by Kells, India
She’d planned to take Mason to the beach that evening and tell him she wanted them to take the next step but her plan had been thwarted when he’d called half an hour earlier to say he had to work and would she meet him in the conference room at the office at three.
It was Saturday afternoon, and with her plans now on hold, she’d agreed, assuming he was working overtime on whatever mission he’d been working the last few weeks.
It had been top secret, and he and Shane—along with Malco and Mercy—had spent hours locked away in the conference room working on it.
She knew the new government contracts they had won there would be eyes-only work that even with her clearance she wouldn’t be allowed to see, and guessed this was one of them.
The Agency was silent as she stepped through the door and saw Mason step from the conference room and walked toward her. “Hey!” She greeted him as he reached her and took her in his arms and kissed her long and deep until she leaned into him.
“Um, I needed that.”
“Bad day?”
“No, just that I always seem to need you.”
“So why am I here?”
“I have someone here to see you, but before we go in, I want you to know that whatever happens here today I love you more than anything in this world and always will.”
“You’re scaring me, Mason.” Her heart pounded at his words as if sensing something was happening.
“Don’t be afraid, beautiful. I’d never do anything to hurt you. I just want you to know I will always support you.”
“Okay.”
Cleo was partly intrigued and slightly frightened, but she trusted Mason and knew he would never hurt her. He leaned in and kissed her again and his scent enveloped her, the taste of him grounding her as much as it made her want to fly.
She pulled back and gazed at the handsome man she loved. “Let’s find out what you’ve been up to then.”
She held his hand as they walked to the conference room. She stopped at the closed door sensing that something important lay behind that door. Something life-changing and knew whatever came next, she would be okay because she had Mason at her back.
She turned to him. “When this is done, I want to talk to you about us looking at those new homes in Kendal.”
Cleo watched as the smile she loved split his face. “Does that mean you want us to move in together?”
“Yes, I do. I want us to take the next step, Mason.”
He pulled her closer and looked at her with so much love. “Have I told you how much I love you today?”
Cleo looked up and pursed her lips in mock thought. “I don’t think you have.” It was a small lie.
“Well, how remiss of me. Let me rectify that. I love you, Cleo Darwin. More and more every single day.”
“I love you too, Mason. Now, let’s get this show on the road so we can go home.”
Cleo held Mason’s hand, and she pushed down on the handle of the door. It swung open, and Cleo couldn’t stop the gasp that came from her as she saw her mother and father sitting with her grandmother, Shane, and Emme. She turned to look at Mason, tears already blinding her eyes.
“Go, baby, they have a lot to say, and I think you should listen.” Mason steered Cleo inside and gave her a gentle push in her parents’ direction.
“Cleo?” Her mom stood on uncertain legs, her father beside her.
Cleo glanced at her nana who nodded, the wet tears in her eyes a testament to how she felt. “It’s okay, Cleo. They are here to make amends.”
Cleo walked toward her parents, noting the way they had aged in the years since she’d seen them. Time had not been as kind to them as it had her nana. “I don’t understand?” She looked to Mason for answers as she knew she always would.
“We contacted your parents and discovered they were trying to get away from Spears, had been trying for years with no success. We helped them get away, and they helped us get enough evidence to shut Spears and his entire organization down. As we speak, he’s in FBI custody, and his compound is being dismantled.”
Cleo could hardly believe the words he was saying, but she knew he would never lie to her. The magnitude of what he was saying hit her. It was over, the cloud lifted, and all that lay in her future was rainbows and sunshine and the man she loved.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Seriously, Mason, where are we going?” Cleo crossed her arms over her breasts and gave the man in the driver’s seat beside her a pointed glare. He swung his eyes to her as his hand landed on her bare thigh, making her body tingle with anticipation. It was always the same between them when he touched her. Her body lit up like a fourth of July fireworks. She hoped it would always be this way.
“Have some patience, woman. Do you not get the whole concept of a surprise?”
“Uh, hello! Do you know me? I’m not a patient person.”
Mason chuckled and squeezed her thigh, making her want to squirm with desire. “I know, Cleo, but I promise this is a good one.”
“Fine, but it better be.”
He left his hand on her skin, knowing what he was doing to her as they drove away from the bustle of Miami toward the suburbs. It had been a wonderful and emotional year. Her parents were now living in a small house close to her nana. The relationship between her parents and her grandmother was slowly being repaired. Her relationship with them was better, although she knew in her heart her nana would always be the one she turned too. She was glad they had gotten away from the evil Jeffrey Spears, and the man had finally gotten what he’d deserved. Life without parole for all the crimes he had been responsible for—some of which she had never even suspected.
Her job at the Alliance Agency was fulfilling, and she loved it with every part of her being. Some days it didn’t feel like work but like helping out friends and getting paid. And that was what the people there were—friends who she loved to death.
