by Maddie Wade
Half an hour later the speeches were done—the room had been in gales of laughter with Daniel’s speech as he told tales on Dane—and it was time for the first dance.
“Okay time for some fun. Lauren and Dane will kick us off with their first dance followed by Lucy and Jace, then it’s a free for all,” Daniel announced.
Dane took her hand and led her to the dance floor, pulling her close with a hand on her bare back, making her shiver. “Cold?” Dane asked, smiling.
“No.”
The smile turned into a grin as the song they’d chosen began. Dane had chosen ‘Amazed’ by Lonestar, saying it resonated with him because every time he looked at her, he was amazed. Lauren had felt her heart melt when he said that and agreed she felt the same.
“Happy?” he asked as they danced, their eyes only on each other under the fairy lights and the Caribbean moon.
“Happier than I thought possible. Every day I think I couldn’t possibly love you more and then I wake up, and I do.”
Dane’s face went soft, his eyes warm. “Baby.”
“It’s true. I never thought this could be my life and it is, and every day I’m thankful for it and you and what you’ve given me.”
“Lauren, stop or I’m going to drag you from this dance floor and show you how much I love you.” Lauren laughed at that. “Seriously though, baby, I know my job makes life tricky sometimes, and I’m so grateful you stand by me. I hope you know that I’ll spend every day making sure I’m a man worthy of you.”
“You already are, Dane.” She kissed him then and while it was more chaste than she wanted, with everyone watching it was all they could do. Their song ended, and Dane led her to Meg who was with the twins sleeping in their buggy.
Lucy and Jace took to the dance floor next with ‘My Best Friend’ by Tim McGraw. It summed up the couple perfectly. When she looked at Lucy and Jace together she saw more than lovers, she saw best friends and soulmates. Her smile lit up when Jace twirled Lucy around gently before wrapping her in his arms.
Today had been perfect. She’d shared it with her closest friend, now sister-in-law, and she knew it would be one of the happiest memories of her life.
Epilogue
Drew felt a tap on his shoulder as he was getting a drink from the bar for him, Will, and Aubrey. He turned and was shocked to see Mara. “Mara, hey, what a nice surprise.”
Mara looked beautiful in a turquoise maxi dress with a green palm leaf print. Despite what he’d said to his sister, he felt a pull to this girl that wouldn’t go away. It was a damn shame she had a boyfriend as he didn’t mess around with someone who was taken. He’d have to settle for being her friend.
She tucked a strand of dark, shiny hair behind her ear in a self-conscious move. “Your sister invited me, so I said I’d try and come. We’re flying out later tonight, but I also wanted to catch you before I left.”
“Oh.” He motioned to the bar. “Would you like a drink?”
Mara nodded. “Yes please, Malibu and pineapple. Thank you.”
Drew ordered her drink and then handed it to her. “So, what did you want to see me about?” He moved to the end of the bar where it was quieter, and she followed.
“I wanted to thank you for everything you did the other day. You literally held me together. I never would’ve got through it without you, Drew.”
“I wish I could’ve done more.”
“You couldn’t have known that Annie would react like that. None of us could. You helped me, protected me, and I’ll never forget that. I always knew you were a good man, Drew, but now I know just how good a man you are.”
Drew felt his cheeks pink at her compliment but remained silent, not knowing what to say.
“Anyway, I wanted to say thanks, as lame as it is.”
“You’re very welcome, although I didn’t do a lot.”
Mara looked at him as if she was seeing into his soul and Drew felt his body heat at her perusal. This woman affected him in ways he’d never experienced. She made him want to know her, to understand how she ticked. Did she like peanut butter? What was her favourite colour? What did she think about the latest physiotherapy techniques for amputees? Oh, and he wanted to get her naked and screw the brains out of her. He wasn’t dead or blind and Mara was a knockout, all soft curves and luscious lips and dark bedroom eyes.
It was more than just that, though. He stepped forward slightly, feeling a pull he’d never felt, the heat between their bodies making him burn with need. She touched his face, running her fingers down his jawline. The touch was more potent than any kiss he’d ever had.
“Mara.” Her eyes held him captive as he placed the drink he carried on the bar and reached his hand to her hip.
“I wish with all my heart that things could be different. That I could be the kind of woman deserving of a man like you.” She ran her fingertips over his lips and then she was gone, running through the crowded room.
Drew started to go after her but was stopped as Colin called him over for the cutting of the cake photos. He watched as she disappeared, her words playing over and over in his head.
She’d wanted him. He’d been sure of it, and now he wanted her more than ever. They shared a connection he couldn’t deny, making him question his stance on women who weren’t single. When he got back to Hereford, he’d be looking her up and finding out what she meant by that comment.
For the first time in his life, Drew felt like maybe, just maybe, he could have what he saw those around him finding—a connection stronger than any evil could break. He smiled to himself as he took pictures of Dane and Lauren cutting the cake.
“Drew, do you have a minute?” Zack asked as he walked back to the bar for a refill once he’d finished.
“Sure, what can I do for you?”
“I know now may not be the place, but I was wondering what your plans were as far as coming back to work?”
“Well, my doctor’s happy for me to work, but I don’t think I can do what I was doing before. I was a passable member of the team...” He held up his hand as Zack began to speak. “That isn’t me putting myself down. The others have much more operational experience than I have, that’s all.”
“Good because you were, and are, an important part of Fortis, which is why I want you to head up the training programme for me. Daniel is snowed under with work, and your ability to show the younger members how to work hard in difficult situations would be perfect. Plus, your background in martial arts and knowledge of the gym and fitness drills would be a good fit. I might also need you to help on comms and computer tech when Will is out. You up for that?”
