by Julia Bright
Kelsey put the truck in gear, and they rolled down the hill. The cops had come from the other way, so they slipped out of the neighborhood without running into any police. They were on the interstate, heading to Cheyenne before any of them spoke.
“That went well,” Jackson said.
“Did you find the girl?” Kelsey asked.
“Yep. Hardest thing I've ever done walking away. I wanted to take her with me,” Adam said.
“You know that would have only gotten us in trouble. What we did was illegal,” Kelsey said.
He nodded and blew out a breath. Stress flowed from him, and he looked over his shoulder. Jackson held out his fist, and he reached around, bumping them together.
“We did it. That felt good,” Jackson said.
“Yeah. Those guys will be arrested, and that girl will return to her family.” Excitement pinged through Adam. They'd changed that girl's world.
“Is that how it felt?” Jackson asked.
He glanced back at Jackson and met his gaze. “We don't talk about it.”
Kelsey slowed. “You know about that?”
“Who else did it? And I understand you don't want to talk about it because of that FBI agent. In this truck, we're clear. You swept for bugs, right?”
“Yes,” Kelsey said. “I sweep almost daily after Hardy's last visit.”
“This is the only place we can talk about it. Our burner phones are off, no one can hear,” Jackson said.
Adam grunted. “Yeah, it almost felt as good. Doing him, getting rid of the filth over there, felt better because I excised a demon.”
Jackson sat back. “I understand. So what do we do now?”
“What do you mean?” Kelsey asked.
“I don't know, maybe we should do this kind of stuff more.”
Jackson's words hit him hard. More? Could they do this more? What type of jobs would they take? There was the question of money.
They were entering Cheyenne before Kelsey spoke. “Adam, you were working for that security company, do you think we could do something with this? You know, something where we rescue people.”
“Maybe, but it's expensive. Sure, this girl was in Colorado. It was only an hour and a half drive. What about people in other states, or other nations?” Adam asked.
“I have a little money saved up. Maybe we could find a few paying clients,” Kelsey added.
“I don't know.” Adam shook his head, unsure of everything. “Right now, there's only the two of us, and Jackson, you look intimidating.”
“Thank you.”
Adam laughed, he hadn't meant it as a compliment, but that was Jackson. The guy was the type to take an insult and twist it into a compliment. They were quiet until they got home and unpacked. It was late, so he and Kelsey headed to bed, and Jackson went to his room.
The next morning, he heard a noise in the kitchen and sat straight up. Kelsey wasn't in bed, and he wondered how she'd snuck out without him hearing. After using the bathroom, he tugged on some sweats and then headed to the main room where he found Jackson and Kelsey talking.
“Hey, Adam,” Jackson said.
“How long have you two been up?”
“Not long,” Kelsey said. “We were talking.”
“About?” Adam asked as he poured himself a mug of coffee and grabbed a biscuit. He leaned against the counter as he took the first sip.
“We should form some type of an agency,” Jackson said.
“I can't go back to babysitting rich brats,” Adam quipped.
“I don't want to do that either. We don't need money, it's not like we're doing this to get rich, we're doing it because it was right.”
Jackson had a point. They'd rescued that girl because it was the right thing to do. He'd killed Zaeim because it was the right thing to do.
“By the way, did you two check the house for bugs?” Adam asked.
“Sure did,” Kelsey said. “If we do this, we need to put in more security here.”
“We can do that,” Adam said.
“Maybe some cameras.” Jackson moved to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of eggs. “I'll make more breakfast, and then you and me, we need to develop a workout routine. If we're doing this, we gotta stay strong.”
Kelsey scoffed. “Are you kidding me?”
“What?” Adam asked.
“You two are so strong already.”
Jackson laughed. “If we don't keep up with it, we might end up not being strong enough to take someone down.”
She lifted her brows and Adam nodded. “What Jackson said is true. Those guys weren't strong, but still, lifting that one guy out of his chair and knocking him out, it took strength.”
Her lips screwed up, and she looked thoughtful. “You know, if you two are going to work out, it won't hurt me to get stronger too.”
