by Katie Reus
He snorted and took her hands, forcing her to drop her protective embrace. “The only thing I feel for you is love and a whole lot of lust.” He pulled her close then, wrapping his arms around her tightly. She’d missed his scent, his hold—him—so much. Even if she’d wanted to move, she couldn’t have. “I love you.”
“Ellis…”
“What? I do love you. So much.”
Oh God. She loved him too. Her throat tightened as she shoved back that annoying bitch in her head telling her she had no idea what she was doing, that she wasn’t cut out for relationships. “I love you too. And I was a coward before. Your whole family was there and it was just a lot to take in. I felt like an interloper, like I didn’t belong. I shouldn’t have run,” she whispered.
“As long as you don’t ever run again. They all want to get to know you. Especially my mom. She’s horrified that I kidnapped you and wanted me to tell you that she did not raise her children to kidnap people. I wish I was joking, but that’s practically verbatim.” His mouth curved up in amusement.
Arianna let out a startled laugh. “That’s good to know.”
“Evie already adores you, and you helped me get my life back. Trust me, my family is going to love you more than me soon enough.”
A rush of tears sprang to her eyes and she buried her face against his chest for a long moment. It had been so long since she felt part of a family, and even then, it hadn’t been strong. She missed her brother and mother deeply, but there had always been cracks and fissures with her mom. And her brother had struggled with drugs so much in those last years. She was so damn afraid to hope that this might be real, that she might get the family she’d always wished for. “You’re really and truly free?”
He nodded and hoisted her up onto the center island. She spread her legs so he could shift in closer, heat already pulsing through her at his nearness. She’d missed him with a desperation and it had only been a few hours.
He gently played with a lock of her hair. “It turns out that someone anonymously sent the video to Agent Lewis.”
“Lizzy?”
He shook his head. “She ended up finding an address where she’s pretty sure Bird stashed a hard copy, but no, it was one of my former coworkers. I reached out to her and she found a backup hidden on his computer at work. I hadn’t even thought she was going to help me but…she did.”
“She hacked it?”
“No. Apparently she and Bird had a thing ages ago and then he passed her up for a promotion because he didn’t want the image of impropriety. It was a whole messy thing, but turns out, she had his password. It took some searching, but she found it buried. She was horrified to learn that he was working with Vitaly so she turned it over anonymously and asked me not to tell anyone it had come from her.”
“Are you going to tell anyone?”
He shook his head. “No. It doesn’t matter the source and she simply doesn’t want to be linked to Bird at all, not even to turn over the incriminating video. It would likely come out how she got his password and then their past relationship would become public. She doesn’t want it to ruin her career and I don’t blame her.”
Arianna nodded, just glad his name had been cleared. “Does it feel weird to be free?”
“Weird, but I’m grateful. And for the record, I think we should move in together.” Leaning down, he brushed his mouth over hers oh so tenderly.
Fighting the surge of lust that punched through her, she pressed a hand to his chest. “That’s…really soon.”
He lifted a shoulder, his mouth curving up in a way that was far too sexy. “I lost too much time so I’m not wasting any more. I want to wake up every morning and see your face—and go down on you.”
“Ellis!”
His grin was pure wicked as he kissed her again.
“I’m a Bishop and apparently when we know something’s right, we know. So it’s not too soon.” Then he kissed her hard and everything else faded away as she arched into him.
Even though it scared her, she wanted to live with him too, wanted to take a chance on them. When she’d thought she was going to die, she’d known without a doubt that she loved him. No, she’d known before that. Even if some part of her was afraid of getting her heart broken, Ellis Bishop was definitely worth the risk.
Epilogue
Three months later
Ellis wrapped his arm around Arianna’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head, inhaling her sweet vanilla scent.
“This is probably my second-favorite picture from our wedding.” Arianna set a framed picture of Evie, Evan, and Ellis next to a picture of him and her on their wedding day.
“Second-favorite?” he murmured, wondering if they could skip their dinner plans with his family and head straight to bed.
“Well, this one is definitely my favorite.” She pressed her fingers gently to the framed image of the two of them.
