THE HERO SHE DESERVES EPILOGUE
About a year later
“Shouldn’t I feel nervous?” Hollis ran a hand down her dress.
“No.” Leilani sipped her cocktail. “I don’t get why people feel nervous when they’re getting married. You picked the guy, you love him, so what’s there to be nervous about?”
Hollis turned to the mirror. She was wearing a strapless, silky dress in pure white. Her hair was up, and she had a long veil attached that drifted back behind her. A hibiscus flower was tucked behind her ear—it was white, with a touch of blush pink in the center. It matched a small bouquet.
“Exactly,” she said. “I love Sawyer, and he loves me.”
“Girl, you hit the jackpot with that man.” Leilani fluffed her hair, which currently had a streak of blue in it. “He is the best of the best.”
Hollis grinned. “I sure did get lucky.”
Finally, she had a relationship in her life that had gone perfectly right. Where she felt safe and loved.
Kiana handed her a glass of juice. “Take a sip. You need to stay hydrated.”
Hollis took the tropical juice. “Are you a juice maestro, as well?” She sipped, then wrinkled her nose. “There’s no alcohol in this.”
The other woman raised a brow. “You can have some later. After the I do’s.”
The door to the small side room where they were getting ready at Mama’s opened. Benny’s wife Kalani walked in with a smile. “They’re ready for you.”
Now a little frisson of nerves mixed with excitement hit Hollis’s stomach.
She was marrying her man. Her own personal hero.
Today, she’d become Mrs. Lane.
She was keeping her name for her work, but in her personal life, she’d be Hollis Lane. She pressed a hand to her stomach. “Let’s do this.” She set the glass down.
Kalani handed her the bouquet, and its beautiful fragrance filled the air. The woman had become a good friend to her over the last year. She and Sawyer spent a lot of time with Benny and Kalani.
Kalani, Kiana, and Leilani were her bridesmaids. They’d all become close. Mostly thanks to their regular girls’ nights, and yoga on the beach. The women were all wearing flowing green dresses that suited the beach wedding.
Hollis and Sawyer planned to have the ceremony on the beach, then a reception at Mama’s. The restaurant was closed to the public for the night, and security was being provided by Norcross Security. Soon, they’d be celebrating with cocktails and a seafood feast.
She nodded. “I’m ready.”
They headed outside. The weather was perfect, the sun shining in the afternoon sky and glinting off the water.
“About time.” Tavion appeared. Of course, he looked impossibly handsome in a gray suit tailored to his lean body.
He held out an arm. “I’m ready to walk the bride down the aisle.”
She smiled at him. Her mother was here, but she’d asked Tave to walk her to Sawyer. She touched the bracelet on her wrist. Dave was with her as well.
She slid her arm through Tave’s.
“You look stunning,” he murmured.
“Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”
“I always look good. I forgot to tell you that I made a mint with the photo deal to Vogue.”
Hollis hadn’t wanted to sell photos of the wedding. It was her and Sawyer’s special day. But Tave had warned her that the interest would be fierce. Better to give a little that she chose than nothing, and have the paparazzi everywhere.
They’d compromised and sold one shot. The proceeds were going to a charity for disadvantaged girls to pay for arts education, including dance lessons, singing tuition, and acting classes.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“Eager to marry your deputy.”
“I am.”
They’d already made their life together. She and Sawyer bought Archer’s house, and Sawyer had given up his rental cottage. They’d made a few tweaks, and now the home on the beach was theirs.
A true home.
She and Tave followed the bridesmaids through the palm trees. Ahead, she saw rows of white chairs set out on either side of a long aisle, with flowers attached to all the chairs. There were two large urns filled with blooms at the end of the aisle.
Along with her fiancé.
She didn’t pay attention to the music from the string quartet or her bridesmaids starting their walk down the aisle.
She only had eyes for Sawyer.
He wore a gray suit like Tave’s, with a white shirt and no tie. Her man looked hot.
Benny and Vander stood beside him.
Her heart thumped hard. The music swelled, and then Tave walked her down the aisle.
“You deserve every happiness, Red,” her friend murmured. “I couldn’t be happier for my favorite person.”
She shot him a watery smile.
Among the guests, she saw some of her actor friends, and her mom. On the other side of the aisle, she saw Brynn Norcross and Sawyer’s mom. All his Ghost Ops buddies and their women were there, too. Hollis had gotten to know them, as well. There were Boone and Gemma, Shep and Hayden, and Ren and Halle. Parker was sitting on the aisle, with his woman sitting beside him. Hollis was thrilled that the tough, attractive US Marshall had captured Park’s heart.
He met Hollis’s gaze and gave her a chin left.
Then her gaze locked on Sawyer.
Tave placed her hand in her fiancé’s.
“Hey,” she whispered to the men she loved.
