by Casi McLean
“Oh God. I was so scared I’d lose you. Promise me you’ll never do anything like that again.” He drew back, inspecting her from head to foot. When his gaze met hers, he brushed a finger over her cheek, tilted her head backward and pressed his lips on hers. After a long kiss, he lifted her and swung her around.
A chorus of laughter rang out from the bushes.
“Who’s in there?” Wyatt displayed a mock frown until the children padded forward. “What do you say we take you kids home to your families?”
His suggestion was met with cheers.
“Look.” A little boy pointed toward Alyssa. “There’s the angel.”
Wyatt turned to face his sister. “That she is children. Her name is Alyssa and she is my guardian angel.”
Harper’s jaw dropped. She stared at Alyssa then shifted her gaze to Wyatt. “You can see her? You can see Alyssa?”
“Yes, and I’m so thankful she…wait…you can see Lyssa, too?”
Biting the tip of her fingernail, Harper nodded.
“When? How…why didn’t you tell me?” He flashed a brief frown that quickly faded as he could see the love in her eyes.
“I wanted to. But I couldn’t bear to tell you I could see your sister when you couldn’t.”
He kissed her forehead then, draping an arm around her shoulder, he drew her close. “I see more clearly now than I have in the last ten years.” Running his fingers through her hair, he brushed the strands aside then whispered softly. “I love you more than you will ever know, Harper. I’ve never stopped loving you, and I’m so sorry for making you go through hell before I figured that out.”
A sense of calm washed over Alyssa. Fading transparent, she propelled high above the scene. “Emily, can you hear me?” She couldn’t wait to tell her sister what happened, especially the part about Harper and Wyatt.
“Kudos, bro, for coming to your senses.” Parker chuckled. “Looks like Collins and his thug survived the crash… although a good bit worse for the wear. I just checked with the Consulate and our ride is five minutes out. Anything you need me to do before they get here, Director?”
“Yes.” Wyatt and Harper said in unison.
“Sorry, Harper. Now that we know you’re okay, I gladly return your title and all the headaches that go with it.” He winked then strolled toward the children, huddling with them as if they were long-lost friends.
Harper smiled then turned her attention to Parker. “Did any of those crates survive the explosion?”
“No, ma’am. The only thing I saw beyond the belching smoke and flames was those two lucky bastards.”
“I suspect they’ll wish they died in the crash by the time we get through with them. Just make sure they’re secured. I’ll have the Consulate take a look at their injuries before we take off.”
Far above the scene, Alyssa twirled within her misty blue aura. “Stop worrying. Everyone is fine. I’ve got to tell you, Em, I can’t ever remember seeing Wyatt this happy.” Alyssa smiled. “And I’m so glad he can finally see me.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Wyatt scratched behind Duke’s ears. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she, boy?”
Wagging his tail, the dog let out a soft woof then sat and stared at the skaters whooshing past, skating in continuous loops as they glided over the ice.
“I think so, too.” Standing, Wyatt leaned against the glass enclosure of The Wharf Ice Rink and watched Emily, Ash, and Harper weave through the crowd like pros. As they swooped by, he noticed how the twinkling lights reflected off Harper’s chocolate brown hair, almost sparkling as the breeze scudding over the Potomac River whipped through her sable strands. God, he had forgotten how beautiful she was. His heart kicked up a notch and, despite the brisk air, a flush of heat enveloped him. He loved her, wanted her with every fiber of his being. He patted his chest, checking to be sure her Christmas present was still in the pocket of his leather jacket.
Gazing toward the end of the pier, he breathed in the fragrance of spruce from the enormous Christmas tree, decorated with dazzling red and silver spheres and frosted with a dusting of snow. As a youth, Wyatt had always loved Christmas. How many times had he dressed as Santa for his sisters, played carols on the piano, wrapped packages and decorated trees? But for the last ten years, he’d dreaded the season. He never thought he’d look forward to the holidays again—or enjoy life for that matter. Why had he let himself drown in a sea of self-pity, while the people he loved the most tried so desperately to break through the walls he built around his heart?
