Текст книги "Collateral Damage"

Автор книги: Kaylea Cross

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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

Epilogue

Two months later

“Are the others here yet?” Honor asked Erin, craning her neck to see beyond the flagstone entryway at the edge of the beautifully decorated lawn of the resort where the ceremony would be held.

She’d been to Leavenworth a couple of times, years before, and loved it. The former logging town nestled in the heart of the Cascade Mountains had been turned into a Bavarian-style tourist town and provided the absolute perfect setting for Cam and Devon’s wedding.

It was also the first real break she’d had since the attack at JBLM, so she’d been looking forward to it for weeks now. Especially because it meant spending more time with Liam.

“All accounted for,” Erin said to her, “I’m glad we’re finally all together again—pretty sure we’ve all been looking forward to having something to celebrate.”

“Tell me about it.” The country was still in mourning but beginning to heal in the wake of the attack. For the perpetrators, justice had been swift and brutal.

Safir was dead, killed by a drone strike along with his inner circle, and the hacker named Omar, who’d worked at Boeing Field and stolen the drones, had been caught trying to cross into Mexico two days later. He’d spend the next few months rotting in a SuperMax prison while his lawyers appealed his sentence, but it wouldn’t change his fate. Sooner or later he would die by lethal injection for his crimes.

Andrews’ story had been deeply disturbing to her. She’d first learned the gist of it after visiting Smithers in the hospital a few days after the attack. Investigators had dug into Andrews’ financials and found he had racked up large gambling debts, one of the reasons why his marriage had begun to unravel.

The captured hacker Omar had helped fill in the rest. Between the severe financial stress and his resentment toward Honor, blaming her for his stalled military career, Andrews had been ripe for the picking when Safir’s network had approached him and offered him a large amount of cash to help them pull off the attack.

Honor took a fierce satisfaction in knowing that he’d died before he’d been able to touch a cent of the five hundred thousand Safir’s network had wired to an offshore account in Andrews’ name.

“Dev, Maya and I are civilians now, but I consider it a minor miracle that the rest of you were able to be here for the weekend,” Erin said. She smiled up at Wade as he crossed to her. The former undercover CIA officer handed her a glass of wine and slid a proprietary arm around her waist. “And lucky me, I’ve got the hottest man here,” she added.

“Keep talking like that and you’ll get anything you want from me,” Wade told her in a low voice.

Erin smiled wider. “I’m counting on it.”

Honor grinned at the two of them. She’d never actually met Wade in person before last night but she had to admit, Wade was damn hot in his black suit and black Stetson. That whole cowboy-commando thing he had going on was pretty sexy and from what Honor had seen in the past twelve hours, he treated Erin amazingly well. So yeah, she liked him just fine.

“Hey, what are you doing ogling Wade when you have your own man to drool over?”

Honor spun around to find Maya striding toward her. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the other woman in a pale pink dress with a fluffy skirt that hit her just below the knee. Her dark hair was pinned up in an intricate knot and she had a strand of white pearls at her throat. The transformation was shocking. She looked like she’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine.

Maya’s lips quirked and she raised an eyebrow. “What, you thought I only wore camo?”

Honor laughed and walked over to hug her. “God, you look freaking amazing. Seriously. Stunning.” She squeezed Maya, feeling the steely strength of that slender body as she returned the hug. The woman was all muscle and attitude, but seeing her in a dress, let alone one like this, was a revelation.

She eased back to study Maya’s face, her friend’s deep sea-green eyes even more arresting with the artful touches of makeup. “Holy hell, Jackson’s never gonna be able to keep his hands off you until the end of the night.”

“Oh, he will, because if he tries any funny business in front of everyone, I’ll break his hand.”

“Uh-huh,” Honor said dryly.

She wasn’t worried Maya would actually do it. The former Security Forces officer talked big, and while she could definitely back up her tough talk with action, more so than any other female Honor knew, she’d never do anything to hurt Jackson. She was putty in that PJ’s hands and everyone knew it, including Maya. It warmed Honor’s heart to see her so happy after all she’d gone through. “Did you guys come with Ace just now?”

“Nah, she’s been with Dev all morning and Jackson’s been with Cam. Maid of honor and best man stuff, you know how it is.”

“Wait, there’s Ace now,” Erin said excitedly, waving behind them.

Honor and Maya both turned to see the gunship pilot gliding toward them in a pale blue sleeveless gown, its skirt flowing to her ankles in layers of tulle, each step showing peeks of the silver strappy heels on her feet. Ace’s honey-blond hair was set in loose waves that fell around her face and shoulders, bouncing slightly with each step she took.

