Epilogue

 

Cruz

 

The wind blew through the white gauzy curtains that covered the floor-to-ceiling windows of the small chalet. The sun rose over the water, and I looked down at the beautiful woman lying on my chest, naked and sated after an evening of lovemaking.

We’d been on our honeymoon for two days, and we’d yet to leave the private beach and chalet we’d rented. And we’d yet to grow tired of exploring each other’s bodies.

The thought stirred me, and I moved to cover her body with mine. She giggled, reaching behind my head and pulling me down closer. I kissed her neck, moving to her collarbone and down her chest, between her breasts to the hollow where her belly button rested. I dipped my tongue inside as she bucked against me.

“Cruz, don’t punish me.”

I chuckled, and moved back to her lips. “Whatever do you mean, love?”

“You know what I mean. Make love to me. Now.”

I wasn’t one to make a lady beg. So I did. Twice. Once in the bed and the second time in the shower.

We ate breakfast on the lanai that looked over the ocean, the salty breeze whipping her hair around her face. I swear she’d never looked more breathtaking.

“So, do you think Ryder will ever make a move on Jolie?”

“Seriously? That’s what you want to talk about? I just made mad, crazy love to you, and you want to talk about my co-workers?”

She laughed and then shrugged, lifting one brow in a teasing look. “Maybe. He is pretty cute.”

I rolled my eyes and caught her hand in mine. She leaned forward and kissed me on the nose. “I’m just saying. They’ve been dancing around each other since I met them, and I’m sure it was going on long before I came around. Is he ever going to man up?”

Sighing and realizing I wasn’t going to get away from the topic, I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes, letting the warm sun touch my face. “He’s such a coward. Who knows? I think if he’s what Jolie wants, though, he’s what Jolie will get.”

“True. That woman is stubborn as a mule.”

“What would you like to do today?”

“I don’t know. Walk on the beach. Lie out in the sun. Maybe visit the marketplace?”

“You want to put actual clothes on? I’m not sure I like that idea. I’ve kind of gotten used to seeing you like this all day long.” She was gorgeous, in a sheer cover-up with nothing underneath.

“I figured I’d throw on a bikini underneath.”

“And hide all that luscious skin? It’s a crime.”

Lydia giggled, looking radiant and relaxed. For a moment I let my mind go back to those moments when I’d thought I’d never get the opportunity to see her this way. The worst moments of my life, when I’d thought she was dead.

Her hand settled on mine, and I glanced up to see her eyebrows creased together. “Don’t think about it.”

“How can I not?” I turned my palm to meet hers, cradling her hand in mine. “I almost lost you. Even after I found you alive, I wasn’t sure if you’d pull through. You were unconscious for four days. The longest four days of my life.”

“I know. But I did pull through. And nothing will ever separate us again. Nothing.”

I leaned forward, our faces inches away. “I don’t want to wait. I want to start our lives now.”

Lydia laughed, confusion clear in her gaze. “What do you mean? We are starting our lives now. We were married three days ago.”

“I want babies. With you.”

The chocolate brown of her eyes sparkled with tears. “Really?”

“Yes. And if it’s too soon, I’ll wait. But—” She stood and rounded the table, throwing her arms around my neck and planting herself in my lap.

“I want that too!”

“Really?”

“Really. Can we start now?”

I scooped her up into my arms, her head falling back as laughter shook her body. I laid her down on the bed, then crawled up over her till we were face-to-face.

“You ready to make a baby, Mrs. Ortiz?”

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

***

 

Shadow Force HQ

Ryder

 

I sat in front of the bank of computers I called home at Shadow Force. I was comfortable here; the soft whirring they made, the clicking of my fingers across the keyboard.

Peaceful.

I hadn’t had much of that in my life. Not as a kid, growing up in a trailer park just outside Atlanta. Not as an adult, giving my best years, my twenties, over to Uncle.

I shook my head at my thoughts. The CIA had taken more than just my allegiance for almost seven years. They’d taken my soul. No one walked away unscathed. The things I’d seen, the things I’d done. And yet, I’d only killed once while working for them.

Once was enough.

Her eyes, cold and lifeless, flashed through my mind, and I typed in his name once again.

Nikolai Dmitriev. Russian Mafia boss. Murderer.

The computer did its work, running through chatter and feeds on several different sites. I’d been searching since I’d left. Looking for any indication that he knew who I was or where I was. So far, I’d come up empty-handed.

I pushed away from the desk, stretching my legs and arms. Getting the kinks out of my neck.

“You look tense.”

I knew she was there before she spoke—the soft steps of her feet, her citrusy scent, and something else… a connection I didn’t want to think about but that somehow pulled us together.

“I’m fine.”

I didn’t turn around. I knew if I did, I’d have to restrain myself from pulling her into my arms and kissing her like she deserved to be kissed.

Her tiny, soft hands touched the bare skin of my arm. I wanted to groan, but I held it in. I turned to face her, saw the concern in her eyes.

“When do you sleep?” I glanced at one of the clocks on the wall. Two in the morning.

I shrugged away from her touch. I saw the hurt in her eyes as she let her hand fall to her side. How did I tell her it wasn’t her? It was me. I wasn’t good enough for her. I wasn’t good enough for anyone.

Anyone that cared about me would get hurt. That’s the way it always happened.

“I sleep. When I’m tired.”

“You look exhausted.”

“Was there something you needed, Jolie?” The hurt in her eyes turned to anger, and she propped her hands on her hips. It was a defensive move she used a lot. Especially around me.

“No. I was just checking on you. Couldn’t sleep so I walked over here. Saw your lights on.”

Sweet. She was so sweet. And if I was a different man, I’d take her up on all that sweetness she offered me.

“I’m fine. Just busy.”

Her sigh was loud, and I wasn’t sure she even realized she’d made the sound.

“Okay, then. Good night.”

She walked away. I was glad she left. Really. It was better this way. Nina would agree, if she could. She’d warn Jolie about the dangers of caring about Ryder Blake.

Her memory was too painful to ponder, so I sat back down at the monitors and stared at the information blinking on the screen.

I’d found it.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” I sifted through the information, just as ice water shot through my veins. I couldn’t believe it. The connection between the two was too coincidental, wasn’t it?

I dialed Levi, who answered on the first ring. His voice was gruff from sleep.

“This better be good, Blake.”

“It is.”

My grin widened even though I knew Levi couldn’t see me.

“I found it. I found our shipment.”