Epilogue

One month later

The party was in full swing by the time Gray and Lena arrived at noon, pink and blue decorations everywhere in Jett and Anna's large home. "At least I didn't have to help plan the food this time," Lena joked, squeezing Gray's hand.

"Don't ever joke about that day," he groaned. But he ducked and kissed her temple gently.

She smiled up at him, flushing, and Gray knew she was thinking of him kissing her the same way that morning. He'd made love to her slow and sweet in bed, listening to Lena's cries of pleasure beneath him. After she'd come once, he'd pulled out and turned her over, putting Lena on her hands and knees. Gray had taken her from behind, thrusting deeper and rubbing her swollen clit until she came for him again. After Gray's own release, he'd hovered over her body, his so much bigger than her own. While he'd remained inside her slick channel, his cock still throbbing, he'd kissed her temple tenderly.

She'd shuddered again, gasping for breath, and he'd been nearly overcome with his love for this woman.

They hadn't spent a night apart since her kidnapping, their time in the bedroom both sweet and passionate. Gray loved taking Lena in all sorts of positions, and as he'd known would happen, she always came alive at his touch.

She'd brought Gray back to life, too. He still had nightmares. Scars. The need to feel cool air blowing over his skin, reminding Gray of his freedom. But Lena was always there to soothe him, bring him back to reality, and kiss away any pain.

"But joking about it means I'm alive. Free. And apparently late to parties," she teased.

Gray's lips quirked. "It was a hell of a morning, baby girl."

Her eyes lit up, and he ducked down for a long kiss. "We don't have to stay for the baby shower," he said huskily.

Lena playfully swatted at his chest. "Of course we do. What would everyone think if we ran off the second we arrived?"

"My buddies all have women," Gray said, his voice gruff. "They'd understand."

Lena burst into laughter, looking at him in a way that made his chest fill with male pride.

"You made it!" Anna gushed, rushing over to them with a huge smile and throwing her arms around Lena. Anna was showing more every day now, her belly swelling under the clingy dress she wore. Jett appeared beside her holding baby Brody, and Gray almost did a double-take. It wasn't often that he saw Jett holding his child. Then again, he saw the boss at headquarters and in the middle of ops. The gatherings at his large home had grown fewer now that he had his own family.

"We did," Lena agreed, hugging Anna back. "It looks beautiful here!"

"I hired a party planner," Anna said as she finally pulled away, looking around the room. "Clara didn't want to use the original decorations, saying it was bad luck."

Lena laughed. "Well, I don't blame her. The shower that never happened was probably something we'd all like to forget. Oh, but the food looks spectacular," she said. Gray followed Lena's gaze to the table covered with sandwich platters, tiny appetizers, fruit, and a massive display of blue and pink cupcakes.

"Girl dinner," Sam quipped as he walked over with Ava.

"It's lunchtime," she gently chastised him. "And I think the food looks delicious."

"So do you," he said with a wink. Gray bit back his laughter, watching Ava snuggle up against Sam.

Gray turned and pressed his lips to Lena's forehead, feeling more content than he had in years. Lena had been through hell, but over the past month he'd fallen even more in love with her, if that was possible. He knew without a doubt his life wouldn't be the same without her in it.

"Hey guys!" Luke called out, walking over with Wren. Soon the entire team was gathered around Gray and Lena, saying hello and welcoming Lena back.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Clara told her, giving Lena a hug. "We've missed you at work, but you deserve every second of the time you've had off to heal."

"Thank you. I'll be back in the office soon enough, so we'll be able to catch up then," Lena promised, adjusting the purse she had on her shoulder. She looked gorgeous in her new wrap dress and sexy heels. Gray had wanted to peel it right off her, but he knew they both needed an afternoon with their friends. It might be a baby shower, but it was also the first time Lena had seen everyone together since the incident.

"Oh, I'm counting on it!" Anna called out. "We need some major girl talk to catch up. It's not the same without you there. Plus, who else do I have to talk clothes with? I think Clara is bored to tears when I gush about designer things."

Clara laughed. "Not bored. We just have different tastes."

"I'm glad you both made it today," Jett said with a warm smile as he walked over, handing Brody to his wife. "You've been greatly missed around the office, Lena, but deserved every minute of your R&R."

"Is that what we're calling personal leave now?" she asked lightly.