“Holy shit,” Maya breathed.

Ace grinned at their stunned expressions. “Hey, look at us! We clean up pretty good, huh? Who knew? Look at you guys,” she said and embraced them all individually.

“Good thing there’ll be lots of pictures,” Erin added, “otherwise nobody’d ever believe it.”

“Wait ‘til you see Spike,” Ace said, referring to Devon by her nickname. “Won’t be a dry eye in the house and I’m betting even Cam will tear up when he sees her.” She frowned at Honor. “Hey, where’s your hot date?”

“Parking the truck, so I didn’t have to walk a mile in these heels.” She gestured to the red four-inch, peep-toe stilettos she’d chosen to go with her form-fitting little black dress. Liam had taken one look at her when she’d stepped out of the bathroom this morning and told her he wanted her wearing them and nothing else when he got her to the hotel tonight, and she was totally okay with that plan. She loved seeing his expression turn all hungry when he looked at her, and these heels were going to drive him wild.

“It was so great of him, to get time off and then fly all the way back from overseas to be here,” Ace said.

“He wouldn’t have missed it.” They hadn’t had much time together after the base attack, only thirty hours before he’d been sent back to Afghanistan. So his being here was as much about spending time with her as it was to be at his friends’ wedding.

“Hey, there’s my date,” Ace said, smiling fondly as Ryan strode over, his big frame filling out his black suit jacket.

“Just when I think you can’t be any more beautiful,” he said and shook his head as he gazed at her, earning a chorus of awwws from Honor, Maya and Erin.

Ace choked on a laugh and playfully batted his arm. “You’re a terrible flirt.”

Ryan grinned, slid one hand into her hair and leaned in for a kiss, totally uncaring that they had an audience. Honor would never ask him outright, but she’d heard through the grapevine that he’d been involved with taking out Safir. She wanted to hug him for it, and might later on. “I know,” he murmured before giving Ace another, deeper kiss. “But you love it.”

“As long as it’s only with me, I don’t hate it,” Ace admitted. “And you just remember not to encourage my cousins when you see them at the reunion tomorrow. They tend to get overzealous with the whole flirting thing.”

Ryan pulled his head back, his smile fading. “Wait, reunion? You said it was a family gathering.”

Ace shrugged, setting her golden waves swishing against her shoulders. “Reunion, gathering. Whatever, same thing.”

“For which side is this again?” he asked, his expression carefully neutral.

“My dad’s.” She frowned at him. “Why?”

“So your grandma’s gonna be there?”

At that Honor burst out laughing. “Oh, please, Ryan, you can’t still be scared of Ace’s grandma.”

Ryan shot her an oh-yes-I-can look. “You didn’t get your face slapped off in front of everyone, six seconds after meeting her.” He looked at Ace. “Please say she’s not off the wagon at least?”

Ace rolled her eyes. “Grandma’s never even been on the wagon, Ryan.”

“Great,” he mumbled. “Can’t wait to see what kind of greeting I get tomorrow.”

“Well at least this time I’ve got a ring on my finger,” Ace said, wriggling the fingers of her left hand to show off her engagement ring. She’d worn it on a chain around her neck while she was overseas.

“Yeah, so that’ll get me one cheek slapped instead of two, I guess,” he muttered.

Ace chuckled and wound her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder. “You just stay close to me. I’ll protect you from the crazy blue-haired psycho in my family.”

Just then Liam’s broad-shouldered silhouette appeared in the archway leading to the lobby and a wide smile broke over Honor’s face. Her heart sped up and her body began to tingle as she watched him move. On him that custom-made suit should be illegal. The man was raw, alpha sex appeal, and he was all hers.

Watching her, Erin chuckled. “I’d say if anyone’s going to have trouble keeping their hands to themselves through the ceremony, Honor, it’s you.”

Honor shrugged good-naturedly and grinned. “Can you blame me?” Liam stepped into the light, the sun glinting on his dark hair. He wore shades but she knew the instant he spotted her. His rugged face broke into a sexy smile and the sight of him walking toward her in that tailored suit took her breath away.

Just look at him, she thought.

Maya punched her gently in the shoulder. “We’ll leave you guys alone for a couple minutes. Better get your groping in now, chica, before the ceremony starts.”

Erin waggled her brows in encouragement and looped her arm through Wade’s as the others strolled onto the lawn to take their seats and Ace went to help Devon with her veil.

