Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Two weeks later…

“I sure hope that smile has something to do with me.”

Evie’s smile grew even more as she looked up from the note she’d been reading to see her fiancé standing by the door.

Fiancé

Two weeks, and the title still felt exciting and new. And yet, in some ways—in the very best of ways—it was as if he’d been there her entire life.

Protecting her.

Supporting her.

Loving me.

Life with the former Marine-turned-super soldier was like an amazing dream come true. Though he tended to be a bit overprotective, her fiancé was also incredibly attentive and sweet.

The days following her rescue had passed by in a whirlwind of doctors and official reports. Statements were made; evidence was shared, and in the end, Landy had paid the ultimate punishment for his crimes.

With so many high-level clients, it wasn’t long before news broke of the shocking story. Every secret Landy had hoped to carry with him to the grave was being exposed.

The lying. Stealing. His massive Ponzi scheme cost families millions. Even the truth about Phillip Mitchell not being Evie’s father—as well as his refusal to pay the Taliban’s ransom demands—was out there for the world to see.

By the time it was all said and done, both Phillip’s and Landy’s reputations had been destroyed. Both known only as a pair of greedy, selfless, untrustworthy, miserable men. And, despite Landy having once been like family to Evie, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of vindication, knowing he was already burning in hell.

She also refused to spend her days obsessing over what had happened. Refused to waste a second of her precious time lost in memories of the past.

Instead, Evie chose to focus on the future. One where she got to live out her dream with the man she loved.

Though he’d officially been given the last two weeks off from work, there had been a couple of days like today, when Beckett had run into the office for a quick meeting or to fill out a report for this or that. At Evie’s request, they had yet to share the news of their engagement with the team or anyone else.

Not even Lo.

Despite being over-the-moon ecstatic about marrying Beckett, she wanted to relish in their shared joy in private. Just the two of them.

Just for a little while.

As she’d explained to Beckett that day in her hospital room, so much of her life had been spent under a microscope. Every decision she’d made had been scrutinized by others. Every movement overshadowed by Phillip Mitchell’s smug, resentful eyes.

So as excited as she was knowing they’d soon be tied to one another in every way humanly possible, Evie had wanted to enjoy the moment as a couple in private before sharing the news with their friends.

“You know you always make me smile.” She went to Beckett, holding out the handwritten note for him to see.

He took the offered paper from her hand. But rather than read it, he pulled her body flush with his before giving her a proper—and very thorough—kiss.

“Hi.”

Evie’s heart swelled to the point of near bursting as she stared up into his heated gaze. “Hello, yourself.”

He stepped back to allow for enough room to read the note still held in his hand. “What do we have here?”

“It’s from the girls.” She pointed to the written words on the page. “Each of them wrote a little note to us both, but they used the same piece of paper. Armineh and Sadia took up most of the front, and Malalai’s and Benesh’s messages are on the back.”

She waited, giving him a quiet moment to read over the sweet words.

Armineh had shared that she and her family had moved to a safer area. Benesh’s family had moved in with her grandparents, and Sadia and Malalai were still at their original homes.

All four girls reported the area they all lived in was becoming safer and less volatile than it had been in recent months. The girls were back in the same school as before and reportedly doing very well in each of their subjects.

Warmth spread throughout Evie’s chest as she waited, knowing the girls were able to thrive once again. She just prayed those in charge of that part of Afghanistan heeded the recent warning that had been handed down by the U.S.

If there is another American captured on Afghan soil, it will be considered an act of war, and you and your people will feel the weight of my entire military.

It was a direct quote from the leader of the most powerful country in the world. One Evie, herself, had heard fall from the president’s lips as she and the members of Tac-Ops—along with the SEAL team from Hawaii—stood in the Oval Office exactly one week after the incident on the yacht.

“Sounds like the girls are doing well.” Beckett handed her back the treasured note with a grin.

“Yeah.” Evie nodded as she carefully refolded the paper and set it on the decorative table to her right. “I just hope they can finally live their lives in peace.”

“Come here.” Her fiancé wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close once more.

Looking up, Evie teased him with a slow, sly grin. “What’s the matter? You didn’t get enough of me this morning?”

Tantalizing flares of their early morning lovemaking still tingled through her lower belly. He’d been so sweet, so careful, moving torturously slow. Evie knew he still worried about hurting her healing wound but planned to prove to him later she could handle a whole lot more.

“Not even close.” He leaned in for another deep, consuming kiss. When he was finished, he moved back just enough to allow his darkened gaze to become fixed with hers. “And just so you know…” Beckett rumbled low. “When it comes to you, it will never be enough.”

“That’s good, because I’m pretty sure the ring I’m still waiting to get back from the jeweler includes a lifetime membership to your bed.”

“You mean this ring?” He held up the shiny diamond wedding set he’d surprised her with the day she’d left the hospital. “The jeweler called on my way home from the office and said it was ready.”

