by Amy McKinley
“Yep. It’s Stevens. There’s been a development. Jack’s already here. Do you want to sit in on the meeting?”
“Of course. I need to reschedule the meeting I had in town with Martin. We have a lot of marketing to discuss with the new line of blueberry soap and lotion going into the store. Have you heard what’s going on, why Richy is here?” The CIA agent had earned a warm spot in her heart when she’d met him. He’d handled everything Liam had thrown at him and made sure to include her in the debriefing after Liam shared how she had been in the dark regarding her husband’s motives. After that, she’d started calling him Richy, a name she swore the gruff, cigar-smoking man secretly loved.
After all, she and Joslyn were the only women who were a part of the Gray Ghost team. They offered a softer side to the rough and tough alpha SEALs he was used to dealing with.
The sculpture she’d finished flashed in her mind. It was in their private collection, one she wouldn’t ship to the galleries that represented her in New York, London, and Chicago. Rachel had said a long time ago that some of her sculptures seemed prophetic. She’d come to believe her friend. So the mystery woman standing over a prone man, who looked remarkably like Trevor’s brother, would remain in her and Liam’s private study, the one only they used.
Liam closed the door behind them with a click and tugged her by the hand to the garage. They climbed into their SUV, and she pulled her phone from her pocket. The meeting with Martin was the only thing on her agenda for the day. Taking over for Liam as the liaison between their wine representatives and their local store had entrenched her into his life further, gave her the purpose she needed, and kept her close by his side. He’d confessed that was where he’d wanted her since their time on the boat over a year ago.
More and more, he shared his world with her—from the farm and winery to Gray Ghost Security, LLC, which took up a large portion of his time when they were on missions. She enjoyed the behind-the-scenes part of the winery and had taken over many of his former responsibilities with the vineyard and farm, which made both of them happy.
After rearranging her calendar, she turned in her seat to face Liam. There were only a handful of minutes left before they arrived at the large steel building that housed a meeting room, or war room as the men liked to call it. “Do you know what this meeting is about?”
He gave a curt nod. “A little. It’s a rescue mission. A member of Stevens’s department went missing when their plane crashed.”
“From the CIA?”
“At least one. There were others on the plane. We’ll find out when we talk with him.”
She worried her bottom lip. While she demanded to be in the loop of all operations, fear ruled her with the thought of something happening to Liam—to all of them, really, but mostly to him. “Will you go?”
He pulled into a space next to the door of the secure steel building and flashed a cocky grin. “Yep. There’s nothing to worry about. I’ve done these types of missions more times than I can count.”
The huge helicopter sat on the landing pad, empty. The men were inside. Liam’s hand rested on the small of her back as he opened the heavy door to the building, which was lined with cameras and floodlights. Inside, masculine voices led them to the large room a few feet away.
Liam pressed a kiss on the top of Liv’s head as they walked through the doorway. Richy sat at the table with several photos fanned out in front of him and a thick file spread open. As they settled into chairs around the large oval table, Jack stopped pacing and dropped into a seat opposite them.
Richy’s shaggy eyebrows climbed his wide forehead. “Are we all here?”
“Yes.” Jack gave a clipped response.
Liam expanded for Stevens. “Trevor is on his way. We’ll fill everyone else in when they get here.”
Richy took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose before settling them back on his face. “We’re combining the teams. Chris, Bret, and Mike will be going, and we want the two of you. If you need more after you hear the mission, that’s up to you to decide.”
Liv placed her hand on Liam’s thigh under the table. It wasn’t unusual to request certain members of both teams, but the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. Something didn’t sit right with her. She leaned forward and glanced over the scattered pictures of headshots and surveillance photos. None of the people looked familiar, but the sense that she should pay close attention still prickled along her skin. “Won’t Trev be needed to fly them in?”
With his mouth pressed in a thin line, Richy turned to her. “No. When Chris is on an air mission, Trevor seems to play it overly safe. This one won’t allow for that. The area we plotted where Military Chief of Staff Johnson’s plane went down is in rough, hostile terrain, surrounded by the sea, trees, and has poor visibility from the rainy season. It’s far from the rebellion camp, in the midst of sympathizers or relatives, and way too close to the stronghold.”
“How many were on board?” Liam asked.
