Rev (Jack 'Em Up #4)

by Shauna Allen

  “Talk?” he ground out as my nails raked his groin.

  “Yes.” I caught his gaze. “I don’t ever want anything to come between us again.”

  His face softened and he reached out to cup my head. “That won’t happen, baby. I swear it.”

  I nodded then leaned down and kissed his stomach, making his muscles jump. I smiled against his skin as I loved him in every way I’d ever dreamed.

  Totally. Fully. Without reservation.

  A soft summer rain pattered against my windows as I lounged in Micah’s arms, nearly afraid to sleep and have all of this be a dream.

  He shifted beneath me and lifted my hand to his lips. He pressed a kiss to my engagement ring then the back of my fingers. “I’m glad you said yes.”

  I propped my chin on his chest. “Did you really think I’d turn you down?”

  He shrugged. “I had no idea what to expect.”

  “I did already say yes at the lake.”

  “I know . . .”

  “Plus, you did show up in your uniform. Well played. Very sexy.”

  A half-smile tilted his lips. “Gotta use everything in my arsenal to win the woman of my dreams.”

  I kissed his shoulder. “You didn’t have to win me, but I appreciate the effort anyway. I really don’t need anything but you, Micah.” I laid my cheek against his heart. “You have the greatest ass. I couldn’t let that slip away.”

  He chuckled beneath me. “Just love me for my body, huh?”

  “Absolutely.” I grinned up at him. “And your smile. Your jokes. Your sense of honor. Your dedication to what’s right. Your heart. I love it all.”

  “Well, that’s good, because you’re stuck with me now.”

  We rolled until we were spooning with his front to my back and his face buried in my neck. Our spot. I linked our fingers and couldn’t help but glance again at the ring weighing down my left hand. “When do you wanna tell everyone?”

  His pause was palpable.

  I rolled and peered over my shoulder. “Micah? Who have you told?”

  “No one.” He kissed me soundly. “Just your parents.”

  “My parents?” I squeaked.

  “You didn’t honestly expect me to propose without asking your father’s permission first, did you?”

  I lifted a brow. “You did propose already. At the lake.”

  “True. Still. It was the right thing to do.”

  I tried to imagine my parents’ reactions and came up blank. “What’d they say?”

  “Oh, the usual. They were surprised, threatened my life if I hurt you.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously. But don’t worry. Once I explained everything and how much I loved you, how I’d die to protect you for the rest of my life, they gave me the thumbs up. It’s all good. They love me.”

  “I’m sure they do.” Who wouldn’t after all that?

  Suddenly, I was flipped underneath him, pinned between his hot body and the mattress. “The question is, do you love me?”

  I rolled my eyes and played along. “Yes. Do you love me?”

  His hot tongue ran up the cords of my throat, making my toes curl. “Only with my whole heart and for the rest of my life.”

  Well . . . that was a start.

  Micah

  Seven months later . . .

  The nightmares were mostly gone. Every once in a while, I still had a dream of Afghanistan, but they were a bit more hazy. A bit more bearable.

  I’d started a bit of a relationship with Mrs. Franks, and she now considered me her new grandson, giving me all the privileges that came along with that, including freshly baked cookies, packed tight and overnighted to the house. I’ve honored the Martinezes’ wishes and haven’t contacted them again. Juan did come to me in a dream, all grins, talking about his mama’s tamales. Ever since, I’ve had the feeling everything would work out for all of us.

  Nolan Watkins was behind bars, facing a potential life sentence for six counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count of attempted aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, and attempted murder. Though a life sentence wasn’t nearly enough for me, he was off the street and out of Jewel’s life. My only consolation was that maybe he’d become somebody’s bitch in prison and get a taste of his own medicine.

  But today was not the day for thoughts of all that . . . today was different.

  It was the beginning of my forever, my past not forgotten, but put in the past where it belonged.

  I glanced around at all of my family and friends. My parents, my brothers, Mildred and the girls from class, Sergeant Dempsey, even my old military buddy, Asher Creed. Blake, Jesse, and Trace were beside me, their wives across the aisle, all the kids squirming in the pews with their grandparents.

  Blake nudged me from behind. “You ready for this?” he whispered.

  “More than ready.”

  The music started and everyone stood to face the rear doors.

  I only had eyes for my bride. Bathed in candlelight, Jewel floated up the aisle on her daddy’s arm, those green eyes that owned me, gazing right into my very soul.

  Mr. Jackson offered me his daughter’s hand, which I took gratefully as we faced the pastor.

  Jewel squeezed my fingers as if to reassure me, but I didn’t need any comforting. I’d been to all the weddings of my friends, always celebrated with them, but now I truly understood their happiness. Until this moment, there had been nothing in my life to compare to the joy, the contentment, this woman gave me. She was the gift of a lifetime.

  The pastor turned to me. “Do you take this woman . . . ?”

  I barely registered his words. I only knew I’d swear to anything to make this official. To start our family. “I do.”

  Jewel smiled at me from under her veil and I clasped her shaking hands as she promised the same.

  We were pronounced husband and wife and I wasted no time swooping my bride into a kiss, our friends whooping all around us.

  I drew back and she smiled up at me, her face glowing. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, baby.”

  I didn’t think I’d ever say that enough. Not in this lifetime anyway.

