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“It’s time.”
Olivia turned away from the floor-length Venetian mirror to find Trevor standing in the doorway.
He looked ravishing in his black tuxedo. He truly was movie-star handsome, and Olivia knew that any woman out there would be very lucky to have him.
The moment was bittersweet. She’d always pictured her dad as the one who would give her away on her wedding day. Then, after learning that Mike was still alive, she’d desperately wanted him to do it but had no way of contacting him.
Unfortunately, he was still finishing up his last undercover job. He’d promised they would see each other again soon. That had to be good enough.
For now, her man was waiting for her outside. She was certain of it. She’d heard stories of other brides who were so scared of being left at the altar that they couldn’t relax until they actually saw their groom.
Not Olivia. She had no doubt that Jake was out there, waiting to become her husband.
The past six months had passed in a blur. Between moving into Jake’s ranch, her rehab and counseling appointments, and planning a wedding...the days had flown by. Some nights were still rough, but the nightmares came less frequently now, and Jake had been by her side through it all.
Both to her delight and dismay, Jake had taken a leave of absence from R.I.S.C. He still took care of the day-to-day decisions, but wouldn’t play an active role in any dangerous jobs that had come their way for a while.
At first, she’d cringed at the idea that he would take time away from the job she knew he loved simply because of her. It didn’t take long, however, before she realized just how much she enjoyed having Jake McQueen at her side every day and in her bed every night.
The first two months consisted of a lot of personal, in-your-face care since she needed help cleaning and dressing the wounds on her arm and back. Once most of her injuries had begun to heal, Olivia had wanted Jake to touch her in a way that wasn’t clinical. He’d adamantly refused for fear he’d hurt her.
After weeks of frustration and waiting, and after preparing a few tricks of seduction up her sleeveless teddy, Jake had finally relented, letting go of that famous control of his.
At first, she was self-conscious about her back, but Jake quickly put her at ease when he lovingly kissed every single one, reminding her repeatedly how strong and brave she was.
Olivia hadn’t thought that part of their relationship could get any better than it had already been. Boy had she been wrong. Tonight would be no different.
After their simple ceremony behind Jake’s ranch, they would go to whatever hotel Jake had chosen. He’d let her plan the wedding with the agreement that he got complete freedom to plan their honeymoon. Olivia trusted him completely, so of course she’d agreed.
Their honeymoon was to be celebrated at an undisclosed location. Jake had wanted to surprise her, and no amount of begging and pleading had worked. Not even in bed.
So, tonight—wherever they were staying—she and Jake would make love for the first time as husband and wife. It would no doubt, be a night she’d never forget.
Olivia smiled and started toward the doorway, wrapping her fingers around Trevor’s extended elbow. She was so thankful he’d agreed to give her away.
She and Trevor had become even closer friends these past few months, and Olivia couldn’t imagine her life without him.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I’m honored you asked me to give you away today.”
“No, not for that. Well, that, too, but I meant for making me see things through Jake’s eyes.”
Trevor’s eyes became tormented. “I just wish I wouldn’t have left so soon. If I hadn’t, then maybe...”
Olivia squeezed his forearm. “You have to stop blaming yourself, Trevor. If you’d stayed, Cetro would have just waited and come after me a different time. Besides, it’s over. You guys found me, and Cetro’s gone for good. I’m marrying the man of my dreams today, so, no more talk of drug lords or anything else like that. Today is all about being happy.”
“And are you happy?”
Her face lit up. “The happiest. Although, I do wish my husband-to-be would have let up on the whole security thing today.”
Understanding filled Trevor’s face. “He just wants to keep you safe, Liv.”
“I know, and I love him for it.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“Well, given his propensity to keep today all-things R.I.S.C., Mac and Ryker’s secretary, are the only other females here. I mean, no offense to either of them, but it seems a shame to waste a handsome man such as yourself on a woman who’d probably kick your ass if you tried anything with her, and a sweet grandma.”
Trevor threw his head back and laughed. “I didn’t know you were so concerned with my love life.”
“It’s your lack of a love life that concerns me.”
He shook his head and grinned. “Well, don’t let it.”
“Look, I know I’m the one who just imposed the whole, no-negativity, rule, but you can’t let what happened to Lisa keep you from going after what you want. You’re an amazing man, Trevor. You deserve to be just as happy as Jake and I are.”
“I know.”
“I’m serious. You...wait. You know?”
He chuckled. “Seeing you and Jake fighting for each other the way you have. Going through everything you went through, and still coming out on top...” he trailed off.
“Yes?” she prompted.
He shrugged, looking adorably embarrassed. “I guess it’s made me think, maybe I can have that, too. You know?”
Olivia grinned. “I do.”
“Hey, you’re supposed to be saying those words to Jake, not this guy.”
Olivia gasped and spun around, her long, lace dress making a swishing sound as she moved. “Mikey!”