As for her and Mason, life was perfect. He was the man she had wanted all her life. He made her feel secure and cherished and desired without stifling her. They just needed to find a house. Their hunt for a place hadn’t gone to plan and they were still living in his apartment. She loved it there as it was where their journey began, and she would always have a soft spot for the place, but she wanted something they could grow into as a family, especially now.
Her hand moved down to her stomach, which was still flat with no sign of the life she knew was growing there.
A few days of nausea and a missed period had made her run out for a pregnancy test early that morning. She still hadn’t told Mason, was waiting for the right moment.
He pulled up on the outskirt of a new expensive housing development that had been sold out for the last year. The homes were everything she wanted—spacious with a big back yard, big open plan living, modern fixtures, as well as space between the homes giving them privacy.
She sighed as he pulled into the drive of the corner lot. Her belly fluttered with a seed of hope. “What are we doing here, Mason?”
He ignored her and exited the car going around to open her door and taking her hand, led her to the front door. He simply grinned and nudged her into the hallway that led into a large combined kitchen and dining room and family space. As she moved, she noticed the back bi-fold doors were spread open, allowing her a full view of the sunset as the sun went down over the horizon blasting the evening with a riot of oranges and purples which took her breath away.
Mason followed behind her smiling until she stepped out onto the deck and gasped as her eyes landed on the hundreds of lit tea light candles on the lawn below, and spelling out MARRY ME?
Cleo gasped, her hand going to her mouth as she felt hot, happy tears hit her eyes. Turning to look at Mason, she found him on one knee, a beautiful amethyst and diamond ring in a velvet box in front of him. “Cleo, from the moment we met, I knew you would change my life. But I never expected my dark staid life would be filled with color and beauty so blinding that I’ll never wake up a
gain and not know I’m the luckiest man alive to have you by my side.”
The tears were openly falling down her cheeks now as she heard the man she loved to make the most beautiful and heartfelt declaration. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and living every day with me here in this house as we face our bountiful future together?”
“Yes, Mason, of course, I will marry you.”
Cleo fell on him, almost knocking him backward, but he caught her, and she knew he always would. She turned her face and met his kiss before breaking away and putting her lips to his ear and giving him the best gift she could—the news he was to become a father. His face was awash with surprise and delight as he held her tighter and looked at her with such reverence and love. She knew she would never find a better man to be her husband and her child’s father. He was her lover, her hero, and her very best friend. Whatever they faced, she knew she would be okay because he was by her side.
THE END
Sneak Peek: Deadly Alliance
A Fortis and Purgatory Crossover/An Alliance Agency Prequel
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“this means offering him fresh meat, aka me.”
The way the girl smiled as if it would be a walk in the park made Shane almost grind his teeth to dust. “This is no joking matter, Miss Wallace. Women are dying. And not taking this seriously could endanger you or members of your team and put civilians at risk.”
“He felt the Fortis team closing in even if nobody moved. Shane had to admit he may have gone a little far. But part of him couldn’t take the risk of letting that bastard go. The autopsy report came to mind, as well as the picture of Misty—pale, her beautiful hair in a mess and very dead on the slab.
Ignoring everybody in the room, Emme came to stand in front of him, and Shane stood in response. Barely reaching his shoulder, Shane had to admit that she had a significant dose of courage behind the fire in her eyes.
“Do you think I’m an incapable fool who would put my friends—my family—in danger? Do you think I’m incompetent or unskilled?”
“How many missions have you done? How often have you put your life on the line to save your teammates or an innocent’s life?”
“Oh, so you’re keeping count. Courage is defined by body count and the amount of blood you shed?”
“This is not a game!” His voice boomed way stronger than he’d intended, but the girl didn’t flinch, and even shouted back at him.
“No, it’s not a game. People are dying!”
Lance shuffled in his seat. “Well, they’ve got the lover part down perfectly. It’s like they’ve been together for the last fifty years. Your plan is doomed, Rhodes.”
Zack raked his blond hair in annoyance, his gaze went to Beatrice who shook her head. “Listen, Shane. You don’t know us. I get that. But I wouldn’t have suggested Emme if I didn’t believe in her skills and talent. You know my team’s reputation, and Beatrice is a friend. Like you, I’m one of the people who want this madman to be stopped quickly. I also know that it’s personal for you, so I will let that insult go. That is if you’re ready to give Emme a chance and she’s kind enough to forgive you your insult.”
The Fortis leader might have a point, but Shane still had serious doubts. However, he knew when he had been outnumbered and chastised. Sighing deeply, he uncrossed his arms and looked at the petite ball of anger simmering before him. “I’m sorry if I was out of line. I’m ready to give you a chance as Zack speaks so highly of you.”
Shane heard Lucy snort but didn’t look away from the fury in front of him. She looked like she debated whether to stomp her foot or punch him in the face.
“That doesn’t even qualify as an apology.”
“That’s the only one I can give you right now.”
