HARD LINE
Page 24
As I walk down the aisle to meet the man I love, the one who drives me crazy, makes me laugh, rocks my world, and would move heaven and earth for me, I realize I’m the luckiest woman alive. When we say I do, exchange rings, and kiss for the first time as husband and wife, I genuinely feel as if my life is finally starting.
And what a beautiful life it’ll be.
* * *
Two Years Later
The office building buzzes with excitement as they release the news from the Middle East. The newly named Crown Prince has allowed women to drive in Saudi Arabia. The fight is nowhere near over since the detention centers are still dotted throughout the land, and male guardianship rules are also still firmly in place.
But we’ll take this win for the team and press on until we reach the next milestone.
Brianna is working on another exposé story, having met with two sisters who managed to flee their home for the country of Georgia, pleaded for asylum from any country that would help them, and they were finally given safe passage to Canada. Their stories of male domination, abuse at the hands of family members, and no rights to choose whom they wanted to marry make my skin crawl. If this venture helps just one of those women, all the hours we put into the cause are worth it.
Chaise walks by, stops, and backs up. She can’t pass by me without rubbing my belly, as if the protrusion is there for good luck.
“I can’t wait to be an aunt again. Hello, baby, it’s Auntie Chaise. Again.” She bends and speaks loudly to my stomach. “He can hear me, you know. He’ll know my voice as soon as he’s born.”
I shake my head when she hurries on her way, late for another conference call with a senator’s office. Her brother, Silas, used some of his DC clout to arrange the direct meetings to give us a chance to push for more concessions.
Roman steals up behind me and wraps his arms around my now extended waist. His hands slide down across our baby bump as he kisses my cheek. “Hello, sweets. How are you and my baby holding up today?”
“We’re tired. He’s heavy, Roman. I can’t comfortably sit down, lie down, or stand. I think he’ll make his grand entrance into the world any day now.”
“I have to admit, I’m ready for that day. Then you’ll be forced to take time off and spend it with the baby and me. We’ll allow close family and friends to come over, but we will lock the rest of the world out. No senators. No CEOs. No foreign dignitaries.”
“Oh shit.”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“You just wished it into being. Quick, wish for a fast delivery. Say it!”
“What are you talking about, Tawnee?”
“My water just broke, Roman. It’s running down my leg right now, like I just peed all over myself. This baby is coming today.”
“Oh shit. Let’s go—your suitcase is already in the car.” He takes my hand in his, then stands up on the chair in the middle of the expansive room.
“Can I have your attention, please?” he yells at the top of his lungs. Everyone stops and stares at him, waiting for him to continue. “Tawnee and I are leaving the building… because we’re having a baby today! We love you all—but we’re out of here as of right now since she’s in labor.”
Cheers and clapping fill the room, and with my pregnancy hormones, my emotions get the best of me. With tears in my eyes, I thank all our employees for their tireless work, their well-wishes, and their support.
On the way to the hospital, Roman keeps my hand in his to share his strength. It’s scary, knowing a tiny human is about to be ejected out of my body through an opening that frankly doesn’t seem big enough. But he reassures me the entire way, letting me know he’s right beside me with all his love. Those sentiments continue all the way to the birthing room, where the nurses prepare me for the inevitable conclusion to this condition.
Once I’m settled and comfortable, our family begins streaming in. Silas and Kira, with their children, Amber, Laci, and Ryan. Those two have been busy the last couple of years. Then Nick and Savannah, with their twins, Gavin and Kinsley. Blake and his girlfriend, Julia. I still have hope for them.
Our extended family also comes to show their love and support. Noah, Brianna, Bull, Chaise, Rebel, Heather, Shadow, and Elle—all our brothers and sisters in love if not in blood.
I can’t leave out Liz and Gerald. They married soon after Roman and I tied the knot, and they’ve lived in wedded bliss since that day. Gerald has said many times the reason he waited so long to fall in love again was that his soul knew he had to wait for Liz. They’re precious together, even if Liz is still crazy and makes me laugh every day. At least I can honestly say I love my mother-in-law and my father-in-law as if they’re my own parents. After losing both my parents in a tragic car wreck when I was in my early twenties, I’ll take this family over being alone any day.
When the nurse comes in to recheck me, she announces it is time and shoos them all out of the room. With Roman by my side cheering me on and giving me encouragement, we welcome our son into the world. After the staff finishes their work and leaves us alone, we enjoy some much-needed quiet time—just the three of us.
“Hello, Ethan Matthew Scott, my little love.” I nuzzle his cheek and gently kiss his little button nose. “He already looks like you, Roman.”
I look up at my big, strong man and see tears glistening in his eyes for the first time in all the years I’ve known him. “I can’t even remember all those years I lived without giving all my love away now. I wouldn’t know how to go back to that life, and I’ll never want to. I’m the luckiest man alive, with the most beautiful wife anyone has ever seen and the most perfect baby boy ever born. I promised you this on our wedding day, and I’ll say it again now. Our little family is my entire world. You have all my love, all the time, no matter what.”
“I love you too, Roman.”
With Ethan asleep on my chest and Roman asleep at my side, all three of us wedged into this twin hospital bed, I drift off to sleep happier than I’ve ever been, loved deeper than I could hope for, and giving more love than I even knew was inside me.
This is the perfect life.
* * *
Haven’t read Nick Tucker’s story yet? Get it now in Fine Line.
Silas’s story is now available in Blurred Line.
* * *
Want more of Nick Tucker?
Read Her Dom and Her Dom’s Lesson!
