by Anna Blakely
“We are,” he blurted without thinking. Shit. “But don’t tell Mac I told you.”
“Well hot damn, brother. Congratulations. It’s about fuckin’ time you two got your heads out of your asses.”
“What are you talking about, D?”
“Oh, come on. The whole team’s been wondering when you two were finally gonna get together. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, I believe there’s a pot goin’ on as to when it would happen.”
Coop blinked, tearing his gaze away from Mac for a minute. “You guys bet on when Mac and I would sleep together?”
“Well…yeah. I mean, we didn’t wager on y’all doin’ the nasty. We just kinda figured you two would end up like me and Charlie, Trev and Lexi, Jake and Liv. You know, together forever.”
“Let me get this straight. The rest of the team thinks Mac and I should get married?”
“Hell, yeah. You two already bicker like an old married couple, anyway. May as well get to enjoy the fun parts, too. Am I right?”
Coop lifted his ball cap and ran his fingers through his short hair. Looking back over at Mac, he readjusted the hat. His heart filled to the brim as he watched his dad help her off the horse before giving her a big hug.
“Yeah, D.” He nodded. “You’re right.”
He could practically hear the other man’s smile through the phone. “Just make sure I get an invitation to the wedding.”
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself there, cowboy. I’m not sure she’s ready for all that yet. Plus, I should probably talk to Jake. If Mac and I did tie the knot, I’m not sure what that would mean for us as partners on Alpha Team. For all I know, Jake may get pissed at me for screwing up the team dynamics and send me packing.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
“What makes you say that?”
“While we’ve been talkin’, I’ve been searching through my documents on my phone. I found the Mac and Coop Get Together pool. Wanna take a guess on whose name is included with the rest of ours?”
Coop’s jaw dropped. “You’re shitting me. Jake placed a bet that Mac and I would get together?”
“Boss Man didn’t just bet on you two, brother.” Derek chuckled. “He won the whole fuckin’ pot.”
I’ll be damned. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“No need to respond, brother. Just let us know when you two have set a date.”
He laughed. “I have to ask her first, Derek.”
“No time like the present. Besides, you wait too long, you might lose your chance. Trust me.”
“I’ll give it some thought. In the meantime, go back to the pictures and the note. Might be a long shot, but maybe we’ll get lucky and get a hit on something that’ll tell us where they came from.”
“I’ll get started on it ASAP.”
“Thanks, man. I need to know that Mac’s safe. That can’t happen until this is done and over with.”
“I hear ya, Coop. Don’t worry. I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”
“Thanks, D.”
“No problem. And don’t forget what I said about the other.”
Coop smiled. “I won’t.”
He ended the call and shoved his work phone into his pocket. Since this was now officially a R.I.S.C. case, he and Mac had both left their personal phones in their apartments, per the company’s SOP, or standard operating procedure.
Less than five minutes later, Coop was in his old bedroom, pulling out a shoebox from the top shelf in his closet.
Blowing the dust off the lid, he lifted it off and set it on his bed. His heart pounded to the beat of a kick drum when he saw the small, black velvet box nestled between a few stacks of old baseball cards.
He picked it up. This is crazy, right?
Sure, he and Mac had been friends for years, now. Good friends. As far as a couple, they’d barely started to…hell, they hadn’t even been on a first date, yet. But the sex—
God, Almighty, the things that woman could do with her tongue. His dick got hard just thinking of the blowjob she’d given him at the cliff the other day. And the one when they’d snuck out behind the barn last night.
Coop walked over to his bedroom window and looked down to where he’d last seen Mac and his dad. They were still outside, his dad showing her how to properly brush a horse.
Ever since he’d taken her to his special spot their first day here, he and Mac had found every excuse they could to go off alone. Between checking in with the team back home, helping his parents around the farm, and their stolen moments, their days were full of all the best things life had to offer.
Like they were living their best life…together.
Maybe his dad and Derek were right. Maybe he and Mac could balance working and living together.
As if she knew what he was thinking, Mac looked up. She saw him through the window and waved as she helped his dad lead the horse back into its stable.
In that moment, Coop was hit with the purest sense of clarity he’d ever had in his life. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. What he needed to do.
Because life was about choices, and for him the choice was suddenly very simple.
I choose Mac.
Before he could talk himself out of it, Coop dropped the shoebox onto his mattress, grabbed the velvet box, and went to claim the woman he loved.
“Like that?” Mac looked to Coop’s dad for guidance on the proper way to hang the horse’s lead.
Robert Cooper nodded his approval. “Looks perfect, my dear,”
Mac patted the horse’s nose again, the white strip of hair there feeling coarse, yet soft at the same time. “Thanks for letting me ride Star again. She’s such a beautiful animal.”
“Feel free to come ride her anytime, Mac. In fact, we’re having a surprise birthday dinner for Cheryl three weeks from Sunday. Nothing fancy, but Sean and his sisters are planning on being here. I know Alyssa and Emma would love to meet you.”