Arianna was in her long, lacy white dress, a crown of little white flowers in her hair and her dark hair blowing in the breeze. They were looking at each other with clear love in their eyes. It hadn’t been a posed picture, but a candid shot the photographer had randomly snapped during the festivities.
Ellis looked back at the other picture of him and his siblings and smiled. That one had not been taken by a photographer, but by his mother instead. As he looked at the two pictures, he still couldn’t believe he was married.
To the love of his life.
“I’ll drink to that.” Evie clinked her beer bottle against Evan’s.
Ellis added his flute, which held nonalcoholic champagne, to the toast. Arianna didn’t care if he drank, but he found himself abstaining more often than not these days.
“Gotcha!” His mother held up her phone triumphantly. “And that’s probably the cutest picture I have of my babies.”
“Mom!” Evie said in that exasperated way of hers. Ellis had come to learn this was just something that happened between mothers and daughters.
“What? I’m not waiting to get pictures from the photographer. My children all live here again and I’m happy. I won’t start harassing you about grandchildren because I know it’s your business. But…I’m just letting you know that when or if you are ever ready, your father and I will be more than happy to help out. A lot.”
“Duly noted,” Evan murmured and Ellis could tell his brother was fighting a smile.
Ellis was also pretty sure that Isla was pregnant, but neither she nor Evan had said anything so Ellis wasn’t going to ask. He figured they’d tell everyone when they were ready.
“I’m going to steal your mother for a bit.” Ellis’s dad swooped in, dragging their mom back to the dance floor.
“You think we’ll be like that when we’re older?” Evan asked him as Evie laughed at their parents getting down on the dance floor.
“I sure hope so.” Ellis’s gaze strayed to where his new wife was standing with Isla, Dylan, Lizzy and her husband, Porter. Arianna was laughing hysterically at something, probably something Lizzy had said because the woman was a smartass.
He owed her so damn much—without her help he wasn’t so sure he’d be here today with Arianna.
Ellis was thankful every damn day that he was. After his name had been cleared, he’d taken a job at Red Stone and was working exclusively in Miami for the time being. Not long after that, he’d officially proposed to Arianna—barely a month later—and they’d moved in with each other about two seconds later. He’d wanted to live with her sooner, but she’d wanted to wait until things were more official. So he’d put a ring on her finger.
From there he’d fast-tracked the wedding, much to no one’s surprise. And since she and Lizzy had become fast friends once they’d met in person, Lizzy had even been in their wedding, along with Sheila, another one of Arianna’s friends, and Isla and Evie.
“Me too. Damn, we really hit the jackpot.” Evan only had eyes for Isla.
“That’s true,” Evie said. “But don’t let Dylan hear you say that. I
like to remind him every morning that I am the most awesome thing to ever happen to him.”
Ellis snorted. “That man is a saint if he can put up with you.”
“Right?” Evan said. “We should give that man a medal.”
Evie straightened. “Hey!”
“Children, don’t make me come between you.” Their mom appeared again and linked arms with Ellis, the joy on her face clear. She patted his arm gently as she leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I’m so glad you found Arianna. She’s such a gem.”
“Yes, she is.”
As if she knew he was looking at her, Arianna turned and locked gazes with his. It didn’t matter what she’d been saying or who she’d been talking to, she broke away and hurried over to him as if he’d called her.
Laughing, his mom released him as he wrapped his arms around his wife and held her close. Ellis didn’t think he was ever going to get sick of saying that word. Wife.
“I can’t believe how many people are here.” Arianna linked her fingers around the back of his neck, her smile wide and infectious.
“I know.” It was ridiculously big, but they had a big family and his parents had wanted to invite half of Miami.
Dylan had graciously offered to let them have their wedding on his estate grounds, and the band hadn’t let up in the last two hours. The dance floor had been packed for most of it. They’d already cut the cake, done their first dance and had been mingling and thanking everyone for coming. He was ready to leave so they could start their honeymoon early but was forcing himself to be patient. Though he was having a hard time remembering why. Their guests would understand if they left.
“Like, I don’t even know who those two people are,” she said, motioning to a couple talking to Evie.
“That’s Finn and his new wife, Samara. Samara worked with Evie before she married Dylan. And Finn is Dylan’s personal doctor.”