* * *
Want more of Nick, Silas, Roman, Reaper, Bull, Rebel, and Shadow, and Liz?
Find them and more the Steele Security series:
Wicked Games,
Wicked Ties,
Wicked Nights,
Wicked Intentions,
and Wicked Shadows!
* * *
Have you met Damon Marchetti, the sexy anti-hero mafia capo? Danger, intrigue, murder, betrayal, and oh-so-steamy times are waiting in Warning, Part One, Warning, Part Two, and Warning, Part Three!
* * *
Find all my books on Amazon at amazon.com/author/adjustice
* * *
Are you on Facebook? Join my reader group! No requirements or expectations — just readers having fun! :)
About the Author
A.D. Justice is the award-winning USA Today bestselling author of the Steele Security Series (Wicked Games, Wicked Ties, Wicked Nights, Wicked Intentions, Wicked Shadows), the Crazy Series (Crazy Maybe, Crazy Baby), the Dominic Powers series (Her Dom, Her Dom’s Lesson), the Immortal Obsessions series (Immortal Envy), and a few stand-alone romance novels, such as Saving Grace, Completely Captivated, Just One Summer, Intent, and Mistletoe Not Required.
When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her own alpha male character in their North Georgia mountain home. She is also an avid reader of romance novels, a master at procrastination, a chocolate sommelier, a twister of words, and speaks fluent sarcasm. An avid animal lover, A.D. Justice has two horses, three cats, and two very spoiled dogs.
While the primary focus of her books has been
romantic suspense, she has expanded into different sub-genres of romance. Stay tuned to read what she has in store for you!
Connect with her online!
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Website
Books By A.D. Justice
Steele Security Series
Wicked Games (Book 1)
Wicked Ties (Book 2)
Wicked Nights (Book 3)
Wicked Intentions (Book 4)
Wicked Shadows (Book 5)
The Crazy Series
Crazy Maybe (Book 1)
Crazy Baby (Book 2)
Crazy Love (FREE Short Story)
Dominic Powers Series
Her Dom (Book 1)
Her Dom’s Lesson (Book 2)
The Vault
Warning, Part One
Warning, Part Two
Warning, Part Three
Crossing Lines
Fine Line
Blurred Line
Hard Line
Immortal Obsession
Immortal Envy (Book 1)
Stand-alone Romance Novels
Saving Grace
Completely Captivated
Intent
Just One Summer (Novella)
Mistletoe Not Required (Novella)
Acknowledgments
Writing a book is much harder than one would think. The finished product only takes a few hours to read, but months to agonize over every single word, plot point, and character action. Only speaking for myself, I can honestly say I put my heart and soul into the story, taking time away from family and friends (and cleaning house. Oh, so messy!) to write just one more chapter.
When I finally reach those two little magical words, a weight lifts from my shoulders, and I’m able to breathe again. That is until I start the next book, which is usually while my editor works on the recently completed one.
My writing journey includes chatting with other authors I trust and admire to give feedback and suggestions. Others encourage and support me along the way, taking a chance on a new plot twist or storyline that’s not mainstream, and who aren’t afraid to step outside the box and give “different” a chance. These are my people—my tribe—whether they realize it or not.
Acknowledgments are hard to write because I never want to leave anyone out or make anyone feel their place in my life isn’t important. If you’ve ever read my books, you hold a special place in my heart.
There are a few select people I want to recognize for helping make this book special to me.
First and foremost, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His eternal love, mercy, and forgiveness of a sinner like me. Without Him, I am nothing. Yes, when I say I fall short, I realize I fall way short, but thankfully, there’s no such thing as being too far from Him. He knows my heart.
Someone recently called me a hypocrite for adding this to my acknowledgments. Since I openly admit I’m a sinner, I don’t see it the same way she does. To me, a hypocrite implies someone denies any wrongdoing WHILE actually doing wrong. Adding this is my way of sharing my belief and thanking Him for the many blessings in my life, even though I’m well aware I don’t deserve them.
Michelle Dare, you’ve been the bestest BFF ever. You listen to me whine and cry and puff up, only to tell me to suck it up and get over it already. I LOVE YOU! You’re still stuck with me.
Victoria Renteria, you are an AWESOME alpha reader—even though you ditched me at the end of this book and went on a family vacation (the audacity!!!)—then you laughed about it. THAT is real friendship. Thank you for your time, feedback, and for making me add just a little more. MUAH!!!
T.K. Leigh, I don’t know what I’d do without your bad influence and spot-on advice virtually every day. I’m so fortunate to have you in my tiny circle and count you as one of my very best friends in the world. I love you to death!!!
Lisa A. Hollett with Silently Correcting Your Grammar, my editor and my friend, thank you once again for working through another book with a penciled in due date then helping make it as perfect as possible at moment’s notice. I hope your other clients aren’t like me! :)
Wander Aguiar, the photographer for the covers in this series, is always wonderful to work with—although he does make choosing one photo very difficult. Fortunately, I was able to find three that perfectly fit this series.
Sommer Stein with Perfect Pear Creative Covers, thank you for creating the awesome covers for this series. I’m constantly in awe of your amazing talent.
Candi Kane with Candi Kane PR, you are a godsend! Thank you for all your help and support. I think I’ll just keep you.
To all the bloggers, thank you for the cover reveal posts and the release day shares. You don’t get nearly enough credit for all you do. We need you more than you know!
To the readers, whether you love, like, or hate this book, thank you for taking the time to read it. Thank you for your reviews, even if all you say is you liked it or not. Thank you for your support—you have no idea how much every little bit means to me. You are the best
All my love to you,
Angel