by Shayla Black
He’d already known what they were going to say, and he’d already begun formulating counterarguments in his head. In the end, Elizabeth had convinced him he had to run again for the good of the people. Besides, he wanted to see what the country would think of their gorgeous, intelligent, gracious and tough–as-hell First Lady.
He held up his hand to stay their debate. “I’m running. And it’s for that very reason Shorn will see reason and step down before my next term. He ‘wants to spend more time with his family.’ Because I agree that we can’t let those bastards win, and Connor has agreed to go back to the Agency to run a special division focused specifically on threats against the presidency, Secret Service, and our intelligence officers. We won’t let them infiltrate us like that again. Dax, we’re hoping you’ll come on board, too. I know you two had plans to start your own firm.”
Dax waved a hand. “They can wait. I would be more than happy to serve my country again.”
“Mad, are you ready to make your debut? We’ll schedule a splashy press conference in the next day or two.” He sent his friend a wry grin. “Do we have a reason you faked your death besides dodging angry drug dealers?”
Mad managed to look hurt. “I don’t mess with illegal substances. Well, not anymore. I’m a perfectly respectable husband and almost-dad now, thank you very much. And I faked my death because I caught wind of the assassination attempt and spent weeks underground putting all the pieces together so I could help foil it, of course.”
Trust Mad Crawford to come out of this situation better than ever before.
“And I was in on it.” Sara slipped her hand into Mad’s. “We can say our relationship developed then, too. It’s less tragic, and makes him seem way smarter than he actually is.”
Mad simply grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.
It seemed his friends had everything handled. And now, he was almost ready to retire for the night. Today had been the longest of his life, and more than anything he wanted to put it behind him. He needed time to process everything, especially that, despite his father’s arrogance and disregard for Zack as a human with wants and feelings, old Frank had still saved him in the end.
Elizabeth stood, stifling a yawn, and took charge. “I’m going to head to bed. Thomas, I cannot thank you enough. Go see your wife.”
Thomas frowned. “I’m not sure I should leave.”
“We’re one hundred percent sure about our remaining agents, and I’ve got a couple of Agency operatives I trust implicitly watching the residence tonight,” Connor assured. “Go home. Kiss your wife and hug your kids, Thomas. Tomorrow we’ll be back to work.”
Elizabeth turned Zack’s way and kissed him as the other women all stood and headed for the door. “I’m going to get Sara and Mad set up in a more comfortable bedroom upstairs.”
“We’re fine where we are.” Sara squeezed Mad’s hand before following Elizabeth. “We’re actually kind of fond of the place.”
“We’ve made some awesome memories there.” Mad winked. “Besides, I don’t want to prematurely spoil my big back-from-the-dead surprise.”
Liz laughed, just like he did. “What about you, Freddy? The Lincoln Bedroom is lovely.”
“Nah.” Freddy shook his head. “I like the air ducts. They’re very comfy.”
Zack rolled his eyes. Eventually, he’d have to deal with the phantom of the White House. But for now, Elizabeth and the women all wandered out in a cloud of soft chatter. He was alone with his closest friends.
“How about a nightcap, guys?” Roman started pouring Scotch into the crystal glasses.
Zack could certainly use one. Then he would join his fiancée—he really needed to get her a ring—and hold her all night. But first, he had to take a moment with these men who had formed the foundation of who he was, and today had helped to save his life. If it hadn’t been for Mad, Gabe, Connor, Dax, and Roman, he would have become exactly the man his father had tried to turn him into. He would have been taught that only his name mattered, that the only thing of value he had to give was his legacy. These men, his brothers, had shown him the true meaning of family.
“You okay?” Roman patted his shoulder and pressed the glass in his hand. “That was one hell of a rough day.”
“But it’s over.” Gabe reached for his cocktail. “And we can move on with our lives.”
“We still have to be vigilant.” Connor smiled. “But I think we’re back in control.”
Mad held his glass up. “Then let’s get ready to have some fun because we have two of our own to marry off in style.”
Zack shook his head. “Since I’m president, my wedding will be very circumspect. And very soon.”
“How soon?” Dax asked, brows raised.
“Next week…if I can wait that long. I want Elizabeth to be my wife now. We’ve already lost too much time. We’ll have a small ceremony here at the White House. You guys, your lovely ladies, and her family will be the only guests in attendance.” He turned to his chief of staff. “But Roman’s wedding…that will be a blowout.”
“Hey, let’s talk about this…” Roman began.
“Nope, you’re getting the full treatment, brother, because then we’ll all be married and having kids,” Dax explained.
“Tell me you and Liz aren’t going to try to have a couple of little monsters soon,” Gabe challenged. “I know Everly and I are going to announce our first at a proper time and place when she’s ready to talk about it. But not now. Even though it’s happening.”
Everly was pregnant? He reached out and shook Gabe’s hand. “That is amazing news, brother.”
