Guarding What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #3)

Epilogue

Boone

The fluorescent lights hum overhead in the Nashville office of Maddox Security, illuminating the large mission board tacked to the wall. On it are photos, maps, red string linking a half-dozen leads about a kidnapped heiress. It’s late, the rest of the city caught in the lull of evening traffic, but for me and my team, there’s no such thing as off-hours. Not when someone’s life hangs in the balance.

I stand at the head of a long conference table, scanning the faces of the men who’ve become my new Nashville crew. Garrett flips through a file, brow furrowed, while Thor—John Hansen, that towering hulk of a man—leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, nodding along to the plan. Two other guys, Daniels and Vega, exchange quick glances, each wearing the same no-nonsense expression they wore the day we rescued Aubree.

I clear my throat, and their attention snaps to me. “All right, so the target is eighteen-year-old Fiona Chambers. Family’s got major political ties in Kentucky. She was taken sometime yesterday evening from her university campus. We have reason to believe the kidnappers want a ransom, but we also suspect they might not be in this for the money alone. Could be a power play against her father’s upcoming election. Regardless, our job is to get her back safely.”

Garrett taps his pen on the file. “You said campus security last spotted her near the library, then all cameras went dark?”

“Exactly,” I confirm. “Which tells me these guys know how to work around standard security systems. We need to assume they’re professionals. Dean got some intel that points to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. We’ll check that first.”

Thor pushes off the wall. “And we’re coordinating all ground teams from here?”

“Yup,” I say, flipping through the mission dossier. “We have two mobile units ready to converge. I’ll quarterback from the office—watching the cams, feeding you all real-time updates. If there’s any sign of movement or suspicious activity, I’ll direct you. This is a hostage retrieval, so caution is key.” I look each man in the eye. “I want zero casualties on our side and minimal risk to the girl. Understood?”

Four heads nod in unison. We run through a final gear check and timeline. Once I’m satisfied, I close the folder with a snap. “All right, get moving. Let’s bring her home.”

They break away, gathering their tactical bags and heading for the elevator. Garrett pats my shoulder as he passes. “We’ve got this, Boss.”

“Be safe,” I tell them. “I’ll be on comms the whole time.”

They disappear down the hall, and the heavy office door clicks shut behind them. For a brief moment, I inhale, letting the hum of the overhead lights fill the silence. I glance around the conference room—my conference room. Since moving to Nashville and setting up this branch of Maddox Security, I’ve poured everything into making it top-tier. We’re still growing, but the team is strong, and Dean’s regular updates confirm we’re heading in the right direction.

A small grin tugs at my lips. I never expected to have roots anywhere—always figured I’d bounce from one high-stakes job to another, living on the edge. But everything changed the day I met Aubree. This office, this city… it’s ours now. I grab my jacket from the back of a chair and head for the exit, flipping off the conference room lights. The mission will unfold in real time, but I can coordinate from home just as effectively as I can here—plus, I’ve got good reason to hurry back.

The drive from downtown Nashville to my cabin in the hills takes about twenty minutes, winding along back roads flanked by tall pines. The night is cool, the sky dotted with stars. My phone rests on the console, set to speaker so I can jump onto comms if Garrett or Thor calls. Thus far, it’s been quiet. They’re still en route to the warehouse, probably scouting vantage points.

Finally, I pull onto the familiar gravel path that leads up the slope toward the cabin. As I crest the last turn, the warm glow of porch lights greets me, and my chest tightens with contentment. This place has changed so much since Aubree moved in. It used to feel too big, too lonely. Now, it’s home.

I park, kill the engine, and step out, relishing the cool night air. The faint aroma of pine and woodsmoke drifts across the yard. And then—my stomach rumbles—the distinct smell of tomato sauce and cheese. She’s making pizza. My mouth waters instantly.

Inside, the cabin glows softly with low lighting. My boots thud against the wooden floor as I call out, “Aubree?”

“In the kitchen!” she answers, her voice carrying a playful lilt.

I round the corner, grinning at the sight that greets me: Aubree at the counter, wearing a simple tank top and jeans dusted with flour. She’s got a dough circle spread out, sauce ladled on, and a bowl of shredded cheese at the ready.

“You cooked at the shop all day, and now you’re making pizza at home?” I tease, leaning against the doorframe.

She laughs, brushing back a stray lock of hair. “We closed early, and I was feeling inspired. I want to make something special for us.” She lifts an eyebrow, eyeing my tactical jacket. “Long day?”

I drop the jacket on a nearby chair, stepping forward to rest my hands at her waist. The familiar warmth of her body seeps into me. “Always. We’ve got a new mission—some heiress got snatched. But the team’s on it.” I dip my head, kissing her cheek softly. “I’ll coordinate once they reach the location.”

A flicker of worry passes through her gaze, but she hides it quickly, focusing on the pizza. “Well, at least you’re not charging off into danger this time.”

I chuckle, pressing closer. “Don’t worry, I’ll leave the fieldwork to my team tonight. I prefer being here with you.”

