“That sounds really good, and I want to believe you—”
“Then test me out. Let me prove to you that I’m telling you the truth.” He leaned in and ran his knuckles down her cheek. “I’m in love with you, Carla.”
She let her lids close and leaned into his touch. “I like the sound of that.”
“So is that a yes?” He pressed his forehead against hers.
She didn’t know it, but he wasn’t asking yes for right now. Deep down he really wanted to know if this was yes to the rest of their lives. But he’d give her time. He’d prove to her that there were no more doubts, nothing holding him back.
“Yes,” Carla whispered.
They were going to have the best life together, starting today.
Epilogue.
Six Weeks Later. Private Beach, Miami, Florida.
Carla was a wreck.
In one hand she had the leather-bound notebook containing everything she’d have to say, the documents—all of it. And in her other hand she had the rings. Two of them.
The sea breeze carried the cry of gulls toward her.
“All done,” Vaughn announced.
She turned from the calming ocean view to the sandy shore.
A lump of emotion clogged her throat at the sight of Vaughn standing under the canopy with candles, lanterns and flowers surrounding him. He chuckled and padded toward her, barefoot in the sand.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered before kissing her lips ever so gently so as to not smudge her lipstick.
“I’m going to throw up.”
“No, you aren’t. You’ve practiced.”
“Who gets ordained for a wedding online? Shouldn’t there be a class for this? What if I do it all wrong?” She leaned on Vaughn’s strong arm, soaking up his presence. She’d half wondered if he’d even make it today. He’d surprised her early that morning, when normal people should be asleep.
Vaughn always did have the best surprises.
“You’ll do great,” he said again.
The photographer waved from the boardwalk.
“Fuck,” Carla muttered.
Vaughn chuckled and gave her one last squeeze. “Just read the words.”
He let her go and circled the setup to the three chairs lying on the sand.
Carla slipped the rings into the pocket of her romper—a dress had been out of the question given the wind—and stepped into place, her book in hand.
She knew what to expect. How it would happen. She was also the only one who’d seen the guy’s clothes. And yet, it unfolded like magic, a beautiful surprise.
First, the music rose in a crescendo of chimes and soft notes, melding with the ocean waves and birds. Then attendants at two cabanas pulled the curtains back.
Carla didn’t know what was more touching, the way both Ashton and Jared went from poised men to the sudden show of emotion on both their faces, or that they were each accompanied by someone they loved. Jared by his mother and Ashton by his grandmother.
“Keep it together, Carla,” she muttered to herself and fanned her face.
The grooms procession was slow, the two couples coming together to form a line of four and march down the sand toward her, holding hands. It was more than any of them had hoped for when they hatched this plan. Back then it was going to be the three of them and that was it. The universe had proven it was full of surprises.
Carla wasn’t even aware of the photographer. She was too mesmerized by the spell of love being woven on the beach between two of the most precious people she’d ever met.
Vaughn snuck in behind them all and set up the three chairs outside the ring of rose petals. He was also there to take the arms of the ladies and lead them the short distance to where they could sit and watch the vows.
And now it was the three of them. The way it had begun.
“I guess this is a fitting new beginning, huh?” She grinned up at them.
Jared snickered. “The three stooges?”
“You can’t be serious even now?” Ashton’s sternness was ruined by his smile.
“Nope.” Jared leaned in and landed a peck on his soon-to-be-husband’s cheek.
“Stop getting ahead of schedule.” Carla smacked Jared in the arm then cleared her throat and began.
The ceremony wasn’t so bad once she got started. Sure, she stumbled over a few words and had to pause three times to dry her eyes. With a wedding party of six they weren’t in a rush. Much like it had always been they went at their own speed.
By the time she got to say the final words she’d laughed, cried and smacked them both, proving that this wasn’t an ending or a new beginning. It was more of the same, lived fully, as they truly were, and though not everyone accepted that, those most important to them did.
