Waggs: An Eidolon Black Ops Novel: Book 7

by Wade, Maddie

  “Yes!” AJ pumped the air with his fist and raced off to change out of his football kit.

  “He certainly seems excited.” Waggs drew Willow against his chest and looped his arms at the sexy curve of her ass. Her arms came around his neck and he felt his dick harden as she pressed her breasts against his chest and her hips cradled his cock.

  “Hmm, seems he isn’t the only one.” She licked her lips and he wanted her, but he had other things to do today.

  “I can’t help it around you.” He indulged them both with a kiss, flicking his tongue over the curve of her bottom lip in the way he knew she loved. He pulled away far sooner than he wanted but he needed to talk to her before AJ returned. “It came in the post today.”

  He saw she understood immediately, no games, no pretending. The DNA test he’d taken last month had come back and the sealed envelope was on the table.

  “Oh.”

  He’d been sure he wanted to find out for sure but as the days had worn on, he’d come to doubt his decision. Walking to the kitchen table where he’d first told her he loved her, they sat side by side like the team they were and eyed the envelope that could change so much and yet nothing at all. Aaron would still be dead; he’d still love AJ exactly the same.

  “Well.”

  Willow pushed the white embossed envelope towards him, and he picked it up as he grasped her hand with the other, holding tight to his anchor in everything he did. He turned it over slowly weighing the right thing to do. Willow had left it completely in his hands but as he now faced the truth, he knew fundamentally that he didn’t need to know the biology of AJ’s birth. If he found out he was AJ’s father, then it would be like losing another piece of Aaron and it wouldn’t make an iota of difference to how much he loved the boy. If he found out he wasn’t his father, it would be the same.

  He placed it back on the counter and looked up at Willow. “I don’t want to know. It makes no difference to me and AJ in that I couldn’t love him more than I do. He’s my blood either way and my son in every way that counts. We can explain as he grows up and when and if he’s ready and wants to know, he can open the envelope but until then I’m happy as we are.”

  “You know with you being identical, there’s a good chance it wouldn’t be able to tell anyway. You share the same DNA.”

  “True. So let’s leave it and if he ever wants to know for sure, and there’s a way to tell for sure by that point, we can explore it. But nothing will stop me loving that child with all my heart.”

  “Oh, Aiden,” She gripped his hand and he saw tears in her eyes but not of sadness, of happiness, “that’s the most beautiful gift we could give him.”

  “So, we agree? We put this safe and when he’s ready, he can either open it or toss it away?”

  “Yes.”

  Waggs kissed her knuckles lovingly.

  “I’m ready.” AJ came bounding into the room in jeans and hoodie on back to front.

  “Let’s go get our tree.”

  They bundled up warm in wellies and gloves as they left to get the tree. Waggs felt the niggle of nerves in his belly that had nothing to do with fear. The tree farm was only three miles away and he pulled into the car park and noted the car he wanted to see was already there.

  He took hold of Willow’s hand, and she took hold of AJ’s as they walked to get a ticket for the tree to mark it and then went off to find the best tree. He steered them past the smaller ones toward an area with six and seven Norwegian firs. Willow pointed out a few and they took funny selfies to remember the day by, but each tree was discarded until he pointed to the one he’d chosen earlier that day. “What about that one?”

  He pointed towards a beautiful pine seven foot tall with a red bow hanging from it and a red velvet bag attached. Waggs moved closer as Willow let go, frowning as she tried to see what the bow had attached. When she reached up to grasp the pouch, he dropped to his knee and saw AJ’s eyes go round as if he knew something huge was happening.

  “Aiden, it has something in it.” She turned back to him and instantly her hands flew to her face to cover the shock as her eyes grew wet.

  He took her hand in his, pulling it away from her face so he could hold on to it, his voice shaking, heart hammering so hard in his chest. “Willow, from the moment I met you, I have loved you. You gave me so much. You’re the light in my darkness and the joy of my life. Every day waking up and knowing I have your love is a miracle I never thought I’d see and one I treasure for all time. I want to spend my life being the man you deserve, being the man who loves you with my whole heart. I love you and AJ more than anything in this world. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?”

  Silence hit him and for a second terror that he’d made a mistake filled him and then he realised she was crying too much to answer but her head was bobbing. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes, it’s a yes. Yes, I will marry you, Aiden Wagner.”

  He stood and took her in his arms lifting her from the ground and twirling her with all the happiness he felt as she squealed in his ear. When he stopped, she kissed him, and he knew it had been a long time coming but sometimes a person had to lose everything to end up with the biggest prize.

  “Umm, can we get in on this?”

  Waggs let Willow go and turned to his mom and dad who had flown in early to be there for this. After everything they’d done for Willow, AJ, and him, he wanted them to be included.

  “Amy, Ben.” Willow let him go and he watched her hug his parents as AJ moved to him and took his hand.

  “Does this mean you’re my real dad now?”

  Waggs blinked away the emotion at Aaron James’ words. “You have always been my son, AJ.”

  His family gathered and with Willow in his arms again he poured the engagement ring she hadn’t even looked at into his palm.