Even in her three-inch heels, Olivia ran toward her brother and jumped into his arms. He held her tightly, slipping his hands beneath her fingertip-length veil so he didn’t pull it from her hair.
Mikey then spun her around a couple of times before carefully placing her feet back on the ground.
“I can’t believe you’re here! What about your assignment?”
Her brother shrugged. “It’s over. I completed my last contract with Uncle Sam. I’m officially a civilian, now.”
She really looked at her brother, surprised she hadn’t immediately noticed all the changes.
His brown hair was shorter, more like when he was in high school. The beard was gone, making him look much younger than when she’d last seen him. And he was wearing a tux that matched Trevor’s exactly.
Noticing her assessing gaze, Mikey teased, “Word is some jackass out there is waiting to marry my only sister. I couldn’t let that happen without me, so what do ya say?” He lifted his elbow much like Trevor had. “You ready?”
She was still trying to process the other thing he’d said. Not sure she’d heard him right, Olivia asked, “You’re...done? As in, no longer undercover?”
He smiled. “Yep. I’m free to go and do whatever I want.”
“How? I mean, not that I’m not thrilled, but you ‘died’. How are you going to explain that if you see someone you—”
“The official story is, I suffered a serious head wound in the supposed training accident I had ten years ago, and then went into a coma. My ID got inadvertently switched with another soldier who died...although, not really. They made that guy up to fit the story.”
She raised a brow. “Really? A ten-year coma? That’s the best they could come up with?”
He chuckled. “I know, right? It’s like something out of a damn soap opera script. But, hey...what can I say? It’s the government.”
“That’ll work? You won’t be in any danger by exposing yourself like that?”
“Well, I don’t plan on exposing myself to anyone. There are laws against that, you know.” He winked, and Olivia smacked his arm.
“Owe! What was that for?”
She rolled her eyes. “For being a perverted, twelve-year-old boy, that’s what.”
Mikey laughed loudly, as did she. It really didn’t matter what the story was. Olivia was just thankful she had her brother back. For good, from the way it sounded.
Smiling so wide it almost hurt, she started to take his arm again but hesitated at the last second. She turned to look over her shoulder, but Trevor was already starting to talk.
“It’s okay, Liv. This was the plan all along.”
Her brows rose at that. “Really?”
Trevor smiled. “Really. It was all Jake’s idea. He wanted to surprise you.” He looked over her to Mikey. “Although, I was beginning to think you were going to be a no-show.”
Mikey chuckled. “I was, too. The paperwork on my last case took a lot longer to wrap up than I expected. Barely made my flight.”
To Olivia, Mikey said, “I’ve already missed too damn much. Seeing my baby sister marry my best friend? I wouldn’t have missed that for the world.”
Despite her heroic efforts, a tear slipped from Olivia’s eye. Mikey swiped it away gently and asked again. “You ready?”
She smiled and whispered back, “Ready.”
The ceremony was perfectly simple. Only Jake’s team, Jason Ryker, his secretary, Brenda, and the preacher Ryker provided were in attendance. Mac served as her Maid of Honor and Trevor was Jake’s Best Man.
Olivia cried as she recited her vows. Jake kept it together. Barely.
When it was his turn to speak, there was no mistaking the love he felt. Not only from the beautifully written words he had composed but also in the way those blue eyes shone with unshed tears. Tears of love. For her.
Feeling giddy, Olivia started a little when she felt something gently touch her cheek.
“I don’t know what put that smile on your face, but I sure hope it has something to do with me.”
Olivia lifted her head from Jake’s chest as they continued to dance. She found those same blue eyes staring back down at her, the corners crinkled with amusement. She smiled even bigger.
“It has everything to do with you.”
His own smile grew, and she suddenly found it hard to breathe. Warrior Jake was fiercely handsome, but smiling, happy Jake was absolutely stunning.
“I was just thinking that I never want to forget how magical this all is.”
He leaned down and kissed her as their bodies continued to sway back and forth to the slow love song.
“You won’t,” he spoke against her lips. “And neither will I.”
He pulled back a little and used his fingertip to gently swipe a curl from her forehead. “There’s nothing that could make me forget how lucky I am to have you as my wife, Liv. To know that this is the face I will always come home to.” He hugged her closely, whispering in her ear. “These are the arms I’ll fall asleep in. Wake up in.” He pulled back slightly. “I love you so damned much, baby. I promise I will do my best to show you every day for the rest of my life.”
For years he’d been her best friend. Then, he became her real-life hero. After that, her lover. And now...now he was her husband. Olivia’s heart felt as though it would burst.
“I love you too, Jake. I always will.”
He leaned in for another kiss. This time his voice was deeper, his loving tone laced with heat.
“What would you say if I asked you to start the honeymoon early, Mrs. McQueen?”
Olivia lifted onto her tiptoes and took her own kiss, still astonished that she’d have the right to do that any time she wanted for the rest of their lives.
She raised an eyebrow and gave him her own wry smile. “I’d say...race you to the car.”
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