Epilogue

EPILOGUE

TYPHON

September

I looked across the grassy aisle to my gorgeous wife, who stood with her fellow bridesmaids. According to the doctor, she was eight months pregnant, and it was perfectly safe for her and the baby to travel. I wasn't entirely certain it was safe for me, given I worried over them constantly.

Her eyes met mine, and we both smiled. I'd never dreamed I could ever be so happy, and my darling El often told me the same thing.

I watched her giggle as a butterfly landed on her shoulder.

As if by magic, thousands of Monarch butterflies arrived on Fire Island in the last couple of days. Brand explained the phenomenon happened annually as they migrated from Canada to Mexico. It was the reason they'd planned their wedding at this time of year.

I was truly moved the night Brand asked me to stand up with him, and I was more so today as I fiddled with the wedding bands I kept in my pocket.

The music playing changed to the familiar wedding march, and we turned to watch as Penelope exited the cottage with her father on one side and her mother on the other. They both walked her down the aisle, kissed her cheeks, then took their seats.

From what I'd heard from Brand, that they'd come together to be here today for their daughter, was nothing short of miraculous.

I wished I could find a way to make that happen for Eliza. Perhaps the birth of their first grandson—the doctor had confirmed we were having a boy—would be the impetus for a happy reunion between El and her parents. It was a long shot, but if Brand could make it happened today for Pen, I had to at least try.

As was predicted, the girls all cried when the "last of the tribe was finally married," as Tara said in her toast as matron of honor.

As the day wore on and the postnuptial celebration began winding down, Brand and I looked out at the ocean, enjoying a cigar.

"So, what's next for you?" I asked. "Back to the spy game? Running your billion-dollar family business?"

He shook his head. "Painting." He chuckled and met my gaze. "My own work this time around."

"I'm glad to hear it." He'd told me about his inheritance from his father's family and that it came with the expectation he'd take the helm in the next few years, and wondered what had happened with that.

"There's my savior now," said Brand.

I cocked my head when Tara approached.

"How have I saved you this time?" she asked.

"By taking over as CEO of Emsworth."

"Co-CEO."

He laughed. "Not a chance in hell, sweetheart."

"I'm not talking about you. Father has agreed that Knox and I will run things together until Ben-Ben is ready to take the helm." She turned to me. "Knox is my husband, and Ben is our son and the next heir apparent."

"Unless you run the business into the ground," Brand teased.

Their relationship reminded me so much of Kima and me, and I missed her. I hadn't seen her since July and worried about her every day. The news of her father's betrayal hit her hard. That Hornet was with her eased my mind a little. Perhaps when we returned home after the wedding, El and I could make plans to get together with them.

"There you are," said El.

"Are you getting tired, my love?" I asked when she wrapped her arm around me and I did the same.

"A little. Fancy a walk on the beach on our last night before we go home?"

"I'd love it," I said.

We walked for a while, then sat like we always did. Her between my legs, her body against mine, and my arms around her, resting on her stomach.

"Did you feel that one?" she asked. "My little footballer is quite active tonight." She guided my hand to where our son was kicking up a storm.

I said it so often I probably drove El crazy, but I couldn't imagine a better life. We'd decided to make Casa Melro our permanent home but planned to travel to London occasionally, mainly to see Kima, then back and forth to Brighton, so El could work in her studio. I'd offered to build one for her in Portugal, but I could tell the connection to Michael Beaumont was still important to her.

While we hadn't settled on a first name, she'd cried the day I suggested our firstborn's middle name should be Beaumont.

"Not Michael?"

She'd laughed through her tears, then told me she preferred Beaumont too.

"We should head back," she said, shifting to stand.

"Hang on, my love." I gathered her in my arms and carried her down the beach. "Oh drat, who could that be?" I said when my mobile vibrated in my pocket, then twice more since I wasn't able to reach for it.

"Put me down and answer it," said El, as concerned as I was at the caller's persistence.

"Hornet, what are you doing, calling at this hour?" I barked after putting the call on speaker. "It's two in the morning in London."

"Have you heard from Kima, by chance?"

My stomach dropped. "Why would I have?"

"I woke a little while ago and went to check on her, but she's gone. She left her mobile here. I have no idea where she could be."

El gasped and covered her mouth.

Since she was staying in my former apartment and Hornet was there on her detail, I had no idea where she'd be either.

"Get in touch with Nemesis. Let her know what's happening. El and I will depart as soon as I can make arrangements and be there by morning."

"Thanks, Typhon."

"Try not to panic," I said to him even though, inside, I was. "We'll find her."

______________

Keep reading for a sneak peek at the next book

in Heather Slade's

K19 Allied Intelligence Team Two Series,

Code Name: Hornet

A protective man.

A loyal man.

A man on a mission.

As a former MI6 agent, I know how to hide in the shadows. Promoted to Unit 23, the most covert and elite special forces unit in the UK, I need the support of everyone on my team to help find a missing woman.

She's not just any woman, she's a badass intelligence agent, and she just so happens to be the woman who has my heart. Yet, I'm forbidden to touch her, have her, love her. She's off limits.

I'm her bodyguard and I screwed up and she's in danger. I'll do everything to save her, even knowing it means putting my own life on the line.

Someone wants her dead.

Someone from her past.

Someone she trusted.

And now, he's going to learn fast how hard this HORNET stings.