  “I know Aaron gave you our grandmother’s ring and I want you to keep that for AJ one day, but this ring marks the past we remember, the present we have now, and the future we’ll make together.” He slid the three-diamond trilogy ring over her knuckle and kissed it.

  “I love you so much, Aiden. To find your soulmate not once, but twice, is a miracle and I can’t wait to make a future with you.”

  She snuggled in close, and his heart clicked as if it had been missing a piece and it was returned to him now.

  Sneak Peek: Jack

  Jack Granger and Astrid Lasson

  Rolling over, Jack planted his bare feet on the floor of the unfamiliar bedroom and fought to stop his stomach from rolling. Dropping his head into his hands, he tried to wipe away his tiredness and fog in his brain from the booze he’d consumed. His head was pounding like a drummer had set up practise in his head.

  Glancing back, he saw the red hair spilt out over the pillow, the shapely curve of feminine flesh, and almost groaned. He had no memory of how he’d got there, but it obviously hadn’t stopped him from taking this woman to bed if his naked state were anything to go by.

  Grabbing his trousers from the floor, he pulled them on and swiftly donned his shirt and boots. With a last regretful glance at the bed, he moved across the room and took a second to use the bathroom. As he did, he checked the bin, relieved that not all his senses had left him, and at least he’d used a condom with this nameless woman.

  If he were a gentleman, he’d stay and have coffee, but this hook up wasn’t about that. It was a way of forgetting the shit storm his life had become. With the light of day; he knew that no matter how memorable it had or hadn’t been, getting laid wouldn’t change anything.

  With the fumes of alcohol hitting the cold air on every exhale, Jack got his bearing and began the walk to his own home. Passing the kids on their way to school as he did the still half-drunk walk of shame was sobering and if the smirks were anything to go by, he looked as bad as he smelled and felt.

  As the cool air woke his brain, the reason for his bender last night floated back like an evil ghost, he couldn’t get rid of. His life, the one he’d wor
ked his ass off to achieve, was in shreds and all because of his baby brother. Will was the one person Jack trusted above everyone else, and he’d fucked him so bad; it had cost Jack everything he cared about.

  The SAS, or Special Air Service, had been his goal since he’d joined the army. He wanted to follow his father’s footsteps in the forces, but more than that, he wanted to excel, to push the boundaries and become better so his father would finally be proud of him. All his life, Fredrick Granger had pushed him, never giving him praise until the day he’d showed an interest in the army, and then it was as if he’d finally seen him.

  Guilt weighed on him because he knew Will had never had that from Frederick. The only thing Will got was criticism, and yet, he was by far the cleverer of the two of them and the one with the most potential. The thought of his younger brother locked up in juvenile detention made his gut burn with pain and regret. At seventeen, Will was still a kid. A dumb kid for getting caught, but a kid, nevertheless.

  It had cost Jack the job he loved, and he’d never understand why. They’d hauled him before his Commanding Officer and told he’d been compromised and that his position was untenable, and in essence, he was fired. He’d tried to argue as his career circled the drain and was told he’d be dishonourably discharged if he argued, but if he accepted, he’d get a full, honourable discharge.

  With little option, he’d taken the second choice with the hope he could figure a way out. Pushing through his front door, he felt the air still around him and knew he wasn’t alone. Reaching behind him for the weapon he usually carried, he found nothing but air and cursed inwardly.

  He’d have to deal with this the old-fashioned way. Moving slowly, he came to a stop when he stepped into his living room and found a man dressed in an impeccable three-piece suit seated on his sofa.

  Glancing around, he saw nobody else but didn’t discount the idea that they were out of sight. For them to have got into his home told him how highly trained the people he was dealing with were. “Who the fuck are you and why the hell are you in my house?” Bracing against the wall, he made sure he had eyes on all the exits as the man stood and buttoned his jacket before facing him.

  “My name is James Fitzgerald, and I’m Her Majesty’s private secretary.”

  Jack snorted. “Yeah, and I’m Paddington Bear.” He assessed the man who was tall and slim with thin blond hair and regal bearing about him.

  “I assure you, Mr Granger, this is not a joke.” He reached out a hand and in it was a thick cream envelope with the Royal seal on the back. “This is an invitation to meet with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace tomorrow.”

  Jack took it, his confusion growing and blaming it on the volume of alcohol he’d consumed last night. “You’re serious?”

  James Fitzgerald stepped closer. “I never joke about work, Mr Granger.” He stepped past Jack and to the door as a car drew up outside before turning back. “Might I suggest a shower and a change of clothes before tomorrow.”

  “What is this about?”

  “I’m afraid I cannot say but rest assured, it will be to your benefit for you to attend.”

  With that, James Fitzgerald left, and Jack was more confused than ever, but instead of having a belly full of dread and grief, he felt a sense of something big, like an opportunity had presented itself.

  Jack arrived at the Palace fifteen minutes before his appointment, still expecting someone to jump out and shout joke at him. He’d done research until his eyes hurt, and he’d missed Will’s computer skills despite his anger towards him. Will would’ve had it figured out in a heartbeat. He’d managed to ascertain that James Fitzgerald was who he said he was, which only intrigued him more.

