Epilogue

Lilith looked around at the people gathered in Irish and Cass’s backyard. Everyone was celebrating life, and the exciting news that Astrid was pregnant with twins.

There was a lot to be happy about, but the man sitting beside her, his hand on her leg, was the biggest reason for her. After their declaration of love in the hospital, life had been wonderful for them. Once she’d fully recovered, they took a trip to San Antonio, where she met Rose and her partner Axe. It was good to see that she was thriving and that her relationship with Julian was strong.

Micah and Richard had stood trial and were locked away, so she didn’t have to look over her shoulder to see if someone was following her or about to take her. She faithfully wore her tracker every day because without it, she may not have been alive.

There was so much to be thankful for, and she said her thanks every day that she could experience life the way it should be lived.

“You good, Lil?” Julian asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“You seemed far away.”

That was what she loved about Julian. He always seemed to know what she was thinking or feeling. And she could tell the same with him. They really were sensitive to what was going on emotionally with each other. Lilith loved it. Loved that she was part of a team. “Just thinking about everything. How wonderful it is to be here surrounded by friends, celebrating life.”

Julian took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. “It really is. So many new beginnings happening around us, and there will be many more.”

Things had changed on the work front for Julian. He still worked for the FBI, but he was now in charge of the taskforce, and worked with Alliez. It had taken some heavy negotiations, but eventually, both parties concluded that working together was better than apart. There were resources that Alliez could provide that the FBI didn’t have the flexibility to get. So far, things had been going well, and Julian was going on more missions with the guys. She missed him, but this was what he needed to do.

Her job at the botanical gardens was fabulous, and she was grateful that they’d been understanding and had allowed her to fully recover from her attack before she started working with them. She loved being outside and encouraging the plants to grow, not to mention planning some new gardens.

“I’m so glad you’re by my side,” she said, leaning forward to kiss him. The kiss quickly escalated, but at least Julian had the sense to break it off before it got too serious.

“We’re going to finish this later,” he growled.

A shiver rippled down her spine, and she wondered how much longer they needed to say. “I can’t wait. Love you, J.”

“Love you too, Lil. Always.”

Isaac Warner stood at the gate, the buzz of laughter and conversation reaching his ears. He hadn’t known if he was going to turn up at Cassandra’s after she’d mentioned what was happening that weekend in the weekly emails she’d sent him.

No doubt Cassandra knew he’d arrived back in California. Throughout the whole time he’d been living off the grid, until the chaos had died down after the Ramirez cartel was obliterated, she’d checked up on him. He’d gone into witness protection, but it had been his decision to live in a cabin in the far reaches of Alaska where communication, while not impossible, wasn’t easy. He should’ve known Cass would discover his location and keep him informed about the lives he’d touched and saved.

The roles had been reversed—she’d been watching over him, like he’d watched over her for most of her life.

How would his presence be received?

Would the men and women of Alliez Security be happy to see him, or would they want nothing to do with him?

What he wanted was unclear, but there was only one way to find out. He pushed the gate open and walked toward the voices.

Toward his past, and hopefully a new present.

Will Isaac adjust to life outside of witness protection? And what does the future hold for him. Find out in KEEPING MARIE.

Interested in Alliez Security? Start with KEEPING ASTRID .

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