Evie squealed as she held out her left hand—palm-down, fingers splayed. The gorgeous set had been a tad too big when he’d surprised her with the impromptu hospital proposal, so Beckett had taken it back in to get it resized.

He slid it onto its designated finger on her left hand, his thumb caressing her gently as he kept his gentle hold.

“It’s perfect.” She admired the diamond’s sparkling shimmer.

Beckett pulled her back into his arms with a rumbled, “Just like you.”

No, baby. You’re the one who’s perfect.

“I love you so much.” Evie lifted onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.

“Yeah?” He smirked, though the man knew full well that she did.

“Need me to prove it?” The tip of her nose brushed his in a purposefully teasing move. “Because I was thinking maybe we tell the guys about my new bling when we see them all this weekend.”

Beckett’s fingertips dug into her hips as a flash of excitement darkened his heated gaze. “You mean it?”

Evie nodded, her belly fluttering like mad from the sight of his giddy grin. “It’s time.” She looked at her ring from over his shoulder. “The perfect time, really. Everyone will be at Falcon and Avery’s cookout on Saturday, including Mustang and Aleck and their team. And since I have my ring back, I can show them all just how much I love you.”

“You know you don’t have to prove anything, right?” His tone—and expression—grew serious. “Not to them or me.”

“I know.” She placed a palm over his beating heart.

Strong.

Steady.

Resilient.

Just like him.

“Told you before, I’m not going anywhere.” He pressed a sweet kiss to the center of her forehead. “So take as long as you need.”

Love unlike any she’d ever known filled her heart to the point she thought it may burst. Snuggling in close, Evie ignored the slight pull at the place where the knife had entered her body as she rested her cheek against his chest.

“They’re your family, Beckett,” she whispered softly. “I want them to share in the joy of the love we’ve found.”

“Wrong, darlin’.” He put a hand beneath her chin, gently forcing her eyes back up to his. “They aren’t just my family. They’re yours, now, too. And trust me when I say, they’re going to be fucking thrilled for us both when we tell them the news.”

Beckett leaned in, his mouth devouring hers until her knees were weak and her thoughts filled with nothing but him. And when he picked her up and took her to bed, she showed him just how thrilled she was knowing he was going to be hers.

Today.

Tomorrow.

Forever.

What started as a fight to the death in the middle of a dark, desert cave had miraculously ended in a glorious mess of tangled sheets and unbreakable love. Only Evie and Beckett’s story hadn’t reached its end at all.

In fact…

It’s only just beginning.

Slade Garrison stepped into his boss’s home office. Located in the plantation’s newly renovated wing, the impressive room exuded classic masculine power.

Deep woods met earthy tones. Windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. Bookcases covering the walls to Slade’s left and right. Their shelves showcasing hundreds of hardcover titles his boss couldn’t possibly find the time to read.

Speaking of his boss…

“Thank you for coming.” Rafe Owens stood at one of the massive windows, his back to Slade as he stared through the glass.

His deep voice sounded rougher than normal. His British accent thick. Dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, the man’s strange tone and stiff demeanor instantly put Slade on edge.

“Got here as soon as I could.” He stepped further into the room. “Now, you gonna tell me why you sent a cryptic as fuck message to get me here?”

Owens slowly turned around to face him, the uncharacteristic concern in his intense blue stare raising all sorts of giant red flags.

Slade’s heart kicked against his ribs as he worked to keep his breathing steady, and his unmoving expression schooled. “This is about her, isn’t it?”

Owens nodded, the man’s thick hair noticeably mussed on top. He looked disheveled, as if he’d been raking his fingers through the silver strands, and dark shadows marred the skin beneath his weary eyes.

More alarm bells began to ring deep inside Slade’s head.

Please don’t say she’s been hurt. Not her. Please, just…don’t fucking say it.

“She’s in trouble, Digger.” The former MI6 operative took a sip of whatever liquor he currently had in his glass. “Real trouble.”

“What did she do?” Slade demanded, his pulse spiking from the man’s ominous words.

“I’m afraid it’s more about who she’s planning to do it to.”

“Goddamn it, Rafe!” He marched angrily around his boss’s desk. “Quit with the ambiguous bullshit and tell me what the hell is going on with Shadow.”

Yes, the guy was technically his boss. And yes, Slade owed him more than he’d ever be able to repay. But they’d also known each other a long damn time, and he’d never seen the other man as nervous as he seemed just then.

And if Rafe Owens was nervous…whatever this was, it sure as shit wasn’t good.

He also couldn’t stop thinking about the mysterious woman who’d saved his and the team’s asses more times than he could count. It had been two weeks since Shadow had vanished from the face of the earth.

It had been radio silence ever since.

No calls. No texts. No messages to him or anyone on the team letting them know she was still alive and that she was okay.

Shadow had simply up and vanished without a single fucking word. And though he’d never admit it to this man—or anyone else—Slade had been so damn worried he hadn’t had a full night’s sleep since.

“I don’t have all the details.” Owens handed him a file from the top of his desk. “But I’m fairly certain she’s going after this man.”