Pulling off his shades as he approached, Liam’s gaze traveled over the length of her body, igniting sparks of heat wherever it touched her. He paused at her breasts and bare legs before zeroing in on the heels. “You are so damn hot,” he said as he reached her.

“Thanks. That suit makes me want to do bad things to you.”

He grinned. “Yeah? How bad are you talking?”

“Filthy,” she whispered, biting her lip.

Liam’s hands closed around her hips and he tugged her close, bending his head until his mouth brushed her ear. “I can’t wait to get you alone later,” he murmured, the warmth of his breath raising goose bumps across her skin.

“Quickie in your truck before the ceremony?” she suggested, leaning up to tease his mouth with hers. The man did insane things to her libido. They’d had sex last night after he’d arrived in town and again this morning before they’d gone to the VA hospital to visit Blinski and his wife. The Night Stalker was recovering from his fourteenth surgery and his wife was sticking to his side, supportive and loyal and determined to make their marriage last. Honor loved the woman for it.

After a busy morning topped off with the drive to Leavenworth, it felt like forever since she’d had her hands all over Liam. She couldn’t wait to find herself pinned beneath that powerful body as he plunged in and out of her and claimed her in the most elemental way possible.

Her growing arousal must have shown in her eyes because he let out a half-growl that vibrated throughout her entire body. “I wish, but there’s no time. And just to warn you, there’s nothing quick about what’s gonna happen once we get to the hotel,” he said in a low voice that made her toes curl.

“All right you two, don’t make me go hunt down a crowbar to pry you guys apart,” Ace called from the doorway of the room where Devon was waiting. “Go tell everyone to take their seats.”

Liam gave her a long, slow kiss before raising his head, his eyes twinkling as he slid his shades back on. “That means we’re one step closer to getting to the hotel.”

She sat between him and Maya right behind Devon’s family, with Erin and Wade on Liam’s other side and Ryan next to Maya. Everyone watched Cam come down the aisle with Jackson a few paces behind. Both men wore their dress blues, the left sides of their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals they’d earned over the course of their service.

The music started up and the little flower girl and ring bearer came down. Ace came next, looking like a runway model as she glided her way to the altar, casting Ryan a sultry smile on the way by. Then Devon appeared at the top of the aisle on her brother’s arm, and Honor felt her throat tighten. Her friend looked radiant in her flowing white gown, and when Honor glanced over at Cam, there was indeed a sheen of tears in his eyes as he watched his bride walk toward him.

Honor pressed her lips together. A feminine hand appeared before her face, holding a tissue. She took it and smiled her thanks to Erin, then leaned into Liam’s side and he tucked her against him. The vows Cam and Devon exchanged struck a powerful chord deep inside her.

For better and for worse, through sickness and in health.

Simple phrases, but they were the keystones of the kind of commitment it took to make a marriage work. Every single one of her friends here today had overcome tragedies with their partners, and all of them had come out the other side stronger for it.

Most people here probably knew Dev and Cam’s story, but maybe not to the same degree that Honor and her Bagram buddies did. When she looked at Cam and Dev, she saw two people who had been willing to fight and nearly die for one another while stranded behind enemy lines.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

She fully understood that Bible passage now, because she had lived it. She and Liam had gone through their own version of hell and were now stronger than ever because of it.

So when Cam leaned in to kiss his new bride, the tears in Honor’s eyes overflowed. She felt Liam shake slightly against her and knew he was laughing at her, but she didn’t care. Weddings always did this to her. They were a celebration of life and love and hope.

Everyone cheered and whistled as the kiss went on…and on. When Cam finally let Devon up for air, he laced his fingers through hers and walked her back up the aisle. Honor and Liam filed out after them with the other guests. But after they’d gone through the receiving line with everyone else, Liam pulled her aside instead of going to the reception room.

“Take a walk with me?” he asked.

Now? She glanced at the reception room, figured they had a little while before anyone would miss them. Maybe he’d changed his mind about the quickie. “Sure.” With her arm laced through his she let him lead her back across the lawn, then right, to a path that led down toward the river. “Where are we going?”

“Not far.” He shot her a cocky grin. “I did a little recon earlier while you were hugging it out with your pals.”

She followed him down the path to a small deck built on a secluded spot overlooking the river. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” He stood at the deck’s railing with his hands in his pockets, gazing out at the water as it rushed and swirled around the large boulders, the opposite bank filled with deciduous trees ablaze with bursts of vivid scarlet, persimmon and gold.

