by Addison Fox
“Get up!” He screamed the words, but she pulled on him again, this time harder on his free arm. It was enough to pull him off balance and gave her a chance to look up on the mountain.
The glint she’d seen was now a line of MVPD officers. She made out Spencer in the distance and did her level best to send the proper signal.
On a hard scream, she let go of Ferdy’s arm and stabbed him hard in the eye with her fingers.
Then she put up her hands and ran, screaming all the way, “Help!”
* * *
Nikolas heard the screams and saw the swirling push-pull of two bodies playing out in the clearing. He’d driven hell for leather out to the eastern edge of town, a wash of images racing through his mind.
Images of holding Nova safe in his arms fought with his worst fears and he was nearly mindless as he drove, gripping the steering wheel until he vaguely registered the ache in his fingers.
And still he drove on. Ninety. One hundred. As fast as he dared, whipping toward the edge of town.
He raced for the duo, no idea what he’d do against a gun. His only consideration was getting to her. Putting himself between Nova and the man who’d come to kill her.
They’d come so far. She was still alive and the police were here and he was here.
Finally.
Nikolas screeched to a halt, slamming the car in Park and leaping out of the driver’s side. He dashed toward them, stopping short when the large body in front of him stiffened just as a loud crack rent the air.
The man who chased Nova stilled and fell, a sniper’s shot fatal.
And Nova continued to run.
Nikolas gave no thought to the body, just sprinted around Ferdy’s motionless form until he could get to Nova.
She screamed as his arms came around her, fighting and struggling against his tight hold. “Nova! Nova! It’s me, Nikolas.” When she still didn’t stop, he held on tighter and planted his feet. “Nova! Baby. I’m here!”
She finally quieted at that, her eyes going wide as she twisted to look up at him.
He’d managed to stop their forward movement and could hear Spencer and his team swarm down from the mountain behind them. Paying them no mind, he held her, pulling her close and pressing her head against his chest. “Shh, now. You’re okay.”
The small form that had so recently been in wildcat mode pressed against him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she clung to him. “Oh, Nikolas. I thought... I mean... I didn’t know if you were—” A heavy sob fell from her lips. “You told me to run but all I could think was that I was leaving you.”
“It’s all right now. We’re both okay. And you did exactly what you needed to do. Getting you and the baby to safety was all that mattered. All I wanted.”
“I’m sorry I left.”
“And I’d have been mad at you if you’d tried to stay.”
“But there was a bomb. And Ferdy was there. And you’re okay!” She said that last part in a rush, as if finally realizing that he’d gotten free of the danger.
“Callum Colton knows a thing or two about bombs and knew how to take this one apart.”
“Oh, okay.” She still clung to him but her arms softened a bit as she stared up at him. “I guess I’d rather belong to the family who knows how to take them apart than the ones who put them together.”
“Then I’d say you’ve come to the right place.”
Although she’d made the joke, it finally sank in that Nikolas was standing with her and Ferdy was not. “Where is—”
She tried to twist around but Nikolas held her still. “There’s no need to look.”
“Is he dead?”
“One of Spencer’s snipers shot him down.”
“Oh.” She pressed her face back against his chest before lifting it again. “I need to see. For my own peace of mind. And for closure. For my child.”
He understood. She’d been on the run for nearly six months. Living in a state of emotional turmoil even longer.
Closure meant more than visual comfort.
He held her close as they walked back toward Spencer. The MVPD team was moving around Ferdy’s body but hadn’t yet covered him and Nova stopped a few feet away.
“All that muscle and bravado, gone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I am, too. He could have chosen another life. Another way of living.” She took a deep breath and turned away. “Do you know, he didn’t even ask me about the baby? Nothing beyond whether it was his.”
“Again, all I can say is that I’m sorry.”
“Maybe I will be. Someday. Today I’m just grateful to Spencer and his team.”
Spencer’s K-9, Boris, raced over to her, planting himself beside her. “Hey, baby.” She bent down to pat his head.
Nikolas moved them away from the clearing and the police. Once they were far enough away, Boris still keeping close, Nikolas pulled her to his chest once more. “I didn’t tell you before. I’m sorry for our fight this morning and I’ll do whatever I can to make it right. But I love you, Nova. I want you and the baby and I want you to move in with me. I want to make a life with you.”
“Oh, Nikolas, I want that, too. Even as I said it, I knew I’d pushed unfairly. We’ll find our way. We’ll figure it all out. Because I love you, too.”
“We’ll figure it out together.”
“Yes, together.” She lifted her head for a kiss, their lips meeting in warmth and something that felt a lot like permanence. The old Nikolas Slater would have turned tail and run.
The man he was today knew he’d not only found his future, but there was nowhere he wanted to go if Nova wasn’t by his side.
