Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later…
“Where are you taking me?”
Zain grinned as he helped Saylor climb into his truck, a blindfold cinched around her head, all that blonde hair spilling across her shoulders, glowing like gold amidst the sunlight.
He buckled her in, rounding the truck before jumping in and clipping his seat belt. “If I told you that it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
She turned toward him, waving her hand in front of the swath of black cloth. “Do I really need a blindfold?”
“How else am I supposed to know you’re not peeking.”
“Trust?”
“I’ve seen you sneak a glance when you said you wouldn’t.” He leaned over, nuzzled her cheek before stealing a kiss. “You just can’t help yourself. ”
She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine, but no crying foul when I put one on you tonight.” She flashed him a sly smile. “You promised you’d let me tie you up, next time.”
“I said I’d consider giving you a turn after mine was over. And mine isn’t close to being over, yet.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Relax. This is a good surprise. I promise.”
She mumbled something about him being a tease as she eased back in the seat, holding his hand as he started his truck and pulled onto the road.
The sun sat high in the sky, casting a warm hue across the towering pines. Fluffy white clouds floated amidst the brilliant blue, a flock of geese heading north in a long vee. What was shaping up to be one of the first nice days since that last epic storm. The one where he’d almost lost her.
Zain swallowed, pushing down the instant punch to his gut. The bruising from that night had only just faded, and he couldn’t quite shake the uneasy feeling prickling down his spine.
Saylor tugged his hand. “Stop.”
He glanced over, bouncing along the shoulder for a moment when he got caught up in the way her mouth quirked, giving her a sexy vibe that went straight to his groin. “Stop, what?”
“Worrying. I can feel the tension all the way over here. The way you clench your jaw and flex your muscles, like you’re preparing for some grudge match. I’m fine. Maddox is behind bars, or least that’s what they claim. Regardless, it’s over. ”
“Nothing’s over until every last one of his disciples have been rounded up, and that damn sonar weapon’s buried under a few feet of concrete.”
“Fleming said he’s close. Will likely have them all in custody within the next few weeks. And the Nexus sank. Whatever’s left of that sonar is buried under a thousand feet of ocean.”
“Unless those assholes from the boat grabbed it.”
“Even if they did, they’ve lost their connections.
And without Vasquez to piece it all together, it could take years for them to get even close to replicating it.
” She shifted closer. “We could try some saturation diving if you wanted to, though. It’s been a while, but I’ve got the certification.
So do you. And maybe we could entice Foster’s cousin and his gang out.
I bet four ex-SEALs would jump at the chance to get in some fun.
See if we can retrieve some of the wreckage. ”
“Are you determined to give me an aneurism? Because I can picture it now, surfacing from some terror-induced dive with sharks and giant squid on our tails only to find pirates circling the boat.”
She laughed. “All you had to say was no, Captain Nemo . Though, the giant squids were a nice touch.”
“All I’m saying is that we can’t let our guard down, too soon.”
“Why do I have the feeling that we’ll be pushing ninety and you’ll still consider it too soon ?”
He grinned. Damn, he loved that she talked about them spending the rest of their lives together as if it was no big deal. Normal.
It was huge to him. Knowing she accepted him, flaws and all.
That she’d have his back. While he hadn’t quite gotten those night patrols down to one, like he’d promised, he’d eased up.
Not too much with possible tangos still gunning for her, but she’d appreciated his effort.
And having her permanently living with him meant he always had a partner.
Always had her. With him.
He leaned over once he’d parked the truck, giving her a long, hot kiss. “I promise I’ll get over it by the time we’re ninety-five, tops.”
“Deal.” She glanced around, huffed. “Are we here? Because it feels like we stopped moving and you kissed me…”
“Give me a second.”
He jumped out, rounded the truck, then opened her door.
She accepted his hand, lingering in another kiss before he managed to ease her onto her feet — give her some space.
She hooked her arm through his, trusting him to keep her safe as he walked along the pavement, stopping at the edge of her dock.
She inhaled, smiling as the wind lifted her hair from her shoulders, fluttering it behind her in a curtain of gold. “We’re near the ocean.”
“Hard to mask that scent.” He palmed her shoulders and turned her slightly. “Whenever you’re ready.”
She lifted her hands, took a breath, then removed the blindfold. She blinked, then gasped, mouth gaped open, eyes wide. The blindfold slipped out of her fingers, landing in a puddle at her feet as she stared at her new boathouse.