She eyed him. There was no way she was having sex here out in the open, so it had to be something else. “So…what’s going on?”

When he turned to face her he pulled his hands free of his pockets and she caught a glimpse of pale blue in his hand. Her gaze zeroed in on the ring he held between his fingertips. The same aquamarine she’d given back to him before.

Stunned, she looked up into his eyes. “You kept it.” The whisper was barely audible over the rushing river below them.

He nodded. “I carried it with me on every mission I flew, like a good luck charm. I wasn’t ready to let it go, and now I know it’s because I was meant to give it back to you one day.”

Honor’s hands went to her mouth as he dropped to one knee before her, his gaze locked with hers. “I love you, and always will. When I go to Bagram this time, I want to know this is back in its rightful place.” He paused, gazing up at her with such sincerity her heart turned over. “Marry me when I get home, Honor.”

Fighting tears, she knelt down in front of him. “Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his jaw, squeezing her eyes shut. “I absolutely will.”

Liam groaned and caught her face between his hands, then kissed her breathless. When he eased back and took her left hand in his, Honor’s fingers shook slightly as he slid the aquamarine on.

“So she said yes?” a familiar male voice called out from above them.

They both whipped their heads up to glance toward the top of the bank. Ryan was lowering his cupped hands away from his mouth and Ace was smacking his shoulder. The two of them stood there peering down at them, along with Maya and Jackson, Erin and Wade, and Cam and Devon.

“Wow, so much for privacy in the most romantic moment of my life,” Honor muttered to Liam.

“Wentworth, you’re such a dickhead,” Liam yelled up at him, but there was a smirk on his face.

Ryan cupped his hands around his mouth. “I know,” he called back, his unrepentant grin telling her he didn’t feel the least bit guilty.

Laughing, Liam grasped her wrist to hold her hand up for everyone to see. A loud cheer rose up from their friends when they saw the ring on her finger. Tuning them out, he helped her to her feet and put his hands on her hips in that possessive way she loved. “Guess the secret’s out.”

“Yeah, guess so.” She felt giddy, like she might burst from happiness. She couldn’t wait to call her mom and sister to tell them the news. Because this time she knew it would be well received.

“Would you marry me before I go back?” Liam asked, casting a sidelong glance at her as he led her back toward the bottom of the path.

Chuckling, Honor reached up to brush her fingers over his clean-shaven cheek. “That’s in three days.”

“Yeah. So will you?” His expression was earnest, as serious as she’d ever seen it. “I’ve gone long enough without you. Putting that ring on your finger felt great, but before I go back I want you to have my name. While I’m overseas this time, I want the entire world to know you’re mine.”

Warrant Officer One Honor Magrath.

She’d always thought it had a nice ring to it. And she didn’t care about planning a big, elaborate wedding; they could throw a party once Liam came back after this latest tour.

Honor smiled up at him. She was falling more in love with him every second, something she hadn’t thought possible. “Then I guess we’re eloping tomorrow. Because I can’t wait to make you mine forever.” If they had to hop a plane to Vegas tonight to make it happen, so be it.

Heat flared in Liam’s eyes. He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her snug into his body as they walked, the possessive gesture filling her with warmth. “You got yourself a deal, sweet pea.” A satisfied smile curved his mouth. “Tomorrow it is.”

—The End—

Thank you for reading COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I really hope you enjoyed it and that you’ll consider leaving a review at one of your favorite online retailers. It’s a great way to help other readers discover new books.

If you liked COLLATERAL DAMAGE and would like to read more, turn the page for a list of my other books. And if you don’t want to miss any future releases, please feel free to join my newsletter. Direct link: http://kayleacross.com/v2/contact/

Complete Booklist

Romantic Suspense

Hostage Rescue Team Series

Marked

Targeted

Hunted

Disavowed

Titanium Security Series

Ignited

Singed

Burned

Extinguished

Rekindled

Bagram Special Ops Series

Deadly Descent

Tactical Strike

Lethal Pursuit

Danger Close

Collateral Damage

Suspense Series

Out of Her League

Cover of Darkness

No Turning Back

Relentless

Absolution

Paranormal Romance

Empowered Series

Darkest Caress

Historical Romance

The Vacant Chair

Erotic Romance (writing as Callie Croix)

Deacon’s Touch

Dillon’s Claim

No Holds Barred

Touch Me

Let Me In

Covert Seduction