Epilogue
“It’s been nearly two weeks since Timothy Novak, the Vice President’s former Chief of Staff, was formally charged with murder, kidnapping, and treason.
Several additional arrests were made in the days following, including multiple Secret Service agents, renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Turner, and former Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, Dr. Chau Nguyen.
Sources close to the investigation are saying Novak’s lawyers are hoping to avoid the death penalty.
Novak allegedly confessed to orchestrating the abduction and murder of White House intern Amy Weaver, when she reportedly overheard a conversation between Novak and the now deceased, former White House Press Secretary Howard Daley, while the two men discussed the sale of a top-secret file involving the names and locations of hundreds of CIA operatives currently working in the field. ”
Janie tuned out the rest of whatever the news anchor on Emmett’s TV had to say. She knew the rest of the story. She’d written the story. And as a result, David Ellis had given her an office with a view.
Luckily she didn’t officially start her job at the Washington Post for another couple of weeks. After what she’d experienced, Janie knew she needed the break.
It also afforded her the opportunity to spend more time with Devon. After being released by the doctors—and thanks to Janie’s and Emmett’s relentless and well-intended pressure—the other woman had agreed to an extended stay in D.C.
Emmett had also insisted that Echo Team cover Devon’s hotel tab during her stay. Janie suspected the generous offer had been as much for her benefit as her friend’s. Like Devon, she was still working through her own emotional recovery but knew the best thing for her was time.
The stitches in her arm were gone, however, the long scar there remained. Her doctor had assured Janie it would eventually fade.
Fade but never fully disappear.
Somehow Janie found an odd sort of comfort in that. While Blake had been trying his best to talk her into getting a tattoo in order to hide it, in the end, she’d decided against it.
It was true, the marking would be a constant reminder of the horror she’d endured. But it was also a symbol of her dogged pursuit in finding justice for Amy Weaver.
So Janie had chosen to move on. To accept it was finally over. Billy Crawford was still a ghost in the wind, but Emmett had assured her, the killer would eventually be caught.
Agent Ryker had offered the same assurance, having insider knowledge of the government’s investigation into the madman’s whereabouts.
Like he said, Billy did what he did for money rather than a sense of revenge.
And since Janie’s face was pretty much recognizable to every country around the globe now, the guy would be a fool to go after her again.
He was a sadistic killer. A man who got off on torture and screams. But Billy Crawford was far from being a fool.
So for now, Janie’s focus was on the future and not the past. A future she prayed would include the very sexy man who’d just walked into the room.
“I don’t know why you bother watching that crap.
” He picked up the remote from his coffee table and turned the channel.
“Especially when you can read the story right here, in black and white.” With a grin she wanted to kiss, he revealed a copy of the Washington Post he’d been hiding behind his back.
Janie laughed when he let the paper fall to its unfolded length.
“You bought another one?” She glanced at the front-page copy showcasing her photo and the story she’d written that appeared above the fold. “You do realize you already framed a copy and hung it up in my office the day it came out. Right?”
“I know.” He shrugged, refolding the newspaper and laying it on the table next to the remote. Sitting on the cushion beside her, Emmett lifted an arm to invite her in.
Janie didn’t hesitate to slide over to cuddle herself up to his comforting warmth.
“You talk to Devon this morning?” His deep rumble vibrated from his body to hers.
“About an hour ago.” She nodded. “She and Blake were planning a coffee date at some gaming café across town.”
“A date, huh?”
Janie chuckled. “It’s not that kind of date.” At least, she didn’t think it was, anyway.
The pair’s burgeoning friendship made perfect sense, given their shared love for all things computers.
“If you say so.” Emmett flashed her a slightly arched brow.
“You really think there’s more there?”
“Anything’s possible.” He shrugged. “Just look at the two of us.”
The man did have a point. He also had a set of lips she desperately wanted to kiss. So. . . . she did.
Janie leaned up and brought her mouth to Emmett’s in a slow, sensual kiss. “Just look at us,” she whispered softly.
Emmett’s smile sent her heart flying the same way it always did.
“Marry me.”
She blinked, her upper body pulling away from his with the straightening of her spine. “What?” Another wide-eyed blink left her lashes fluttering with surprise.
Had he seriously just asked her to—
“Marry me.”
When the rumbled words reached her ears once more, Janie knew she hadn’t imagined them.
“Emmett, what are you—” She shook her head “Are you crazy? We can’t get married.”
“Why not?”
“Because.” Her mind raced for a valid reason. “We’ve only known each other—”
“I don’t care.”
From the look on his gorgeous face, he really didn’t.
“But—”
“Do you love me?”
Boy, did she ever.
“Yes, of course, but—”
“Then marry me.” He slowly stood from the couch and faced her.
Janie couldn’t believe this was happening. He wanted to marry her? As in husband and wife?
Emmett pulled something from the pocket of his mouthwatering sweats before dropping one knee to the floor. Tears flooded her vision, and it took several more blinks for her to see he’d just opened a small, velvet-lined box.
Inside was a diamond ring.
“Oh, Emmett.” Janie’s jaw dropped open with shock and awe. “It’s so beautiful.”
“It had to be.” His loving gaze held hers with a smile. “Though it’s not nearly as beautiful as you.”
“You’re crazy.” She gave him a watery laugh, her heart filled with joyous emotion.
“Crazy about you.” Emmett pulled the ring free from its satin pillow.
He lifted her left hand and, with the gentlest of touches, slid the ring onto her finger. The fit and style were positively perfect. Just like the man whose hand was still holding onto hers.
“Yes,” Janie whispered as twin tears fell in streaks down the length of her cheeks.
“Yes?”
She met his gaze through a fresh set of tears and nodded. “I’ll marry you.” She made sure her answer was clear.
Emmett’s smile grew wider than she’d ever seen it before. His eyes lit up with a sense of joy that filled the room the same way it filled her heart.
A tiny cry of surprise escaped Janie’s throat when Emmett pulled her up to her feet. She barely had time to comprehend his intentions before he picked her up into his arms and slammed his smiling lips to hers.
“I love you so damn much.” He kissed her again.
Janie wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck and laughed. “Why don’t you take me into the bedroom and prove it?”
Emmett spun so fast he nearly tripped over the coffee table’s edge. More laughter filled the apartment as he carried her down the hall. More kisses filled her heart and soul with glee.
“Oh, and Emmett?” She pulled her lips from his so she could look into his beautiful brown eyes. “In case you were wondering, I love you, too.”
The future was as uncertain for them as it was for any couple just starting their Happily Ever After. But after all they’d survived, there wasn’t a doubt in Janie’s mind that theirs was a love meant to last a lifetime.
And they were just getting started.