He shook his head. Hearing Emily’s laughter, he glanced toward the ice to see her hand-in-hand with Ash as they spun around in a circle in the center of the rink. Wyatt’s heart warmed to see her so happy. He still missed Alyssa, but the pain had numbed now that he could at least see her…and talk to her from time to time.
His thoughts drifted through the last few weeks. What a whirlwind, beginning the night Duke found Hanna huddled in the underbrush adjacent to the Old Alexander Aqueduct where Ash found Alyssa’s body. If his sister hadn’t sent Hannah to Roosevelt Island, Wyatt would still be trapped by the demons he created.
And Hannah…at sixteen, that girl had more heart and passion than anyone he’d ever met. Once the team helped Sarah escape from Damien’s filthy clutches, Hanna begged Harper to let her join the team. Even traumatized, she was still key to the mission. Her photographic memory alone provided crucial information. So much so, Harper promised her an internship with the New Patriots when she turned eighteen.
Rescuing those girls—and all the children—not only altered their futures and reunited them with their families, the missions literally changed Wyatt’s life, injecting him with a sense of self-worth that yanked him from the edge of despair.
Of course, nailing Collins iced the cake. Who would’ve thought the bastard orchestrated Mikey’s kidnapping to blackmail the boy’s father––Senator Majority Whip, Randall Fletcher––into playing ball with The Association? The Senator held a key position in congress. When the Deep State snatched his son and threatened the child’s life if Fletcher contacted the FBI, they tied his hands.
Inadvertently, by rescuing Mikey, the team took a giant leap toward the New Patriots main objective…and giving poor Tareq a job in the compound not only brought his family to America legally, the hire restored Wyatt’s belief in second chances. Turned out the man was a pretty good cook.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Harper whispered from behind.
Wyatt spun. “I’m not sure you would get your money’s worth.” He chuckled. “Wow. You skate beautifully and look so at ease on the ice. I admire you on so many levels, but I never realized your grace before.”
“I have a lot of talents you know nothing about.” She offered a coy smile.
Her seductive gaze caught him off guard, sending a flush of heat pulsating into his groin.
“Ice skating doesn’t rank as a prominent activity in Afghanistan.” She draped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.” She brushed her lips across his.
“For what?” He crooked a finger and ran it across her cheek.
Laying her head against his shoulder, she snuggled closer. “For bringing me here, knowing you couldn’t skate.”
He squeezed her, deepening the heat of his passion. “I loved watching all three of you finally having some fun.” He twisted her until her back leaned against his chest. “And look around, Harper. This wharf might be one of the most beautiful sites in Washington, especially during the Christmas holidays.”
Glancing toward the tree, she nodded. “They definitely outdid themselves. Despite some horrific events, we have so much to be thankful for this year.”
Duke woofed and nuzzled his nose into her hand.
She scratched his head. “That includes you, boy.” Her gaze shifted toward Wyatt. “This is the best Christmas Eve I’ve had since I believed in Santa Claus.”
Sliding his hand into his jacket pocket, Wyatt drew out a tiny velvet box and flipped open the top. T
hen, with a skill that surprised even him, he swirled in front of her and knelt on a knee in one fluid motion. Offering his gift, his gaze met hers. “Harper Drake, I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you. I know I’ve been a royal pain in your ass at times, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for my stupidity if you would honor me by becoming my wife.”
Her fingers flew to her mouth where she held them for a long moment. She breathed in deeply, tears rolling over her cheeks.
“Don’t leave me hanging here, Harper.” He raised his brows. “Will you marry me?”
She nodded, then fell to her knees and threw her arms around his neck. “Yes.” She whispered. “I’ll marry you.” She drew back and held out her left hand, palm facing down.