  What the hell did the Queen of England want with him? Dressed in a dark navy suit, he adjusted his tie and exited his car that had been ushered through security without so much as a pause.

  James met him, and they shook hands. “Mr Granger, so glad to see you looking more put together this morning.”

  “You did catch me at rather a bad time, unfortunately. But then again, I guess when you forget to knock that’s what happens, Mr Fitzgerald.”

  “Please call me James and I apologise for the intrusion but there was no other way, I’m afraid.”

  James led him towards a drawing and past the rooms open to the public where two guards and butler stood beside a set of double doors. James knocked and waited before he went inside, indicating Jack should wait. As he did, he took stock of the surroundings and began pondering potential security breaks and weaknesses. Jack didn’t see code like Will did, but this was his arena, and he could look at any building or situation and read the threat or potential for danger, and he could see at least three now.

  The door opened again, forcing Jack to concentrate on the task ahead which he knew absolutely nothing about.

  “Please follow me.” Jack straightened his spine and walked inside the private Study of Queen Lydia II.

  “Mr Granger, thank you for coming.”

  Jack bowed low and took the offered hand, shaking it gently. “Ma’am.”

  “Please take a seat.” He waited until she was seated aware that James was still in the room with them.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering what you’re doing here?” Her Majesty sat with her legs angled to the side a cream skirt falling past her knees and a pale blue twinset and pearls adorning her top. Her naturally blonde hair because the Queen would never be so crass as to bleach it was pulled back into an elegant chignon. At fifty-nine, she was still an attractive woman and held her head high and with grace.

  “I’m intrigued to say the very least.” He was careful not to give away too much until he knew what was happening. His life had taken some very odd and not pleasant turns this last week, and he wasn’t sure the blows had stopped just yet.

  “Yes, I’m sure. Let me not waste any more time. My private security detail will be retiring at the end of the year, and I need a new one to fill its place.”

  Jack frowned confused as to how this affected him. “I’m sorry, but surely this is a job for the Home Secretary? Don’t they provide your security detail through the MET?”

  “Not exactly. My day-to-day detail yes they do, but I’m talking about my personal detail who are answerable to me alone.”

  “I was unaware one existed.” Jack was trying not to sound like an idiot and not sure he was succeeding with his ignorance.

  “And that is how it is meant to be and will stay. Since my great grandmothers reign the monarch has employed their own security to assess threats to the family both foreign and domestic along with that, they carry out other tasks such as private jobs that ease the way for peace in our great commonwealth.”

  Jack had no clue this had been the case, but it made sense, and the first part was clear the second, however, was a little greyer.

  “Speak freely, Jack. May I call you, Jack?”

  He almost laughed. It was ridiculous that she was even asking. She was the fucking Queen for Christ’s sake. “Yes, of course, Ma’am.”

  “Can I get some clarity on the second part?” He watched as the Queen glanced at James, and he stepped up.

  “It is well known that the Queen does not offer a political opinion or get involved in state matters. However, sometimes there are things that need doing that cannot be sanctioned by the government or state. Her Majesty has the authority to send her team to do those jobs and eradicate threats to her people that she and her security manager deem necessary.”

  “And they are retiring?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where do I fit into this? I’m sure you’re aware of my recent troubles.” He couldn’t say the words even now the taste too bitter on his tongue.

  “We’re aware of the full details of your departure from the Special Air Service, and I thank you for the work you did. To answer your question, I would like you to head up my next team and be my security manager.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, Jack, you. You have everythin
g I need in a specialist, and nothing you have done has shown me differently. You will be paid well and encouraged to form a new team as the old one is only answerable to the current manager. You will have six months to train and be shown the ropes before your contract commences.”

  “Why me?” Jack watched as the Queen stood, and he followed suit holding in place while she wandered to the window to look out across the palace gardens.

  “James has been watching your career for a while, and you have a gift Jack for seeing things others do not, for evaluating things and as important as those things are you also have integrity and loyalty.”

  Her hands linked behind her back she angled towards him. “Those things are important to me.”

  James looked at him with his head tipped to the side slightly. “What do you say, Jack?”

  It had been a long time since he’d felt the burn of excitement in his belly. Yes, he still got that adrenaline punch on every job he did for the SAS, but this was different. He’d joined the forces to serve his country and make his father proud, and while he understood without being told that he’d have to keep this secret, he could still serve and make himself the best he could be.

  “Then yes, it would be my honour to take this position and serve the Crown and the people.”

  A small smile tipped over Queen Lydia’s lips, and she dipped her head to James. “Wonderful. James will go over all of the details with you and have you sign the reams of paperwork that goes with it.”

  “I look forward to working together, Jack.”

  She held out her hand, and he shook it and dipped his head in a bow as he backed from the room escorted by James.

  He had a feeling working for the establishment would prove to be his biggest challenge yet, and he relished the idea. After hours going through the details with James, who was a details man, Jack got home late and wanting a clear head after Monday night’s disaster celebrated his new job with a cup of tea. He laughed at the thought of how very British that was and then opened up his laptop.