Fade - Fighting Fate #3
Page 31
My eyes narrowed. I wasn’t sure I was ready for what he was about to say.
“Corey, Cain, and a couple of other guys I know from L.A. are willing to come on board as my new security team. We’ve worked out all the logistics, and I think it’s going to work really well. I mean, I know firsthand that they’ve got the skills to handle the job physically. And I know they’ve all got my back . . . ” He pursed his lips. “What they don’t have, is a leader. I need someone on board who can lead. Tactically. Someone who can prepare for any outcome, and coordinate a team. I need you.”
I stared at him. Dumbfounded. My brain instantly went into overdrive. First with all the reasons why it would never work, then with all the ways I could possibly make it work. The major roadblock was working away from Amy. That was something I would never do again.
Josh put up his hands. “Okay, I know there are probably heaps of things I haven’t thought of, but I want you to know I’m willing to do almost anything for you to say yes. I’ll buy you guys a house, wherever you want, so you can be comfortable and raise your family. Amy can come wherever we are, so you don’t have to be away from each other. Anything. You name it, and I’ll do whatever I can to make it work.”
I didn’t know what to say. To be honest, I thought it was a little too soon for me to make any decisions right now. I just wanted to take the time to appreciate what I had in life for a little while.
Josh’s eyes begged, making it hard for me to just flat refuse him.
“You don’t have to give me an answer right away. Just think about it for a while. There’s no rush. I know you guys need time to get back on your feet and settle in. I just wanted you to know this is an option when you start thinking about what to do next.”
I nodded. “Thanks, man. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll definitely think about it.”
He clasped his hands together with a loud smack, making Mae startle from her near state of sleep. “Shit,” he said, his expression instantly morphing into an apologetic one. “Sorry.”
Amy shook her head. “Smooth, Emerson. Real smooth.”
Giving her a cheesy smile, he shrugged. “I better get back. The rent-a-cops don’t know I’m gone.”
I frowned. Jesus. They really were useless. “Thanks again, man. I really do appreciate you thinking of me.”
“No problems, man. I’ll talk to you soon. Call me if you have any questions.”
Shaking his outstretched hand, I swung Mae up over my shoulder to burp her, while Amy walked him out. As much as the offer intrigued me, I didn’t want to think about it just yet. Maybe later . . .
Chapter 61
Amy
With slow movements, I placed Mae down in her crib, carefully tucking her in on her side before sneaking out and closing the door.
I sighed as I released the knob, my shoulders relaxing for what felt like the first time that day. Making my way down the hall, I allowed the quiet of the night to calm my mind.
Walking into the bedroom, I paused. Even though it’d been three weeks since Daniel came home, I still felt like I had to pinch myself whenever I saw him.
I stared at him lying naked on our bed, the sheet strategically positioned to arouse deviant thoughts.
Sliding his hand under his head, he gave me a curious look. “Come lie with me.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. Shedding my clothes, I slipped under the covers and pressed my body against his.
“Perfect,” he murmured. “I never want to go another night without you pressed up against me.”
That, I could agree to. Many times over.
Silently, I set my mind free, contemplating all the events of that day. I’d been pretty surprised by Josh’s visit, and even more so by his proposal. I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing for us as a family, but it was an interesting thing to consider.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Daniel asked me, kissing my forehead.
“Josh,” I said, tilting my head back so I could see him. “That wasn’t something I’d been expecting.”
Daniel inhaled slowly before letting it out again. “Yeah, it was a bit of a surprise. It’s an interesting offer, though.”
I pushed myself up a bit, turning so I could see him better. “Are you thinking of taking him up on it?”
His brow creased as he looked at me. “Maybe. There would have to be quite a few stipulations when it comes to you and Mae, though. That’s not negotiable. I’m not sure he’d agree to them.”
Studying his face, I tried to get a feel for what he was thinking. “Is it something you think you’d enjoy?”
He frowned. “I didn’t at first, but I think that was because I’d assumed I’d have to be away from you and Mae, but if we can work it so that’s not an issue, I think I’d really like it.”
Excitement sparked inside me. I didn’t exactly know why that was, but I thought it might have been because Daniel looked excited. He had a little of that spark I saw in him when we met, when he spoke of the Marines.
I smiled. “Then that’s that. You’re unofficially Joshua Emerson’s security team leader.”
Daniel laughed. “He hasn’t agreed to my demands yet. I don’t even know what my demands are.”
Giving him a little smirk, I kissed his soft lips. “Listen to you talking about your list of demands. You’re more of a diva than Josh. And I wouldn’t worry. He’ll agree to anything you ask.”
I felt him chuckle under my lips. “And what makes you think that?” he murmured.
Pulling back so I could see into his eyes, I placed my hand on his chest, just over his heart. “Because he can see what I’ve been able to see all along. Your heart.”
Under my hand, his heart stumbled.
“And with it, your need to protect your family with all that you have. The offer is Josh’s way of letting you know he considers you family. He knows that you can’t put a price on that. That’s how I know he’ll give you anything you ask for.”
Daniel breathed us in, his gaze never leaving mine. “All I know is that I never want to be away from you again. For the rest of my life.”
My breath shook. “And then some.”
Taking my face in his hands, he kissed me, soft and slow. And against my lips, he breathed out: “For all of eternity . . . ”
The End.
Acknowledgments
Fade was a long time in the making. More than two years in fact. During this time, I had many, many life changes, and most of the challenges I faced, I pursued on my own. It was necessary. Only I could figure out who I was and what I needed to do to get to where I am now. This story was a hard one to write. Most reasons for this revolved around what I was going through, but a small portion of it was because parts of the story were very close to home – things that I personally lived through, and I found that a difficult thing to convey.
Although I have many people in my life who’ve supported me these past couple of years, when it came to giving me what I needed to finish this book, there was only one. My husband. Without his love and encouragement, I would still be fumbling along, doubting that I would ever get there. There are simply no words to express how thankful I am. He’s the happy ending to my very own warped and wicked fairy tale.
I’d also like to add a very humble thank you to my copy-editor, Melissa. She had her own trials and tribulations to deal with while trying to get Fade back to me on time, and I just can’t express my gratitude enough for the effort she put in to make it happen. It certainly has been a pleasure to work with her, and I’m very much looking forward to working with her in the near future.
About Maree Green
Maree began writing as a hobby when she and her oldest son discovered the genius that is Harry Potter. As he grew, so did her style of writing, slowly progressing from stories of youth to YA, and then to NA.
The decision to start taking her writing seriously was an easy one. She loved daydreaming, and if she could do it all day and call it a job then she was taking it.
When she’s not writing, she can be found playing taxi driver to her children, reading, or if the kids are lucky, doing those horribly domesticated things like cooking and cleaning…
She currently lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia.
Connect with Maree Green
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mareegreenauthor@gmail.com
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