Zain pressed his chest against her back. “It’ll be another few weeks before they get the interior finished, but I think Atticus did a great job at giving you an upgrade.”
Her chin quivered, a few tears splattering on the ground as she coughed, tried to speak, only to cough again. She swallowed, choking a bit before glancing back at him. “How?”
Zain grinned. “If Amish communities can raise a barn in a day, us ex-military types can at least get it done in a couple weeks. Especially when the task master is some gruff old coot who doesn’t accept ‘no’ as an answer.”
“Atticus called in favors to get this built?”
“Has a whole platoon here.” Zain kissed her neck. “You’re worth it. Which brings us to your second surprise…”
He moved off to her left, grabbed her hand, then led her over to the dock.
Her Zodiacs bobbed in the water, the Raven’s Watch logo painted on the side.
“Atticus took the liberty of fixing your boat and putting them both on the docket. Said he expected you to match your schedule to mine as soon as you were ready, which I know will be the next shift.”
“He upgraded both?”
“Damn straight, I did.” Atticus walked out of her boathouse and down the pier, stopping an arm’s length away. “Having ridden in them, they needed some serious modernizing. I don’t know how you managed to navigate those storms with the substandard equipment you had onboard.”
He gave her those creepy watching you fingers. “I expect an officer of your caliber to have these boats decked out.”
Saylor crossed her arms as she hitched one hip out to the side. “My equipment was not substandard, and you still owe me my spare.”
“I’m sure Zain has more than enough weapons to share.”
She grunted and pointed to the upper level. “Is that another loft apartment above the boathouse?”
Atticus turned. Nodded. “Damn straight.”
“I told you I didn’t really need it.”
He scoffed, motioning to Zain. “What happens when Everett’s an ass? You need to be able to kick him out to someplace safe.”
Zain shook his head. “Nice to see you hold me in such high regard.”
“I’m a realist.” Atticus shrugged. “You can always rent out the space.”
Saylor inhaled. “Oh my god. You didn’t add it on for me. You want to be able to room additional staff there while they look for permanent housing.”
Atticus blinked. “Additional staff?”
“Don’t even bother acting all innocent. Mac heard you talking about expanding, again. Another full crew, which makes sense. And that’s why you added the loft. Got this place built in record time.”
“Mac’s going on maternity leave.”
“In like three or four months.”
“Still, I can’t wait until the last minute. And with all of you hooking up… It’s only a matter of time before you’re next. ”
Zain held up his hand. “Can she fully heal, first, before you’re looking for surrogate grandchildren?”
Atticus rolled his eyes. “Please. I’ve seen the way you two are. I expect news any day now.”
“And you wonder why we all live on the outskirts of town.”
“Yeah, to hide all the moaning.” Atticus turned.
“I’ve got your next shift covered, just to be safe.
I expect you both back after that.” He took a few steps, then stopped again.
“Welcome to Raven’s Watch, Saylor. Full time.
” He slid his arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. “I can’t wait to tell your dad.”
A crash sounded from inside the boathouse, and Atticus stalked toward the building, muttering under his breath.
Saylor groaned. “I swear it’s like having another father.”
Her voice hitched, a shiver trembling through her.
Zain gathered her in his arms. “Maddox was a fool, but I’m not.”
She looked up at him. “And it only took you like six months.”
“But once I commit…”
“Hmm, that sounds like a challenge. Want to practice making those kids Atticus teased about? Because that’s a sword I could fall on.”
“Are you conceding it’s still my turn?”
She tiptoed up. “How about I make you a deal? You get us home before I can bring you to your knees on the drive, and it can be your turn for as long as you want.”
Zain tsked, then hiked her up on his shoulder, laughing at the way she squealed. “Oh, sweetheart. You should know better than to challenge a ranger. I’ve spent an entire week in the same four-foot nest.”
Saylor shook her head. “Your ribs.”
“More than healed enough to have some fun.”
He carried her over to his truck, placing her on the seat before jumping in the driver’s side.
Saylor scooted over, her fingers already working his zipper. “You won’t drive this thing off the road when I win, will you?”
“Hell no, because I’m winning.” He leaned over — kissed her. “Make peace with spending the rest of the day naked.”
“Game on, soldier.” She palmed his jaw. “I love you, Zain.”
“Love you, more. Now, give it your best shot. I’ve got big plans.”