Epilogue
Three weeks later, Nova stared down at the emerald cut engagement ring on her left hand and marveled at all that had happened in the past few weeks. She was continuing to grow by the day, the baby kicking and positively thriving as they marched ever closer to her due date.
Each night, she and Nikolas spent their time wrapped up in each other. And then each day the man had been a shopping fiend, ordering so much baby furniture online she finally had to lay down an ultimatum.
He either needed to stop or she was moving into the Triple R. It was part threat, part practical argument. If he bought anything else, she feared they’d no longer fit into his condo.
Even as she knew they could make anything work, the barb had hit its mark and they’d—thankfully—only had three packages delivered that week.
Ferdy’s death had hit her more emotionally than she’d expected. Not that she was upset he was gone—especially as the extensive nature of his crimes continued to come to light—but she did care about his death as far as it affected her child.
She knew they’d both be better off in the long run, but it didn’t change the fact that new life was coming into the world that he had been a part of creating. It was going to take some processing, and her obstetrician had recommended a wonderful therapist who was helping Nova work through the strange mix of freedom and guilt, neither of which had fully faded away.
It had been her therapist who’d recommended she take another step. One she’d finalized just the day before.
She was no longer Nova Ellis. She was Nova Colton, in the eyes of her new family and in the eyes of the government.
Nikolas came up behind her, his strong, solid arms wrapping around her. She and her belly still fit within them, but if she kept growing like she was, she doubted he’d be able to do it for too much longer.
“Hi,” she whispered as she leaned back and pressed a kiss to his jawline.
“Hi, yourself.”
She tilted her head slightly toward the floor. “I know I’ve said no more furniture, but maybe we can get one of these rugs?”
“Sure.” Nikolas bent down and kissed her temple. “Why?”
“I can’t see m
y very swollen feet when I stand on it.”
He continued to take her pregnancy jokes in stride and told her repeatedly that “beached whale” had taken on a new meaning in the way she kept using the term. A joke that had them making googly eyes at each other regularly, and that Ainsley had finally poked her about earlier.
“Let’s sit down and you can put them up on me.”
She wasn’t going to argue and did just that as Spencer and his fiancée, Katrina, who were visiting their Colton cousins, came into the room. Spencer’s K-9 chocolate Lab, Boris, trotted in behind them and immediately came to stand guard beside Nova. She appreciated the silent support more than she could have ever imagined.
She also loved his soft head and the way he’d lay it against her when he was nearby.
Although he usually wore a look of all business, Spencer smiled brightly as he wrapped an arm around Katrina and then sat down opposite them.
“Hey, Slater. Heard you had a run-in last week with Sierra Madden?”
Nova vaguely remembered Nikolas saying something but she’d been so forgetful lately. With all the new names she was learning she was still struggling to keep up.
“I did.” Nikolas nodded. “She was coming in for a meeting with Selina as I was going out.”
Spencer frowned. “She gets around.”
“Selina or Sierra?” Nova asked.
“Both, but I was referring to Selina.”
Nikolas shrugged. “I was just in her office to deliver a check, and I have to say, I’m thrilled she’s not my direct problem anymore. I told her I’d found nothing to implicate Ace and that I was giving her the money that she’d paid me back, minus expenses.”
“She pissed about that?”
“Not mad enough not to take the money.” Nikolas grinned before shooting Nova a wink. “And I’m fine with that.”
“So about Sierra?” Nova pressed, curious why the woman’s name was familiar.
“Apparently Selina is still peddling her crap about wanting to find your father and make sure he’s well cared for. Sierra’s a bounty hunter and, as she likes to say, ‘she always gets her man.’”
“Do you think she’ll get my father?”
“I think she’s going to find Selina had motivation for hiring her and it’s not necessarily about finding justice. Ace doesn’t match the body type that was seen on the video footage the night Payne was shot. And the bank teller who called in the lead about the gun is now missing.”
“Slater’s right,” Spencer said. “Destiny Jones has been missing for a few weeks now. I finally had the good sense to actually share the information I had with Nikolas and showed him the footage, too. Your man here’s got a good eye and I think I’ll keep working with him, instead of keeping him at arm’s length.”
Nikolas kept a firm hand on her ankle, his reassurance absolute. “I think your father knows exactly what he’s doing. Sierra Madden can’t change that.”
Nova couldn’t help but smile at that. “So he’ll be okay.”
“I’ve no doubt about it.”
Although she still anticipated the day she and Ace Colton would finally meet, Nova couldn’t deny how good it felt to get to know the rest of the family. Secure in the knowledge she belonged with them, she smiled as she watched the rest of the Coltons slowly file into the party.
It was that image that carried her through the evening. Past thoughts of her father, out there somewhere nearby. Near, but still not quite a part of her life yet. And the baby, so soon to make an appearance, anticipated and already loved.