As Wyatt slid the ring onto her finger, a boisterous crowd cheered from every direction around them.
Duke added his approval, bounding off his front paws several times then barking before nuzzling between them.
They laughed and snuggled him then stood together. Wyatt slid an arm behind her, bending her backward into a wistful embrace and kissed with the passion of ten long years.
The cheers increased until he and Harper acknowledged them with a bow.
“Wyatt. What’s going on?” Emily’s voice called out as she and Ash made their way through the crowd.
Harper held out her left hand, displaying her ring. “We’re engaged.” She gazed toward Wyatt then back to Emily and Ash. “Your brother asked me to marry him.”
“Oh my gosh. That’s wonderful, Harper.” She shifted her gaze to Wyatt and gave him a thumbs up. As she dropped her hand a glint shimmer off her sparkling ring.
“Wait a minute, did you and Ash…”
Emily nodded and nuzzled into Ash. “I was coming to show you. Ash just asked me to marry him, too” ––she gazed toward the end of the pier–– “by the Christmas tree.”
Ash chuckled. “Great minds…We all have a lot to be thankful for this year.”
“Group hug,” Emily yanked her brother’s arm, drawing them all together around Duke.
§
From her perch high above the waterfront park, Alyssa smiled as she watched her family come together. Then, with a strong spin she thrust upward, swirling a cumulous cloud until it burst into a flurry of light snow that drifted downward over the wharf. She might not be able to live in their world, but she’d never stop looking out for them.
Chapter Thirty
Epilogue
Parker pressed End then strode toward the situation room. “Heads up, we have a problem.”
Kara frowned. “What now? For God’s sake, it’s Christmas Eve.”
“Damn. I was just about to leave.” Steel added. “Can the problem wait until tomorrow? I really need to get home to my wife and son.”
“You go ahead, Logan.” Parker motioned toward the exit. “God knows you and your family deserve a break from the chaos we’ve experienced lately. I think Kara and I can handle the issue, for tonight anyway. We’ll call you if we need you.”
“Thanks, bro. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah.” He hustled toward the door then disappeared around the corner.
Kara glared at Parker. “Spit it out, Teale. What’s up now?”
“Vic called me a few minutes ago. He’s still in Atlanta, but he may be in over his head.”
Kara lowered her shaking head. “Oh no. He’s okay, right?” She turned her seat to face Parker.
Yanking an adjacent chair from beneath the computer table, he flipped it around then sat, his forearms resting on the back. “The AquaStar operation has now moved front and center.”
“Why?” She shook her head. “Price’s assignment was to tail the Fentanyl so we could get a handle on the chain of command. He’s a pro. He shouldn’t have gotten close enough to be made.”
Parker scratched the stubbles on his chin. “You’re right. And he’s good at what he does. No one has made Vic, yet. He’s fine. But the two dead marines he just saw murdered…not so much.”
To all my amazing readers,
A personal request: If you enjoyed this story, please post a review. Reviews are the lifeblood of an author’s world and they mean so much not only to inspire my new stories, but also to boost my career by letting other readers know my stories are worth reading. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support!
Warmest Regards,
Casi McLean
I hope you enjoyed The List––Alyssa’s Revenge, book 2 in my Deep State Mysteries. Take a peek at book 1, Emily and Ash’s story in Reign of Fire and be sure to watch for the release of book 3 for more mystery, mayhem, and murder.
In the meantime, if you love romantic suspense with a time travel element, checkout my Lake Lanier Mysteries Series, and please feel free to drop me a note any time through [email protected]. I love hearing from readers, and I’ll respond personally every time.
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About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, Casi McLean, pens novels to stir the soul with romance, suspense, and a sprinkle of magic. With strong, believable heroines and delicious hot heroes to tempt the deepest desires, she fans the flames, sweeping readers into their innermost romantic fantasies. Her fans devour her exceptional romantic suspense and lovable characters. Try one story. You’ll see, hear, and feel the magical eeriness of a fateful night, believe in time travel, be mystified by supernatural, or feel romantic suspense––but most of all you'll want more!