"I'll call it whatever I want," Jett quipped, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. "I know I've said it before, but I'm grateful as hell that you're okay and that the team got to you in time." Jett's gaze grew intense as he looked between Gray and Lena. "You two are good for each other. I always thought you were somewhat alike, but you kept your distance until it was the right time."

"Since when are you so sappy, boss?" Gray asked, crossing his arms as he looked at Jett in amusement.

"What do you mean? This conversation never happened," Jett said dryly, and Lena burst into laughter.

"Gray didn't want to talk shop while I was on leave," Lena said, growing more serious. "I've been wondering something though. Whatever happened with Ivan Rogers' operations in Mexico? I know he's dead, but what about the sex-trafficking ring?"

"It all began to crumble once his homes were raided and employees arrested. This particular enterprise of moving women aboard ships was a new venture for him. It seems he was expanding his business when his sex-trafficking sales came to an abrupt halt. With some of his players taken out of operation, unexpectedly caught up in the raid of his private homes, his trafficking scheme started to fall apart."

"Thank God," she breathed, and Gray slid his arm around her slender shoulders, pulling her close.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly as Jett moved back to be with his wife.

"Yes. Just overwhelmed. We've been through a lot, yet here we are. Nothing about life is easy," Lena murmured.

"Except loving you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes.

"I love you, Lena," he told her. "I probably have since the first moment we met. I just couldn't get out of my own way to realize it back then. I thought I lost you forever last month. I'm not really a religious type of man, but I thank God I got to you in time. You're the one for me, baby girl."

Lena threw her arms around his shoulders, beaming at him through her tears. "I love you, too, Gray. So, so much." His hands slid to the back of her head as he stared into her eyes, and then he kissed her in the middle of the party, probably far too passionately given their friends were standing around watching, but he didn't care. Lena pressed close to him as they finally came up for air, and his cock twitched against his boxers at the feel of her curves against him. He'd never get enough of kissing her. Loving her. Feeling her body against his every night.

"I want to move in together," he said suddenly, looking into her dark eyes. "I want a life together. And when the time is right and I've actually bought a ring, I'm going to ask you to marry me."

"Yes. Of course I'll say yes," she said, beaming with joy and excitement.

Gray kissed her again, practically grinning from ear to ear, and then he was wiping away her tears of joy. Life was certainly hard sometimes, some moments brutal, but the moments of joy? Those were pure magic.

"Let's get this party started!" Jett called out, clapping his hands together to quiet the room a moment later. "I think the pregnant ladies are ready to eat, and my wife ordered enough food for a hundred people. We better get started if we have any hope of finishing it all."

There was a knock on the front door, and Anna flashed her husband a look, hurrying over to answer it. Gray stilled as he heard the same deep voice that had come over his headset a month ago. He hadn't seen Boone that day because he'd whisked Lena onto the helo, but his friend had been watching over them from the sniper's nest, ensuring they made it safely out.

"I dropped by to give something to Jett, but I'm not coming in."

"Just for a minute!" Anna pleaded.

Gray took Lena's hand, leading her over to see his old friend at the door. Brief introductions were made, and then his boss was at his side. Boone lingered out in the cold, his broad shoulders and bulk practically filling the doorframe.

"I heard this guy owes you a beer," Jett said, clapping Gray on the shoulder as he handed over a longneck. Gray held it up to his friend, raising his eyebrows in question.

Boone looked amused. "Another time, buddy. I can't stay." He eyed Jett, his look assessing. "Gray said you had a new job offer for me."

"Damn right I do. Send over your papers, and I'll have my office get your clearances in order." Gray's gaze narrowed as he saw Boone hand his boss something. It looked like a small key, but Jett pocketed it without comment. The party behind them had briefly quieted as the others came over to say hello, giving Boone their thanks for his assistance during their op in the Inner Harbor.

"Sure you can't stay for a beer?" Nick asked, his eyes sharp. Both snipers, the men shared a quiet calmness. They'd worked together last month, both in position yet hundreds of yards apart, keeping the team safe as they watched from high above.

"Not this time, but I'll definitely hit up my buddy Gray soon for the drinks he owes me."

Gray smirked at his old friend. "Just name the place."

Boone nodded, and his gaze landed on Jett, a beat passing. "I'll have the papers to you Monday."

There was a shadow as the former soldier turned, his boots scuffing in the dirt. There were no heavy footsteps as he walked away into the cold winter air. Boone was silent. Deadly. And back in the game.