Slade opened the folder and scanned the glossy photo, along with the first of what appeared to be several pages of personal intel. He didn’t recognize the man’s face or name, nor any of the multiple aliases listed at the top of the page.

“Am I supposed to know who this is?”

“No, but I know him very well. And unfortunately…so does Shadow.”

“Why is she going after him?” Slade needed the man to get to the damn point. “What the hell did he do?”

“He killed Shadow’s mother.” Real pain flashed behind Owens’ worried stare. “He murdered her in cold blood, and if we don’t find Shadow before it’s too late…”

Owens let his worried voice trail, but Slade’s lungs froze at the thought of what had been left unsaid.

Shadow dead? That wasn’t an option.

No fucking way I’m going to let that happen.

As far as he and the others were concerned, Shadow was one of them. There was no way any of them would leave her hanging out to dry. Especially when she’d come through for them time and time again.

“What do you need?” Slade asked, willing to do whatever the man said if it meant ensuring the mysterious woman’s safety.

“I need you to find the man in that folder before Shadow does. But you’ll have to be careful, and…you’ll have to be discreet.”

“Discreet?”

Shadow’s missing and in potentially mortal danger, and this man’s worried about being discreet?

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Digger.” Owens seemed to read Slade’s mind. “I only mean this is a very delicate operation. As such, you’ll be going in alone.”

“You want me to work this thing solo?” He frowned. “Boss, this is Shadow, we’re talking about. Why the hell wouldn’t you want every man on the team on this?”

“Because if she’s doing what I think she’s doing, there’s only one way this works…and that’s you going in after her, alone.”

Slade spun on his heels and stormed back around to the other side of the desk. Reaching behind his head, he dug his fingertips into the tensing muscles at the back of his neck.

They didn’t do solo jobs. That wasn’t how Tac-Ops operated. But now Owens was not only asking him to go after Shadow, secure her safety, and bring her back home…he was asking Slade to do all that without the help and support of his team.

It’s Shadow, dumbass. You know you’re going to say yes. Besides…what’s the worst that could happen?

“Why me?” Slade turned back to his boss

“Because if anyone on the team can get through to her, it’s you.”

A deep, humorless chuckle rumbled through his chest. “And what makes you think I’ll be able to convince her of anythi?—”

“You were ten when your mother was killed by that coked out kid, correct?”

Digger’s spine stiffened and his heart kicked hard at the familiar pain that never seemed to completely go away. “Fuck you, Rafe.”

“No, fuck the asshole who stole your childhood!” The other man slammed his glass down onto the desk so hard Slade was surprised the damn thing didn’t shatter. “And fuck the man who did the same thing to Shadow when she was only six.” He shoved a pointed finger toward the folder. “Only that son of a bitch didn’t just steal Shadow’s childhood. He murdered her beautiful, innocent mother when that little girl was standing less than five feet away.”

Jesus.

“So that’s all this is about?” He stared back at his boss. “She’s gone after this man for revenge?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll do it.” Slade stared back at his boss, ready to do what was needed to keep Shadow from diving headfirst into danger. “I’ll find her, and I’ll bring her ass home. But there’s something I want in return.”

“And what is that?”

“Tell me who she is to you.”

One thing that was crystal clear to Slade from his very first days with Tac-Ops—Owens and Shadow had a special bond that stemmed far deeper than employee to boss.

The forty-eight-year-old former British spy blinked away his widened gaze, clearly taken aback by the unexpected demand.

“Shadow is part of the team.” Owens cleared his throat before adding a deep, “I thought that was obvious.”

“It is. Just like it’s obvious there’s something more between you two. Something personal.”

“My relationship with Shadow is none of your concern.”

“Like hell, it’s not.” Slade didn’t back down. “Look, you can tell me yourself now or wait for me to find out. But if I’m in this thing, then I’m going to be in it all the fucking way. Which means, I will use every resource I have to dig up everything I can about those involved…starting with the woman we’re both clearly desperate to find.”

And Slade was desperate. More than he had any right to be.

He may not know the woman’s real name…or anything personal about her at all. But he knew enough. Shadow was one of them, and he needed to find her and stop her before she did something stupid.

Like get herself killed.

I won’t let that happen.

Owens picked up his glass, shooting back the remainder of his drink. This time, when he set it back down onto his desk, he did so with the control and reserve Slade had come to expect from the guy who signed his paychecks.

“The man in that file…” Owens’ steely blue gaze shimmered with a layer of moisture. “He’s the same man who killed my wife.”

Holy shit.

Slade frowned, glancing back down at the folder. “Your wife? You saying this man killed both her and Shadow’s mother?”

“No, Slade.” His boss stared back at him from across his desk. “What I’m saying is Shadow’s mother and my wife…were one and the same.”

Want to find out if Slade “Digger” Garrison can find the elusive Shadow in time to save her? Be on the lookout for SLADE’S VOW (Tac-Ops #4)

Coming 2025!