“Wait, she worked with Evie in that super-secret job you still won’t tell me about?” Arianna gently nudged him in the ribs.
He grinned down at her and shrugged. “Why don’t you ask her?”
Her eyes widened. “No way. Your sister scares me a little bit. Especially after I found out what she did to those two guys at the hospital.”
Ellis smiled, something he was doing a lot of lately. All because of the woman in his arms. He didn’t think it was possible for anybody to be as happy as he was. And now the whole world knew she was his. “Come on, let’s show everybody our moves.” He scooped her up and hurried to the dance floor, her laughter wrapping around him like the sweetest embrace.
Even a year ago he couldn’t have imagined that this would be his life, that he would’ve found a woman who eclipsed everyone and everything, and that he would be at his own wedding. Dancing, and happy about it.
He’d been given a second chance in life and he wasn’t ever going to take it for granted. And he was never taking Arianna for granted. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
She was his North Star. As long as he had her, he would always have a home.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Bishop’s Endgame! I hope you enjoyed the wrap up to this trilogy. I loved writing this group of characters even if I’m a little sad to say goodbye. I also hope you enjoyed the little cameos from some of my Red Stone Security characters! It was fun visiting them again.
If you’d like to stay in touch with me and be the first to learn about new releases you can:
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Also, please consider leaving a review at one of your favorite online retailers. It’s a great way to help other readers discover new books and I appreciate all reviews.
Happy reading,
Katie
Acknowledgments
Sometimes I feel like a parrot in my acknowledgements because I always thank the same people but I am SO incredibly grateful to each and every one mentioned. Big shout out to Kaylea Cross who read the first draft of this book (as always). I’m so grateful for your insight and friendship. Thank you to Julia for your thorough edits. Sarah, thank you for all you do behind-the-scenes. Jaycee, you know how much I love this cover (and the whole trilogy). I’m also super thankful to all my wonderful, wonderful readers! You are the reason these books are possible. Thank you for your encouraging emails, for buying my books and definitely for talking about them. You guys are the best!
About the Author
Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Deadly Ops series and the Redemption Harbor series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.
However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please visit her website: https://katiereus.com and join her newsletter.
Complete Booklist
Darkness Series
Darkness Awakened
Taste of Darkness
Beyond the Darkness
Hunted by Darkness
Into the Darkness
Saved by Darkness
Guardian of Darkness
Sentinel of Darkness
A Very Dragon Christmas
Darkness Rising
Deadly Ops Series
Targeted
Bound to Danger
Chasing Danger
Shattered Duty
Edge of Danger
A Covert Affair
Endgame Trilogy
Bishop’s Knight
Bishop’s Queen
Bishop’s Endgame
Moon Shifter Series
Alpha Instinct
Lover’s Instinct
Primal Possession
Mating Instinct
His Untamed Desire
Avenger’s Heat
Hunter Reborn
Protective Instinct
Dark Protector
A Mate for Christmas
O’Connor Family Series
Merry Christmas, Baby
Tease Me, Baby
It’s Me Again, Baby
Mistletoe Me, Baby
Red Stone Security Series®
No One to Trust
Danger Next Door
Fatal Deception
Miami, Mistletoe & Murder
His to Protect
Breaking Her Rules
Protecting His Witness
Sinful Seduction
Under His Protection
Deadly Fallout
Sworn to Protect
Secret Obsession
Love Thy Enemy
Dangerous Protector
Lethal Game
Redemption Harbor Series®
Resurrection
Savage Rising
Dangerous Witness
Innocent Target
Hunting Danger
Covert Games
Chasing Vengeance
Sin City Series (the Serafina)
First Surrender
Sensual Surrender
Sweetest Surrender
Dangerous Surrender
Deadly Surrender
Verona Bay Series
Dark Memento
Linked books
Retribution
Tempting Danger
Non-series Romantic Suspense
Running from the Past
Dangerous Secrets
Killer Secrets
Deadly Obsession
Danger in Paradise
His Secret Past
Paranormal Romance
Destined Mate
Protector’s Mate
A Jaguar’s Kiss
Tempting the Jaguar
Enemy Mine
Heart of the Jaguar