“I’d like to meet them, too.” If I’m not still being hunted by a crazed blackmailer. “Of course, it kind of depends on work, but if I’m able, I’d love to come celebrate Cheryl’s birthday with you all.”
“She’d love that. If something comes up and you can’t, feel free to come by whenever the opportunity arises. And if my son starts giving you trouble when y’all go back home, you’re welcome to leave him behind and come here for a visit by yourself.”
Chuckling, Mac put a gentle hand on the older man’s flannel-covered arm. “As ornery as he is, I might take you up on that offer.”
“Well, that’d be just fine.” Robert’s smile faltered a bit. “You know, I haven’t said anything before now, out of respect for you. But I know why y’all are up here, and I want you to know, you can stay as long as you need to.”
Mac blinked, surprised by the serious change in topic. “Oh. Um, okay. Thank you.”
“Sean didn’t give me details and I didn’t ask, but I got the feeling it has something to do with your family. I know you’ve only known us for a week, now, but you’ve known Sean a whole lot longer than that. I guess what I’m trying to say is, my boy cares about you more than any other girl I’ve ever seen him with. He’d do anything to keep you safe.”
Heat crawled up her neck and into her cheeks. “I care a lot about your son, too, Robert.”
“I know you do, honey.” He reached up and patted her hand. “A father can tell these things.”
“So can I.”
They both turned to see Coop standing at the threshold of the barn’s open door.
“Hey.” Mac cleared her throat. “We were just talking about you.”
“I heard.” He looked at his dad. “Can you give us a couple minutes?”
“Sure.” Robert gave her a wink before heading back outside. “It’s getting close to supper time. I’ll go see if your mom could use a hand.”
Coop started toward her with an almost-nervous expression on his face. Her gut tightened.
“What’s wrong? Did somet
hing happen?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” He shook his head. “I…I had something I needed to say to you, but I thought it was best if we didn’t have an audience.
“Okay.”
Mac did her best not to panic. He’d said nothing was wrong, but the guy looked like he was about to throw up.
“Whatever it is, just say it.”
“How about I show you?”
Show me?
She was about to ask Coop what he meant when he pulled something out of his pocket. Her heart damn near stopped when she saw the small, black box resting on his outstretched palm.
“W-what is that?”
“Take it.”
Staring down at the box, Mac shook her head.
His shoulders bounced with silent laughter as he opened it for her. Inside was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she’d ever seen.
Snuggled between two layers of white satin, the diamond engagement ring was simple, but also ornate in its design. A sliver of the sun’s evening light shone through the barn’s wide, wooden slats, landing on the center stone, causing it to sparkle.
If she could’ve picked out the most perfect ring in the entire world designed specifically for her, this one would’ve been it. It was small yet beautiful. Vintage yet timeless.
“It was my grandmother’s.”
His voice tore her attention away from the priceless piece of jewelry. Her shock-filled eyes rose to meet his.
“Coop? W-what are you—”
“What I should’ve done a long damn time ago.”
He stepped even closer. Pulling the ring free from its small, satin bed, he shoved the box back into his pocket.
Holy. Shit.
“Mac, you know me better than I know myself. You’ve stood by my side on every single op, never cowering down when shit hits the fan. As my partner on the team, you’ve always had my back, and I will always, always have yours. On the team—”
“Please don’t—”
He continued, refusing to let her get a word in edgewise. “And in life.”
“Sean.”
Oh, God. He’s going to say it.
“I’m in love with you, Mac. I’ve pretty much been in love with you from the moment I saw you.”
Mac shook her head. “Y-you don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.” He reached up with his free hand, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear.
“This is crazy, Sean. You didn’t even know my real name until a few days ago.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “I know you. I don’t care if your name is McKenna Kelley, Abigail Moretti, or Minnie Fucking Mouse. All I care about is being with you. I love you, Mac.” He cupped her cheek. Pressed his lips against hers. “And I know in my heart, you love me, too.”
“I…”
She couldn’t say it. She couldn’t breathe.
These last few days with Coop and his family had been some of the best she could remember. And she did love him. So, so much.
So why wasn’t she telling him? He’d poured his heart and soul out to her, was offering his grandmother’s ring, for crying out loud!
No, he was offering her so much more than a piece of treasured jewelry. He was offering her his heart. So why in the hell couldn’t she bring herself to do the same?
Because everyone you’ve ever loved has left you.
Her mother. Her father. She’d even said it to her uncle a few times, back when she was too young to realize what a monster he was.
And therein lies the problem. Even from the grave, her uncle’s ghost was threatening to destroy the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Mac knew she’d made too many mistakes to count when it came to Coop. As a partner, as his best friend. As a lover.
She refused to make anymore.
Breaking her own heart, she whispered, “Put the ring away, Sean. Please.”
“Come on, Mac.” His desperation filled the air around them. “You know we belong together.”
She reminded herself that she was doing this for him. “We can’t get married.”
“We can if it’s what we want.”
“No, we can’t!” Her voice echoed off the rustic walls. “Don’t you get it? Some maniac is out there, waiting for his chance to hurt you because of me.”