“Besides the pilot and co-pilot, four others—the Secretary of Defense, Henry Williker, his executive secretary, and two of our assigned security agents. From the surveillance photos, we recognize a few. Johnson, one CIA member, Henry, and the secretary were taken hostage. Our other security guard is presumed DOA.”
They went over the mission, from entry point to extraction, and all foreseeable obstacles. Liv paid attention and mentally shifted her schedule around so she would be in close proximity to either Trev or another member of their team that would be monitoring and communicating back and forth with the guys. About an hour after Rich Stevens arrived, he departed the same way, hoping to miss the worst of the incoming storm, both literally and figuratively.
Liv rode back in heavy silence with Liam. When he parked in the garage and they got out, he nudged her toward the back of the house, taking her hand.
“Where are we going?” She laughed as he tugged her toward the bluff behind their house. That was another new development. She no longer thought of it as his house. The sprawling Victorian was her home too.
Not for the first time, she marveled at how much Liam’s powerful persona and form fit the rough and wild backdrop of the sea. Huge, white, crested waves rolled to crash against boulders and rush along the sand, carving out an ever-changing shoreline.
His hand dropped to the small of her back as he led her close to the edge. “I can’t wait any longer.” He stopped and turned to face her. “There’s something I want to do.”
The urgency melted from Liam’s features, and a calm determination settled over him instead. Her heart pounded against her ribs as he dropped to a knee before her. “You came into my life when I least expected to find you. Fractured, but with an inner strength and will blazing deep within you. I offered you my protection. You gave me so much more—friendship, understanding, peace, love, and passion. You’re the last thing I want to touch at night and the first beautiful sight I want in the morning. You’re imbedded in my heart. Without you, I’m no longer complete. Marry me, Liv. Share forever with me.”
Happy tears overflowed and spilled down her cheeks from the sheer joy this man brought her. “Yes. I’ll share forever with you, Liam.”
Once, she’d thought she had her heart’s desire. Now she knew the truth. She snuggled into Liam’s embrace. A future to rival her wildest dreams spread out before her.
Afterword
If you enjoyed reading BROKEN CIRCLE as much as I did writing it, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review.
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Acknowledgments
> I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for the invaluable support of all those along this journey.
With heartfelt thanks to my critique partners, fellow authors, and friends for all they do. To Victoria Van Tiem, for her zeal in bouncing ideas and brilliance with structure. To Emily Albright, for her steadfast encouragement and phenomenal suggestions and catches. To Kris Kisska, for her lovely character insight and in-depth knowledge that made the story richer. These three incredible ladies are rock stars in their own right. Each one of them has been there from first draft to final edits, providing insight, candor, humor, guidance, and camaraderie.
A special thanks to Taylor Anhalt for helping to make this novel shine with her grammar skills, editing, and willingness to jump in despite her hectic schedule. Not to mention all those texts and emails she’s graciously answered.
To Neila Y. and Kim H., two wonderful editors at Red Adept Editing, who did a fantastic job and made this story so much better. To T.E. Black for chatting at all hours and creating so many wonderful things for me, from Facebook banners, to formatting, and of course, this gorgeous cover.
To my amazing beta readers Maryellen, and Maria Vickers, for providing incredible feedback. As an award-winning sculptor, Maryellen Newton, provided tremendous insight on Liv’s artistic creations. And for and to her unwavering friendship—basically for keeping me sane.
To all the readers, bloggers, and reviewers who went out of their way to help and support this release—you’re all so very generous and kind. Your support and encouragement continues to inspire me. A special thanks to my PA, Jackie V. Booknerd, for her ongoing support, unwavering enthusiasm, and friendship.
And last, but in no way least, to my husband, two daughters, and two sons, for supporting and believing in me while I follow my dreams. For their patience and understanding when the house is messy and general chaos reigns. I can’t imagine life without them.
About the Author
Amy McKinley is the author of the Five Fates Series and Gray Ghost Novels. Her romance books have strong heroines, sexy alphas, and just the right amount of heat, danger, and always an HEA. She lives in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, two sons, and three mischievous cats.
You can find her at www.amymckinley.com
Also by Amy McKinley
Gray Ghost Novels
Broken Circle
Eye of the Storm
Beneath the Surface
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The Five Fates Series
Hidden
Taken