Protecting the Enemy
Page 17
She put her hand in his. “Yes, I’ve never been more ready.”
They walked outside into the frosty air. Reid opened the car door for Julianna. He rushed around to the driver’s side and got in. “Where are we going to go?”
“I’d like to live close to my grandma. She’s an amazing woman. Also, Connecticut is beautiful and felt like home.”
“I figured you choose someplace like New York or Chicago, but I can totally see us in Connecticut. Two former assassins starting a respectable quiet life, letting someone else punish the bad guys from now on. ” He put his hand over hers and squeezed.
She smiled, because she could picture it too. “Sounds great to me.”
“I look forward to meeting your grandma.”
“Just make sure you call her Viv.”
Reid laughed. “I’ll remember that.”
Chapter 21
Julianna and Reid stood on either side of their favorite hacker. A lot had happened since she’d first stepped into Weasel’s place. The kid had become like a little brother to her and family was important.
She placed her hand on Weasel’s arm. “We have a proposal for you.”
He eyed them. “That’s a word I haven’t heard from you two before.”
Reid glanced at Julianna. “We’ve left the uh, CIA. We’re going to start a private security firm in Connecticut. There will be a lot less danger and no secretive missions.”
His mouth dropped. “I knew it! I knew you guys were with the CIA!”
Julianna ruffled Weasel’s hair. “Come with us to Connecticut. We would like to hire you as our Tech Supervisor. You’ll get to use your skills legally, and earn a decent salary. Enough you’ll be able to afford an entire house and not just a basement. We may even let you carry a gun.”
“I’m flattered, but I don’t know.” He looked from Julianna to Reid and then back to Julianna. “Not sure I’m ready for that. My mom would kill me if I moved out of state.”
Reid slapped his back. “So tell her you want her to move east, too. Come on, you know you’ll miss us once we’re gone.”
He crossed his arms and shrugged. “You’re never gone for long.”
Reid shook his head. “This time we won’t be back. So if you want to come, you’d better… last chance.”
Weasel sighed. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow.” Reid grinned. “That way none of us has time to change our minds.”
He nodded. “Bam. Okay, I think the Weas can handle that.”
Julianna wanted to jump for joy, but there was one last hurdle. “You’re going to have to tell us your real name. We can’t keep calling you Weasel if you are our employee. You know, tax forms and such.”
His eyes widened and he frowned. “Okay, but only if you promise not to laugh.”
Whatever his name, it had to be better than Weasel. “What it is?”
“Wilbert Barnaby.”
Reid coughed to cover a snicker.
Julianna rolled her eyes at Reid. “There is nothing wrong with Wilbert Barnaby.”
Reid smirked and slapped Weasel’s back. “How about we just call you Wil?”
Weasel nodded. “Wil’s good.”
Julianna smiled. “Fine. Wil, you can drive my car. Here are the directions to Fairhope.” She looked around the room. “I’m sure your stuff will fit in the trunk.”
“Wait… you’re going to let me drive your Jag?”
She nodded and winked at him. “Think of it as your first bonus.”
“Sweet!”
***
Reid laughed when Julianna buckled their ponytail palm into the backseat of the Jag. She was determined to keep their plant alive. Reid’s trunk was full of her clothes. Their furniture was being moved by a moving company. They’d gotten an apartment near Viv’s until they could get their business established.
“Ready for a new start?”
Reid smiled. “More than ever. I see a bright future with you… and our plant.”
Julianna laughed. “Viv is so excited about finally meeting you.”
Reid took her hand. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I’m glad Weas—Wil agreed to come.”
“The kid loves us. Besides I kind of feel responsible for him in a way.”
She squeezed his hand. “Wait until you try Viv’s crumb cake.”
“It was nice of her to find the apartment for us.”
Julianna nodded. They held hands as they both got lost in their own thoughts. Before Julianna knew it they had passed through Delaware then New York.
As soon as they crossed the state line, Reid read the blue sign aloud, “Connecticut Welcomes You. Connecticut… We’re full of surprises.” He pulled the car over. “Here’s the first.”
Julianna tilted her head. “What are you doing?”
“I wanted to start off right from the moment we entered our new city.” He reached under his seat and removed an unmistakable ring box.
She gasped. “Where did that come from?”
