33. Epilogue
One Month Later
Dax
I looked at Travis’s single suitcase and backpack. “Are you sure that’s all you need?”
He tilted his head, seeming to think that through. “I can’t think of anything else. I mean, it’s not like I have closets full of clothes like Remington and Henri.”
“No one has as many clothes as those two.” Remington insisted on impeccable fashion, and he showered Henri with custom-tailored items on a regular basis.
“We can always buy something if we don’t have it.
There will be plenty of shops on the ship and even more at our destinations.
” We were going on a transatlantic cruise and visiting several stops in the Mediterranean.
This was the trip I’d wanted to take Travis on since he’d mentioned his desire to travel.
We also had a New Year’s trip to the Southwest planned.
“I’m not going to need that much. We shouldn’t?—”
I laid a finger over his mouth. “You promised me you would let me spoil you on this trip.” Travis had been very reluctant to let me buy things for him, but he’d finally agreed to let me pay for our travel, and I was going to buy him everything I saw that I thought he would like.
I didn’t care how many extra suitcases I needed to buy.
I had money sitting around doing nothing.
It might as well be used to make Travis happy.
He sighed. “Fine. You can buy me whatever you want.”
I grinned. “I have so many ideas.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, but I didn’t have to argue with him anymore because Hope came bounding into the room and demanded his attention.
I couldn’t believe how much she’d grown in the last month.
She was going to be a big girl, but I loved her more and more each day, and watching Travis play with her was one of my favorite things.
Hope was happy to play with me or let me take her on walks, but it was clear she and Travis had a special bond.
Travis squatted down to pet her. “She knows something is up. Look how jumpy she is. She won’t sit still.”
“Travis, baby, I’m not sure she ever sits still.”
“She usually rolls over for belly rubs when she comes to me for attention, but she’s just circling me. Are you sure it’s okay to leave her?”
“Yes.” I sat on the floor and scooped Hope onto my lap. “She’s going to be fine. Ambrose is going to take great care of her. He likes animals a lot better than people.”
“I still can’t believe he agreed to watch her.”
It had taken a lot of persuasion, but I’d finally worn him down.
He was doing it for Travis, not for me, but that was fine.
It was getting him out of the bayou for ten days.
Even if all he did was take Hope on walks and to puppy class, it would be good for him.
Things had remained better between us since we’d taken down LePlatt.
He’d even called me a few times just to check on me.
Well, he said he was checking on Travis, but he’d had a hell of a lot of questions for me about how I was handling a real relationship.
Better than I ever imagined was my answer.
I loved Travis so deeply, not one time had I doubted he was mine, my partner for life.
Our front door opened, and Ambrose stepped inside. He would shoot anyone for doing that at his place. “Asshole. You could have knocked.”
“Why? I have a key.”
“I might have shot you.”
Ambrose shook his head. “You’re too busy cuddling your puppy.”
That was true, but I wasn’t going to discuss it. I handed Hope to Travis and stood.
Ambrose was frowning at my collection of bags. “What’s all this? What do you need that can’t fit in a backpack?”
“It’s a cruise, not a backcountry camping trip.”
Ambrose just snorted.
“Do you have any questions about taking care of Hope?”
“I can keep a dog alive.”
“You did read the instructions I wrote up, didn’t you?” Travis asked.
Ambrose smiled at my boyfriend. “I did, and I’ll follow them all. I may not like it, but I used to be very good at following orders.”
That was something I had trouble imagining. I’d never understood how Ambrose’s lack of filter and intolerance for bullshit hadn’t gotten him kicked out of the army before he’d finished bootcamp.
“Don’t you need to go?” Ambrose asked.
He didn’t want a sentimental scene. I knew that, but I forced him to endure a hug from me, and Travis did the same.
Hope jumped up and down until he picked her up and let her give him kisses.
I couldn’t hold back a smile. Seeing him there in my house, holding my dog, and obviously loving the affection she gave him made me so happy.
“You know how to call us if there’s a problem, right?” Travis asked.
“I could find you even if the CIA couldn’t. Don’t worry.”
Travis and I collected our luggage, and I held the door for him.
When we were settled in the car, I pulled Travis to me and gave him a long, thorough kiss. When I pulled away, he stared at me wide-eyed.
“I couldn’t resist.”
He glanced at the clock and frowned. “It’s going to be hours before the ship takes off, and now all I can think about is kissing you again.”
“Just kissing?”
Travis held my gaze as he licked his lips. “I want you. I always want you.”
“As soon as we board the ship, I’m locking us in our cabin, and no one is going to disturb us until you’re thoroughly satisfied.”
“But shouldn’t we, like, figure out our way around, or…”
“There are crew members to help with anything we need. All you need to think about is enjoying yourself.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” I kissed him once more, then started the engine.
Ambrose
My phone rang a few minutes after Dax and Travis left. I actually checked the damn thing since it was probably Travis with one more concern about Hope. It wasn’t. It was Eric Winston. What the hell was he calling me for?
My thumb slid across my phone screen before I’d consciously decided to answer. I couldn’t resist another chance to argue with the good sheriff. “Good morning. I didn’t expect to hear from you again.”
“You owe me.”
“I could possibly be persuaded to believe that. Are you saying you need a favor from me? I didn’t think we were on speaking terms.”
“You know how you said if I just took down one guy, someone would replace him. Well, the same rule applies to taking down a small-time operation.”
I tensed. “You’re telling me someone has taken LePlatt’s place?”
“Yes, an enemy of yours.” I knew before he even said it. “Valentino Carlotti.”
“Fuck.”
“You not only went back on our deal, you made things worse, and now you’re going to help me fix it.”
“You’re right. I am.” No way in hell was Eric equipped to deal with a man like Carlotti.
And for some damn reason, I liked the idea of Eric being under my protection.
He might be a bitchy as hell cop, but no way was Carlotti getting his hands on him.
I’d brought Eric into this, and I was going to get him out.
* * *
Thank you for reading Dax.