Coop shook his head. “I don’t care.”
“Well, I do!” As much as it killed her, Mac stepped out of his reach.
Dropping his free hand back to his side, he curled his other into a tight fist around his grandmother’s ring. Mac’s heart felt as though it was being torn to shreds when she saw the light that had filled his eyes mere seconds before vanishing.
Guess I can add breaking this incredible man’s heart to my growing list of unforgivable sins.
“Look, Sean. I care about you. More than I’ve ever cared about anyone. But you’re not thinking this through.”
“Or maybe you’re overthinking it.”
Doing her best to ignore the flat tone in his voice, Mac used every tool in her arsenal she could think of to make him understand.
“It’s bad enough we’re having to hide out here because the choices I made put you in danger. I’m sure as hell not going to bind myself to you legally, or in any other way, that will make it even easier for the bastard to find you. And actually, if we did get married, it wouldn’t even be legal because it wouldn’t be my real name on the marriage license!”
“Don’t do that.”
She frowned. “Do what?”
“Don’t use your past or this situation as an excuse.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Isn’t it?” He shoved the ring into his pocket. “I’m not some fragile teenage boy who can’t handle rejection, Mac. So if you don’t love me, just say it.”
“Coop. I—”
A loud ringing cut off whatever she was about to say, and though Mac hated to admit it, she was more than a little grateful for the reprieve.
He pulled his phone out. “It’s Derek.”
Saved by the ringtone. “You should probably answer it. It could be important.”
With a low curse, he greeted their teammate with a growled, “This better be good.” There was a pause before Coop muttered, “You could say that.” Another pause. “Did you need something, or…”
Mac watched and waited, her mind struggling to find a way to smooth things over with Coop. She had to find a way to make him understand.
He blinked, his brows bunching together. “Now? But she’s not due for a few more days.”
“Olivia’s in labor?” Mac whispered loudly.
Coop nodded.
Despite the incredibly complicated situation, she couldn’t help but be excited for her friend. “Tell Derek we’ll meet them at the hospital.”
“Hang on a second, D.” Coop lowered the phone to talk to her. “We’re staying here.”
“Uh, no. We’re not.”
“Yes.” His eyes lasered into hers. “We are.”
Mac shook her head. “With the exception of you, Olivia is my best friend. I have to be there when she has the baby, Coop. Besides, it’s been a week since we came back from Jersey, and there’s been no sign of danger or attempt to contact me in any way, shape, or form.”
“That’s because we’ve been holed up here. Kind of the point, remember?”
“She’s delivering at Homeland’s private hospital. What’s going to happen there?”
“Seriously? Grant’s wife was shot and nearly died at that same fucking hospital less than three months ago.”
“That was different, and you know it.”
“How is that any different?”
Mac gave him her best puppy dog eyes, the ones that always worked on him. “Brynnon didn’t have you guarding her.”
Come on, baby blues. Don’t fail me now.
Several seconds passed before he let out another low curse and got back on the phone. “D? Tell Olivia Mac’s on her way.” He ended the call and returned th
e phone to his pocket.
Mac nearly squealed with joy. “Thank you.” Without thinking, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Normally this wouldn’t have been an issue. Given that she’d just turned down his proposal, however, the moment became awkward in the span of two seconds.
Coop stiffened, refusing to return her embrace. It was the first time that had ever happened, and Mac couldn’t stop the tears from welling in her eyes.
“Coop, I’m sorry about—”
“We should get going.” He cut her off, turning away and starting toward the house. “Go ahead and pack up all your stuff in case we end up staying in the city tonight. I’ll go tell Mom and Dad we’re leaving.”
Mac blinked away the tears threatening to fall as she followed him to the house. Leaving a safe distance between them, she silently vowed to find a way to make things right between them.
Because she did want everything he’d offered. The love. The life. All of it.
But until she found the person responsible for putting a target on his back, Mac knew she’d never be free to accept any of those things. She just prayed he’d still want her when this was all over.
If he didn’t, if Coop realized she wasn’t worth all of the baggage she carried with her, Mac wasn’t going to just lose the love of her life. She’d also lose her family.
11
“Did we miss it? Are we too late?”
The anxious joy in Mac’s voice ripped into Coop’s heart like a dull, jagged blade. He had hoped to hear that same excitement in her voice earlier, when he’d shown her the ring.
Jesus, what an idiot he was.
“Other than a few moans and groans, you haven’t missed a thing.” Lexi Matthews—Trevor’s wife—smiled wide as she greeted them as they entered the waiting room. The tiny blonde was even more petite than Mac, and as cute as she was sweet.
“Oh, thank God.” Mac accepted Lexi’s hug. “I really wanted to be here when the baby was born.”
“Me, too!”
“How’s Liv?”
“How do you think?” Lexi rolled her eyes. “Her water broke at home while she was getting out of the shower, and of course Jake rushed her straight here. Olivia’s been totally calm and collected the entire time. Jake, on the other hand, is a different story.”