Free Fall (Free Fall Vol. 2): (Loving Summer #7: The Donovan Brothers #4) by Kailin Gow Page B

would be more your style.”
                “As
I said, big bro,” Rachel said, squinting a little, which reminded me of her
twin Drew when he squinted, “I’ve grown up.”
                “I
know,” I said, a little sadly. “I’m sorry I missed seeing you grow up. But
maybe that’s a good thing in a way, that I was away.  It helped you and Drew
step up to help run Donovan Dynamics and to start taking care of Mom.”
                Rachel
flashed me a look of pure anger before she spoke. “Nat, I’m going to pretend I
didn’t hear that because you obviously do not know the depths of how much
everyone missed you to say such a thing. Your disappearance was not a good
thing. And, believe me, sooner or later, Drew and I would’ve grown up and taken
responsibility for our family business and Mom.”
                I
glanced at her. Of course she had a right to be angry. I left without a word,
except for what Lamar, my FBI Handler briefed them on, and I didn’t come back
after years.
                “And
for your information, you could’ve just asked Drew or I to step up instead of
doing your disappearing act. Instead of being that strong but silent type who
shouldered everyone’s burdens. Nat…” she sighed, “if you only knew how much
everyone loves you, cares for you…we could all have stepped in. That’s how it
goes with us Donovans. Including Summer. That’s how it is with all of us. If
Aunt Sookie was alive, she would be telling you that.”
                I
took a deep breath before turning to face Rachel. She was right about all of
that, especially what Aunt Sookie would say.  But this was different, and I had
to let Rachel know. Sometimes men keep things to themselves precisely for this
reason…their moral sense of responsibility, their obligation to family and
sense of honor and duty. What I learned and saw that day I got my father
released as a hostage was the day I realized, I would do anything to protect
what’s mine, especially my family. And that includes Rachel, Drew, Mom and Dad,
and Summer. I didn’t know if Rachel would understand, but I had to tell her now
so she can somehow put all that hurt behind her and accept me for who I have
become.
                “Rachel,
I understand your hurt, but believe me, this was about me. This was something I
had to do myself, Rachel. What I saw…what I’ve done when I went to bring Dad
back from his trip; it changed everything.  I saw men risk their lives to stop
this crime ring. These men even risked their lives protecting me so I can
accomplish my mission.  I had the skills to do what I had to do, but I didn’t
have the skills and strength to protect myself.  Other people had to protect
me, and they all nearly got killed because of it. Rachel, there is something I
learned from all that, and it is that there is a greater cause, a greater need
than all of us. And sometimes in order to keep those you love safe and be able
to enjoy the freedoms that we have, you have to make these sacrifices. And now?
Rachel, I can fairly and honestly say, because of my sacrifice of leaving
everyone to go do what I had to do, the world is a little safer.”
                I
had to turn my face to stare out front while I drive. We were getting close to
our destination, and I had to alert my guys at my base that I was pulling up in
a silver Audi so they wouldn’t shoot us down.  I gritted my teeth. Damn. I
didn’t have my phone with me. Whoever bashed my head in, must’ve taken my
phone.
                Great.
Hopefully, one of my guys figured out I was out of commission and had done a
wipe of my phone.  Speaking of phones, I needed one and I needed one fast. “Um,
Rachel?”
                Rachel
was speechless. I looked over at her and almost flinched.  She was crying
silently.  Great big tears were running down her cheeks, smearing her eye
makeup and making her