand. “As in, will they hurt my daughter, my wife, or my son and his family?”

A slow burn filled Nelson’s chest. It was like a fire broke out inside his body and engulfed his heart. “The only thing I know for sure is he wants to hurt me. How he plans on doing that is up in the air. But because Brandi is part of my life, then he could get to me through her, or any of you.”

“All this because of something that happened between you and his sister years ago?” Phoebe asked. “I’m sorry if I seem out of the loop on this, but I don’t understand this level of revenge for what has been described to me.”

“I believe this goes much deeper than Roxy,” Nelson said.

“Mom, Dad, so much of this Nelson can’t talk about. The details of the mission and what he did in the military. It’s all still classified,” Brandi said.

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