Chapter 43 Coming Home
TIA
The stadium roared with the pulse of nearly a hundred thousand crammed into Wembley Stadium.
Tia rolled her neck, tired from the long flight, and let the energy of the crowd imbue her tired muscles with life.
Her entire world had been shattered and then rebuilt after a conversation during the flight from Afghanistan with her friends.
Only one thing was missing, and then everything would be whole.
Skye stood to her left, and Forest’s massive frame protected them from the crowd.
They had landed less than an hour ago, and Forest had had the limo bring them straight to the stadium.
She’d thought he’d bring them backstage, but Forest had pulled them to the mixing board set in the center of the venue facing the stage.
Forest bent down and explained. “This guy mixes all of the sounds coming from the stage. This is the best seat in the house, and the sound is best from here. You’re also above the crowd, so no need to try to look over anyone’s head.”
She loved that Forest cared about the difficulties of looking over heads. Tall for a woman, she was still a few inches shy of six feet. Skye was much more diminutive, and his consideration probably had more to do with Skye than herself.
His deep baritone rose easily above the crowd. He picked her up from the waist and lifted her up to the platform. Skye joined her a moment later, helped up by a hand from the mixing engineer rather than her brother.
The mixing engineer welcomed them and gestured for them to stand behind him.
Forest vaulted up and tugged them to the back of the platform.
From their position, they had a perfect view of the stage.
Stretched before them, those on the floor surged as one, riding the deep riffs peeling out from Ryker’s guitar and swaying to the beat of Bash’s drums.
Ryker stood, rock steady, with his powerful legs spread on a solid base. His head hung low, and it looked like his entire being was concentrated on the song. The bass guitar rode low on his hips, and he strummed out a bass riff, the potency of sound building toward a climax.
Out of his Air Force uniform, he blended with the others of the band, like he belonged right beside them.
Ripped jeans wrapped around his legs, and a T-shirt stretched across the breadth of his chest. The low, throbbing notes of his bass riff tumbled through the air, filling every breath with the promise of what Angel Fire would soon unleash onstage.
Ash came up front and center and grabbed the mic. “Good evening, London!”
His shout rocked the speakers and brought an answering roar from the crowd. The sound intensified, rumbling through the stadium, an avalanche of anticipation that snapped all eyes forward to the stage.
“We have a surprise for you tonight!” Ash turned and gestured at Ryker, urging him forward. “I want you to meet Ryker!”
A roar shook the stadium.
Ash went on to explain Bent’s injuries and how Ryker had graciously stood in.
More was said, but Tia could think of nothing but the man who owned her heart.
No more dark corners. No more stolen kisses.
It would take a couple of weeks to finalize her discharge, but she’d been dismissed and placed on terminal leave.
For all intents and purposes, she no longer had a job.
Nor did she have rules and regulations that determined whom she could love.
She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. Tears pricked at her eyes. This time, instead of holding them back, she let them pour.
Skye hugged her. “You okay?”
“I am,” she said, returning the hug. “I didn’t think I would be, but I am. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
“You’re doing me a favor,” Skye yelled, pitching her voice to be heard. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
They watched the entire concert from the mixing board, swaying with the crowd and shouting at the tops of their lungs.
Ryker had no idea she was here, and she planned on surprising him after the show.
Anticipating her need to see him as soon as possible, Forest escorted her and Skye backstage while the boys played the encore.
With the press of the crowd, that might seem a monumental task, but people parted before the gentle giant.
The buzz from the crowd faded as they headed backstage.
Forest wove through the sea of security and groupies without hesitation, his determined stride pushing aside the throngs of people.
No one challenged him. As he held the door open, she and Skye ducked beneath his arm and entered the quiet of the band’s dressing room.
“They’ll be here in a bit,” he said and then left them alone, heading back into the hall.
Her heart sped up, as she was eager for a reunion with Ryker.
Skye wandered over to one of the couches and lowered herself down with a sigh. “My body is so confused.”
“What do you mean?”
“Too many time zones in too few days,” Skye said. “I’m exhausted.”
Tia glanced at Skye’s palm resting on her belly. “Are you sure that’s all?” Her gaze cut down, making an obvious assumption.
Skye’s smile slipped. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
“Does Ash know?”
“Not yet. It’s too early to be certain. Honestly, I’m afraid.”
Tia rushed to Skye’s side, excited for her friend. “What are you afraid of?”
“Losing it,” she said. “There are scars…”
Skye’s past held many horrors, but Tia hoped Skye’s fears remained unfounded.
“How far along are you?”
“Eight weeks,” Skye said.
“You have to tell Ash.” She bounced with excitement, overjoyed for her friend.
“I will,” Skye said. “Once I know for certain.”
The door banged open, bringing their conversation to a halt.
Tia stood and wiped her palms against the fabric of her pants.
Her heart fluttered with anticipation and sent her pulse racing through her veins.
Spike and Noodles entered first, girls draped over their arms. Bash entered next with a redhead locked to his lips.
Ash bounded in behind them, pushing Bent through the door.
Several other men followed, security if she guessed right, but where was Ryker?
Then, she saw his military haircut and prominent jaw.
Strong and powerful, he stole her breath.
He caught her staring, and his entire being lit up.
Those sea-green eyes, which turned women stupid, arrowed straight for her heart with her heart-thudding, sexy-as-fuck, irresistible need to feel him skin to skin.
She couldn’t believe there had once been a time when she fought the force of his charisma every day.
