Rekindled (Titanium Security Series) (28 page)

“I won’t tell anyone,” she promised.

“Better not,” he said on a laugh. Inhaling deeply, he stepped up beside her and offered his arm. “Shall we?”

She nodded. “Let’s do this.”

He walked her to the open patio doors that led out onto the manicured lawn and sloped down to the beach where the waves curled against the shore in lazy strokes. The moment they appeared at the top of the stairs the guests all hushed and the violin quartet started up. Zahra inhaled and squared her shoulders, gave him a little nod.

Alex led her over the threshold and out onto the grass. At the foot of the stone patio steps he turned her to face the small group of guests seated in the rows of white chairs. He spotted Grace in the front row beside Hunter and his fiancée, Khalia. Next to them were Gage, Evers, Jordyn and Ellis. Tom Webster, the other co-owner of Titanium, sat behind them. Up front beneath an arbor dripping with yellow roses Claire stood in her pale pink gown beside the minister.

And front and center, flanked by his older brother and the minister, stood Dunphy in his tux.

Alex smiled at the sight of him standing on his own, his legs still in braces and one hand resting on a cane to help steady him. His clean shaven face was leaner from the weight he’d lost, but when he saw Zahra he broke into a proud, almost awed smile that transformed his entire face. He’d been through hell these past few months, but Zahra had also gone through her own hell and walked out the other side. They were both survivors, both stronger for their ordeals because of the other. Now they would walk forward together for the rest of their lives.

Zahra squeezed his hand and he squeezed back, stealing a glance at her. Her eyes shone with joy and a love even Dunphy’s ass-clown tendencies couldn’t shake. Alex knew they’d be happy together and he couldn’t be prouder of them both.

When they reached Dunphy, Alex paused to draw Zahra’s veil back then shook the groom’s hand. Dunphy’s eyes sparkled as he clasped Alex’s hand in a firm grip, and he knew it was more than a thank you. It was a vow that he’d always take care of her. Alex nodded and returned to his seat beside Grace.

She was smiling at him fondly as he eased into the chair, obviously aware how emotional it had been for him to give Zahra away. She leaned into his body when he draped an arm around her shoulders. Laying her head on his shoulder with a little sigh, she squeezed his free hand. “You did good, dad,” she whispered just before the minister began the ceremony.

With Grace’s soft weight snuggled against his side and her fingers twined with his they watched as Zahra and Dunphy exchanged vows. That would be him and Grace soon, Alex thought. Maybe nothing as elaborate as this setup, but he was going to publicly pledge his devotion for life to her
very
soon.

They were flying out tomorrow night. But not back to Baltimore. Grace had no idea, but he was flying them back to Minnesota to see her family for a very special occasion. He, her mother and sister had the wedding arrangements all taken care of and he couldn’t wait to surprise her with it. Though they lived together they hadn’t seen much of each other over the past few months with her traveling to Syria and Iraq, and him back and forth to Pakistan and Afghanistan to stamp out the rest of Hassani’s network. That was going to change after tomorrow night. He was going to marry her in the church she’d been baptized in and attended growing up, and they were going to enjoy every moment of the two week honeymoon in Fiji he’d booked for them.

He couldn’t wait to make her his completely, have the satisfaction of seeing her take his name. She’d already told him she was going to keep hers and double-barrel them, but that was fine by him. Grace Fallon-Rycroft sounded damn good to him.

The couple exchanged vows and rings, then before the minister could finish, Dunphy took Zahra’s face between his hands and bent to kiss her. And Jesus, it wasn’t a PG kiss either. Alex let out a strangled laugh as everyone around him cheered. Hunter stuck two fingers in his mouth and gave an approving whistle while Gage shouted at them to get a room. By the time Dunphy let the girl breathe, Zahra was deep red, her playful glare promising her new husband retribution later.

Holding hands, she and Dunphy turned to face the guests. They looked so happy Alex felt his throat tighten. Everyone here was witnessing hope and love and redemption. A miracle.

Grace laughed softly and squeezed his hand. “Want to borrow one of my tissues?” she teased.

Chuckling, Alex pulled her to her feet and stood with his arms around her middle as the newlyweds passed by up the aisle amid a standing ovation. They moved slowly, Dunphy’s strides stiff and jerky, but hell, he was fucking
walking
.

Grace tipped her head back to look up at him, was clearly fighting a laugh. “I love you, you big softie.”

He smiled, knowing he was the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth to have this woman’s love and get to spend the rest of his life with her. “I know. But are you gonna finally make an honest man out of me someday, or what?”

She arched a playful brow at him and gave him a considering look, though the answer was clear in her eyes. “I think I could be talked into it, yes. And I think it should happen sooner rather than later. We’re not getting any younger, you know,” she added.

“Hmm, well I’ll take that under advisement.” He thought of the surprise that awaited her in Minnesota and smiled to himself as he guided her up the aisle after the others.

—The End—

Titanium Security Series
(romantic suspense)

Ignited

Singed

Burned

Extinguished

Rekindled

Bagram Special
Ops Series (romantic suspense)

Deadly Descent

Tactical Strike

Lethal Pursuit

Suspense Series
(romantic suspense)

Out of Her League

Cover of Darkness

No Turning Back

Relentless

Absolution

Empowered Series
(paranormal romance)

Darkest Caress

Historical Romance

The Vacant Chair

Big thank yous to my amazing BFF and crit partner, Katie Reus, and my fabulous detail-oriented hubby, Todd. Also sending out hugs to Julieanne Reeves and JRT Editing, for helping me make this story shine.

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family. You can visit Kaylea at
www.kayleacross.com

• Title page
  
• Dedication
  
• Author’s Note
  
• Table of Contents
  
• Prologue
  
• Chapter One
  
• Chapter Two
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Chapter Four
  
• Chapter Five
  
• Chapter Six
  
• Chapter Seven
  
• Chapter Eight
  
• Chapter Nine
  
• Chapter Ten
  
• Chapter Eleven
  
• Chapter Twelve
  
• Chapter Thirteen
  
• Chapter Fourteen
  
• Chapter Fifteen
  
• Epilogue
  
• Complete Booklist
  
• Acknowledgements
  
• About the Author