by Kells, India
“We all need to make decisions, Gabrielle. And our decisions take us in a new direction, like a fork in the road. When I saved you, I had just founded Purgatory. My next decision, my next steps were easy. I also knew Purgatory wasn’t mine.”
“What do you mean?”
“Purgatory is yours. When you decided to live, you went to your own version of purgatory. Then, each one of the missions you accomplished, molded the woman you’re now. You may never erase your past, but I knew you had succeeded when you didn’t fear it anymore. When you allowed Captain Thorne to love you and you to love him.”
“Purgatory had been always yours, Beatrice. You’re the soul of it.”
Turning, Bea grasped her friend’s hand. “Purgatory can live or die. I’m proud of what we have done. But I choose another fork in the road. You need to choose, too.”
Gabrielle let her gaze fall on their joined hands. “What I know, is that I need to see Sully. And after that, I need a shower and sleep. I also need to mourn ours, those Simon had killed. And face my past. After, let’s see if I want to go back to Purgatory.”
Bea smiled. “I think it’s a wise course of action, my dear friend.”
The air inside was almost as hot as outside as they reached the conference room. It had been left in the same state of mess as she remembered.
While they were waiting for the elevator again to go up to the rooms, Gabrielle longed for a shower … no, a long bath with Sully. It would make her day. When the door opened, she saw Sully dressed in civilian clothes, as surprised to see her as she was him. He stood there for an instant, and when the door started to close again, he moved toward her.
Absently, she heard Bea speak, and saw her take the elevator from the corner of her eye, but everything around her dimmed and her only focus was for the man before her. When he took her in his arms and kissed her, she knew she was home, whatever the place, her work, or her decisions. This crazy Navy SEAL was her home.
Epilogue
Six months later …
The hammock swayed a little as Gabrielle admired the clear blue sky through the palm trees. She felt so relaxed, lying there in her white bikini, that it should be a sin. Was it the ten hours of sleep, the soothing sighs of the ocean, or the mind-blowing orgasm she’d just had with her husband that put her in such a good mood?
The wait for their much deserved honeymoon had been worth it. Every single second of it. Sully had been right—how would she be able to enjoy herself if she had too much on her mind? It took time to reconcile things. The mission, the organization, and what Simon had done were part of a big tangled mess. They may all have wanted to hand it over, but it had not been so simple.
Gabrielle hated politics, and she was about to jump right into it with Purgatory. She traded missions for endless discussions, but she felt excited about it. She would still need to go in the field, but she was surprised by her newfound talent at leading teams as she reconstructed what was Purgatory. A skill she must have caught while rubbing her naked skin against Captain Thorne’s, she supposed.
Gabrielle didn’t want Sully to go back to the SEAL Teams yet. It was utterly and completely selfish, she knew it. She had enjoyed having her husband all to herself, and although she knew he was happy, part of him wanted to get back into the game. And she needed to do the same.
The wind blew and she closed her eyes, letting it cool her skin. She was almost falling asleep when she felt him coming closer. A smile tugged at her lips.
“Honey, I should be scared of the way you can tell if I’m there, even with your eyes shut.”
Gabrielle opened her eyes and her core tightened when she saw him shirtless, with only his blue swim trunks hanging low on his hips. All this tanned skin and muscles made her fingers itch. Sully had shaved his beard on the very first day they arrived, and although she missed it, his new look suited him, making him more rugged, dangerous. He had put on a little weight, if that word could apply to a man in such an athletic shape, and it looked good on him. But it was the fire in his green eyes that warmed her heart the most. Sully was relaxed and so much more peaceful. He had found his rhythm back.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget where you’re, sailor. Did I ever tell you how jealous I can get?”
Sully got closer and when she thought he would lay down with her, he scooped her up instead. Naturally, she hooked her arms around his neck.
“Honey, I don’t think I’ve noticed any other woman since I met you. Maybe, perhaps Beatrice Dante. I admit I had a crush on her from the start, but it disappeared after our encounter with the abbess. The nun fetish isn’t for me.”
Gabrielle laughed as he carried her toward the beach. She thought he would drop her into the sea, but instead veered toward large lounge chairs. He sat while keeping her close in his lap. They settled in quite nicely, just in time for the sun to put up its show as sunset glided onto the water.