Drew felt blown away by Zack’s faith in his ability to train new recruits. “What about the technical stuff, like firearms and combat drills?”
“Daniel will still do that, but I want them up to speed on fitness and attitude before they get to that. Weed out the weaker ones.”
“So, I’ll do the first selection cut?”
“Yes, exactly. What do you say?”
Drew didn’t need to think about it. “I say yes, please.” He held out his hand and Zack shook it.
“Excellent. I’ll have contracts drawn up with a new salary.”
“Thanks, Zack. Not just for this but for not losing faith in me.”
Zack gripped his shoulder firmly. “Drew, I always saw something in you that made you special. The only person who ever doubted you, is you. What you’ve survived would bring most men to their knees, but although you wobbled, you got back up and kept moving forward.”
“That means a lot.”
Zack nodded. “Plus that asshole Jack was going to try and steal you for Eidolon, and I can’t have that. He wants good men, he can find his own, not steal mine.” With that, Zack smiled and walked away.
“He beat me to it, didn’t he?” Jack asked as he suddenly appeared.
“He did.”
“Could I tempt you away?” Jack asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“No, I belong wit
h Fortis.”
Jack nodded. “Fair point, but if you ever change your mind, give me a call. I always want good men with solid integrity.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
Just then ‘We Are Family’ by Sister Sledge came on, and he heard Lucy shriek and start dragging people on to the dance floor. He tried to duck but was hauled out by Lauren into the throng of people. Not a single person said no, not even Jack, who abhorred dancing. Because each one of them knew they were family, and there was nothing more important than that. Drew chuckled as the Fortis and Eidolon men, all badass and scary as shit, danced with the women they loved. His mind went to Mara. Maybe one day soon, he’d have his happy ending.
Sneak Peek: Drew & Mara
A Fortis Security Novel: Book 9
Mara watched as Drew’s sister pulled him onto the dance floor and smiled. He’d walk through fire for those he loved, and for just a few hours she’d been lucky enough to feel that. The whole time she’d been a hostage, she had never felt safer than she had with Drew.
Her attraction to him had grown over the past months as she’d watched him fight back from his injury, and yet he managed to help raise the spirits of her young clients with his jokes and encouragement. The fact he was tall and gorgeous with muscles for days and a drool-worthy ass didn’t hurt either.
Yes, she wanted to jump his bones but more than that, she wanted to be around him. It was his sweetness, the shy unaffected man who had no idea of what a catch he was, that attracted her. The man who stayed on after his sessions finished to work harder and regain his mobility. The man who would go into the children’s rehab facility and read to the younger kids when they felt alone.
Sadly, a man like Drew was not on the cards for her. She’d never feel the tender touch of a man who loved her. She was the possession of a man who was so powerful that nobody could save her.
This holiday with her friends had been her last rebellion before her life became a prison. She felt prickles at the back of her neck and knew he’d found her. He would always find her. He owned her. Her body and freedom were his now, but she’d never give him her love or her soul. Those were all she had left to keep.
The sting in the back of her head as he grabbed her hair and dragged her back towards the limo made her eyes well with tears. She fought to blink them away, not wanting him to see her weakness, knowing it turned him on.
“Mara, Mara, what am I going to do with you?” he asked as he shoved her onto the limo’s floor.
Brayden Wells assessed her as she tried to ignore the sting of her hands. She saw him remove the jacket of his three-thousand-pound suit and remove the diamond cuffs from his sleeves. This was going to be a night she would want to forget.
At forty-five, Brayden Wells was one of the richest men in the world, worth more than twenty-five billion pounds. He was also a sick, sadistic bastard who hid his real evil beneath the veneer of charity and philanthropy. He was also the man who’d taken one look at her when she’d attended a charity function for people with spinal injuries and decided she’d be his wife. She hadn’t seen the evil at first, hidden under a handsome cloak of charm and kindness. Not until it was too late had she seen the man who now owned her.
Her mind went to Drew and the way he made her feel safe, feel cherished, and worthy of kindness. Her mind blocked out Brayden’s verbal assault until the first blow landed, and then she went to the only place in her mind where she was safe. A locked box where he couldn’t find her, and where she could see the happiness she craved. She knew, though, she’d never have it because if she tried, Brayden had made it clear who would suffer for her insubordination. The people she loved, and she couldn’t allow that to happen.
Are you ready for Drew and Mara?
Books by Maddie Wade
FORTIS SECURITY
01 Healing Danger — Dane and Lauren
02 Stolen Dreams — Nate and Skye
03 Love Divided — Jace and Lucy
04 Secret Redemption — Zack and Ava
05 Broken Butterfly — Zin and Celeste
06 Arctic Fire — Kanan and Roz
07 Phoenix Rising — Daniel and Megan
07.5 Nate & Skye Wedding Novella — Nate and Skye
09 Digital Desire — Will and Aubrey
09.5 Paradise Ties (A Fortis Wedding Novella) — Dane and Lauren & Jace and Lucy
EIDOLON BLACK OPS
01 Alex — Alex and Evelyn
02 Blake — Blake and Pax
ALLIANCE AGENCY SERIES
(co-written with India Kells)
0.5 Deadly Alliance — Shane and Emme
01 Knight Watch — Kingsley and Sydney
TIGHTROPE DUET
01 Tightrope One — Hunter and Lexi
02 Tightrope Two — Hunter and Lexi
About the Author
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