Excerpt From: Maddie Wade & India Kells. Deadly Alliance: An Alliance Agency Prequel (A Fortis Security/Purgatory Crossover Novel)
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Sneak Peek: Knight Watch
Alliance Agency: Book 1
Want to learn more about Kingsley knight and Sydney Rutherford?
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Kingsley Knight crossed his arms over his chest, as pride and contentment settled inside him. He never could have imagined this feeling of achievement twelve months ago. The last year had been one of the most difficult of his life, but in some ways, he didn’t regret what had happened or the choices he’d made because they’d led him here.
He looked out across the training field at the fantastic team he was part of as Cain Davies showed Emme Harris, his boss lady, how to adjust her aim for a larger caliber weapon. Cain was an ex-undercover ATF agent and had been a recommendation by Lance the head of the Purgatory organization where Shane, his other boss, had started his career outside the military. At thirty-two Cain was considered young to have burned out, but Kingsley knew the strain that undercover work could have on people. Cain had jumped at the chance to sign with the Agency, and they were lucky to have found him.
Knight felt Shane’s best friend Nicholas Hale move to stand beside him. Shane and his fiancée Emme co-owned Alliance Agency. They had founded the company after getting together a few months earlier, following a joint op between Purgatory and Fortis Security. The op had gone wrong in so many ways, but it had also brought the couple together, and nobody could doubt the team they made—both personally and professionally. Nick had served with Shane in the Navy as a SEAL, and it was his baby sister’s murder that had been the focus of the joint op.
“Still can’t believe you’ve made the jump to join us Yankees.”
Kingsley turned, lifting his eyebrow at Nick in greeting, before turning his attention back to the field. Rubbing his hand over his full beard, he wondered again if he should shave it and the mop of wavy midnight hair on his head that desperately needed a cut. The heat was already sticky in the early spring of Miami compared to the much lower temperatures of the UK. He finally answered Nick. “Indeed, I’m still coming to grips with it. This heat is relentless. The food is good though, although I may need to slow down on the burgers and tacos,” he replied with a smirk as he patted the flat muscles of his abdomen. The fact was Kinglsey Knight was in perfect shape. Years in the Navy as an underwater explosive expert had honed his body so it was all muscle and sinew with not an ounce of extra fat.
Nick rolled his eyes, but Kingsley could still feel a shadow on the man. Shane had told him that his friend had gone through a lot and still needed time and work to recover fully.
His eyes caught on Caitlin Carter as she took Killian, her German Shepard, through his paces. When he had met her, she had been training Killian to replace her last dog Mayhem who had recently retired. As a K-9 handler with the LAPD, Caitlin had years of experience to go with her well-earned reputation as one of the best handlers and trainers on the force. Growing up with two prestigious veterinarians as parents had set her in good stead for her job. He watched as she gave Killian—who for shits and giggles she called Kill for short—a series of commands that he obeyed with a blinding loyalty. Knight thought that a few more K-9s on the team would be a good call. That was something to discuss with Shane and Emme for sure.
Over on the assault course, the rest of the team were going through their paces. Malco Aguilar, another member of the group, was stretching his muscles off to the side before he attached the running prosthetic that gave him more absorption and energy return than a regular one. As the hostage rescue expert, he was one of the best and had an unparalleled reputation. Losing his right leg below the knee from a land mine trying to save an eight-year-old girl from her crazy, drugged up father, while working for the Green Berets, had not stopped him in the least.
However, Kingsley knew better than most that people only allowed you to see what they wanted you to see. The new team was a mix of different backgrounds that perfectly fit the diversity of work th
e Alliance Agency wished to attract.
Emme and Shane wanted to expand hard and fast, and they had a flight out of Miami that night to meet a contact of Shane’s about a contract with the FBI. It was lucrative and would involve them signing an NDA which wouldn’t be a problem as most of them still had top security clearance from their previous lives.
Kingsley cast an eye at Nick as he watched Alex Webb race Wolf Murdock over the course.
It had been designed by Zack, Emme’s former boss at Fortis who was also an ex-SAS commander. They were some of the toughest bastards around, and this course showed why. With it built over the hilly terrain at the back of their new base of operations it meant the operators had to use agility and strength, not just brute force and muscle. It was why Caitlin, Emme, and Mercy—the three women on the team—had some of the best times on the leaderboard.
Wolf raced over the ropes with speed, but Webb had the edge as they crawled through the wet tunnels with barbed wire overhead. It was neck and neck by the time they sprinted for the finish with Webb coming in a split second faster.
Shane, who had been standing on the sidelines away from him and Nick, watching his recruits train, started to walk toward the competitors, a grin on his face as the two men bent at the waist and sucked in oxygen. They had been training together for a month now, and Kingsley could see they were starting to think cohesively as a unit. Kingsley knew Shane wanted everyone to be able to read each other. It could be the thing that saved their lives one day.
Excerpt From: Maddie Wade & India Kells. Knight Watch: An Alliance Agency Novel: Book 1
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