“You knocked up my sister?” Mad demanded.
“I couldn’t let you do the dad thing alone,” Gabe answered with a grin.
Mad gave him a shoulder bump. “No, you could not. Good job, man.”
“But seriously, Everly wants to have a party and make an official announcement. Pretend to be surprised,” Gabe insisted. “But I had to tell my brothers.”
Zack raised his glass. “To the Perfect Gentlemen. We found our perfect ladies. Let’s try our damnedest to be perfect dads.”
They all agreed, though Zack knew there was no such thing as perfect.
But these men and his bride-to-be were pretty damn close.
He was content.
Epilogue
Connecticut
Twelve years later
“Does anyone know what this is about?” Mad slipped off his Yankees cap as he entered the small waiting room to the principal’s office.
He and Sara had moved out to this small Connecticut town, though they kept a place in the city because neither he nor Gabe would ever leave the city behind. Zack and Elizabeth had followed them to this sleepy suburb after their Washington years.
Zack shrugged. “I don’t.”
That made Mad’s frown deepen. “Are we here for the OGs or the next generation?”
They’d grouped their children in three groups. Mad had named the first six the OGs out of his love for gangsta rap and not at all because their oldest children had formed a gang themselves that often made Zack long for the days when he could call in the National Guard. Maddie Crawford, Alex Bond, Karlie Sparks, Jordan Spencer, Helena Calder, and Nicholas Hayes had all been born within a year and a half of one another and they’d been tight ever since.
Nick and the OGs were all in fifth grade, and apparently had taken the place by storm, despite the fact that school had only been in session for two weeks. Now they’d been called into the principal’s office.
“I didn’t get any details,” Sara admitted softly.
Mad sighed. “I know it’s not the crazy babies or we’d be at the preschool, and I was just there yesterday when our son decided to explain to his teacher that she was outnumbered.”
“He really said that.” Sara winced. “He was leading a revolt because they changed the milk from chocolate to plain.”
Zack shook his head and tried not to laugh. “I’m pretty sure we’ve been summoned
to deal with the older kiddos because Roman and Gus are on their way, too.”
“I suspect deeply that ours led the charge,” Holland said, but there was a tiny smile on her face as though she genuinely enjoyed the chaos. After all, her life had significantly grown quieter after leaving NCIS a few years before to work on private investigations with select security firms, including the one her husband and Connor had opened after leaving DC behind.
Dax and Holland had been waiting when Zack had arrived at the school. They’d had an enjoyable few minutes catching up since they hadn’t seen each other in a week or so, following the group dinner at Connor and Lara’s. The rotating weekly get-together was at his and Elizabeth’s place this week, and he needed to remember to pick up the ribs or his wife would be very cross. Freddy had even called from wherever Freddy lived these days—that was undisclosed—and he would be joining them. All the kids would look forward to seeing crazy Uncle Freddy.
The door opened, and Roman and Gus stepped inside. They were both dressed casually since they were taking some time off to be with the latest addition to their family, a newborn boy they had adopted a mere three weeks before. He was tucked into a sling she wore over her jeans and T-shirt.
“I will kill them all,” Gus vowed. “I’d just gotten him to sleep when I got the call.”
Roman shook his head. “She’s not talking about the kids, guys. On our way here she devised four different ways to sue the school. I’m too tired to come up with any legal arguments right now. I need a nap.”
“Don’t worry,” Zack told Roman. “Everyone knows I’m the brains of our operation.”
Everyone chuckled.
After serving his second term as president, he’d been way too young to retire. So he and Roman had done what they’d always wanted to—practice law. They ran a nonprofit that aided Americans in trouble overseas. And in his spare time, he’d written a book or two about political history while Roman taught at Yale two days a week.
Their ladies were the ones who brought in the cash these days. Elizabeth and Gus ran a publicity firm in Manhattan that specialized in crisis management. After all, they were damn good at it.
Not that they were the most successful of their group. Lara had written a book of her own about a fictional president finding love in the White House. She had her own groupies now and was way more popular than even he was.
According to Lara, publishing was its own form of heaven and hell.
“Sure you are,” Roman replied with a yawn. “Hey, Mad, you know what’s really good at putting a person to sleep? Your movie. They’re running it all month long on cable. I swear the title flashes up on the screen and I’m gone.”
Gus shushed him. “It’s a good movie, damn it.”
“I love it,” Holland admitted. “From Dead to Dad: The Maddox Crawford Story is the best title ever.”
“Roman is still upset the actor who played him had a receding hairline,” Sara teased.
Roman touched his head. “I still have a glorious full mane, despite the gray.”
Gus leaned over and kissed him. “You’re still hot as hell, babe. Best I ever had, and that’s saying something.”
Zack was well aware the school’s office staff was watching them, but he supposed even in this wealthy suburb it wasn’t every day they saw a man who’d led the nation for eight years. Or maybe they were excited about Mad since he did have a movie about saving said president. When it had first come out, they’d made a drinking game of it.