“Last day of our honeymoon, I’m afraid.”
Gabrielle groaned at the thought and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. “Don’t say that. I was planning on staying here forever.”
“Is it what you want?”
Gabrielle knew it wasn’t her realistic self-speaking. “I want to be with you. And I know we won’t be together a lot in the next few months, with you returning to the Teams, and me rebuilding Purgatory.”
Sully nodded. “Yes, I know.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s what you want, what you like to do. The SEALs forged who you’re and I’m glad for it. I prefer having you away happy than staying because you feel you must.”
Sully cupped her cheek. “I know. As I need to go back to work, so do you. But since I have a very understanding admiral, I’m not overly worried about time off when we both need it, when I’m not assigned as a special liaison with Purgatory.”
“And I know his new wife, if ever you need more leverage.” Gabrielle wiggled her eyebrows.
“Oh, I like the way your wicked mind works, honey.” Sully grew serious for a moment. “I have some good years left in the Teams. This is where I need to be. When my body won’t be able to keep up, I’ll have to go job hunting.”
“I’m sure any organization would be happy to have you. In fact, I know one who would be ecstatic to have you as a permanent consultant.”
“Oh yeah, but I don’t know if I would like to work for my wife.”
Gabrielle frowned at his words until she saw the telltale twinkle in his eyes. She switched gears. “I understand your reluctance. I suppose we can find some sort of compensation.”
Sully seemed to ponder upon it. “I guess we can reach an agreement. But as it will only happen years down the road, I’ll make sure to test every fantasy I have of you in my head before I take any definitive decision.”
“Unyielding fiend.”
“Oh yes, honey. All the way. And you? Are you happy to go back to Purgatory?”
Gabrielle smirked. “When you put it in such a way, it sounds weird.”
Sully smiled wickedly. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I know. Well, after mourning and funerals, I’m ready for rebuilding. Bea will always stay close and involved as the founder, but she gave me free reign.”
“Won’t you miss being on the line of fire? I know for a fact I will be glad you won’t be.”
“I’ll miss it, but I’ll have the chance to hone my skills, time and again. And I will be able to train others, open doors for others, the way Bea did for me. But despite the facts that I’ll take hints from my friend, I’ll follow my own path. And it means more with you by my side. I don’t think I would have accepted the whole deal otherwise.”
Sully tightened his grip and kissed her brow.
In a teasing mood, Gabrielle bit her lip. “And besides, if I ever found myself pregnant, it would be easier being in an office position.”
Gabrielle tried not to laugh when he tensed and his hand moved to her stomach.
“Are you?” He let the question hang between
them as he studied her face.
“No, Sully. I’m not pregnant … not yet. I think we need a little more time for ourselves and I’m still trying to reconcile with my parents. I’m pretty sure we have enough on our plate for now. This forgiveness path can take a long time, many awkward Thanksgiving dinners to come. Be prepared.”
“As many as you wish, honey. As many as necessary.”
“And I will need to deal with the fact I may breed the same devil child as I was. At the thought, you should run fast and far, Captain Thorne.”
“I’m not running anywhere, Mrs. Thorne. And when we’re ready, I’m sure our devil child will take on only our good sides. When I look at you and who you have become, the wonderful woman I married, I can only feel hope for our future, whatever it is.”
“Wow, you really know how to talk to a woman. Maybe that’s why I said yes.”
“Oh, I’ll show you why you married me, wife. Every night, for the rest of our lives.”
When he kissed her and she felt his heart beating against hers, she knew all the hardships and tears, all the sweat and blood, were worth it. Sullivan Thorne had conquered her soul and helped her to her own road to redemption. Now, she had finally found her true home.
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About the Author
Writing for me is like being caught in the eye of a storm and loving every single minute of it.
Dear courageous readers, who dared to thread inside my wild imagination, filled with adventures of amazing women and courageous men, welcome to my world. When all seems to be lost, strength, intelligence and love will help my heroes fight back darkness, and find their way to each other. And you know what? That’s my favorite kind of story!
When I’m not writing about sexy thieves, dashing soldiers and cunning villains, I am traveling the world to find inspiration for my next story. Human nature is the greatest muse!
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Happy reading!
India xx