“I’ve had it since that week you left to go figure things out on your own. I’ve been waiting for the perfect time. This seems like that time.” He opened the white velvet box to reveal a round cut diamond set in a gold band. Elegant and simple. “No matter what happens next, I want to spend the rest of our lives with you by my side and in my heart. I will always put you first and protect you the way you’ve protected me. Will you marry me, Jewels?”
She brought her fingers to her lips. “Yes.”
He slipped the diamond on her finger. A perfect fit.
She kissed him with everything inside her. “I love you, Reid. More than ever. You are my light in the darkest of dark.”
Reid cupped her face and smiled. “I love you, Jewels. Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Two years later.
Julianna ran her hand over the smooth, luxurious sheet. She stretched and glanced over at the empty side of their memory foam bed. There was no question where she would find her husband. She got up and wrapped her silky red robe around her. With a smile that seemed to be permanently plastered on her face, she went across the hall of their cozy New England Style home, located only ten minutes away from Viv’s.
She walked over to the teak crib in the corner of the nursery where Reid stood gazing at their son and daughter. The twins, Noah and Scarlett, had come as a delightful surprise and she couldn’t have asked for a more attentive husband. Every time Julianna had craved Red Hots, Reid had run and gotten them for her. If her legs cramped up, he’d massage them even if it was three in the morning. And when she delivered their babies, he’d been right there to cheer her on and cut the cords.
“Morning, Jewels.” Reid kissed her long and intense. “I love Saturdays.” With capable people working for them at their flourishing security firm, they were able to take off weekends allowing them to spend time as a family. They both loved their jobs and loved that when they came home they were able to leave the job behind. Being private security contractors was only a part of who they were. Never again would they let a job consume their whole lives. They both finally had the family they’d always yearned for. Viv was a big part of their lives and babysat for them during the week.
“Me too. Especially this one. Wil is coming over for dinner and bringing that new girl he’s been dating. This is their fourth date.”
“He’s turning into a man right before our eyes. If only we could get him to stop wearing those damn, wrinkly T-shirts.”
She laughed. “In his defense, he does do his own laundry now. Even after his mom moved next door to him.”
Noah started fussing, so Julianna reached into the crib to pick up their wiggling son. She carried him over to the changing table and changed his diaper. Once he was clean, she cuddled him close while he cooed, melting her heart. Even at three months, the twins had unique personalities. Noah was the loud one, having no problem letting his needs be known and Scarlett was the quiet one, watching the world with intense wide
eyes.
Reid changed Scarlett, then held her to his chest. “Ready for breakfast?” They carried the babies to the modern red kitchen. A bowl of green apples decorated the countertop. Some of Viv’s pottery as well as Julianna’s finished piece were displayed in the open cabinets. The ponytail palm seemed to thrive in its new environment as well and had grown at least a foot. Though Julianna still loved the color red, the kitchen was the only red room in the house. The rest of the walls were truffle white. Reid liked the color, Julianna like the name. She still had a sweet tooth like her mom had had. Business was booming at Dottie’s since she’d moved to town.
Reid sat down and Julianna placed Scarlett in his free arm. She mixed their bottles like a pro. She never saw herself being good at that sort of thing, but motherhood had come even more natural to her than being an assassin had. Everything they’d been through seemed like a lifetime ago. In a way it was, for once they’d left Baltimore a new chapter in their life had begun.
Julianna looked down at the diamond ring circling her finger as she did every morning. The brilliant round stone symbolized more for them than most married couples. It stood for freedom. The freedom to not have to keep their love a secret and the independence from a life that they were once tricked into.
She carried the warm bottles over to Reid. He passed Scarlett to her. They walked into the living room and sat down on the red sofa to feed their hungry twins.
Julianna grinned. “We make pretty babies.”
“I never doubted that we would.”
Her heart was healed. She was at peace with their past and confident in their future, because with Reid by her side, everything was possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christy Newton is a hopeless romantic with a weakness for dark chocolate. She lives in Indiana with her supportive husband and two amazing daughters. Christy loves to hear from her readers. Learn more about her at www.christynewton.com
Other Books by Christy Newton
Stolen Hearts
Something to Treasure
Treasured Hearts
Begin Again
Trust Again
A Guide to Love