by Amelia Autin
The king smiled. “And I keep Lieutenant Mateja here in Zakhar. Captain Zale has agreed to take over as head of my son’s security detail, a post for which he is eminently qualified. I also plan—but please keep this to yourself for the time being—to promote Lieutenant Mateja to head the queen’s security detail in Captain Zale’s place. Even more than my son, my wife is the most precious thing in my world. I would give anything to keep her safe. I would also give anything to make her happy. She is particularly attached to Lieutenant Mateja, especially after the lieutenant saved our son’s life, and counts her as a friend.”
His smile deepened. “As I said, this way I not only keep Lieutenant Mateja in Zakhar, keep her guarding my wife, but I give her everything her heart desires—her job and you. Can you put a price on those things, Alec? I cannot.”
When the king put it that way, it made perfect sense. Alec realized once again the king was a brilliant tactician. He’d divined the problem and had devised an ingenious solution. All that was necessary for this to work was for Alec to sacrifice certain career possibilities. A sacrifice that was no sacrifice, all things considered.
He’d be doing a job he loved—making the world a safer place—for the rest of his professional career, with the woman he loved at his side. A woman who loved him as fiercely as he loved her, who was willing to sacrifice everything for him. A woman who understood.
That made his choice easy. “I accept,” he told the king. “Assuming you can swing it with the State Department and the DSS, I accept.”
* * *
Angelina hurried inside her apartment building’s front door to escape the cold, stamped her boots on the rug and impatiently brushed the snow from her hair. After a quick check of her empty mailbox, she headed for the elevator, only to find a discreet out-of-order sign taped by the button.
She sighed. It wasn’t the first time and wouldn’t be the last. She loved her apartment in this older building, especially because of the breathtaking view of the royal palace on the hill and the river winding its way through Drago. But sometimes the inconveniences—such as the elevator breaking down with regularity, or the hot water turning ice-cold without warning—made her yearn for something more modern, more reliable. Although she’d long since accepted the sacrifices she had to make for her charming home, that didn’t stop her from muttering maledictions as she began the trek up eight flights of stairs.
Then she consoled herself with the reminder that she needed the exercise anyway. She’d had to cut her jog short this morning because the overnight snowdrifts hadn’t been cleared yet, and the footing had been hazardous in the extreme.
Still, Angelina was glad when she reached the seventh-floor landing and knew she had only one more flight to go. She turned the corner, her hand on the railing, and stopped short at the sight of Alec sitting on the top step, his head and shoulder propped against the wall. Fast asleep.
Her heart had already been pounding from exertion, but seeing her indomitable Alec waiting for her, his face soft and vulnerable in sleep, kicked her pulse into overdrive and sent a wave of tenderness through her body. She knew—because she’d suffered from the same lack of sleep as he obviously had—that his decision to break things off with her had cost him dearly since she’d last seen him a week ago. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.
She also knew there could only be one reason why he was here—somehow he’d found out she’d resigned her commission before she could tell him. And he’d come here to...tell her what? That he wasn’t worth the sacrifice? That he couldn’t accept it?
Alec had unilaterally decided to end their relationship the first time around. And though she understood why—because of the way he’d been raised—it was time he learned there were some things he was going to have to compromise on. And a life-altering decision was something that had to be made by both of them...together.
The stairwell door on the bottom floor slammed shut, and faint footsteps mounting the stairs could be heard in the distance. Alec jolted awake, his hand reaching for his SIG SAUER in the same instinctive move Angelina herself would have made.
Their eyes met across the distance that separated them. But instead of the despairing expression she remembered from the last time she’d seen him, now his face glowed with hope. And Angelina’s hope was kindled, too.
She rushed up the stairs, but Alec met her halfway, his arms closing around her in a bear hug that lifted her feet from the ground and threatened to crack her ribs. He did nothing else, just held her tight, not saying a word. But the tiny flame of hope in her heart was fanned into a blaze.
Angelina didn’t know how long they stood there on the stairs, lost in each other’s embrace, but when the footsteps mounting the stairwell below them grew closer, she murmured, “This is not the place. My apartment, yes?”
Somehow they made it into her apartment without letting each other go. And as soon as the door closed behind them Alec was kissing her as if his life depended on it. Angelina matched him kiss for kiss, understanding his fierce need the way she understood him.
When Alec finally released her long enough for them both to catch their breaths, he pressed his forehead against hers and his eyes squeezed shut. When they opened again she saw that same dampness in them she’d seen when he’d listened to Caterina’s story unfolding. Only this time the emotions he was fighting weren’t painful to watch. This time they gladdened her heart.
“You resigned for me,” he whispered.
“Yes. And no.”
He pulled back slightly and his brows twitched together. “I don’t understand.”