The door opened once more, and sunshine walked in.
Zack stood and made a beeline for the gorgeous woman who’d agreed to marry him twelve years before. They’d had a quiet ceremony that had been the exact opposite of his first over-the-top wedding. Only he, Elizabeth, their dearest friends, and immediate family. Some wouldn’t consider it much of a wedding, but they had a hell of a marriage.
Even all these years later, she took his breath away when she entered a room. She’d given him a son and a daughter. She’d also given him a life more wonderful than he’d dared to imagine.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Zack pulled her into his arms and held her for a moment. She’d been gone a whole four hours, but that felt too long to him.
She sighed against him as though she felt their connection, too. “Hi yourself. I caught a ride in with Connor and Lara. Is Nick okay?”
He nodded the couple’s way as they crowded into the room. “Thank you for picking her up.”
“No problem,” Connor said, his hand in his wife’s. “We spent the whole ride in trying to figure out what our hooligans did this time. My money is on some kind of con.”
Lara shook her head. “I’m almost positive it’s about Karlie’s latest investigation. She’s convinced the cafeteria is taking kickbacks from the beef industry, and I overheard her talking to Jordan and Nick about how they could bug the principal’s office. I probably should have warned her against that, but I was really proud of the stance they’re taking on red meat.”
His son lived for hamburgers, but he would do almost anything Karlie told him to because he’d been pretty much in love with the girl since they were babies.
Dax groaned. “I will check my inventory when I get back to the office. I’ll bet I have missing surveillance equipment. I should have known there was no way our boy wanted to spend a Saturday at the office with his dad.”
“Well, look on the bright side. At least there are three lawyers here, and the kids can get good PR advice,” Elizabeth said, a grin on her lips.
“I get the feeling we should be more upset,” Gus began, “but I’m kind of excited to see what they’ve gotten into this time.”
Gabe strode in, followed by Everly. “Please tell me Alex didn’t do something stupid like try to hot-wire a helicopter. I’ve been worried ever since I heard the school was flying in a police chopper for law enforcement day.”
“Well, that’s what happens when you let him fly yours,” Everly complained, but she winked her husband’s way. “And the event isn’t happening until next week.”
So there was something they could all look forward to.
The principal stepped into the waiting room. “Ladies, gentlemen. We need to talk about your children.”
Zack grinned and glanced around to find all of his friends smiling, too. They were all probably thinking what he was. They’d been those kids, but they’d been alone. They’d only had each other all those years ago.
But their kids were surrounded by family.
“All right, Principal Smith, let’s talk.” Zack rose.
He couldn’t wait to find out what they’d gotten into now. He hoped it was epic.
After all, the younger generation had a reputation to uphold.
More Than Tempt You
by Shayla Black
Click to purchase!
Coming April 30, 2019!
Want an alpha male who seduces his enemy, only to realize she’s stolen his heart?
Meet Clint Holmes.
I romanced her for revenge…but what if she’s not the enemy after all?
Check out MORE THAN TEMPT YOU, part of the steamy, emotional More Than Words Series.
I’m Clint Holmes. I was an ambitious guy with a busy life and a growing business. Sure North Dakota wasn’t a tropical paradise, but I was happy enough—until tragedy struck. Now the only thing that matters is finding the person responsible and making her pay. But Bethany Banks is a Harvard-educated shark used to swallowing her enemies whole while playing dangerous corporate games. How can a blue-collar oil man like me possibly beat her?
The moment I lay eyes on my beautiful nemesis, the answer is obvious. I seduce her.
On Maui, where she’s fled, I get to know the man-eater who caused my family so much pain…only to find she’s not the brazen ballbuster I assumed. She’s skittish, secretive, vulnerable. For some reason, my instinct is to protect her. I can’t abandon my plan…but I can’t stop wanting her. Night after night, I pry her open with my touch until I
’m drowning in our passion. Soon, I’m questioning everything, especially the fine line between love and hate. But when the past comes back to wreak vengeance and the truth explodes, can I prove that I’m more than tempted to love her forever?
More Than Words Series
By Shayla Black
Sexy contemporary romances that prove sometimes words alone can’t express the true depths of love.
Each book can be read as a standalone. You may enjoy them more in order, but it’s not necessary for your reading pleasure.
More Than Want You
More Than Need You
More Than Love You
More Than Crave You
Coming Soon:
More Than Tempt You (April 30, 2019)
More Than Pleasure You (novella) (November 12, 2019)
Courting Justice
A new series from Lexi Blake
Now available
A fast-paced contemporary romance series where passion for the law isn't the only thing heating up the courtroom.
Order of Protection, Book 1, Now Available
Click here to purchase
To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She's soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She's actually Taylor Winston-Hughes--born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.
When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win's charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.
Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can't reject the case. This trial could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he's not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.