  We made our way back down the aisle to head to the reception in style, thanks to Blake’s latest resto project, a sweet Rolls Royce.

  We were barely out of the church parking lot when Jewel ripped the veil from her head and set her curls loose. “God, that feels better.”

  “You look beautiful today.” I glanced over and took her in again. Her white gown clung to her in all the right places, but was flowy and loose around the middle, making room for our little surprise that was coming in a couple short months. “Both of you.”

  She smiled over at me as we approached the turnoff for the state park. “Exit here.”

  My brows dipped. “Here? The reception’s a couple miles ahead.”

  “I know. They can start the party without us. I need a minute to breathe. With you.”

  I understood. We’d been through hell, each of us conquering our own demons, one battle at a time. I exited and headed toward our spot in silence, the car filled only with the sound of our breathing.

  I parked a few yards from where we camped the first time I’d proposed and hopped out to round the hood and help her out. We ambled, hand-in-hand, to the lake’s edge.

  We took in the quiet for a while and I basked in the knowledge that I’d married my best friend and together we were following our dreams. She was acing her art classes and had been recruited by a neighboring city to assist in training all forensic artists. I was so fucking proud of her. I continued to teach self-defense, but only every other quarter. My star pupil, Miss Mildred, taught the rest of the time.

  Life was good. Very, very good.

  “You’ve made me very happy.”

  I glanced over at Jewel’s whispered words. The sunshine danced on her golden hair, making her look like the angel she was. She’d made me more than happy. She’d made me complete.

 
; In that moment, I did the only thing I could. The only thing that made sense. I cupped our daughter in her womb and told her so.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for reading Rev. I hope you have enjoyed the boys of Jack ‘Em Up and their stories. If you missed any of them, here’s a link to help you find them all here.

  You can also rest assured that the guys aren’t gone forever. You never know when they may show up, especially when someone needs help with a car. ;) Up next, is a very special project in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World, and the Jack ‘Em Up guys will definitely be there, along with some of her awesomesauce Special Ops hotties. That releases in July 2016. Stay tuned for details!

  As for my next series, I’m super excited to bring you The Family Creed, a family saga that explores how one tragedy can affect everyone it touches and how love can heal those wounds. Micah’s friend, Asher Creed, will get things started, followed by his four brothers.

  I did take some artistic liberties in this book, but I hope it created an enjoyable read for you. Please know, any mistakes are mine alone. Also, I hope the issues I dealt with were treated respectfully. If you or anyone you love is suffering, please don’t hesitate to get the help you need.

  For Veterans with PTSD, please visit the PTSD Foundation of America

  For rape and sexual assault, please visit RAINN or call 800-656-HOPE (4673)

  For domestic violence, please visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 800-799-7233

  Please take care and keep up with me via my newsletter and social media for all the latest news and updates. Here’s all the info:

  Angel Kisses Newsletter

  Website

  Shauna’s Angels Street Team

  Divas, Ink

  Facebook

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  Goodreads

  Pinterest

  My YA alter-ego

  Thank you again. I am thoroughly blessed and enjoying this ride. I hope you’ll stay on it with me.

  Big Hugs,

  ~Shauna

  Xo

  P.S. I forgot to mention that any and all honest reviews are always appreciated. You have no idea how much that helps authors you love. Thank you!

  Thank you, Lord, for all of this. I’m humbled that You’ve placed this gift in my life.

  As always, I owe more love and gratitude to my beautiful family than I can fit into a few mere words. You guys are the true loves of my life, the best love story ever written. Babe, you are a great friend and the best business partner and tech support ever! Princess Peach and Babydoll, you are the loveliest creatures on God’s green earth! Also, a special shout-out of love to My Favorite Airman. I am so very, very proud of you.

  Squishy hugs to Susan Muller and Jan Nash, my best writing friends. You guys are a source of unending support and encouragement and I thank you. Also, to my fellow Diva Mamas, Selena Laurence, Sharla Lovelace, and Jamie Farrell. You three have become so special to my heart.

  I also owe an endless debt of gratitude to my assistant, Kimberly Dawn . . . love you, gal.

  To my Beta Babes, Megan W., Amy L., Kenderly W., Melanie H., and Sarah S., thank you for helping me keep my books on point and for being so excited over each and every story. Your enthusiasm keeps me motivated.

  To all my Shauna’s Angels . . . I LOVE YOU!!!!!! You are the best street team ever. Also, to every member of Divas, Ink, thank you for the fun and the Man Candy. Life is good. ;)

  Thank you to E.M. Tippetts Book Designs for the professional and beautiful formatting and Najla Qamber Designs for the perfect covers for my Jack ‘Em Up boys. You guys are a true joy to work with.

  And lastly, to every reader, reviewer, blogger, and friend who has supported me, I can never thank you enough. I hope my books bring you a fraction of the joy they bring to me.

  God Bless.

  Copyright © 2016 Shauna Allen

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Interior design and formatting by:

  www.emtippettsbookdesigns.com

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Books by Shauna Allen

  Warning

  About REV

  Dedication

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-one

  Twenty-two

  Twenty-three

  Twenty-four

  Twenty-five

  Twenty-six

  Twenty-seven

  Twenty-eight

  Twenty-nine

  Thirty

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader,

  Acknowledgements

  Copyright Notice