She smiled a little at his bewilderment. “I resigned because I love you, but not only because I love you. I also resigned because this is work that must be done, and you must do it.” She drew a deep breath. “Even though I always intended to eventually resume my career in the law, Alec, it was not an easy decision. Even though I have been seeking job counseling from some of my former law professors, it broke my heart to resign now. But I did not want to put it off, because—”
Air gusted out of Alec’s lungs. “That’s just it, Angel. You’re not going to believe this, but neither of us has to resign. Neither of us has to sacrifice our honor...our duty...to be together.”
Her smile faded. “Now I do not understand.”
Alec explained. Quickly. Succinctly. “So you see, there’s no need for you to resign after all. And the king refuses to accept your resignation anyway.” Then he said in a low voice, “I love you, Angel. No one will ever love you more than I do. Please believe that. I just couldn’t ask you to give up everything for me—”
“Because you love me,” she said swiftly, cutting him off. “Yes, I know. But I also know your love is rooted in honor, the same as mine. You could not love me otherwise.”
“You do understand.” His words were barely above a whisper.
“Of course. The same way you understand me. You could not love me if I were not who I am. And I could not love you if you were anything other than the man you are.” She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him.
When his lips finally left hers—reluctantly—he said, “When I read your resignation letter, I knew you loved me more than I ever dreamed possible. But more important, I knew you understood.” His brown eyes were very dark, very serious. “God—through the king—has given us a second chance, Angel. Has given me a second chance at happiness.” A trace of uncertainty colored his next words. “Please tell me we can start over. Please tell me you want there to be an us as much as I do.”
Tenderness welled up in her heart, because uncertainty and Alec was a rare combination. Just as she had certainty of purpose, so did he—and she loved that about him. Uncompromising. Unyielding. Invincible. He would always demand the best of himself...and of her. Warrior heart calling to warrior heart.
“We are not starting over,” she corrected him, another
smile beginning to form, a sure one this time. “We are merely beginning a new chapter.”
Epilogue
“Indictments were handed down today in a federal courtroom in Washington, DC, in a human-trafficking conspiracy case that could have far-reaching repercussions,” announced CNN correspondent Carly Edwards, standing on the steps of the courthouse. “Named in the indictments were seven current or former employees of the US embassy in Zakhar, a country that is critically important to the United States’ strategic plan for NATO and Europe. Also named in the indictments was Aleksandrov Vishenko—” a mug shot of Vishenko appeared briefly “—reputed to be the head of a New York City–based branch of the Russian Brotherhood—also known as the Russian Mafia—and a half dozen alleged associates. Sources tell us that at the same time the indictments were sought here, nine men were indicted in Drago, the capital of Zakhar, for their participation in the alleged conspiracy. Trial dates have yet to be set. Back to you, Tom.”
The news anchor in the studio said, “Thank you, Carly. In other news today...”
Alec clicked on the X in the top right-hand corner of his internet browser, closing the window. He wasn’t interested in the other news from home—he’d only wanted to hear the story about today’s indictments.
It gave Alec particular satisfaction to hear the CNN correspondent saying Aleksandrov Vishenko’s name—the only name reported in the story—along with the words Also named in the indictments...
American jurisprudence being what it was, the trials were at least six months away, probably more. The sixth amendment to the US Constitution referred to the right of the accused to a speedy trial. It said nothing about the prosecution or the rights of the victims. Defense teams often sought to push trials out as far as they could, especially if their clients were out on bail. All those indicted today were eligible for bail, and while the judge could set bail as high as he legally could, Aleksandrov Vishenko, at least, would make bail. That was a given.
Caterina Mateja was currently residing inside the royal palace in Drago. It was far safer for her than staying in the States, although she’d have to travel back and forth to the United States between now and the trials. The defense teams had the right to take her deposition, although Alec would be damned before he let them intimidate her, even though he was sure they’d try. The prosecution team would want to prep her for trial, too, so she would have to go there as needed.
When she was in the States she’d be closely guarded by US marshals, but Alec would never know a minute’s peace until she was safely back in Drago. Her blood would be on his hands if anything happened to her, since he was the one who’d convinced her to testify against Vishenko and the others. At least while she was here she was as safe as she could be. The king had arranged tight security, and Alec could keep a watchful eye on her, too. So could Angelina.
He laughed softly to himself. If Angelina’s behavior around Caterina was any indication, she’d be a terrific mother to their children. A little overprotective, maybe, but it would be his job to help her know where to draw the line. The old traditional split of parental duties might not apply so much anymore, and with Angelina’s assistance he would work to overcome the example set by his father in that regard. But some things would never change—involved, hands-on fathers still instilled self-confidence, self-esteem and, most important, self-discipline in their children. He could hardly wait.
