Epilogue

Wyatt

I was pretty damn sure I was having an out of body experience, being back in Miami in a hotel on Hallandale Beach, waking up to the sun streaming in my room, the water outside looking like glass. I knew I was here for a reason, but I couldn't deny how badly I wanted to rent a board and surf like the old days. It was one of the many reasons I knew that while this place held a ton of memories, I couldn't imagine calling any other place home.

Though, these days, I didn't really feel like I had a home. I supposed that was what happened when you spent so much time running away like I had. I was coming to the end of my term, though, and had some choices to make. Sure, the Army gave me so much after I lost practically everything, but I was pushing thirty and, if I was going to make a change, it was now or never.

And I wasn't so foolish as to not be able to recognize a great opportunity when one came my way.

Andrés and I went in together and we became fast friends. He was a good guy, a local I never met before, but left after there was an accident that affected his hearing and he was declared not fit for service. It was a hard pill for him to swallow, but he did and eventually most of his hearing came back, just not enough for the Army. We kept in touch, though, and when he finally decided to start his own business, he contacted me first, insisting we meet in person. I'd put him off for long enough, but it was time. I had to do this.

I couldn't deny how much pressure I felt. Sure, most was self-inflicted, but still, I decided not to tell anyone I was back. If I did, there was no telling what would happen. I knew my family didn't mean harm, but we were close and with all my brothers back, they wanted me back, too. I just couldn't deal with any of that right now.

Realizing it was about time for me to meet Andrés, I looked outside my window one last time at the waves that beckoned and raked a hand through my hair. Later, I promised myself.

I picked up my wallet and walked from my room to the elevator.

A group of young women were giggling and sipping coffee, and I had to force my thoughts to stay in the here and now. Being distracted when I met with Andrés wasn't an option. Even if I decided to pass on his offer, he deserved my full attention.

I looked at my phone to check the time and nodded when I saw him stroll into the hotel restaurant right on time, only seconds after I sat down. Of course, I thought to myself.

"Wyatt, my man," he said by way of greeting when he approached the table I secured for us.

I stood. "Good to see you, Andrés."

He gave me a hug, patting me on the back. "Thanks for meeting with me."

"Thanks for asking. So how are you?" I asked. It'd been a while, but he looked good. Happy. I wondered if that was how I'd look being back.

"Good. I'll be better when you agree to partner with me on this." So that's how he was playing this, getting right to it? I liked his no nonsense way.

"Partner?" I asked. That was news to me. "I thought this was just a job."

He smirked and gestured for our waiter. "What are you drinking?"

"Coffee's good." It was still early in the day.

He nodded. "Make that two, please. Anyway, it can be just a job if that's what you want, but I'd rather have you be my partner."

"You better back up and start at the beginning."

He sat back and regaled me with the whole story. After serving he had to reinvent himself and something that used his intelligence and his muscle was the goal, so he started in personal security. Then he went to work for an established company, acting as a bodyguard for some of Miami's elite. Soon he realized there was real money in that and started taking more side jobs, which pissed off his boss, so he canned him. Having seen how a successful operation runs, he decided to open his own security company and lined up quite a few clients, many local celebrities and some bigger names. The more I learned, the more I was in awe. He had created a solid roster for himself, from models to actresses and singers, even hired a few men. Just as I was about to ask where I fit in or why me, he cut into my thoughts.

"At this stage, to keep the business growing, I need someone by my side to help run the whole damn thing. Someone I can trust, but also someone willing to walk the walk, talk the talk, if you know what I mean."

"And you know you can trust me and I like to work," I hedged.

He nodded. "You bet. No one better than a brother."

It was definitely not what I had in mind and, because of that, taking a pass wouldn't be so easy. Now I really had to think about this. "Would I work with clients or just be in management?"

"Whatever you want."

If this was going to go anywhere, then I had to be honest. "I wouldn't want to wear a suit and sit behind a desk every day."

"Then consider it done. With two of us, I figure we'll manage just fine to do whatever we want and still run things," he said, his hands coming to rest on the table.

"Would I have to land clients on my own?" I asked, rubbing my chin, already thinking.

