“Here’s to my goddaughter.” Cullen Pulaski refilled Madison’s glass with champagne, and she smiled up at him lovingly. He’d certainly made sure she had the very best. A private hospital room with a view of New York that rivaled the best apartments.
Harrison and Payton stood on one side of the bed, while her father and Cullen stood at the end. Gabriel sat on the opposite side, holding her as close as her cast would allow. The surgery on her arm had been a success, and with physical therapy and some TLC she’d soon be good as new.
“Here’s to Last Chance, Inc.” Madison held her glass high. “We might have been slow out of the gate, but you have to admit it was a hell of a finish.”
“A bit too close for me,” Gabriel said, pulling her closer, his breath teasing her hair.
Harrison raised his glass, echoing both sentiments. His gaze met Madison’s, the relief there almost palpable. “I’m just glad you’re here for the celebration.”
“Me, too.” Her whispered response brought a cluck of concern from her father. He’d flown back from Belgium as soon as he’d heard, and wouldn’t have left her side for a minute if Gabriel hadn’t insisted they be allowed at least a few minutes alone now and then.
“Well, it’s all in the past now,” Cullen said. “The summit is on, the negotiations occurring even as we speak. If things continue going so well, I fully expect a signed agreement by the end of the week.”
“So a winning situation all the way around.” As usual there was a mocking edge to Payton’s voice, but his smile was genuine.
“I still don’t understand how Kingston was able to manage the variations in M.O.,” Harrison said, reaching for the champagne to refill his glass.
“That one’s actually pretty easy,” Payton said. “Turns out Kingston did two tours in ’Nam. One as a sharpshooter, and the other in medevac. So his skills covered the gamut. And especially in the beginning, he had the element of surprise. The victims trusted him.”
“Well, it’s over now,” Madison’s father said, with a wave of his glass. “That’s all that really matters.”
“Yeah, time to get back to our real jobs,” Harrison concurred. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve got a pile of work waiting for me.”
“Not us,” Gabriel said, shooting her a wicked smile. “We’re set for a little R & R. Right after I get her to the justice of the peace. I’m thinking Hawaii, or maybe a deserted island in the Pacific somewhere.”
“As long as there aren’t any cell phones,” Madison agreed, laughing, her heart soaring at the thought of spending the rest of her life with Gabriel.
“I’m still miffed I won’t be here for the wedding,” Payton frowned playfully.
“It’s not our fault you got called off to the wilds of South America,” Gabriel said, his expression turning serious. South America was all Payton had been willing to divulge of his next assignment, and they really weren’t even certain he was telling that much truth, but Madison knew she had to be content with not knowing. Payton would always have secrets, but he would also always have a place in her heart.
“I don’t know that any of you should be making those kinds of plans just yet.”
Almost in unison the four of them frowned at Cullen, suspicion raising its ugly head.
Cullen took in their expressions, and answered with a benign smile. “It’s not my fault you all did such a bang-up job. And it isn’t my fault that the president called this morning to say that there’s been a bit of a problem at the border. Something to do with a Mexican cartel. DEA’s been on it for years with no success.”
“Don’t tell me,” Gabriel said dryly, his gaze meeting Madison’s. “It’s a ‘last chance’ situation, and no one else is equipped to handle it like we are.”
Cullen’s smile broadened, his eyes twinkling with the success of a battle won. “Exactly.”
More of Dee Davis’ Last Chance series
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