August
It’s nice to have contacts, and I’m specifically talking about the type that come from working for a man like Kynan McGrath.
He’d suggested I consider moving to the East Coast, specifically to the Pittsburgh headquarters of Jameson. He pointed out it enabled me to continue with a lucrative career surrounded by the best security professionals in the world. Plus, the mountains surrounding the city had some of the best places where we could hide in plain sight.
Of course, the first thing on the agenda before leaving Vegas had been to take advantage of a quickie wedding. Again, Kynan called in a favor. One of the local judges had gladly married us at the Jameson offices in Vegas with my parents and Mike in attendance.
Obviously, Sam had been there, too. Standing right in between Leighton and me, our arms all wrapped around each other. While no vows had been exchanged, the marriage certificate had been signed by an esteemed member of the court.
The next day, we’d managed to get the entire house packed and loaded. We’d kissed my parents goodbye with promises they could come visit us very soon, and we’d hit the road.
I’m sure no one understands the importance of why I had to marry Leighton right away, but I’d wanted that paper sealing our future together before we took our first steps together as a family. Didn’t matter what our names changed to. Didn’t matter where we lived. We had an actual court decree that said Leighton, Sam, and I belonged together forever.
There’s a knock on the front door. Regrettably, Leighton jumps, her face frowning with worry.
“Relax, babe,” I say with a gentle kiss. “It’s just Kynan.”
I leave Leighton in the kitchen unpacking the plates and utensils. It’s amazing how fast we were able to pack up an entire household and move. Within two days of us tying the knot, we’d filled up a large U-Haul with our belongings and headed east to Pennsylvania. Eventually, I’m going to take a few buddies out to Denver to pack up the remainder of their house there, but we need to get settled first.
We’re renting for now, not wanting to make a rash decision by buying sight unseen. Kynan found this gem of a four-bedroom house nestled in the rolling hills about thirty miles north of Pittsburgh. It’s placed on over three acres, where Mike and Sam are currently walking around to check things out.
I move to the front door, knowing Kynan will be there. I’m surprised when I open it to find he’s brought his wife, Joslyn.
I hug her, shake Kynan’s hand, and invite them both in, then point toward the kitchen. “Leighton’s in there unpacking. We’ve got some coffee on if you want some.”
Joslyn smiles as she heads that way. She’s not met Leighton yet, but she’s well aware of what’s going on. Besides, she knows Kynan’s here to talk business, and I’m sure she’s here to welcome Leighton to the area. Joslyn’s the team mother to the Jameson employees and their families.
I lead Kynan through the living room and into a room we’ve set up as a home office, then close the door behind us.
“How are things going?” he asks.
I wave him off, the question feeling irrelevant. “The house is great. Incredibly grateful to you for finding this place for us, letting me come to the Pittsburgh office, and getting us new identities. But let’s talk about the important things right now.”
Kynan moves over to the window, peering over the pretty side yard bordered with apple trees before meeting my eyes. “Our team landed in Beirut this morning. It’s going to take a few days, but we should be ready to move mid-week.”
He then lays out the entire plan. A team of six Jameson men supported by a SEAL platoon offered to us by the U.S. government since it’s as important to them to retrieve an American citizen as it is for us to bring our friend back. I’m not going to be joining them, which is my only regret, but… Leighton and Sam are my priority now.
If we’re lucky, Malik will have been rescued and returned to the States by this time next week.
We discuss a few minor details, but my input isn’t necessary for the most part. Kynan employs a brilliant strategist by the name of Dozer Burney, whom he stole from NASA, and we have one of the best cyber experts in the world on our team as well. Bebe Grimshaw.
Speaking of, I ask Kynan, “Is Bebe going with them?”
Kynan shakes his head. “She’s going to provide remote support. Plus, she’s settling into her new normal now, too. You both have a lot in common.”
“Yeah,” I say with a chuckle. That’s for sure. Bebe’s been laying low herself over the last year with a target on her back, too. That was recently resolved, thanks to an undercover government agent who came to her rescue and whom she subsequently fell in love with.
“As a matter of fact,” Kynan continues. “You need to get with Bebe. She wants to get the boys together.”
Bebe has a son Sam’s age. They only live about twenty minutes from us, Bebe also preferring country living to the city. I’m sure that’s why Kynan found us a house in this area.
With the talk of secret operations in Syria over, Kynan and I head to the kitchen to find Joslyn shoulder to shoulder with Leighton, helping to unpack. Both women are laughing.
Leighton immediately gives me a stern look. “You could have given me a head’s-up that the Joslyn Meyers was fixing to walk into my kitchen.”
I give Leighton a sheepish grin, moving to her side to kiss her neck. “Sorry, babe.”
Joslyn laughs it off. True, she’s a famous actress and pop star and everyone in the world knows who she is, but to the Jameson folks, she’s just a part of our family and team. Leighton will learn that soon enough.
Kynan and Joslyn end up staying for a while, helping us unpack. Mike and Sam return from exploring the property and Leighton’s able to whip up grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup to feed us. It’s a great start to our new life.
♦
“Best part of this house,” Leighton murmurs as she snuggles against me. Our bodies are slick with the fevered sweat of some excellent fucking. “Master bedroom on the bottom floor while Dad and Sam are relegated upstairs. We don’t have to worry about being so quiet.”
“Speak for yourself,” I grumble, pulling her closer. “I like when you have panties stuffed in your mouth.”
“You can do that to me whenever you want,” she murmurs huskily.
While the thought is appealing, it’s equally as settling to know I’m content with the way things are.
We lay quietly, stroking each other’s skin and snuggling in a little bit tighter. This is the way I’d envisioned our life would be one day, just without all the other shit that happened in between.
“You nervous about tomorrow?” I ask.
“A little,” she admits. “I’m sure I’ll stop being so antsy over time.”
I understand this, of course, but I hate she has to worry. Tomorrow, we’re headed into Pittsburgh to meet with the new doctor who will be taking over Sam’s care. We’d been fortunate Kynan was able to procure new identities for us so quickly, because we couldn’t establish Sam’s medical care without them. Luckily, we are still able to consult with his doctor in Vegas, but Sam has done nothing but continue to get stronger and stronger with each passing day. The way I see it is, we were blessed with a miracle.
I roll to my side so I can face Leighton, my arm moving to her waist. There’s no turning the lights off in our room before we fuck, as we like to see every damn bit of what we’re doing. Her face is flushed, hair a mess, and she’s simply stunning.
“I love you,” I say.
She smiles. “I love you, too. Why so serious though?”
“I just need you to know that I will always keep you and Sam safe. Your dad, too, of course. I just want you to be happy and to not have to worry.”
“I’ll get there,” she promises. “And for what it’s worth, I do feel safe with you. Even knowing those thugs are out there searching for us—”
“—only in Vegas,” I make sure to point out. Kynan’s DOJ contacts assure us that they’re still swarming the city, intent on catching Mike there.
Her fingertips graze my lips. “Regardless, it doesn’t matter. The danger will always be there, but I feel settled and complete now that we’re together. It’s like my life’s circle has finally closed with everything I need cocooned right inside.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” I reply, rolling closer to kiss her.
Of course, that tender touch of our mouths turns into something hotter. That underlying flick of flame suddenly ignites once again, so I continue rolling until she’s underneath me once again.
All those times we spent in The Wicked Horse—a part of our past now—but also still clearly indicative of just how deep our passion for each other rages. Doesn’t matter if we’re in Sin City or the sleepy mountains of Western Pennsylvania…
Within the arms of this woman, with my son sleeping just up the staircase, I am finally home.