Chapter 44
Five weeks later…
Audra rubbed her temples as she left the SIS building for the last time. That exit interview process had been grueling. But her case was out of her hands now. Dee had everything; the prosecutors did too. She just had to wait for the trial. But for now, her role as a spy was done.
“Hey, pretty lady. Can I buy you a drink?”
For a split second, the words “Get lost” were on the tip of her tongue before the voice registered.
A wide smile covered her face as she turned.
“Hi, Aud.”
She let out a squeal and launched herself at him. “You’re here!”
Sam caught her and wrapped her in his muscular arms. “Of course I am. You’re officially retired. Which means you’re all mine.”
She leaned back in his embrace to frame his face in her hands. “I am. And I’m so very excited. My bags are packed and waiting. All I have to do is run by my flat and grab them before heading to the airport.”
A gleam entered his eyes. “About that…”
Audra tipped her head, trying to read his expression. “What?”
“I was wondering if you’d be open to a little detour before we catch our plane. And yes, I booked myself on your flight.”
“I’m glad. What do you mean, though? What kind of detour?” She couldn’t imagine what he meant. They didn’t have a lot of time before their flight left. Only tonight. Her move to Costa Rica had been in the works for over a month. Ever since the day after they took down Brogan, Callahan, and the Powells. She’d decided she was done with spy work. Bright and early tomorrow morning, she was supposed to fly down to Costa Rica.
He dropped a quick, but heated kiss on her lips, then released her. “Come on.”
“What? Sam, where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
He led her to the tube station, where they boarded the train. After two line changes, they ended up at Southwark, where they got off. Audra still had no clue where they were going.
Outside the station, they crossed Blackfriars Road, then went up Union Street before turning right onto Great Suffolk Street. He stopped in front of a building with colorful windows.
She frowned and read the sign. It was for a theater. “Are we seeing a play?”
“No. I googled Spanish places in London. This came up. I’d take you to a restaurant, but that’s too crowded and noisy.”
“Okay?” She drew out the word, still confused about what was going on.
He reached into his back pocket. When he brought his hand around, he held a small burgundy booklet. Audra frowned as she realized it was a British passport. “Why do you have a British passport?”
“It’s one of yours.” He handed it to her.
She opened it. It was her Angela Brackley ID. “I’m so confused. Why are you giving me this? I can use my real one now.”
“I know. I was wondering if you wanted to make that last name official, though?”
Audra’s lips parted on a soft gasp.
He dropped to one knee, producing a small fabric pouch from another pocket. Opening it, he dumped a ring into his palm.
“Oh my goodness,” she breathed, covering her mouth.
“Aud, you know I want you to be part of my life for the rest of my days. I’ve been thinking about this since the moment we met again. We’re here”—he pointed at the theater—“because it’s about as close as I could get us to Spain without leaving the city. I wanted the forever part of our lives to start in the place where our relationship began. I love you. Will you be my wife?”
A bright, happy smile started behind her hands, crinkling her eyes. She dropped her arms to her sides. “Yes!” She didn’t even have to think about it. Secretly, she’d hoped he’d propose soon now that she was retiring. She wanted nothing more than to build her new life with him right by her side.
Standing, Sam took her hand and slid the square-cut diamond solitaire onto it. “No more fake names and false identities. From now on, you’re just Audra Brackley.”
Happiness propelled her into action, and she threw her arms around his neck. The noise of the busy London street faded away as she sealed her mouth to his. She liked the sound of that.