“Sounds good.”

  “Thanks, Travis. See you soon.” Giana hangs up the phone. She’s holding in her nervous energy. That says something about the strength she exudes.

  I look in my rearview mirror. The white four-door sedan has gotten closer to us, swerving to try and get around us. When they do that, I slow down and move a different way. It pisses the driver off more each time. I take my foot off the gas this time. I want this to end, and knowing Travis, he’s only a few minutes away. His and Raelynn’s place isn’t too far from here. The driver takes that time to speed up, goes around me. I slam my foot on the break as the car gets in front of me and slows down.

  “Looks like Travis will be here in the nick of time.” Giana points out his red and blue lights flashing in the distance.

  “I’m not so sure it’ll do any good.” When the driver slammed on the brakes, it made the car fishtail. I skid my own vehicle to a stop, unbuckle my seatbelt.

  “What are you doing? No fucking way. You are not getting out of this vehicle, Drake Martinez. If you go, I’m going with you.” Damn, do I love this woman. My hand cups the nape of her neck, and I kiss her quickly before saying, “Stay here. Travis is already behind us. I’ll give you my spare gun, you know how to use it, but I think this will be over in the next few minutes, and she’ll be in handcuffs and in prison for a fuck of a long time.” I always keep a few guns handy—one is in the glove box, another is in the center console, which is the one I’m taking out now. It’s smaller and easier for her to use. The last one is strapped underneath my seat, and I still have one in my holster behind my back.

  “If you don’t come back to me in one piece, I will be so upset with you.” Tears are shimmering in her eyes.

  “I will, angel. I’m not getting hurt, and I’m damn sure not leaving you, not for all I’m worth.”

  “Okay.” With that, I hand her the gun, then step out of the Tahoe.

  Travis is already at the side, his hand on the holster his gun is in. My hand is wrapped around my Glock, pointed at the ground.

  He nods his head, and we steadily approach the car. We see the vehicle rock back and forth. We’re both apprehensive. These mountains are a thing of beauty, but being on the edge of a deep cliff, it’s not where I want to be.

  “Come on out, where we can see you,” Travis states. He has his gun raised and at the ready.

  I keep mine by my side. We both watch as she guns the vehicle. It rocks, getting stuck on a rock. We’re getting closer to her vehicle while still keeping a safe distance. You never know if she has some type of weapon. I can see inside her car from where we are, and I have no idea what happened to this woman. It wasn’t long ago that she was working, had her shit together, and once told me about going back to school to further her education. She was a work colleague. Even when Bridger made jokes about it being more, it was never that way. It was strictly platonic, if that.

  Now, though, she looks like she’s strung out, skinny as all get out, her hair a matted mess, and clearly unstable. Bekah looks nothing like the lab technician she once was.

  “You can’t make me!” she yells, not getting out of the car, but rocking her body back and forth while throwing her car in reverse and slamming on the gas.

  Travis and I have no idea what she’s doing, but her car lurches backward, her reverse lights are on, and she’s heavy on the gas pedal. My only thoughts are of getting back to Giana to get her out of the vehicle. There’s no way I want her pinned beneath the side of the mountain and Bekah’s car.

  I turn around and run, my only thoughts being for my angel when I hear the tires squeal.

  Giana throws open the driver’s side door, running into my arms.

  “Fuck, angel, we gotta move. She’s coming right towards us.” Giana doesn’t move though. Her legs are wrapped around my hips. I’m not looking forward. Instead, I head for Travis’s vehicle knowing he can keep himself safe.

  “Drake, listen to me. We’re okay.” She cups my cheeks. I finally make it to the squad car, pulling in gulps of air.

  It’s then that I turn around. The car that was once in reverse and barreling towards Giana is gone. It takes another glance to see Travis’s form standing by the ledge and flames licking up from over the edge.

  “I’m so glad you’re safe,” Giana whispers.

  “Me too, me fucking too.” I kiss Giana with everything I have to give.

