“Oh, Angelo.”
He covered her face with kisses and then cupped her cheeks in his hands. Her heart pumped wildly, as if burning from the intense happiness rushing through her. All she wanted to do was touch him and kiss him and reassure herself that they were together and safe, but now they had to deal with Trent, who was threatening them through strings of curses.
Moments later, police swarmed her place. Had someone heard the struggle and called 911? Time passed by like a whirlwind as they arrested Trent and seized the knife. Investigators spoke to her and Angelo and took their statements.
“I think I know which car is his,” Angelo told an officer and then went to show her.
While Catherine waited for him to return, she tried to process what had happened. He had scaled the building to reach her. She flushed. If he hadn’t come for her…
No, she wouldn’t go down that dark path. Not now.
Angelo returned a few minutes later, holding two squirmy kittens in his arms. Bending down, he released them. “Go see your mama. She misses you. Moms are like that.”
Catherine squealed and ran over to Aurora and Ruby, tears pooling as she rubbed their cheeks. She couldn’t stop touching their soft fur, reassuring herself they were actually there.
“Are they okay? Did he hurt them?” She scanned them for injury.
“I don’t think so. They were in the backseat.”
She rolled onto her back and let her fur babies crawl over her. They meowed and purred.
“I’m so sorry you went through that.” She stroked their fur. “Angelo, can you get them some treats, please?”
When she glanced at him, he was already holding the container. “I know the deal around here,” he said with a grin. He shook it, and the kittens darted in his direction, rubbing against his legs as if they were laced with catnip. More than ever, she had the sense of how natural he seemed in her place. Like he belonged here.
With her.
Angelo
Once the police finally left, Angelo sat with Cate in her living room. What a long day.
They each had glasses of hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. She rested her head on his shoulder. This was what he wanted. A perfect, still moment like this.
If he didn’t take a chance now, he’d regret it. Every moment in the future when he would spend time sweating in some arid sandpit, or be freezing in some mountain cave, would be a reminder of what he could have had if he’d had the balls to say it, and it would hammer away in his mind.
If she went for it.
He took a sip of the cocoa and placed it on a coaster. “Cate, I’ve been thinking.”
She pulled her head from his shoulder and gazed at him. “About what?”
“My life, basically.” Oh hell, this was it. Heat pulsed through his veins. He peeled off the emotional armor.
“In what way?”
As she gazed at him with such warmth and understanding, he found answers to questions he didn’t know he had. She made it all worth it. It didn’t make logical sense, but did it have to?
Fuck it. No regrets. He manned up.
“You know it’s been a tough year.”
She sighed. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not fishing for sympathy but trying to be honest with you. Military men have a rep for being crap at revealing feelings.”
Her patient expression allowed him to confide on his own timeline. For that he was grateful.
“A SEAL should know when they have to exit the game,” he added. “It’s what’s best for the team. If I’m not sharp, I can hold them back.”
She furrowed her brows. “You were incredible tonight. I was so blind about the situation. You were the one who saw things clearly. The only one. You saved my life, and potentially others as well. The way you figured out how to deal with the situation.” She let out a low whoosh. “If that’s not being sharp and resourceful, I don’t know what is.”
He swallowed a lump that swelled in his throat, threatening to capture his voice. Her belief in him meant so much, crumbling his uncertainty that he was too damaged.
“What I’m saying is that there’s one thing clear in all the uncertainty about my future. I want you in it.”
She covered her heart and sighed.
“I don’t know what I want to do five years from now or even five months. But I know I want to be with you. However you’ll have me. If you’ll have me.”
She watched him with wide eyes, and lips parted.
“It meant everything that you called me today. You trusted me. And I always want to be the man who’s there for you. I’ve never been so scared than in that moment when I saw you tied up. Not even in battle. It affected me so intensely, so personal, because it is.”
He took a moment and caressed her cheek. “I want us to be together. Every day. If that’s not possible, once a month, once every six months—as long as I know I’ll be with you again, that’s enough for me.”
“Oh...” Her eyes glistened. “I don’t know how to respond.”
This was it. Time to lay it all out. And if he ended up getting shot down with verbal bullets, well, so be it.
“Say you’ll give us a chance?”
She searched his eyes for what seemed like decades before a grin spread across her face. “Yes.”
Angelo jumped to his feet and took her by the hands, bringing her to stand. He lifted her and spun her in a circle while he hollered in jubilance. “You won’t regret it, Cate. I’ll strive every day to be the man you deserve.”
She tilted her head. “You already are much more than that to me.” She gazed up at him with a heartfelt warmth in her eyes. “Don’t you know, Angelo?”
“Know what?”
“You’ve always been the one who truly sees me. Who appreciates me, quirks and all.” She covered his cheek. “You’ve always been the one.”
Epilogue
Catherine
The bridesmaids walked down the grassy path decorated on either side with baby’s breath. Catherine’s palms turned clammy. She was next. Nerves spiraled, just like last year at Diana’s wedding. Only this time Catherine was the bride.
All eyes on her. No escape.
Yes, she could back up. Run from the spotlight. She wouldn’t be the first runaway bride.