She tilts her head, offering me a warm smile that lights up her face. “Good. Because I have mozzarella that’s practically begging to be tasted, and I need a test subject.”

“Oh, I volunteer,” I say, and before she can protest, I lean in, capturing her lips in a lingering kiss. She tastes like fresh basil and the sweetness that’s entirely her. For a moment, the outside world fades—the mission, the kidnappings, the stress. It’s just us, the quiet hum of the oven, and the press of her body against mine.

She sighs happily when we break apart. “Boone,” she whispers, sliding her arms around my neck. “I love you.”

My chest tightens with emotion. I gather her closer, the edge of the countertop digging into my stomach, and kiss her again, deeper this time. My pulse quickens, warmth sparking through my veins. She responds eagerly, her fingers threading into my hair, and I let a soft groan slip free. Even months later, the taste of her still drives me wild.

We break apart only when the oven timer buzzes—an urgent beep that draws a laugh from her throat. She turns, shutting off the timer, and I rest my hands on her hips. “Saved by the bell,” I tease, voice husky.

She winks over her shoulder. “If the pizza burns, you’ll never let me hear the end of it.”

I help sprinkle the last of the cheese and slide the pizza into the oven. Then I take her hand and pull her away from the heat, backing her up against the kitchen island. My heart thrums with desire, the memory of nearly losing her months ago making every moment that much more precious.

Her eyes glow, and she tugs me down for another kiss—this one more heated, our lips parting, breath mingling. My world narrows to the feel of her, the soft moan that escapes when I deepen the kiss, the way her fingers clutch the front of my shirt like she can’t get close enough. I slide my hands under her shirt, palming the bare skin of her waist, and she arches against me.

A faint beep from my phone’s comm app intrudes, and I swallow a frustrated groan. Duty calls, even in the midst of bliss. Aubree must hear it too, because she gives me a regretful smile, cheeks flushed.

“Go,” she murmurs, smoothing her palm over my chest. “I know they need you.”

I press my forehead to hers. “One minute. Then I’m all yours,” I promise, stepping back reluctantly.

She gives me a playful smirk and leans against the counter. I grab my phone, checking the update. Garrett’s text: “In position. Warehouse quiet. No sign of the girl yet.” I exhale, swiftly typing a response: “Stay put. Wait for my signal.”

Setting the phone aside, I turn back to Aubree. She arches a brow. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I say. “They’re starting the recon. I’ll keep an ear open, but for now…” I slip my arms around her again, voice trailing into a low murmur. “Let’s focus on us.”

She leans in, pressing her lips to the corner of my mouth. “That’s exactly what I had in mind.”

The cabin is quiet, save for the ticking of the oven, the soft rush of our breaths. We steal another few minutes of slow, heated kisses, hands roaming, hearts pounding. The intensity of it all leaves me breathless and grateful—grateful that she’s safe, that we’ve built a life together, that we can live like this, free of the fear and danger that nearly tore us apart.

Eventually, the oven timer goes off again, and we disentangle with a shared laugh. She slides the pizza out, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. I snag a piece before it cools, ignoring her mock-scolding about burning my tongue.

As we sit at the tiny kitchen table, side by side, devouring the fresh pizza, I can’t help but look around the cabin—the place that once felt so empty is now brimming with little touches of Aubree: a throw blanket draped on the couch, photos of us pinned on the wall, a row of pizza-related cookbooks on the shelf. My chest warms at the thought of how much has changed in just a few months.

After dinner, we settle on the couch, her head tucked under my chin. My phone buzzes intermittently with mission updates, but the situation seems under control. Garrett’s last text said they spotted movement, but they’re waiting for the kidnappers to make a move. In a few hours, they’ll probably move in for the rescue. And I’ll be guiding them from afar, confident they can handle the ground operation.

In this moment, though, I choose to soak up the peace—Aubree’s soft breathing against my chest, the crackle of the fireplace, the security of a home that’s truly ours. She shifts, curling her arms around my torso, and I stroke her hair, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

“Boone,” she whispers, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. “Thank you for… everything.”

I smile into her hair. “You never have to thank me.”

She tilts her head up, touching her mouth to mine again. The kiss starts slow, building in warmth, her hands sliding over my chest. I lose myself in it, the rush of desire mingling with a profound tenderness. When she finally pulls back, breathless, her eyes shine with love and contentment.

And in that instant, I know: this is it—my happily ever after. We’ve survived threats, kidnappings, family betrayals. And we’ve come out stronger, bound by a bond forged in danger and sealed with devotion. From now on, we face the world together—a dynamic duo, always ready to lean on each other no matter what chaos unfolds outside these cabin walls.

I cradle her face, letting my thumb brush her cheek. “I love you,” I say simply, feeling the weight of the words sink in.

Her smile is radiant. “I love you too.”

Outside, the night settles deeper, and in the hush of our sanctuary, we share another tender kiss. The future beckons—filled with missions, pizzas, laughter, maybe even more than that somewhere down the line. But for now, we’re just here, in this perfect, ordinary-extraordinary moment. And we wouldn’t trade it for the world.