And then there was Nikolas and the lifetime that stretched out before them.
“You okay?” He pressed a kiss against her forehead as Clan Colton seemed to get up as one to traipse into the kitchen for dinner.
“I’m good.”
“You’re quiet. You not overwhelmed by all of this?”
She still hesitated for a minute. She’d gotten what she’d wanted as she drove west. A new life and a future for her child.
How was it possible she’d gotten love, too?
“Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming.”
“Families have a way of doing that.”
She hesitated, wanting to say this exactly right.
Perfectly, really.
“But it’s all wonderful, even when it’s a little big to take in all at once.”
“I think impending parenthood is supposed to be big and a little overwhelming.”
“But it’s perfect because it’s us, Nikolas. You and me and the baby here soon.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You never told me what you thought about the names I mentioned this morning. Ashley and Avery are great girl names. Especially now that the OB told you what you’re having.”
“I already know what I want to name her.”
“You do?”
“Yep.” She nodded, awestruck at the love and happiness that welled inside of her as she thought about their future.
Together.
“Clara. After your mother.”
Although she’d rarely seen him speechless, Nova was pleased to see she’d managed the feat.
“You’ve given me love and a life I couldn’t have ever dreamed of, even a few months ago. I want to name our daughter after the woman who made you the man that you are.”
Tears sheened his eyes, turning them a vivid green. “I’d love that.”
He took a deep breath, gathering himself.
“You’ve done the same for me, Nova Colton. You’ve given me a life I didn’t even know I wanted. And now it’s here and I couldn’t be happier.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips, willing the action to say as much as was in his heart. “I love you. Forever, Nova.”
“And I love you. Forever, Nikolas.”
* * *
Don’t miss previous installments in
The Coltons of Mustang Valley miniseries:
Colton Baby Conspiracy by Marie Ferrarella
Colton’s Lethal Reunion by Tara Taylor Quinn
Colton Family Bodyguard by Jennifer Morey
Colton First Responder by Linda O. Johnston
In Colton’s Custody by Dana Nussio
Colton Manhunt by Jane Godman
Colton’s Deadly Disguise by Geri Krotow
Colton Cowboy Jeopardy by Regan Black
Colton’s Undercover Reunion by Lara Lacombe
And be sure to read the final two volumes in the series:
Hunting the Colton Fugitive by Colleen Thompson
Colton’s Last Stand by Karen Whiddon
Also available in June 2020!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Operation Second Chance by Justine Davis.
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Operation Second Chance
by Justine Davis
Chapter 1
It took every bit of determination Amanda Bonner had in her to walk across that grassy stretch once more. She knew the way so well it didn’t matter that it was still dark, sunrise not coming until seven thirty this time of year in the Northwest. In fact, she was surprised there wasn’t a path worn by her feet, so many times had she been here.
Amanda wished she could make the change, move from mourning her father’s death with visits to this quiet cemetery on that grim anniversary to celebrating that he had lived and loved her by visiting on his birthday instead. But it had been five years, and she felt no closer to being able to do that.
She’d reached it, that cold, metallic rectangle set in the grass. The small flag that was always there was slightl
y crooked, and she straightened it with the same reverence her father would have shown. The grave site was tidy, well kept, but the department saw to that. Cops took care of their own, even, or perhaps especially when one of them had gone down in the line of duty. They all knew they could be next.
Amanda stared down at the marker. She couldn’t see the letters in the darkness, but she didn’t need to. Her father’s name, and the dates of his birth and death, separated by that line, that short, featureless line that was a pitiful stand-in for the years between, for all the joy and pain, for a life.
In her mind she heard his voice, so clearly, at the funeral of the mother who had been gone for so long now. “It’s the hyphen, Mandy,” he’d said, using the nickname she’d hated, but now would give anything to hear again. “It’s not the dates that matter, it’s the hyphen. It stands for everything in between. The life you live. Do it right.”
He’d done it right. He’d been her hero, and in the end a hero to many more. He’d died doing what he’d sworn to do, protect and serve. He’d saved lives. Not to mention the countless other lives he’d touched, people he’d helped simply by doing his job.
She knelt beside the grave marker, reaching out to touch it. The metal was cold, not at all comforting, but she did it anyway, tracing the letters, avoiding the numbers.
Her throat tightened, and she had to swallow hard, then again, then a third time. She shivered. Despite her determination her eyes filled. She fought it. She was twenty-eight years old, damn it, her father had been dead for five years, and she should be in control of this by now.
She felt no presence, no warmth, no sensation of closeness. She hadn’t expected to. She wasn’t even sure why she kept coming; wherever her father was, if anywhere, it wasn’t here. But it was the only physical place she had, so she came.
She put the blanket she carried down on the grass, then sat on it, facing the mountains to the east. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, huddling against the December predawn chill as she waited for the sunrise.