Carla walked straight into Vaughn’s arms when the photographer waved her off. She held tight to her man and the knowledge that someday Ashton and Jared would have to return the favor. But for now she and Vaughn were content to take things slow even if it was a conscious effort neither of them were good at.
“What do you say we take a walk before dinner?” Vaughn whispered in her ear.
“Why do I get the feeling this isn’t a romantic, sunset walk kind of thing?”
“Because you know me?” Vaughn dipped her backward. “Come on, I haven’t seen you in two weeks.”
Carla laughed against his lips, her heart so happy and full. They had the rest of their lives together, and this was only the beginning.
VAUGHN RAN HIS fingers down Carla’s spine, enjoying this backless number Jared had insisted Carla wear for the wedding. She shivered and glared over her shoulder at him. Yeah, he’d gotten chewed out the moment she saw herself after their walk.
He shrugged and smiled.
Carla scooted her chair closer and leaned into him. “Any word on Ethan?”
“No. I told you they weren’t likely to tell us anything.”
“I know, but you said you were headed through the Illinois office, I thought someone might have said something.”
“Nope. Whatever’s happening with him, they aren’t telling anyone.”
Carla shrugged, and that was that.
“Oh.” She tapped his knee. “Santiago got that job.”
“Did he?” Vaughn frowned and pulled out his phone.
She pushed it back down before Jared or Ashton saw it. “He wants to keep it for a week before he tells you, so let him tell you when he’s ready. Okay?”
Vaughn pocketed his phone on a grumble. Somehow Carla had a better relationship with his brother than Vaughn did. She just seemed to get Santiago in a way neither Vaughn nor their mother understood, but they all appreciated. When he wouldn’t call them, he’d call Carla. At first it had bothered Vaughn. He’d been territorial to say the least, but when he’d put his jealousy aside he could see it. Carla just got Santiago, like the sister he’d always needed.
It was just further proof that Carla belonged in Vaughn’s life.
He ran his fingers across her shoulders and sat back, taking in their mixed table.
On one side was Ashton with his frail grandmother. Vaughn hadn’t wanted to admit out loud that he doubted the woman would be allowed to come. As expected, the rest of Ashton’s family had closed ranks, shutting him out. Grandma Khoury had already regaled them with the story of her epic walk out of the house after chewing out her oldest son.
On the other was Jared and his mother. Vaughn knew less about Mrs. Moss. Their story seemed more typical, fraught with misunderstandings and miscommunication, but healed by love.
It was a meeting of different worlds, racial divides, class and yet love brought them together in the most unlikely fashion. And here Vaughn was along for the ride.
“Vaughn!” Jared smacked his hand on the table. “When are you guys eloping?”
Carla rolled her eyes. “Isn’t the point of eloping not to tell anyone?”
“You.” He thrust his finger across the table at her. “Hush.”
; “Make me.”
“You want me to try?” Jared braced his hands on the table.
Vaughn held up his hands before those two egged themselves on into a true mess. “Children, please?”
Ashton caught Vaughn’s eye. He hadn’t expected to like Ashton as much as he did. Then again, they were the serious ones in each of their relationships. It was up to them to keep Carla and Jared in check.
Vaughn reached over and took Carla’s hand in his. “Truth is I couldn’t elope. I wouldn’t do that to my mother.”
She cringed. “Please don’t tell me you want a big Catholic wedding?”
“No.” He shook his head.
“Oh, thank God.”
“Is this official then?” Jared gestured at the two of them.
Vaughn glanced at Carla. “Not yet.”
Her eyes danced, and he knew she wasn’t going to make it easy on him, but that was okay. She brought out the best in him and one day soon he’d be worthy of asking her to be his wife.
Stay up to date with the whole Lepta Team in Dangerously Taken and Dangerously Involved! Stay tuned for Dangerously Broken and Dangerously Entwined.
Sign up for the New Release Newsletter at www.SidneyBristol.com to get inside scoops and free books.