Focus. Think of a happy memory.
Angelo had proposed four months ago. She let the memory of their stroll along Cliff Walk calm her. He’d surprised her as the sun set when he bent down to one knee and pulled out a black box.
“Cate, coming home to you brings me more happiness than I ever imagined. I love you and want to be with you always. Will you marry me?” With a lopsided grin, he added, “Please don’t make me have to propose three times like my Dad.”
She’d laughed through tears of joy and then quoted his mother. “Yes, you crazy fool. Now shut up and kiss me.”
He’d laughed. “You’re going to fit in perfectly as a DeMarchis.”
As the ecstasy drifted and reality set in, she furrowed her brows. All that attention on her as a bride? She cringed. “Can we elope?”
“Why?” When she’d squirmed, Angelo squeezed her arm. “I know you hate the attention on you, but can you think about it? I want us to have this moment. Share it with our family and friends. And my team. They’re like brothers to me. Besides, I can’t imagine the uproar in my house if I tell my mom that I’m getting married and she can’t be part of it.” He chuckled. “She’d kill me. Kill me twice, if she could.”
Catherine had smiled. “Okay, okay. We won’t elope. I prefer a live husband on my wedding night. My family would give me hell, too. But it has to be a small wedding—not one of those massive affairs.”
“Deal.” He’d sealed it with a kiss. A long, deep, passionate kiss, like the ones she received when he came home to her. That was one of the perks of him going away. The reunions were never bland. Sure, the separations were difficult, but they were figuring out how to make their relationship work.
“A
re you ready?” Her father brought her back to the present.
It was her turn. She released a slow exhale and held his arm. “Yes.”
As they took the first few steps, her heartbeat soared. Everyone was staring at her. She flushed. What if she tripped and fell on her face? What if she froze up when she had to repeat the vows? What if her anxiety grew so high that she fainted?
She used her soothing technique with counting, but even that didn’t calm her racing heartbeat. She clung onto her father’s arm.
Remember what Angelo told you. Right, he said to forget about everyone else there and just look for him.
She glanced down the aisle. He stood waiting for her, looking incredible in a tux. A strong, steady anchor braced before the bay.
The flowers, the ocean, the people who all surrounded her disappeared. All she saw was him. Angelo DeMarchis, the one man she’d never forgotten, was going to be her husband. The one man who she measured everyone else up to in comparison would be her partner in life.
Her galloping pulse leveled out. The anxiety slowly dissipated. This was a happy day, the best one of her life. Better than any moment of academic or career success.
Catherine beamed and strode toward her fiancé, never feeling more confident about the future.
Angelo
Angelo sucked in a breath when Cate walked toward him. His heart pounded like the steady staccato of a machine gun. Shit, she was right. This was terrifying. Why did they invite an audience in on the biggest step in their lives?
Breathe. He inhaled the scent of the ocean behind him, using the SEAL breathing technique to soothe his rising anxiety, ignoring the muffled chuckle of his brothers beside him.
“You’re just getting married, not performing brain surgery,” Matty had said minutes ago upon witnessing Angelo’s restlessness with being unable to stand still.
A stifling heat warmed his skin far more than the setting sun burning down on him, making his tux feel as oppressive as if wearing body armor.
Were they making a mistake? Sure, she’d been handling his assignments well. He’d moved stateside six months ago for a new billet training junior corpsmen. Instead of being overseas for much of the year, he was closer to Cate. Closer to his heart.
Still, they were living in different states on the east coast as she still taught at the university and he finished out his final tour before moving in with her and the cats in Providence. The distance made their reunions combustible enough to blow up a lab. But what if she eventually thought that the baggage that came with being a military wife wasn’t worth it? She wouldn’t be the first person to decide they were unsuited for the lifestyle. And what if someone like that Trent guy endangered her life? Even if that guy was receiving psychiatric care somewhere after fixating on Cate, that didn’t mean he or someone else couldn’t get to her. And what if Angelo wasn’t around to help?
He took in a deep breath and glanced at a few married guys from his team. He then glanced over at his parents. His mother was already crying, tears of joy running down her face. His father held his chin high with a proud, happy expression. They all had faith in each other, their marriage, and didn’t let the hard times tear them apart. Angelo could do that. He’d never stray from Cate. Why would he? She was the most amazing woman he’d ever met. No one compared. There was no one like her.
He had to have faith in her. Faith in them.
He caught her eye. She smiled—a beautiful wondrous smile that sent all his fears flying.
They’d make it. He had no doubt. He trusted her with his whole heart. What he felt for her was stronger than any separation. They’d built a foundation ten years ago. Back when he knew he’d met someone special, but he was too young to know she was the one—the only one—for him.
Picturing one of her recent emails, he smiled. She’d sent him photos of her in different bikinis asking him to choose his favorite for their honeymoon to Bermuda. He picked them all. They had plenty of days sailing in Newport in their future.
He was looking forward to the next ten years with Cate. Hell, the next fifty.
She was moving closer now, just steps away. Her eyes shone with excitement, bright and hopeful. They said that weddings were for the bride, but damn, he’d never forget this moment. His mind zoomed with images of their future. Christmases with presents stuffed under the tree. Taking their kids along a holiday stroll in Newport and watching their awe at the lights.