  “Ahem. I know your eyes were on Giana. So, I’ll give you the condensed version. Bekah threw her car in drive, I’m assuming to try and flee, but gunned it so fast she went over the edge before I could even yell for her to stop. A few of my deputies are on the way, so are Slade, Bridger, and Easton. Which also means their wives will be in tow, my own included. I’ll need statements, even though I was here,” Travis states.

  “No problem. I think Giana and I may take a vacation after everything is said and done.”

  “We may as well, since I’ve already dived into my vacation time.” We don’t talk about what happened. Not right now at least. When we give our statement, that will be more than enough to have to relive. Instead, we shoot the shit until the cavalry arrives.

  Twenty

  Giana

  Two Weeks Later

  Drake wasn’t lying when he said it was time for a vacation. We jumped on a plane the minute we were done with everything Bekah related. Thank goodness Travis was there. It really cut down on the amount of time and paperwork we would have gone through. I mean, I hate that Bekah died when she really had some other stuff going on. On the other hand, I’m thankful we won’t have to go to court or deal with the aftermath of when she would have gotten out of jail and might have stalked us again. It’s something that still conflicts us now, even when we’re two thousand miles away.

  Though the over-the-water private bungalow really is nice. Today is our first full day here. Our plans are simple, rest and relax. Our food is brought to us, and we never have to leave, which is what we’re doing this week.

  I walk out to the deck where Drake is sitting, drinking a cup of coffee. He’s only wearing a pair of swim trunks and a baseball hat. His tattoos are on display, and he’s so lost in thought he doesn’t hear my footsteps. We pretty much crashed the moment we got here late last night, and I hated not waking up with his arms wrapped around me.

  “Babe, you okay?” I ask once I’m standing in front of him.

  “Morning, yeah. Lost in thought. Did you sleep good?” He scoots his chair out. I threw on my bathing suit before I came out here.

  “I did. I think the flight did me in. Anything I can help you sort out?”

  His hands go to my hips, pulling me in between his spread thighs.

  “Sit on my lap,” he demands. I get on top of him, my legs straddling his waist. I swear if I could crawl inside him, I would. Drake is that piece of my soul I never knew was missing.

  I nuzzle into his neck. He slides his arms around me, both of us basking in the warm sun, a slight breeze skating across our skin. I’m so content with Drake, I don’t realize he’s sliding a ring onto my finger until it’s firmly settled.

  “I was going to ask you to marry me, but the truth of the matter is, I know the answer. You know how much I love and need you. How I want our babies growing inside you, our home filled with love and laughter. You giving me shit, even when we’re old and gray.” I don’t even care what the ring looks like. All I care about is that I get to become Mrs. Giana Martinez.

  “I love you, so freaking much. You do already know the answer. I also have something to tell you as well.”

  Lately, the smell of certain foods had my stomach queasy, especially at breakfast time. I took a test the minute I had a spare chance and Drake wasn’t watching me like a hawk.

  I move his hand to my stomach. “We’re going to be parents, maybe before we're even married.”

  “The fuck we are. We’re getting married while we’re down here. Just the two of us, and I’m going to love you and our baby with everything I have to give.”

  “I never doubted you for a minute, but what do you mean we’re getting married while we’re down here? Do you want Mom and Dad to maim you?” I ask.

  “Angel, why do you think I was so deep in thought. I talked to your parents the other day, got their blessing, even told them we’d more than likely get married down here. Your mom cried at first. Your dad gave me that evil eye he only shows when he’s pissed. Once I told them I didn’t want to share this precious moment with anyone but you, they understood. That being said, don’t be surprised if our house is full of friends and family when we get back. Hell, my parents will probably be there. They called yesterday, so I gave them a heads up.”

  “Well, since you have everything in order, I think it’s time you feed me and take me back to bed.” I wiggle my eyebrows. That was another thing that I noticed a change in happening, besides the queasiness and the wanting to sleep morning, noon, and night. My sexual appetite was rampant before, but now, it’s on overdrive.