Explore the whole Aegis world in these series...
It all began with the Aegis Group.
Dangerous Attraction
Dangerous in Training
Dangerous Games
Dangerous Assignment
Dangerous Protector
Dangerous Secrets
Dangerous Heat
More Coming Soon!
Within Aegis Group, special teams take on special jobs, beginning with the Alpha Team.
Dangerous in Love
Dangerous in Action
Dangerous in Transit
Dangerous in Motion
Dangerous in Charge
Other specialized teams exist under the Aegis Group umbrella, including Lepta Team.
Dangerously Taken
Dangerously Involved
Dangerously Deceived
Dangerously Broken (2019)
Dangerously Entwined (2019)
In Dangerous Games it continued with the Gone Geek girls.
Beauty and the Geek
Mr. Purr-fect and the Geek
The Jock and the Geek
The Gamer and the Geek
The Adorkable Girl and the Geek
The Fake Boyfriend and the Geek
When the Seattle office of Aegis Group opened the Twisted Royals took the stage.
The Origin Story
Alpha Prince
Her Prince
Bad Boy Prince
Noble Prince
Stay tuned for the appearance of the Troy Team and Omega Team.
For short reads, tune in this December for the Body of Danger novella series kick-off.
Heart for Danger
Mind for Danger (2019)
Soul for Danger (2020)
The other Smith brother takes us to the Texas SWAT series, a small town suspense series.
Fighting Redemption
Stolen Redemption
Reckless Redemption (coming soon)
Dangerously Taken
Aegis Group Lepta Team #1
The mission: Rescue an executive translator being held hostage in Iraq without falling in love.
Erin Lopez never thought her life would be more dangerous as a civilian. She hoped she'd put her days dodging bullets behind her. Now, her only salvation is in the arms of a slow-talking man who makes her heart remember what it's like to love again.
Retired Army Ranger Riley Smith knows what it's like to fight the past every time he closes his eyes. Erin's dark, haunted eyes only tell a fraction of her story, and when she reaches for comfort, he can't tell her no. She makes this broken man want to be whole again.
The closer Erin and Riley get to the truth behind Erin's kidnapping the more dangerous their path becomes. Someone wants Erin silenced at any price. Riley can’t let that happen, but keeping her alive means facing that their no strings attached arrangement is a lie.
Dangerously Involved
Aegis Group Lepta Team #2
The mission: Protect his one-night stand from being kidnapped and tortured.
Nolan Thompson doesn't mix business with pleasure. Too bad his latest job has him protecting the sweetest body he's ever touched. There's nothing about the cool, calculated business woman that makes him think of the sensual, shy sex kitten he met in Vegas. It shouldn't be difficult to keep his hands to himself when she's sending him "get lost" signals, but the rules change when her brother is kidnapped.
Yvonne Krieger is hiding a ticking-time-bomb of a secret with a nine-month fuse. Her unforgettable Vegas night left her with a lot more than pleasure and a memorable walk of shame with only one shoe. The very man who charmed her into bed is now the man charged with keeping her body safe and getting her troublesome little brother home. Under the growing pressure from her family to help cover up the kidnapping, Yvonne finds that the only person she can trust is Nolan.
In the face of danger, Yvonne and Nolan become unlikely allies as they attempt to piece together the mystery surrounding her brother's kidnapping. Every step brings their walls crumbling down until the line between their work and private lives is blurred. Nolan knows Yvonne is holding out on him, and he's determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and capture Yvonne's heart.
Dangerous Attraction
Aegis Group 1
Ex-Navy SEAL Travis Ration is an expert hunter. Whether his prey is criminal or victim, he always gets his mark. He's no hero, just a man doing his job. It’s all he has after a felony conviction after a bad judgment call. When the FBI call in a favor and ask him to look into a serial killer over the holiday break, he jumps at the opportunity to fill the long, cold days with something besides regret and bad movies. In Las Vegas, he's on the hunt for a prolific serial killer no one wants to admit exists. The leads are dry and the evidence gone, until she walks into his life. Bliss Giles—curvy, sassy and everything he can't have.