Kids? Yes, kids. He was ready to start a family with her soon. He pictured her belly round with his child. She’d be a terrific mother. He hoped their kids were smart and beautiful as she was.
He suppressed a laugh. For a hardened SEAL who swore he had no room in his world for a wife and kids, he’d softened like a well-loved teddy bear. All the uncertainties in his confused state of mind had begun to vanish. He knew what he wanted—a life with Cate—wherever that brought them.
Her father kissed her on the cheek and then took his seat. Angelo took Cate’s hand. The familiar bolt of heat zipped through him. She gazed at him with such warmth in her eyes. Her smile turned luminous. It turned his insides as mushy as grits, as Matty had described. Hell, Angelo had never felt so warm and squishy.
Ready to take the next step in his life, with Cate by his side, the remaining anxiety lifted. Damn, he was ready to take on a tank.
Tonight, he’d show her how much he appreciated her taking this leap. He’d spend their wedding night making sure it was one she’d always remember.
He stepped closer to her, and her eyes sparkled with a knowing glint, as if she knew exactly what was on his mind. If not, he’d make sure she did tonight.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Angelo winked at Cate. They had this.
Epilogue 2 - a Sneak Peek with Vince
Vince
“’Til death do you part? That is one messed up mission.” Vince gave his older brother Angelo, a lopsided smile.
They stood before Narragansett Bay where Angelo had just married his fiancée Catherine in an outdoor ceremony. An occasional sea breeze rolled in with its heady fragrance, cooling the heat of the summer day. The sun had begun to set, painting fiery streaks across the sky.
“And he volunteered for it, no less,” Vince’s younger brother, Matty, added.
They all wore matching tuxedos with blue cummerbunds. Angelo and Matty had trimmed their hair and beards for the wedding, while Vince had his Marine-required clean-shaven face and close haircut.
“It’s a marriage, not a mission.” Angelo laughed. “When you find the right woman, you go for it.” He nodded as if it was a solid declaration.
Vince and Matty exchanged a skeptical glance.
“That explains why it took you two over a decade to get hitched,” Vince quipped.
Angelo grunted and smiled. “You know what I mean. We were kids back then. Our lives went in separate directions.”
“Just giving you a hard time.” Vince patted Angelo on the back. “Congrats, man. I’m happy for you.”
His mother walked towards them with arms raised for a hug and smiling, although her eyes were glossy. Her dark hair was coiled without a hair out of place and she wore a blue dress with several silky layers. “Here comes Ma.”
Matty covered his mouth and whispered, “Mother-of-the-Groom-Zilla.”
Vince knew what was coming next. Since Angelo had announced he was getting married, their mother had been relentless. His engagement instigated many questions about when Vince and Matty would settle down.
“My eldest married!” She wrapped her arms around Angelo, and then attempted to pull Vince and Matty into the hug as well. They both leaned in to the awkward embrace with their mom as she tried to hug the three grown men.
“I never thought I’d see the day! What with you boys deployed here and there and it being almost impossible to get you all in Newport at the same time.” She pulled back and moved her hard-stare along the three of them like a drill sergeant. “Family is the most impor
tant thing.”
Vince had been reminded of that many times, but he didn’t blame his mother for repeating it. She was the one who was responsible for keeping their family together while their father had been out to sea, which had happened many times during his career in the navy. It couldn’t have been easy raising three raucous boys largely by herself.
“When am I going to see the two of you getting married?” Her eyes traveled from Vince to Matty.
Damn, that was quick.
“To each other?” Matty teased. “We’re brothers! That’s not really legal, Ma. Besides, Vince is too pretty for my taste.”
She swatted Matty’s arm. “You know what I mean. Everything’s a joke with you. One day, you’ll meet the right woman, and then you’ll start to take life more seriously.”
“Until then, I’ll live the dream.” He cocked his head and stared out to the sea with a carefree expression.
She pulled her gaze to Vince, waiting.
“Not going to happen while I’m in the Marines, Ma.” He shook his head and glanced out to the other attendees, focusing on his cousins, Jack and Antonio, from Boston, who were also Marines . He’d catch up with them more later, but for now, he had to escape the pressure to settle down. He deflected the attention to Angelo. “Now that Angelo’s married, maybe you’ll have grandbabies soon.”
She clutched her hands. “I’ve been waiting to be a grandmother for so long!”
Angelo shot Vince a you’re-gonna-get-it look.
While she refocused on Angelo, Vince stole the opportunity to escape as she could be more tenacious than a devil dog when it came to her sons.
Matty’s voice trailed after Vince. “Aaand Vince disappears with his classic Irish goodbye.”
Vince acknowledged them with a wave, but didn’t turn back. He needed some space. He slipped inside the venue, an elegant stone seaside venue on the ocean. A woman with honey-brown hair pulled into a bun caught his attention. A strand fell across her cheek. She wore black slacks and a white blouse and carried a tray of cupcakes. He caught her gaze, and sucked in a breath.
Angelo: A Second Chance Navy SEAL Romance Page 17