Connect with Casi: Twitter @casimclean ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Also, By Casi McLean:
Lake Lanier Mysteries
A Time Travel Romantic Suspense Series
Beneath the Lake ~ Beyond the Mist ~ Between the Shadows
Beneath The Lake won 2016 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for BEST Romantic Suspense.
Watch All My Trailers And Follow Me On My NEW YouTube Channel!
Destiny Series
Five Novelettes With A Twist
Destiny ~ The Gift ~ After Midnight ~ Convergent ~ The Pegasus Chronicles
To give you a sneak peek of my stories, I’ve included some blurbs and excerpts below. Enjoy.
Lake Lanier Mysteries
Beneath the Lake Won 2016 Best Romantic Suspense, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. The story was inspired by the freak accidents, strange phenomena, and eerie lore attached to Atlanta's man-made Lake Sidney Lanier.
But what if the excavation created more than a lake? What if explosions triggered a seismic shift that created a portal connecting past to future? Lake Lanier Mysteries evolved from that premise.
Time Travel, Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense with Supernatural Elements.
Book # 1
Beneath The Lake
Buy now on your country’s Amazon: mybook.to/BeneathTheLake
Audible Buy Link: https://adbl.co/2kSG5HL
Blurb
A ghost town, buried beneath Atlanta's famous man-made Lake Lanier, reportedly lures victims into a watery grave. But when Lacey Montgomery's car spins out of control and hurtles into the depths of the icy water, she awakens in the arms of a stranger, in a town she's never heard of––34 years before she was born.
When the 2012 lawyer tangles with a 1949 hunk, fire and ice swirl into a stream of sweltering desire. Bobby Reynolds is smitten the moment the storm-ravaged woman opens her eyes and, despite adamant protest, Lacey falls in love with a town destined for extinction, and the man who vows to save his legacy.
Threatened by a nefarious stalker, the wrath of bootleggers, and twists of fate, Lacey must find the key to a mysterious portal before time rips the lovers apart, leaving their star-crossed spirits to wander forever through a ghost town buried beneath the lake.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Lake Lanier, Georgia—June 2011
A final thud hurled him backward, flailing through brush and thickets like a rag doll. Grasping at anything to break momentum, Rob’s hand clung to a branch wedged into the face of the precipice. Spiny splinters sliced his skin. Blood oozed and trickled into his palms, and one by one, his fingers slowly slipped.
A sharp crack echoed through the silence of the ravine as the bough succumbed to his weight. He plummeted into free-fall. Clenching his eyes, he drew in a deep breath, terrified of the pain, the mauling that waited on the jagged rocks below.
When icy water broke his fall, the chill kept him from losing consciousness. He spun, straining to see, but darkness enveloped him. Soggy clothing pulled him deeper—deeper into the murky, fathomless depths. He wrestled to squirm free from the waterlogged jacket dragging him down to a watery grave, watched the coat disappear into black obscurity. Panic gripped his stomach, or was it death that snaked around his chest, squeezing, squeezing, squeezing the air, the life from his body? Lack of oxygen burned his lungs, beckoning surrender, and a shard of rage pierced his gut as reality set in. He lunged upward with one last thrust and burst from the water’s deadly grip, gasping for air. A gurgling howl spewed from the depths of his soul and echoed into silence.
Sunlight shimmered across a smooth, indigo lake, but aside from the slight ripples of his own paddling, nothing but stillness surrounded him. He floated toward the shore, sucking deep breaths into his lungs until the pummeling in his chest subsided. When he reached the water’s edge, he hoisted his body onto the soft red clay and collapsed while the sun’s warmth drained the tension from his body.
No one knew he had survived. The rules had shifted. Now he could reinvent himself, become a stealth predator. His target: Lacey Madison Montgomery.