  “Considering we’re getting married tonight, I guess we better do that now.” He stands up, his chair crashing to the floor. I wrap my legs around his waist. This is just the beginning for us, and I couldn’t be more excited.

  Epilogue

  Drake

  TWO YEARS LATER

  “Jesus,” I mutter as I walk in the door. The house is a wreck. Toys are strewn everywhere. Clothes that need to be folded are on the kitchen table.

  I drop my keys in the bowl Giana leaves on the kitchen counter along with my loose change when Corbyn comes running around the corner, buck-ass naked.

  “Daddy!” His arms are up, and he wants me to pick him up.

  “Hey, where are your bottoms, little dude?” I place him on my hip, not caring what he’s got going on.

  “Pot pot.” Giana has been letting him take his diaper off when he has the desire to try and go on his plastic toilet contraption. I keep telling Giana he needs a urinal, but she just rolls her eyes and says that’s a bit extravagant when a fifteen-dollar toilet will work just fine for the time being. Little does she know, one is coming in, and soon. He needs to know how to pee both ways. She had no idea men didn’t even have doors on the stalls in the men’s restroom until I told her. Her face was one of disgust. It caused me to laugh.

  “You being a hellion for Mommy today?” I murmur as I kiss his head, smelling the baby lotion Giana slathers on his skin morning and night.

  “No, no, no,” he states.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.” I chuckle. I set him down on his feet, and he takes off again. I start to pick up a few of the toys, putting them in the baskets. I shake my head. This pregnancy has been hard on Giana, yet she takes it in stride. She doesn’t have morning sickness like she did with Corbyn. Oh no, it’s all-day sickness. If I were a betting man, I bet she’s cleaning herself up after running to the bathroom. I’ve always gone to check on her, but Giana shoos me away, saying she’s okay and just needs a few minutes. I’m giving her that now while I help clean up the house. She wanted to continue working while pregnant with Zander. It wasn’t in the cards. Our parents do help out from time to time so Giana can meet up with the girls and have a day out or to get out of the house for a bit. This week, though, they’ve all been doing their own thing. That’s why I told Slade I was working from home the rest of the week, but not to count on me to be around every waking minute.

  “Daddy!” I look up from finishing putting the toys away.

  “What’s up?” I ask. He rubs his belly, something he’s done since the minute he could figure out how to get food.

  “You want a snack? I think Mommy might be cooking dinner. If not, maybe you and me will go pick up her favorite dinner, how’s that sound?” He nods so rapidly it tousles his hair. My mom swears he’s the spitting image of me, but I see Giana shine through in his looks so much, it’s not funny.

  I plop Corbyn in the high chair, grab him some sliced grapes Giana keeps on hand, and start cleaning up the kitchen. Once Corbyn is done with his snack, we’ll go check on her if she isn’t out yet. I load the dishes while mindlessly talking to Corbyn about his day and what they did today. He’s babbling, not making much sense, but this is our thing. He babbles, I talk, he listens, then I listen.

  “Hey, thank God you’re home. I’m starving, and I don’t want anything in the house.” I laugh at that.

  “Hey, angel.” I dry my hands off, cup her cheeks, and give her a deep kiss. Corbyn is mindlessly eating, not paying attention that I’m getting all of Giana’s attention, something I’m yearning for more and more lately. It’s probably because I know my woman will be out of commission sooner than later, and those six weeks suck. Sure, she takes care of me, but I’m a giver, not just a receiver, and I fucking hate that I can’t reciprocate.

  “Hmmm, I needed that,” she moans when we pull away. “There’ll be a lot more when he goes to bed at night too.” I wink.

  “I like your idea, Mr. Martinez, but right now, I’m thinking about food. Can we order in or pick up dinner?”

  “Whatever you want. You just tell me what you’re craving.” I already know full well what she’s going to ask for. It’s the same craving she had before she was ever pregnant, during Corbyn’s pregnancy, and now during Zander’s.

  “Chicken quesadillas, chips and salsa, and virgin margaritas. I think after this little one comes, and I’m done nursing, we may take a year off from expanding on our ever-growing family. I do miss our margarita nights and floating in the pool.” She practically whimpers at that idea.

