Epilogue Addie
A Few Weeks Later…
Life with Cole is everything I could’ve wanted and more. Now that we’re both on the same page—and the same side of the law—working toward the same goals, we’re a force to be reckoned with. Criminals of Denver beware.
Even though I’d convinced my overworked man to take a couple of much-needed days off following our encounter with Simon Nyx, who is currently looking at a very long prison sentence, he had to return to the office.
He wanted to tie up the case because Nyx spilled his guts and Denver PD raided his stash.
I let it slide because I wanted him to fly to San Diego to visit Ryland and Harper with me.
My sister-in-law is due any day now, and I really want to be there. Plus, I want to introduce them to Cole.
It’s easier to convince Cole to take the trip than I thought it would be.
“Technically, this isn’t a vacation,” I tell him once we’re buckled up and soaring above the clouds on a commercial flight.
I didn’t want to bug Hunter and ask her to fly us on her plane.
She just got the thing. Because, yeah, Braxton Graves finally coughed up the airplane he owed her after she crashed her own to help my brother’s team.
“It’s not?” he asks, a mischievous look in his hazel eyes.
“No. And our trip to New York in two weeks isn’t a vacation either.”
“I can’t believe my mom finally agreed to move to Denver,” he says, his hand wrapping around mine.
“We had a little talk. She misses you, so I made an obvious suggestion. She said yes.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal, but I know it means the world to Cole to have his mom close to him again.
We’re going to help her finish packing and put the house up for sale.
Then we’re bringing her back to Denver. I adore his mom, and I’m looking forward to having her around.
Maybe in time, she’ll become a mother figure to me, too. I’d really like that.
“Thank you, Addie.”
I squeeze his hand and settle back in my seat. Between working with the Denver PD and running A-Squared, things have been amazingly smooth. Rewarding in a way they never were before. I even worked up my courage to call The Man and tell him. And he surprised the hell out of me.
My jaw must’ve hit the floor when he said, “I can get on board with that.”
“Really? You aren’t angry or disappointed?”
“Not at all. In fact, I’ve sort of been waiting for this moment.”
“You have?” I’d asked, completely taken aback.
“I think Angel would be happy to know you’re using your powers for good.”
Coming from him, those words meant a lot.
“But don’t think that means I won’t have the occasional job for you and your team.”
“I’m counting on it,” I’d said with a smile.
Yes, things have been very busy indeed—but that’s when I thrive the most.
The flight passes by quickly and Ryland is waiting at the curb to pick us up. Cole tosses our bags into the back of the Jeep, where I’m not surprised to see a surfboard sticking out. My brother loves to surf, and the ocean is his happy place. Being a SEAL came naturally to him.
After giving him a big hug, I introduce Cole. They politely shake hands, but I can sense the initial wariness on both sides. I suppose it’s to be expected. Especially since I’ve confided in Ryland about my past problems with my very persistent detective.
But my brother is a laidback guy, and he understands how enemies can become lovers. Braxton and Quinn, his former team leader and his wife, are a perfect example of that.
“Cole freaking Vaughn,” Ryland says with a grin. “Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Cole slides a look my way. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”
We all laugh and hop into the Jeep. Before I can ask about Harper, Ryland’s cell phone rings. “Hey, sweetheart,” he answers. Then he turns white as a ghost. “What? Don’t you dare. I’m on my way!”
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Harper’s water just broke! She’s having contractions and wants to drive herself to the goddamn hospital!”
“Okay, calm down,” I say, trying to sound reasonable.
“Babies take a long time to come. We’ll get her to the hospital in time,” I assure him.
But I’m worried. What if she has one of those crazy fast deliveries and, by the time we get to their house, she’s lying on the floor and has to have the baby all by herself.
Shit! “What’re you waiting for? Drive!” I yell and slap Ryland’s arm.
He snaps out of it and slams his foot against the gas pedal. We all jolt backward, and I quickly buckle up. Cole and I white-knuckle it the entire ride back to Ryland’s place, where we see Harper standing on the front sidewalk, patiently waiting, duffel bag at her feet.
Ryland jumps out and runs to his wife.
“I’m okay,” she reassures him, and I’ve never seen my former Navy SEAL turned assassin brother look so terrified in his entire life.
I hop out of the passenger seat and give Harper a hug. “Are you ready?” I ask, and she makes a face.
“I sure hope so.” She places a hand on her ginormous stomach and peers into the back of the Jeep where Cole sits. “Hi, you must be Cole. I’m Harper.”
“C’mon, sweetheart, you can chat on the way.” Ryland helps her get in, carefully closing the door behind her, and then races back around the car and jumps inside.
“I called Savvy,” Harper says. “Oh, and Aubrey, too. She told Gray to call the guys and let them all know.”
The Jeep zips through a yellow light and I grip onto the backseat, exchanging a look with Cole. “Your family likes to live on the edge, huh?” he asks, holding on for dear life as we overtake and pass two slower moving cars then spin around a sharp curve way too fast.
“Ryland!” Harper squeals.
“You aren’t delivering our baby in this Jeep. I am getting you safely to the hospital, so hold on!”
Luckily, we don’t have too far to go and my maniac brother gets everyone there in one piece. An attendant hurries out with a wheelchair, Ryland helps Harper sit and then she’s whisked off, Ryland racing along beside her.
“I bet she doesn’t have the baby for another eighteen or so hours,” I predict, and Cole chuckles.
“Better safe than sorry.”
I pause outside the hospital doors and take a moment to feel the warm SoCal sunshine on my face. “What about you, Detective?” His brow hikes up. “Any interest in going through this one day?”
His hands wrap around my waist and he pulls me closer. “A year ago, I would’ve said no way. But you, Addison Mae, have the power to make me want things I never did before.”
“Like a vacation?” I suggest with a cheeky grin.
“You’re really pushing for that vacation. Any particular destination?” He begins nuzzling my neck, and I wrap my arms around him, lean back and sigh in contentment.
“Oh, I was thinking maybe somewhere tropical. Spend lazy days on the beach sipping on fruity drinks with umbrellas in them.”
“And what about the nights?” he asks in a suggestive voice, flicking his tongue against my neck.
“Mmmm, well, obviously, those will be spent giving each other endless orgasms.”
“Now that’s a vacation I can get on board with, baby.”
He pulls back with a grin, and I look up into his autumn-flecked eyes.
I’ve found the only man in the world who will protect me and love me in the exact way I need.
He knows me better than anyone. And it isn’t because Cole Vaughn is a thorough investigator whose file on me is about five inches thick.
No, I think, pulling him down for a kiss. It’s because he’s far more sensitive than he’d ever admit, and when he loves, he loves with his whole heart.
“I love you, my detective,” I whisper, laying a hand against his cheek. “You finally caught your thief.”
He smiles, and it lights up my soul. “And I’m never letting you go,” he whispers, capturing my lips in another searing kiss.
Melting in his arms, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I also have a funny feeling my mom may have had a little something to do with Cole and I getting together.
Because, truly, it’s nothing short of a beautiful miracle.
We managed to overcome our differences, bring down the bad guys, save the necklace, protect each other and fall madly in love.
Now that’s what I call strange as angels.
Lucky for me, I believe in angels.
I hope you enjoyed Addie and Cole’s story! Next up, Ryder gets bewitched by his rival, the mysterious Bella Diamond.