Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Kenzie reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’ll call Travis, and we’ll start teaching Colton immediately. It fits. And we’ll talk later.”
Her twin was going to be a problem, but she knew what she had to do. Take care of herself because Cooper deserved a partner who did.
Because she deserved to be loved. Even by herself.
Cooper laid his head on her shoulder. “Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head. She had everything she could possibly need. They all settled down for a couple more hours of sleep before taking the journey home.
There would be more missions, more danger to come. Probably a shit ton more drama.
And she was ready for it all.
“I need ketchup,” TJ mumbled as Lou snuggled close.
Kala yawned and fell asleep to the steady sound of her cousin snoring.
All was right with her world.
* * * *
Three Weeks Later
“I can’t believe they did it,” Charlotte said, looking over at the dinner reception playing out at Top. The whole restaurant was decorated for a party and filled with family. “I thought I would be able to talk Cooper out of the whole three-week wedding thing. I knew I wouldn’t be able to convince Kala, but I thought I could guilt Coop into it.”
Eve McKay was just happy to be upright. Getting shot sucked. It was why she was really more of a behind-the-desk employee. Of course, having all her kids home made up for some of the pain. Vivian had come home from England, where she shared a flat with Sophy Weston. Both had hopped the first plane they could find, and they’d stayed for the wedding. Having her baby girl home for a while was lovely. Since Vivi was home, Hunter and Cooper had been coming over most days. Being with her family was the best thing in the world.
And all she had to do was take a bullet.
“You should be grateful,” Eve told her friend. “You have plenty to do with Tasha’s wedding, and don’t bring up the double-wedding thing. You know Kala would die before sitting around picking flowers and DJs. Tash is more than happy to have a big to-do.”
Tasha’s wedding to Dare Nash was coming up in a few months, and Charlotte was deeply invested.
Charlotte whined a little because she was deeply invested in all of her kids. Even the ones who wouldn’t like a big wedding. “But I could have done it for her.”
Eve looked out over the gathering. Top was closed for the evening, the entire restaurant filled with friends and family celebrating a wedding that felt like it would never happen. They had managed to convince the bride and groom that they could do a pared-down service here at Top. The ceremony itself had been brief and beautiful, with Kala surprising everyone she knew by giving her vows in the form of a poem.
And she let her brother play guitar, so it was almost like a song.
It had been a beautiful, romantic gesture from a woman who didn’t make them. Except for her husband. Cooper had found a rare treasure in his wife. “It was what they wanted. They didn’t want to wait, didn’t need anything more than this.”
Charlotte sniffled. “I suppose. I just wish her cousin could have been here.”
Devi was still missing. The team had been trying to track Zach but had come up with nothing. They’d had a bit more luck with Huisman, who seemed to be in Asia. They were working with other intelligence agencies. Specifically in Nepal. She would have to watch her son and new daughter-in-law go back into danger, and way sooner than she would like. Which was never.
As long as Huisman was out there, no one in their world was safe. Maybe no one in the world was safe. But she had faith. If anyone could save the world, it was their kids.
So proud. She was so damn proud of them all.
“Well, she’s not here because she’s a dumbass,” Erin said, walking up to join them. She was accompanied by Serena Dean-Miles. There was a glass of champagne in her hand and a frown on her face. “I still can’t believe she ditched her guard. I told Zach he should spank her ass good. I hope they’re holed up in a club and she gets acquainted with a spanking bench. I knew timeouts didn’t work. Especially when her father would sit there with her. I blame Theo.”
“He wasn’t much of a disciplinarian,” Serena noted. “Which is why all the kids adored him.”
Eve felt her eyes go wide because Serena was missing the point. “You talked to him?”
“Of course,” Erin replied. “He keeps us up to date, and Devi complains bitterly. Do you seriously think I would be calmly hanging out here if I didn’t know she was safe?”
Serena nodded. “I’ve talked to her, too. Devi is Brianna’s best friend. She was planning some crazy stuff. Those girls do not leave each other behind.”