“You are so beautiful.” His gaze never left her face.
“And you look edible.”
He smiled. “You ready to get married?”
“A hundred times yes.”
He pulled her close and their noses brushed. “Never letting you go.”
And she knew her man was one who always kept his word. “Good.”
Then they turned, and the celebrant smiled.
“Dear family, friends, and guests,” the celebrant said. “We’re here to help Sawyer and Hollis celebrate their union in marriage?—”
Sawyer took his time kissing his new wife.
Hollis was his wife. His in all ways.
He lifted his head. She was smiling up at him from where he had her dipped and held safe in his arms. Her face was flushed and happy.
“You’re gorgeous, Mrs. Lane.”
“Mrs. Lane.” Her smile widened. “I like that.”
He set her upright. Their guests were clapping and cheering. Hollis waved. They started back down the aisle.
“I can’t wait to get started on the reception.” He lowered his voice. “Because that brings us one step closer to our wedding night.”
Color filled her cheeks. “Me too.”
“All right, everyone,” Sawyer said to the crowd. “Head up to Mama’s for the best seafood you’ve ever had.”
There were more cheers.
With Hollis’s hand in his, he headed up the path through the trees.
She leaned into him, her veil blowing in the breeze. “I need a cocktail?—”
There was a rustle in the bushes nearby. Through the flowers, Sawyer saw a glint of metal.
His pulse spiked, and he spun, pushing Hollis safely behind him.
He expected shots, but none came.
His gaze narrowed and he heard a clicking sound.
Oh, there were shots all right, just not gunshots.
The rest of the guests were catching up to them. He saw his Ghost Ops buddies speed up, sensing that something was wrong.
Sawyer pushed Hollis toward Vander. “Take care of her.”
Then he strode toward the bushes. The branches started shaking, and he pushed them apart. He reached in and dragged a man out.
“What the hell?” The man spluttered and a camera fell on the ground.
He looked like he was in his late twenties, with longish, brown hair that flopped in his eyes.
Parker and Boone stepped up on Sawyer’s left. Shep and Ren stepped up on his right. Shep crossed his arms over his broad chest.
The young man looked up at them all and blanched.
“You’re trespassing at a private event,” Sawyer said darkly.
The man’s throat bobbed. “I just wanted some photos. I’m just starting out, and this would make my career. Not to mention make me a lot of money.”
“I suggest you stop talking before you dig yourself any deeper,” Boone warned.
The man swallowed.
“How did you get in here?” Vander demanded. “Everyone had to be cleared by security.”
The man wiped a shaky hand across his mouth. “Um, I arrived before everyone came. I’ve been in that bush for ages. I had to pee in a bottle.” He glanced at Hollis. “It was worth it to get a photo of Hollis Stanton on her wedding day.”
Sawyer made a low sound and gripped the back of the man’s shirt. He’d heard enough. “This is my wedding day too, and there are no fucking paparazzi allowed.”
The young man’s face drained of color. He glanced around, gaze flitting over the men beside Sawyer. He turned even whiter.
“You picked the wrong career, kid.” Parker stepped forward…and brought his shoe down on the camera. It crunched beneath his sole.
The young man made a pained sound.
“Jesse?” Sawyer called out.
Sawyer friend stepped forward, a scowl on his face.
“I’ll take it from here,” Jesse said. “Boy, I’m Deputy Sheriff Jesse Kim. You’re under arrest.”
“Ah man.”
Jesse grabbed the young man’s arms and wrenched them behind his back. “Keep some lobster and crab cakes for me. I’ll be back soon. Hollis, you’re a beautiful bride.”
“Thanks, Jesse,” she replied.
Sawyer looked at his friends. “Thanks for the assist.”
Parker snorted. “Like you needed it.”
“How about we find a drink?” Sawyer suggested.
“Preferably a good bourbon,” Vander said.
“And crab cakes,” Shep said. “They sound good.”
Hayden appeared and slapped her man’s arm. “You thinking with your stomach, Shepherd Barlow?”
“Yep.” He wrapped one brawny arm around her and headed for Mama’s.
Sawyer reached out and took Hollis’s hand.
“Let’s hope that’s the only drama for the evening,” Hollis said. “Otherwise Mama’s might ban me from coming here.”
“I’ll make sure it is.”
She smiled up at him. “My hero.”
He pulled her close and nipped her lips. “I’ll always keep you safe, gorgeous. Make you happy. And I promise that I’ll always love you.”
Her face softened. “I’ll always love you, too.”
“Come on.” Sawyer was the happiest he’d ever been. He knew he was in the right place, where he was meant to be—with Hollis.
“Let’s get this party started,” she said.
He scooped her off her feet and into his arms.
She let out a happy cry and slid an arm around his neck. Sawyer walked toward Mama’s, holding his bride, and carrying her toward the start of their beautiful life.