Page 88 of Wicked Rush

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sixty-five days had passed since Seth’s funeral. Despite the two-week-long search, they’d never found his body. His closest friends had held a paddle out in La Jolla. The ritual had been meant to provide closure, to honor a great man, surfer and friend. With the soothing sound of a conch shell and flowers in hand, they’d said goodbye in a way that would have made Seth proud.

Racked with guilt, Lars hadn’t forgiven himself. He’d spent hours contemplating the events, unable to come to terms with Seth’s death. Reason told him survival was unlikely, but Lars had seen him live through wicked wipe outs over the years. Lifeguards would Jet Ski out only to find Seth happily bobbing at the surface giving a shaka to his would-be rescuers.

Garrett and the feds had insisted that Braelynn stay isolated until her uncle had been indicted on several counts of attempted murder and corporate espionage as well as Seth’s murder. Giordano had claimed a terrorist organization had been paying him to steal national secrets including the data he’d taken from Emerson Industries. Although evidence of the transactions existed, he’d been unwilling to provide specific names. He claimed that his one-time girlfriend, Jeanette, had been responsible for bringing the associates into his inner circle. They’d been unable to locate her, and he insisted that she continued to work for and was protected by her unidentified accomplices.

A more disturbing fact revealed during the investigation was that his longtime girlfriend had been related to him. DNA testing proved she was his half-sister. Giordano confessed that Braelynn’s mother had threatened to expose him, but he refused to confess that he’d killed her. Dean’s team was still building a case, digging into the circumstances of her death. Braelynn’s father, still missing, was a wild card. Giordano denied any knowledge of his involvement in his disappearance despite claiming otherwise the day he’d attacked them in Big Sur.

Eighty days, and Lars hadn’t spoken to Braelynn. After Giordano had been arrested, her internet access had initially been limited to contact with Emerson Industries, working with Garrett and Chase to document her theories. But after a few weeks, she could have easily contacted Garrett. He knew why she hadn’t, and with depression over Seth’s death fresh in his mind, he hadn’t been ready to see her either. But today, one week after her uncle’s indictment, Lars planned on bringing her home, to his home, their home.

Eighty days and he hadn’t gone a morning without dreaming of her smile or her laugh. Eighty days and he hadn’t gone a night without fantasizing she was still in his arms. Whatever fear or guilt she carried would be lifted and today, he’d be the one to save her. And if he was lucky, she’d save him right back.

Lars’ cell phone sounded, breaking his contemplation. He glanced to Garrett’s text, double checking the address. Lars settled his nerves, and approached the beach bungalow. He suspected she’d fight him. She hadn’t returned his texts or calls, and while he understood to some extent, there was no way he was leaving without her.

Lars knocked on the door, but no one answered. Although he didn’t think she suspected he’d come for her, he’d taken no chances. Garrett had given him the digital code to the security system. He typed it in, and promptly cursed, as the light flashed red.

“What the hell?” He tapped at the keys, his stomach sinking as it once again refused to open for him. “Fuck.”

“Are you trying to break into my house?” Lars heard Braelynn call from behind him.

“No, I’m just…” He lost his words as he took in the sight of his beautiful little fox. Her dark hair had lightened slightly, reddish streaks shining throughout her mane. Tanned and radiant, she stood with a basket cocked on her hips. Dark sunglasses hid her eyes but her trembling voice gave her excitement away. Her long white skirt brushed her ankles, the matching tank top hugging her full breasts.

“You know, I think I should call the police,” she began.

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“It’s a federal crime, you know? Breaking and entering.”

“This isn’t the States. I don’t think that applies.”

“Doesn’t matter. My house. My rules.” She lifted her sunglasses onto her head, brushing her hair out of the way.

“I wasn’t breaking in. I was just typing in a code,” Lars protested, recalling her excuse.

“I don’t think the authorities will see it that way. There’s video.” She took a step closer and set her basket onto the ground.

“Then I guess you’ll have to arrest me.” Lars slowly approached. Jesus, she was more gorgeous than he’d remembered.

“I have handcuffs,” she stated with a flirtatious flicker in her eyes.

“Hmm…do ya now?”

“I know how to use them.” She gave a small smile.

“Well, I guess you’ll have to take matters into your own hands.” Unable to resist, he closed the distance.

“I’m sorry.” She averted her gaze briefly but then locked her eyes on his.

“For what?” Lars knew the answer but he asked anyway. She had to say the words and he needed to listen.

“Seth.” Her voice cracked, and she pressed her lips together, struggling to contain the emotion. “I’ve cried so many tears.”

“It’s not your fault, Brae.” It’s not my fault.

“We…he would have never been there if it weren’t for us.”

“True, but Seth, he lived in the danger zone. If he were with us right now, he’d tell us that we shared the most amazing night, that sometimes we’ve got to take risks to live life the way it’s meant to be lived. I’ve seen him ride fifty-foot waves in Portugal, knowing there was a chance he wouldn’t survive, that he’d drown. But not riding them? It wasn’t even a factor in his mind.”