Waving at Oliver, who climbed out of his SUV, Luna nodded. “Yes. She wants to study there.”
“Study what?”
“Hah, that’s the million-dollar question. She’ll have to make up her mind real soon. It’s either marine biology or environmental studies.”
From behind, Aly’s voice rose. “And you’re going with her? Won’t it be hard for you to leave everything here behind?”
“We’ll move to Miami with her and stay for a while before we figure out how to move on. Neither of us wants to stay in GovCorp City after everything that happened here.” Oliver, Lexi, and she had all agreed they needed a fresh start, far away from anything that would remind them of GovCorp. “I can start working at my great aunt’s temporary employment agency, and Oliver can still work for the Committee out of Miami.”
Excitement flared inside her belly as she watched him stride up to them. “Except for you guys, we won’t miss anything here. And you can come visit, right?”
Catching up with Luna and Kendra, Aly smiled. “You bet.”
Warmth flooded Luna as Oliver and Jake half hugged, clapping each other’s back. Even though he wouldn’t admit it, Oliver must have missed his brother during those difficult past weeks. He went on to give Kendra a quick hug before he tossed Aly a smile and wrapped his arms around Luna.
She’d told Aly the truth. She didn’t care where they lived. Home was where she felt safe and at peace—right there in Oliver’s arms.
Jake picked up a shovel from the ground and leaned it against the barn wall. “So, you’re really planning to leave? How soon are we talking?”
Oliver’s lips quirked, and he squeezed Luna closer. “Did you already tell them?”
She grimaced. “Apparently, Lexi spilled the beans. But only about Miami.”
Putting a hand on her hips, Oliver announced, “We’re actually going to Iceland before we hit Miami.”
“Really? And what will you do there?” Aly’s face featured a big question mark.
Smiling, he gazed at Luna’s left hand.
Her cue. Heart pounding, she lifted her hand and showed off the new wedding ring. “We’re making it real. Since we’re legally married and don’t want to get a divorce just to re-marry, we decided to renew our vows. And this time they’ll be true.”
Grinning, Oliver added, “And then we’ll spend our honeymoon in Iceland. Luna loves ice and snow, and it will be as different as possible from my fake tropical island memories.”
Kendra blew out a breath. “Guys, I’m incredibly happy for you. Congrats.”
Nodding, Jake put a hand on Kendra’s shoulder. “Hate to see you leaving, but congrats. That’s great news.”
After another round of quick hugs, Aly beamed. “I’m glad things worked out between the two of you. Too bad Max is still in China. He’ll love to hear this.” She turned toward Kendra. “By the way. Where’s Derek? Is he coming, or what?”
Kendra’s smile faltered. “He called. He won’t be able to make it.”
Thinking about Derek put a small damper on Luna’s mood. Oliver had called her the day before and let her know that the Committee booted Derek off the board. And although he remained the team’s leader, for the time being, it wasn’t clear if he’d leave the Committee eventually.
Oliver raised his eyebrows. “He seems quite busy lately.” Turning toward Kendra, he continued. “You know him best. I have a feeling he’s got a plan B. Any idea?”
Shrugging, Kendra held up her palms. “No, he’s been cryptic on the phone lately, and I didn’t get a chance to talk to him face-to-face since we returned. But I know he won’t stop going after GovCorp—with or without the Committee.”
A line appeared between Oliver’s eyebrows, and he leaned against the barn’s doorframe. “I thought so. Well, I hope he keeps us in the loop. I’d leave the Committee ASAP to work with him if he’s up to a different approach.”
Jake agreed emphatically. “Absolutely.”
One of the horses in the adjoining paddock started to scream, and Luna flinched. “I didn’t know horses could scream like that.” Immediately, a few other horses joined in.
Kendra laughed. “Oh, they can. Miss feeding time by a few minutes and you’ll get an ear full. We’ll just refill the hay feeders real quick, and our own food delivery should arrive in about fifteen minutes.”
While Jake and Aly followed Kendra back inside the barn, Oliver took Luna’s hand again. “So, where’s Lexi?”
“She’s inside with the piglets. Want to see them?”
“In a minute.” He entwined his fingers with hers and led her around the back of the building where a wooden ladder and an old feed trough leaned against the wall.
A fresh woodsy breeze from the nearby forest tore at her hair, blowing it in all directions. Halfheartedly, she tried to straighten the mess, but her fingertips tingled with anticipation as Oliver drew her into his arms. All day she’d been longing to catch a moment alone with him.
He ran a hand through the long strands, then cupped her cheeks. “You look radiant. Are you happy?”
Slipping a hand around his nape, she whispered, “I am.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled, and he tugged her close. “Good. Me too.”
Nothing he could have said would have made her happier at that moment. Pure bliss engulfed her as he bent down, and their lips finally connected.
The End
Read more in the Deadly DNA Series:
Adrenaline Secrets, Book 1
Adrenaline Whisper, Book 1.5
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Carolyn
Carolyn Reilly has been working for the German Federal Foreign Office (aka Department of State) for more than 20 years. A good part of that time she was assigned to German Embassies in civil war Lagos/ Nigeria and Khartoum/ Sudan, with the German Consulate General in New York and with German Embassies in Central Asian countries Kirgizstan and Kazakhstan. She still works part-time for the Foreign Office, but has meanwhile exchanged those restless and not exactly hazard-free postings abroad with a quieter life in the Bavarian countryside.
When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her two Icelandic horses Fjola and Sessi. She advocates animal welfare and a percentage of the proceeds of her books goes to Farmed Animal Sanctuary Hof Butenland in Northern Germany.
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Adrenaline Secrets, Book 1 in the Deadly DNA Series
He’s a trained, genetically engineered mercenary.
She’s a spy on a quest to avenge her family.
Falling for each other was never part of the plan.
Freelancing as a soldier for hire, Jake Hanson is ready to take down GovCorp, the ruthless corporation that created the mercenary that he is. But when he gets teamed up in the jungles of Africa with the fiery and determined Kendra Reed, Jake struggles with his mission. After all, he’s not programmed to feel—but he's beginning to feel a hell of a lot for the feisty ex-soldier.
Kendra Reed works for GovCorp as a translator. But she has a hidden agenda. She’s after the truth—and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Working with a genetically engineered bad boy sparks intrigue in her. But the last thing Kendra needs is to be falling for someone like Jake.
As they face a deadly enemy, Jake and Kendra
are forced to trust one another, while confronting the heated attraction that burns between them. With time running out and their adrenaline in overdrive, can they find a way to save themselves before it’s too late?
Adrenaline Whisper, Book 1.5 in the Deadly DNA Series (Novella)
He’ll do anything to regain her trust. Even if it means putting his life on the line.
Growing up as the adoptive daughter of a wealthy and manipulative politician, Sela Mercer learned early on that trust was the only luxury she couldn't afford. Now, she lives and breathes for her job as an operative for the Committee—an organization working against the shady GovCorp, the research corporation that created genetically engineered humans like her. She is smart. She is tough. And she always rocks her ops alone.
Cruz Rivera’s new mission in Rio de Janeiro as Sela “No Mercy” Mercer’s backup is his own personal hell. With a local drug lord on his tail, Rio is the only place on the globe that holds zero love for him—not to mention that Sela hates his guts. He screwed up, but he’s hell-bent on proving to her that his past mistake doesn’t have to destroy their future.
But with a price on his head and a woman like Sela, he may only get one chance. Can he survive the favelas of Rio one more time and find a way to silence Sela’s whispers of doubt?
Adrenaline Heat Page 20