"I have a girl who helps me solicit clients and schedule appointments. If I hear of something, I tell her, and she sets it up. Then I swoop in and close it. So I guess what I'm saying is, it'd be nice, but it's not necessary."

I considered that before admitting, "I don't mind schmoozing with Miami's more notorious."

He laughed. "Okay then."

"Are any of the jobs outside of Miami-Dade?"

He sipped his coffee. "I travel a bit, but only when absolutely necessary and, again, you can decide what you want to do."

"I don't mind travel," I said, thinking aloud. "It all sounds good, maybe too good, but I know you're not just blowing smoke, so I really need to think about this," I said earnestly.

"Take all the time you need, but remember if you sign another contract with the Army, then I can't help you. But if you don't, then this is what I can promise you," he said, sliding a card he pulled from his pocket across the table. "Just look at those zeros. This business isn't just growing, it's on fire and together I know we can make it explode."

I laughed at his description. It really was generous, not that I wouldn't be working my ass off for it, I was sure. But I didn't mind work. I thrived on it. And this, well, this was a good deal. I'd say almost too good, but I knew Andrés and trusted him just as he trusted me. "So why don't you tell me what else you've been up to?" I prompted before our waitress popped back over to take our orders.

As we ate, he talked and I mostly listened, his offer never far from my thoughts. Truthfully, I was more excited than I had been in a long time. When he talked about the business I actually felt like I could see myself doing it. I was good at solving puzzles, I liked protecting people and fighting for them, getting to know new people, different people. I also didn't mind the more paper-pushing type of work that it might call for on occasion. It wasn't the same as fighting for my country, but it would call on the same skillsets I had honed in my time with the Army.

I also knew I wasn't getting any younger and, while I was by no means old, I would need to decide what was next for me soon. I couldn't keep living the life I had been, hiding from my family, from my memories. All of my brothers left and were back here, getting married or starting families or both. I wasn't sure I was ready for that just yet, or ever, not after Susan, but I was ready to be close to my brothers again. And working side by side with Andrés would be fun.

He tossed his card down on the table to pay our bill when we finished and I eyed him. "Thanks for lunch, partner."

Surprise coloring his expression, he lifted his head and furrowed his brows. "No shit? You're in?"

I inhaled and nodded not thinking twice about it. "I'm in. I'll take care of everything. I should be able to be back before the holidays. I'm done the end of October if all goes according to plan."

"You won't regret this." He stood up and looked as if he wanted to shake my hand, but instead I pulled him in for a hug.

"I hope not, but if I do at least in the meantime we'll have some real fun."

"No doubt. I'll call my lawyer as soon as I'm out of here and have her get all the paperwork ready to make you a partner." He put his wallet away and pushed his chair in.

I stood, following him out.

This was one of the most impulsive decisions I'd ever made, but I knew it was the right one. My gut had been telling me for a while my time was up, so it felt right. I didn't need to wait anymore. Susan had been gone a long time, I had healed and knew that it would be hard, but at least I was leaving on my own terms. Not all of my brothers, or even friends like Andrés, were as lucky and I just needed to remember that. I wanted to walk away just like I came in—on my terms—and this was my chance to do that.

Now, I just had to tell my family the news—soon I'd be home to stay. But first, I had to make a visit to the cemetery. It was time and I owed her that much.

I hope you enjoyed reading Deacon and Jenna's second chance romance! I know you're probably itching to find out what happens to Wyatt and whether he will follow suit with his brothers and find love. The Ryders' stories continue in the next book.

Up next is Forever My Guardian . . .

Can a man who never thought about leaving the Army and a woman scorned help each other discover what they need most?

I just came home from serving in the military and the last thing I'm looking for is to fall in love. When I learn a woman from my past needs my help, though, I step in and pose as her boyfriend. I'm not looking for forever with her and this is just me doing a good thing, at least that's what I keep telling myself. The trouble is, the more we're together, the harder it becomes for me to deny the very real feelings I have for her. Which is why it's not going to be easy to tell her this can never be anything more than a fake relationship.

Order your copy of Forever My Guardian today!