Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

Paul watched Shay as they waited in a large upstairs conference room of the courthouse. He didn't like being on the waiting end of an op. He also didn't like Shay not being certain about him. He couldn't blame her. It had been years, and despite prayer and his pastor's help, he hadn't forgiven himself for his role in the tragedy. How could he expect her to forgive him overnight?

He found his mind wandering as he waited with Shay, Turner, Sergeant Miller, Aiden, and Autumn. Retired Lieutenant Nick Jacobs was heading up a rescue operation after Aiden's tech people were able to locate Turner's wife and daughter through a GPS bracelet that the baby girl was thankfully still wearing. Aiden's closest team was near enough to strike quick, hopefully before Big T's guys heard about the failed assassination.

He edged closer to where Shay stood. In an hour or so, the trial would start. Aiden and Sergeant Miller sat at the table and were focused on laptop computers monitoring the mission. Autumn was on her phone. Turner leaned forward in his chair, his hands still cuffed behind his back. He seemed to be concentrating on not looking at anyone, or maybe he was praying.

Paul wanted to throw Turner out of a plane with no parachute for trying to kill Shay. What the man had done was unforgivable.

On the other hand, Paul was hoping for forgiveness from Shay and Darian and himself. He prayed to forgive Turner in his heart and thanked his Father above for preserving Shay. He also prayed for Turner's wife and daughter and Agent Meacham to be returned home safe and all of his friends involved in the operation to be protected.

Reaching Shay, he met her teal gaze. "You okay?"

"No. I'm nauseous and want to hurl. You?"

"You're incredible," he told her. "May I?" He opened his arms and stepped forward.

She flung herself against his chest. Paul cuddled her close, savoring the feel of her in his arms, exactly where she should be, and praying he was offering her some kind of solace and strength. She clung to him, and for the moment, all was right in the world.

He didn't care if anyone overheard as he whispered to her, "Do you want me to pray?" He needed prayer right now as well.

"Yes, please." She glanced up at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

Paul felt the draw to kiss her so strong he had to close his eyes and tuck her head into his shoulder to refrain. Someday they might be together, but that wasn't the focus today .

"Dear Father," he prayed. "Please bless and protect Nick and all those involved in the rescue op. Thank you for their expertise and bravery. Please protect Jana and Alaina Porter and Agent Shane Meacham and bring them home safe. Please help us to find and imprison Benjamin Oliver. Please bless Agent Turner will find Your mercy as he faces justice. Please bless us all with the ability to forgive and be forgiven." He swallowed and felt Shay shiver and cling tighter to him. A sweet peace filled him, working its way into his heart and settling his soul. "Please bless Shay through the trial, strengthen and lift her, and help all involved to bring Big T to justice. We thank You for all we have and are. In our Savior's name. Amen."

Shay echoed a soft amen and he heard other amens echoed around the room. Paul stayed holding her, hoping it was what she needed. Now that he'd had a taste of her in his life and his arms, he didn't know how he'd stay away if she couldn't forgive him. But he'd felt the sweet peace and reassurance of forgiveness as he'd prayed. He could forgive Turner for almost killing Shay and he could forgive himself for mistakes in his past.

He prayed Shay could forgive him and maybe someday Darian could forgive him too. He knew as surely as he held Shay in his arms that he had to visit Darian as soon as possible. He had to share the truth and ask the man's forgiveness. Whether Darian granted it wasn't in Paul's control. It might be a huge wedge between him and Shay, but it was time to get it all out. He felt better than he had in years, even with all the uncertainty swirling around them currently.

Aiden's phone rang and he swiped it on. "Nick."

Paul ushered Shay around so they could stand side by side but still be connected with his arm around her .

Aiden pushed the speaker button. "Talk to me, Nick," he commanded.

Everyone was leaning toward the phone.

"We have Jana and Alaina Porter and Agent Meacham safe and in our custody, sir," Nick said.

"Oh, thank heavens," Shay cried out.

Turner simply cried. He put his head down on the conference table and his shoulders shook with powerful sobs.

"Well done, Nick. Well done." Aiden paused to give everyone a moment. "Any casualties?"

"Minor wounds on our side, sir. Two perps taken into custody, two dead. One already admitted they were working for Benjamin Oliver."

"Truly?" Aiden straightened and looked at Paul.

"Apparently Benjamin owed Big T quite a few favors after he was exposed and lost most of his associates and resources. Getting Big T cleared of the current charges was meant to clear those debts."

"Interesting. Here's praying the perps in custody can help us find Benjamin."

"For sure."

"Thank you, Nick. We'll be in touch."

"Thank you," Turner called out in a raspy voice before Nick could sign off. "Can you tell Jana I love her …" His voice broke.