  “We can do that. You want me to take Corbyn with me? Give you a few minutes to rest? And Angel?”

  “Yes?” she replies.

  “I love you pregnant, and I love having Corbyn around as much as I know I’ll love having Zander here too, but if you need to take a break, we’ll do that. If you’re good with a family of four, I’m fine with that too,” I state.

  “Hmm, I think I’d like to try for one more, maybe, I don’t know. A girl?” she exasperates with a puff of air.

  “Whatever you want, angel. Whatever you want. Corbyn, you need to get some clothes on if you want to go on a ride with me,” I tell him as Giana wipes his hands and face. I pick him up from his high chair, and he toddles headfirst to the pile of clean clothes on the dining room table.

  “I’ll help him find clothes. He needs a diaper though. I don’t care how much he says he’s a big boy. That boy will pee and think nothing of it.” She rolls her eyes. Secretly, she doesn’t care though. Well, unless it comes to cleaning it all up.

  He comes back in a few minutes with a diaper, clothes, and shoes on.

  “I would have done that, so you didn’t have to bend down.”

  “It’s no big deal, plus while you’re gone, I’m going to tackle the laundry. You already help so much. I don’t even have to ask for help. We make the perfect team, you and I.”

  “Hell yes, we do. We’ll be back. Call and order it, so it’s ready for us to pick up.”

  “Sounds good. I love you. Love you, Corbyn.”

  “I love you, angel.” I kiss her while Corbyn holds my hand. “Be back soon.”

  “Lob you, ma-ma.”

  “Come on, buddy, we need to get some food and have some guy time,” I tell him as we leave.

  “Yeah, big boy,” he states proudly. He’s a handful, but he’s our handful.

  Epilogue

  Giana

  FOUR YEARS LATER

  “Harder,” I moan. My back is slick with sweat. Drake’s chest is against my skin, and he has two fingers buried inside my center.

  “You like my dick in your ass, don’t you, angel,” he coos in my ear. All three boys are away for a sleepover, and it’s been a night of heated desire.

  “Yes, it feels so good.” This started out in the pool, both of us naked, drinking margaritas. Well, I was drinking margaritas. Drake was sipping on his bourbon. The amount of foreplay we had outside, it was the best we’ve had in ages. Both of us get caught in the hustle of everyday life. It’s why we implemented date night once a month where the boys spend the night at either Drake’s parents or mine, giving Drake and me the time we need to reconnect, get tipsy drunk, and fuck like rabbits before making slow passionate love in the morning.

  “I can feel your cunt clenching on my fingers, your ass getting tighter and tighter. My dirty fucking angel.” His mouth is just as dirty as it always has been, and it always sets me off.

  “Drake,” I purr. When he bites on my neck, that’s all it takes, and I’m coming so hard my body gives out beneath him. Drake doesn’t stop fucking my ass though. If anything, it makes him go at me harder, and he’s not wrong—I do love it when he takes me like this.

  “Fuck yeah, angel,” he grunts before he comes deep inside me.

  He’s still inside me when he rolls to his side, gathering me with him so he’s spooning me.

  “I swear it gets better every time, or it’s the margaritas,” I drowsily say.

  “Woman, you know damn well it’s our bodies, not the alcohol,” he grunts.

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. I still like to rile you up though.” I smile.

  “Did I wear my woman out?” he questions. If I weren’t so tired, I’d roll around and throw some attitude his way. The kids left at five this afternoon. It’s well after midnight, and he has literally wrung me dry, as in I quit counting after the three orgasms he gave me in the pool and what happened up here.

  “You have no idea. I swear to all that is holy if you wake me up before eight o’clock in the morning, I’ll be...uh, I have no idea. I’ll just be.”

  “What are you going to do if I need my woman? You know I’m going to take you. Even if you’re half asleep, whimpering like you do. It only excites me more.” His cock leaves me, and I know it’s time to get up and shower.

 

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