Possession (The Agents, #1)

by Brynne Asher

“You did it for me.” “I did. I’d do anything for you.”

admit what’s been on the tip of my tongue since I told her my real name. “I love you, chica.”

We silently take in our last moments before we walk back into the Marino estate.

I’m ready to move on and start my life with Landyn.

“I might not have dropped out of high school, but I did drop out of college. And my dad sold me to save his own life. We might not have grown up across the street from each other, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have anything in common. We both landed here in this house together, and I think that means something. Let me do this for you. I’ll look up your score. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together.”

“You’re so smart and have no clue what you’re capable of.

They weren’t the ones on duty the night Nic pushed his way through security, into the house, and attacked my wife. Those assholes were fired last week. I heard they were both arrested the next day on outstanding warrants. Imagine that.

“I bet there’s nothing more you want than oxygen. You should’ve thought about that before you laid a finger on my wife.

“I just want you to know, having you and Mrs. Torres as the head of the house has been…” he hesitates before finishing, “a pleasant change. June and Miranda agree.”

Brax Cruz will forever own my heart. I never wanted to be a possession until I met him. I’m his.

He was born into a shitty situation, not unlike me. The only difference is my shitty situation was funded by organized crime. His wasn’t funded at all.

“In the middle of all the wrong, I somehow ended up with you.

I’m ready to shout to the world who I really am and that you’re mine.”

“We’re close, baby. So fucking close to the end. Stick with me, and I’ll give you a normal, beautiful life.”

“My life turned beautiful during a wedding massacre. It’ll be blinding when we’re free of this.”

“You worked hard and accomplished something.” I pause for a moment and choose my words carefully. Who knows, maybe he’ll remember this moment when he’s sitting in an interrogation room, and he learns Boz Torres is a complete lie. “You’ll always be rewarded when you work with me. Don’t ever forget that.”

“They’re coming here to get me. They have Alamandos’ men with them. Their plan is to take me to Tijuana. Spencer tried to convince them not to come, but it didn’t work.”

He pulls my face to his for the fastest and most desperate kiss, stealing precious time before his tone becomes deep and gritty. I’ve never heard it before. I’m not sure whether it scares me or makes me feel better. “Love you, chica. I’m going to give you a real life. We just have to do this first.”

Spencer gives us a quick nod. “Of course. I sent June and Miranda out for the afternoon. Can I make you a picnic to send with you?” “No,” I answer, taking him in. Fuck, he wants us to go. “I’m glad you gave them the afternoon off. You should take it too.” He shakes his head. “I have things to manage here. The keys are in the boat. I had it serviced this morning.”

Getting by Spencer was one thing. He and I share the secret of Nic Decker—a commonality that won him over. But if he sent June and Miranda away, he expects a showdown.

I can’t make you do shit, but I can make sure you have a second chance. What you do with it is up to you.”

Do something with your life that doesn’t include anyone controlling you—especially a club. Make your own way. I’ll help you if you let me.”

“Give me a chance to prove to you that I can make a difference. Do it for your future self. In a world of bad, choose good.

This is all mine. If he didn’t just insist that I return to New York with him, I would’ve chased him to the ends of the earth.

“In the end, I got you. I might’ve lost my brother who was more like a father after I lost my own, but I ended up with you. Brian would want me to be at peace, and be happy with you.”

Landyn is the coolest chick I’ve ever met, and the only one I ever trusted. Sure, I’ve had girls in my life for years. We partied or fucked. If I was lucky, it was both. But no one was like her. Like a friend who believed I could do something. She was proud of me for shit I’d be embarrassed by with anyone else.

I made the wrong choice. As much as staying with the DEA seemed like the worst idea in the world, I should’ve stayed for her.

I wonder what our neighbors thought when it was raided yesterday. I wonder if anyone asked where I was. I wonder if anyone noticed I was gone. I’m living proof a person can drop off the face of the earth and life carries on.

When Brax told me he was worried about not giving me the kind of life I grew up having, I wanted to kiss the foolish words right out of his mouth. I don’t care about anything lavish. Being here cements the fact I wouldn’t want this even if we could have it. I want a life completely opposite from what I grew up with.

“You and the undercover agent. I’d think it was utterly ironic if it weren’t so obvious.” “Ironic?” I spit. “Irony has nothing to do with the way I got to where I am today. Dad walked me to the gates of hell and hand delivered me to Damian Marino. If Brax hadn’t saved me, my life wouldn’t be what it is right now.”

Braxton Cruz doesn’t want you, Landyn. You were just a way to your father.

Not only that, he’s a cop killer. My father caused the Cruz family the worst heartache anyone can experience. How will I look them in the eyes again … let alone be a member of their family?

magnet. I think you and I need to take a break. I have a wife, two kids, a cranky cat, and a farmhouse. I’d like to grow old with them … and in them, if you catch my drift. I’d give you the whole it’s not you, it’s me bit, but I’m no liar. It’s you—totally you. You need to rethink your priorities.”

Plus, my priorities are just fine. I’m counting on the unprotected sex to blow my life up into a big, fat cloud of normal that lives forever and ever until death do us part at a really fucking old age. Shit. I think Cole Carson is rubbing off on me.

For the time being, I’m focusing on Rocco. I’ve decided I’m going to be the best older sister he never had. Honestly, I have no clue if he really has a sister or a brother. He’s never told me. But if he does, they’re horrible for not wanting to be a part of his life.

I didn’t know it was possible to love someone so much that it would make me desperate with fear with the possibility I might have to live without them.

When he bumps my nose with his, I fall deeper in love.

“No, it’s not. For years, there was nothing more I wanted to do than dispense revenge in the same way they killed my brother.

But when I was sitting at the shore, staring out at the waves, I realized something.”

“I don’t need that kind of revenge. Not anymore.

He frames my face and presses his lips softly to mine—softer than he ever has. “I have you. I’ve never believed in this shit, but who the hell knows, maybe Brian knew what I needed. He sent you in a bloody wedding dress and threw you at my feet.”

“Let’s go home.”

The Marinos are no more. I did what I set out to do.

“I never believed in love at first sight, but after seeing you shop for peppers, I’ll die if I don’t get to stare into your blue eyes for the rest of my life.”