"You can tell her yourself," Nick said.

Turner straightened in the chair, hope filling his anguished features.

A pause, then... "Isaac?" A female voice came over the phone.

"Oh, love, you're safe." Turner was crying again. "Alaina's okay? "

"She's great. They didn't hurt her."

"Did they hurt you ?" Turner stood and, even with his shackled hands, he looked ready to rip the men apart who'd taken his wife and daughter.

Paul could only imagine how the man felt. The anguish he'd been through. Wanting to do the right thing but feeling as if he had no options.

"I'll be okay," she answered. "Where are you? Are you all right?"

Turner was shaking slightly. He obviously wanted to know what they'd done to his wife, but he answered, "Love, I'm going to be in prison for a while."

"What?" she shrieked, and then a baby's cries could be heard in the background.

"Oh, heart rip," Shay whispered. Paul pulled her close and she cuddled into him again. It was a heart rip. It was easy to say that Turner should never have given in to the manipulation of Big T's men, but Paul couldn't imagine the anguish of having Shay in danger like that.

"Shh, shh," Jana calmed the baby. "Isaac, what are you talking about? What's happened?"

"Oh, love. I let them capture Meacham and kidnap our protection detail, Shay." He glanced at Shay, his blue eyes full of remorse. "They had you and Alaina and my only hope was to do what they said and pray they'd let you go. They didn't let you or Meacham go, even after they took Shay. I tried to track them down and rescue you. I failed. I couldn't get through them to you, and they gave me one more chance." His voice broke again. He cleared his throat and continued, "The only hope I had was killing Shay this morning or they were going to kill you, Alaina, and Meacham. "

"You didn't," she whispered.

"Almost. Her bodyguard took me out and Aiden Porter was able to finagle your rescue attempt. We owe Aiden and Nick and their men everything. I'm so sorry, love. So sorry. I love you so much. I couldn't lose you or Alaina and I messed it all up. I didn't know what to do." Tears ran down his face.

There was a pause and the whole room felt tense. Paul's stomach churned. He found himself praying for Jana and Isaac Turner. How would she respond? Could they ever heal? Turner's words were exactly how he'd felt eleven years ago. He hadn't known what to do or how to make it right. Now he was feeling the ability to forgive and be forgiven. He prayed Shay could someday forgive him, and maybe Darian could as well, but right now he was praying for Turner's wife.

"I love you too, Isaac." Jana sniffled. "I'll talk to you soon."

It was an olive branch; they all felt it. Paul felt a whoosh of relief fill him.

"Thank you. I love you. Kiss Alaina for me."

"I will."

The phone went dead. There was silence in the room, but it was more respectful than awkward.

Paul had hated this man who'd betrayed and almost killed Shay twice now, but he found he could only feel compassion for him and pray that he and his wife could heal and move past this. It was a lot.

Much more than his own mistakes and regrets with Darian and Carrie, and those had weighed Paul down for eleven years and made Darian loathe him and retreat into himself instead of moving on.

But Paul had watched Elizabeth Oliver forgive herself for being a pawn in her parents' murderous ploys. It could happen. He'd felt it happen in his own heart a few minutes ago as he'd prayed with Shay.

Thank you, Heavenly Father.

"Turner." Aiden's voice was crisp and focused. "Are you willing to testify against Big T and the men who kidnapped your wife and daughter?"

"Yes." Turner stood straight and nodded.

"You know they'll try to kill you." Aiden's face was solemn.

Turner didn't back down. "Anything I can do to put them all away and help make this right."

"You might get a reduced sentence for your willingness to participate," Sergeant Miller said.

"If I can be there for Jana and Alaina sooner, I'd be grateful, but that's not why I'm doing this. I want to help fix what I've done and make sure Big T never does this to anyone again." He focused on Shay. "I'm so sorry, Shay."

"I know." She gave him a watery smile. "It's low-key a mess, but we'll get through it."

He nodded.

Paul felt Turner's words like a bowling ball to the chest. He'd felt forgiven and now he wanted to come clean and apologize to Darian, but was he doing it for altruistic reasons? He'd been thinking more about himself and praying for a relationship with Shay, but he needed to focus on how he could help Darian and do the right thing, no matter the outcome.

"Good." Aiden looked to Sergeant Miller. "Let's get the prosecuting attorneys in here. They might have some additional meat to their trial."

Shay leaned heavily into Paul. He'd have to let her go and face this trial. Shay was strong and brave. She'd get through it. He wanted to support her and stand by her side always. If she couldn't forgive him or she chose to support Darian in his loathing of Paul, they'd never be together.

The right thing for the right reason.

He would stand by Shay's side and keep praying and loving her. Even if they couldn't be together in the end.