He’d finally met Angelina’s parents when Cate had returned to Zakhar, and he’d understood almost immediately why Angelina hadn’t been eager to introduce them to him—their moral outrage over the “shame” Cate had brought to their family told him all he needed to know about them. He shook his head, still unable to fathom how parents like Angelina’s had managed to produce an extraordinary woman like her.
A slight movement behind him alerted him to Angelina’s presence even before she spoke. “Is everything okay?” she asked him in the deep, rich contralto that had enthralled him when he’d first heard it. It always would. “What did the news say?”
He turned around to face her. “Nothing new. I just wanted to hear it again.”
The glimmer of a smile touched her lips. “Soon,” she said with satisfaction. “Soon they will begin to pay.”
“Not as soon as they would if the trials were being held here,” he reminded her. “But it will happen—we’ll make sure of it.” He stepped toward her, and she walked into his embrace. “‘I am one,’” he reminded her in a low voice.
“As am I.” They held each other close, both of them giving the encouragement and support the other needed. When they finally drew apart, Alec kept his hands on her shoulders and asked, “So how was your day, Captain Mateja?”
She flushed. The promotion was recent enough that he knew she still found immense satisfaction in hearing her new rank, which was why he made a point of mentioning it as often as he could. “Busy,” she said. “I had not realized all the administrative work involved in managing the queen’s security detail. Just coordinating all the schedules takes far too much time. And then, of course, I had to stop and see Caterina—Cate.”
She shook her head ruefully. “I cannot always remember to call her Cate, even though she prefers that name now. And even if I do, she will be Caterina to me, I think, no matter what.” Her expression turned wistful. “Caterina means pure. When she first told me she wished to be called Cate, I wondered if...”
“If she didn’t want to be reminded of what she thinks she no longer is?” he finished for her.
She nodded reluctantly. “We have told her many times there is no shame in what happened to her.”
“But she doesn’t believe us.” Alec smiled sadly. “Yeah, I know.” He pulled Angelina back into his arms and held her tight. “We just have to keep telling her. And showing her. Someday she’ll believe. I have to believe that. Maybe when she testifies. Maybe when she faces Vishenko in court and tells her story to the jury—maybe then she’ll finally realize the shame is his, not hers.”
“You are such a good man,” she told him softly, laying her head on his shoulder for just a moment. Then she chuckled to herself, surprising him. Their eyes met, and hers were brimming over with humor and a little glint of teasing. “That is what Cate says. I think, perhaps, she has a little crush on you.”
“What?” Alec was too startled at first to say anything else. Then he protested, “But I’ve never done anything to... You know I haven’t... She knows that I—”
“Yes, she knows you love me.” The humor faded from her face and the wistfulness returned. “I think that is why she feels it is safe to let herself care about you a little—because she knows you will never ask more of her than she can give...that way.”
She caressed his cheek with one hand. Her left hand. The one wearing his engagement ring, soon to be joined by a wedding ring. One more month, he promised himself. He caught her hand in his and pressed a kiss into her palm. A tender kiss that soon turned into more. He reluctantly let her go. “Did you eat with Cate?” he asked. “You were so late I went ahead and fixed myself something, but if you’re hungry I could—”
She smiled the smile she kept for him alone. A private smile that promised unbearable delight. “I am hungry, yes,” she told him. But as she said the words, she was taking his hand and walking backward into the bedroom, drawing him with her. “I am always hungry for you.” She fell onto the bed, pulled him down on top of her and squirmed a little until his erection was nestled between her thighs. Telling him without words exactly what she was hungry for.
The scent of her soap teased his nostrils, and he breathed deeply, enjoying her nearness. He smiled down at her—a wolfish smile he didn’t bother to hide. A smile that conveyed exactly what he was hungry for, too. But he did nothing else, perfectly willing to wait, because his Angel would make the first move if he didn’t. She’d take the lead the first time. Then it would be his turn.
He took primitive satisfaction in knowing she was his just as he was hers—what was that phrase she liked to use? Forever and a day, that was it.
Forever and a day.
Angelina was a romantic at heart, no matter how much she tried to deny it, and that poetic phrase she used proved it. Alec was more prosaic. He could no more stop loving her than he could voluntarily stop breathing—he would love her throughout eternity. If that translated as forever and a day in Angelina’s book, that was fine with him.
* * * * *
Don’t miss the next thrilling installment in the
MAN ON A MISSION miniseries, coming soon!
And don’t forget the previous titles in the miniseries:
KING’S RANSOM
MCKINNON’S ROYAL MISSION
CODY WALKER’S WOMAN
REILLY’S RETURN
Keep reading for an excerpt from
PROTECTING THE COLTON BRIDE by Elle James.
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Can this Colton cowboy save his wife—and his beloved ranch—when a killer threatens everything they hold dear?