“But you wouldn't go in to rescue someone, would you?” Worry filled Adam.
“No, but if we're doing this, we need to make sure we're all prepared,” Kelsey said.
Adam nodded, thinking about everything they'd talked about this morning. “If we do this, we have to be prepared to do it right.”
“I want to do it. We'll start an agency and do security, focusing on tough cases. We won't do rich kids, we'll aim it at the right clients we want to have. Then we'll develop a reputation.”
“How?” Kelsey asked.
“Well, you know how that asshole had the name Desert Snake, we'll put our name out there.”
“What name?” Kelsey asked. “What would convey the type of work we want to do?”
Jackson brought the eggs over to the table, and Kelsey moved the coffee pot over. He grabbed the biscuits, and they settled around the table.
“We want to help people,” Jackson said.
“We represent truth and justice.” Adam pushed around his eggs before staring out the window, watching a bird dive low before raising up, flying higher. His eyes narrowed as a thought jelled.
“What are you watching?” Kelsey asked.
“An eagle. That's a powerful symbol.”
“It is,” Jackson said.
“Eagle Agency?” Kelsey said.
“Um, that's not enough. We need to convey that we operate in secrecy,” Adam said.
Jackson sat back, a smirk on his face. “Dark Eagle.”
He looked from Jackson to Kelsey and nodded. “Yeah, I like that. Dark Eagle will be our name. That will be memorable and descriptive. People will remember that name, and it represents what we want to portray.”
“Which is?” Kelsey asked.
“Strength, covert operations. Maybe that we aren't afraid of a little danger. We're on the side of justice and what's right,” Jackson said.
“So if a foreign government asks us to do something against the American government?” Kelsey asked.
“No, I couldn't do that. But say someone is being held captive over here, I'd be willing to go up against an American breaking the law,” Jackson said.
“Adam, do you agree with that?”
Adam's gaze went from Jackson to Kelsey. “Yeah, I'd take down an American doing something illegal. I figure it's like last night. Those two bastards were American's, but they don't deserve to be. They deserve to lose their freedom.”
Kelsey held out her hand, and he took it, squeezing a little. She grabbed for Jackson's hand too.
“We have a lot of work. But winter on the ranch is slow, so we'll have time to work on this. We need to make a few rules to keep us safe,” Kelsey said.
“Agreed.” Adam nodded as he took a bite out of a biscuit. He liked this idea. In the military, he'd been able to help some, but they'd been sidelined more than once. This group would give them the freedom to run operations the right way.
Jackson's smile stretched wide. “Okay, Dark Eagle Agency, I'm willing to do this if you are.”
Adam's heart expanded. He had the best friend and the best lover in the world. He had no clue what type of cases if any, they'd be hired for, but he guessed that w
as a part of the adventure.
Epilogue
Kelsey's breath made a cloud in the air. Snow covered the ground, but the sky was crystal clear. The snow would melt today, which would make for a mess, but it would make it easier to move around.
The door closed behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Adam carrying two cups of coffee. She held out her hand and Adam gave her a cup.
“Thank you, this is just what I needed.”
“It's cold still,” Adam said.
She took a sip and stared out at the stark beauty of the snow-covered canyon. “Quiet.”
“Very quiet.”
The silence between them wasn't awkward, more like a well-fitting glove. Adam stepped closer, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I never thought I'd say this to anyone. I didn't think I'd ever think myself worthy, but Angel, you've changed everything for me.”
She set down her coffee on the table near the porch chairs and turned to face him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “What?”
His gaze was serious, and a thread of worry whispered through her, making her wonder if the feelings she had for him were a little too one-sided.
“I want to get married. I don't know if you're ready or not, but I know without a doubt you are the only one for me. Please marry me. I don't want anyone else. Only you. I want to spend my life showing you how much you mean to me.”
She shouldn't have been shocked, but she was. They'd promised themselves to each other, but she thought marriage would take forever. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Her emotions were too big. Adam still had his coffee cup, and he gave no resistance as she took it from him.