What’s worse, Travis knows Bliss’ sister is the killer's latest victim. She fits the profile. Time is running out and the fastest way to retrace the killer's path is with Bliss at Travis' side. In the seat of danger. He vows to keep Bliss safe and his hands to himself, after all, a nice girl like her doesn't need a guy like him in her life. Too bad no one told Bliss Travis was off-limits. She tests his boundaries and pushes his control every minute they're together until he can't remember why wanting her is a bad idea.
The hunters become the hunted in this tale of serial killers and SEALs for hire. One broken man must unpack his baggage, a woman has make a leap of faith and a sister chooses to live in this new, romantic suspense serial by NYT & USA Today bestselling author, Sidney Bristol.
Warning: Hold onto your panties, because nothing is safe.
Dangerous in Love
Aegis Group Alpha Team 1
He follows orders.
A good SEAL, Shane York values chain of command. Following the rules means staying alive. All of that is wrecked when his team is sent to Jamaica on a hostage rescue. She’s not the mission, but they leave no one behind.
She breaks the rules.
Travel blogger Lacey Miles lives for today. Thanks to her unexpected rescue from certain death, she has a shot at tomorrow. She wants her mercenary captors to pay, and she has the evidence to ensure it—if she lives long enough to deliver it.
Opposites spark an unlikely romance in the heat of danger.
Delivering the intel and keeping the hostages alive becomes priority one for the Aegis Group Alpha Team. The last thing Shane and Lacey have time for is love. As the team races home and bullets fly, rules fall by the wayside and lines begin to blur. With a traitor in their midst, will love be a distraction or a strength?
Book List
Aegis Group
Dangerous Attraction
Dangero
us in Training
Dangerous Games
Dangerous Attraction
Dangerous Protector
Dangerous Secrets
More Soon!
Aegis Group Alpha Team
Dangerous in Love
Dangerous in Action
Dangerous in Transit
Dangerous in Motion
Dangerous in Charge
Aegis Group Lepta Team
Dangerously Taken
Dangerously Involved
Dangerously Deceived (coming soon)
Dangerously Broken (coming soon)
Dangerously Entwined (coming soon)
Texas SWAT
Fighting Redemption
Stolen Redemption
Reckless Redemption (coming soon)
Hot Redemption (coming soon)
Rebel Redemption (coming soon)
Filthy Redemption (coming soon)
Gone Geek
Beauty and the Geek
Mr. Purr-fect and the Geek
The Jock and the Geek
The Gamer and the Geek
The Adorkable Girl and the Geek
The Fake Boyfriend and the Geek
Twisted Royals
Alpha Prince
Her Prince
Bad Boy Prince
Noble Prince
Tarnished Heroes
Spy Games
Assassin Games
Traitor Games
Hot Rides
Drive
Shift
Chase
Bayou Bound
Picture Her Bound
Duty Bound
Bound Memories
Bound & Tamed
Other BDSM Titles
Committed
Bound with Pearls
Collar Me in Paris
Festive Seduction
Electric Engagement
So Inked
Under His Skin
The Harder He Falls
His Marriage Bargain
Fighting His Desire
Standalone Titles
Falling for His Best Friend
Dream Vacation (free read)
Continue reading for a sneak peak at Dangerously Taken, Aegis Group Lepta Team #1...
1.
Wednesday. Aegis Group Egypt Office, Cairo, Egypt.
Riley Smith strode across the courtyard toward the command center for the Aegis Group’s Egypt offices. These days it seemed like Riley spent more time here than he did at his apartment in Seattle. A fact that his mother was not letting him forget.
Dangerously Deceived (Aegis Group Lepta Team, #3) Page 27