Ryker barreled through the men, intent on only one thing.
He ran to her and scooped her up into his arms. When he lifted her off her feet, the entire room spun as he twirled them around.
Then, her feet were on the ground again, and she met the full force of his gaze.
He searched her face and lowered his eyes to the fullness of her lips, but instead of giving her the kiss she’d been yearning for, his brows drew together.
“I’m so sorry.” His gaze burned with regret, maybe even remorse, but a hunger lurked at the edges. “I wanted to be by your side.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “It could’ve been worse.”
“It’s not okay. You lost everything,” he said.
She ran her finger along his brow and dragged it down his temple to land on the gentle curve of his lips. “Not everything,” she admitted. “Sometimes, you have to let something go before you realize there’s something even greater waiting in the wings.”
“But your career? Your dreams? They’re all gone.”
“Not really,” she admitted, eager to tell him the news.
“If I hadn’t—”
“If it hadn’t have been for that kiss, a lot of things never would’ve happened.”
“Why aren’t you more upset?” His words whispered against her skin.
When he placed his forehead against hers, they reconnected through that fragile touch.
“I took a general discharge, and I’m on terminal leave. The Air Force is behind me.”
His breath hissed. “Tia…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I already have another job.”
He pulled back, and his gaze darted between her eyes. “A job? How?”
Her smile could no longer be contained, and she pointed at Skye and Forest. “They offered me a job.”
They’d offered much more than that.
“Doing what?” But his eyes widened, and understanding dawned in his expression.
“A surgical black ops team,” she answered. “Basically, what we’ve been doing all along but not with the military.”
Forest approached and clapped Ryker on the back. “We’ve got a spot for you, if you want it.”
“Me?” His eyes widened, and his brows practically climbed up his forehead with surprise.
Forest nodded. “Tia’s agreed to recruit, train, and lead the members. We’d love to have you.”
“But what about Angel Fire?” Ryker asked.
Forest cocked his head. “The USO tour has run its course. The boys will fly back to the States and take a break from touring. Ash has songs to write for the next album. It’ll give Bent time to heal.”
“As soon as your deployment ends,” she said, “you’ll be all mine.”
His commitment would end soon, only a couple of weeks left.
Her lips parted, and his gaze collided with hers, brimming with excitement, hope, and something more.
Her nerves rioted with the potency of the moment hanging between them.
A fever spread through her and fired up her pulse.
It did other things as well. She pursed her lips and canted her head to the side, studying his strength. How would he answer?
“Ryker?” she asked, suddenly unsure about what he wanted.
He laughed and yanked her close. “Your future is mine. Wherever you are, I’ll be by your side.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she drew back.
“I’m not sure if you should be kissing your boss.”
Ryker tilted his head back and roared with laughter. He turned to Forest. “Do our new employers give a rat’s ass about fraternization?”
Forest laughed. “Fuck no.”
Ryker’s pupils dilated, and the smoldering heat of his gaze filled her with shock and arousal. “Good, because I plan on doing so much more than kiss my new boss.”
She hoped the fluttering in her gut never stopped.
Her breath fled as he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I’ll kiss you but not before I know one thing.”
His exhalation seared her skin and sent goose bumps dancing along her arms.
“What?”
“I want you but not just for the night, not just for a day. I want your forever and all the days in between. It’s time to come home.” He pointed to his heart.
“Ryker,” she breathed, “are you—”
“Asking you to be my wife?” His eyes turned the deepest shade of green. “Forever and always. Be my future, my past, and my right now.” Locking his eyes with hers, he dipped his head and brushed his lips across her mouth. “What’s your answer?”
Her cheeks hurt from the grin splitting her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaped into his embrace. Wrapping her legs around his hips, she kissed him hard.
“Is that a yes?” he asked once she let him up for air.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she gave a vigorous nod.
The men of Angel Fire gave a shout, and somewhere behind her, corks popped. The rich aroma of champagne filled the air.
Forest’s gravelly voice cut through the air. “Well, fucking congrats. About damn time, lover boy.”
She had a sneaking suspicion Forest had planned this because Angel Fire didn’t look like the kind of men who sipped champagne.
While Ryker buried her in kisses, champagne flowed.
They parted long enough to join in on a toast, and then everyone was on her, hugging her, congratulating her, and wishing them both the best.
Skye came up last and pulled her into a hug, squeezing tight. “I’ve never had a sister, but I consider you family. Congratulations, Tia.”
They separated, and Tia squeezed Skye’s hands. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, but she didn’t care.
“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for everything.”
Forest came over next. He grabbed her arm and tugged Ryker along as well, angling them toward the door. “I’ve got a limo and a penthouse suite waiting.”
Ryker grabbed her hand in his, and they followed Forest through the crowd, exiting backstage to a waiting limousine.
Forest opened the back door and ushered them inside. “You have three days to catch up, and then we’re all headed back to the States. Use your time wisely!” He shut the door and thumped on the roof to tell the driver they were inside.
Ryker pulled the back of her hand to his lips. “I love you,” he said.
She crawled into his lap and stared down at him. “I love you, too.” Then, she undid the top button of his pants, lowered the zipper, and proceeded to show him exactly how much.
Their past belonged in the rugged desert mountains of Afghanistan. Their future had yet to be written. The present was filled only with the aching of lovers too long separated. With the union of their flesh, they cemented their ties and forged a promise of forever.
She’d found her way home.
***
I hope you enjoyed Tia and Ryker’s story and getting back together with the men of Angel Fire.