Epilogue

Three Months Later…

"Ican't believe we're doing this!" Kate squealed.

"What? Hang gliding or moving in together?" Donovan asked. They stood at the edge of the wooden platform, high above Rio de Janeiro, on the verge of vaulting into thin air.

"Both!" she yelled as they ran forward and took a leap of faith together.

It had been three months since they'd first met and what better way to celebrate than in the city where they'd fallen in love. Because the truth was Donovan was so blinded by Kate, he could've sworn she glowed. She mesmerized him and he now knew what all his friends had found. And why it was the most amazing thing in the whole damn world.

Even so, they'd decided to date long-distance first after Donovan had shown up on her doorstep, asking for a chance. It made sense and they were both practical like that. For the most part, anyway. As difficult as it was not seeing each other every day, they'd talked constantly and visited each other whenever possible.

And they both concluded, they wanted more. They wanted a life together.

Loving Kate was unlike any high Donovan had ever experienced. Way better than hacking or even the pride he'd felt after selling Spectre to the U.S. government. They'd paid an obscene fortune for his drone design. It meant Donovan no longer had to work for the cyber security company, but since he loved computers and challenging himself too much to do nothing, he'd decided to start his own company.

He loved Kate even more, though. So after their week in Rio, he was moving to Tennessee and they were going to buy a house together. He had plans for Kate Halloran and that included making her his wife. But, not wanting to overwhelm her yet, he forced himself to slow down and start with a vacation first. Besides, he was still learning all of her favorite things and she was learning all of his. Bringing her wildflowers when he'd turned up on her doorstep had been a guess, and a damn good one. She liked poppies and daisies best of all.

And now there they were, soaring above the jungle canopy and beaches. The ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see and the wind blew all around them, keeping them aloft like tandem birds, flying through the air together.

After their hang gliding exploit, they would head to Tijuca National Park, situated in the middle of the city, and fulfill one of Kate's dreams. And, dammit, he was even going to pet a monkey. After that, they'd probably venture to Sugarloaf and Corcovado. It was damn hot and he'd packed extra bottled water and mosquito repellent.

"This is amazing," Kate declared, and Donovan slid his hand across the metal bar and laid it over hers.

"Your dad is here with us, too," he murmured.

"I know. He would've loved you."

Donovan hoped so. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Kate."

Her golden green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as he leaned in and caught her mouth in a kiss, high above Rio. It felt unreal, and there was nowhere else on Earth he'd rather be. As long as Kate was at his side, that's all he needed.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, too." Their fingers twined as they soared through the blue sky and straight into their future together.

I hope you enjoyed Donovan and Kate's story! If you'd like to go back to the beginning where it all began with the pirates, make sure to check out "Reactivated: Oz."