The dumbfounded look on his face made her laugh as she pressed their lips together. She held onto him like the life preserver he was. But it was more than he'd saved her, he'd been instrumental in every part of her life.
“Adam, my wonderful, serious, amazing Adam. Yes, I'll marry you.” He breathed out a sigh, and she chuckled again. “Seriously Adam, you're the only one for me. You're amazing, and I love you.”
“Oh babe, I love you so much. Thank you for giving me hope, strength and my life back. Before you, I had nothing. Now, I have everything.”
She shook her head. “No, you're the one who gave me everything. Without you, I'd be dead.”
He cupped the back her of head and stared into her eyes. “We need to do this soon. I don't want to put it off.”
Excitement buzzed through Kelsey. “Next week, once the snow melts?”
“Yes. We'll go into Cheyenne and get a license.”
“I want to get married here, on this ranch. We can have Jackson witness, but we'll need another. We'll ask whoever we hire to bring someone.”
“What about Agent Hardy? We could call him out to witness,” Adam joked.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh God, I don't think so. Plus, I think he fears Jackson has a thing for him.”
Adam threw back his head and laughed, the sound carrying over the white fields. A few birds took off from the ground, revealing their hiding places.
She leaned against him, resting her head on his chest, listing to his deep rumbling laugh. Her life was good. She had lost a little along the way, but she'd gained so much. Her father would be proud of the man she'd chosen to spend her life with. Losing her brother would stick with her for years, but she would dedicate her life to making the world a safer place. Maybe she was delusional to think Dark Eagle would do much, but they would lend their skills where necessary, helping others to bring loved ones' home.
“What are you thinking?” Adam asked.
“That I'm lucky I found you.”
“The first time or the second?” His wicked smile made her melt.
“Both. I was lucky to share my bed with you that night, and then I was lucky to have you help me in Algeria and every day since then. I don't know how fate got us together, but I won't lose you now.”
“That's good, Kelsey Brantley because I'm never letting you go.”
His lips brushed over hers as the wind blew over the land, tickling her cheeks with little tendrils of her hair. The kiss ended, and she stepped back to grab her coffee mug but paused. A dark feather lay on the ground. She picked it up, running her fingers over the soft vane.
“What's it from?” Adam asked.
“An eagle.”
Their gazes met, and a pulse of electricity shot between them. There was no other way to take this than as a blessing. Her family approved. She stared up into the sky, tears rimming her eyelids. From the ashes that terrorist had wrought, she'd created something beautiful. Her family would continue, their legacy would be one of peace and love.
“You're thinking about them, aren't you?” Adam asked.
“Yes.” She hadn't told him about the baby yet but now seemed like the perfect time. “I got around to taking a test.”
“A test?” Adam asked.
“Pregnancy.”
“Oh my God, are you serious?”
He scooped her up, swinging her around. They were both laughing now, raising the birds again from their hiding places. He stopped spinning and set her on the ground, his eyes bright with love and happiness.
“You've made me the happiest man in the world, Angel.”
Her fingers wove in his hair, and she pulled him in for another kiss. Their lives would change, but that's the only thing that remained the same. No doubt, with Adam she could handle the changes. They'd make a way, just like they'd been doing since they met.
Adam held her close, and she snuggled against his chest, thinking of all the good things that had happened since they'd met. Before him, she hadn't known what love was. Now, she had the best man in the world and loads of love. Her life may not be perfect, but with Adam, it was close to heaven.
THE END
Pick up Live Past the Edge next.
http://www.juliabrightauthor.com/
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Julia Bright
About the Author
Julia Bright loves romance and novels. She enjoys the escape a good book provides. Her favorite pastime is sitting on a lounge reading while sipping a cool drink.
Writing is a passion for Julia. She's spent years people watching and being fascinated by their quirks. Now she's putting that skill into writing dashing romances and tempting suspense novels.
For more information
www.juliabrightauthor.com
[email protected]
Also by Julia Bright
Acting The Part
Saving Lorelei
Survive the Fall
Live Past The Edge
All Business