No Regrets

by Rebecca Deel

  “Ramsey, you’re next,” Josh called.

  He kept an arm around his girlfriend as he went to Durango’s leader and gave his statement. He followed the rapid-fire report style he learned in the military, a style familiar to the Delta warrior. Throughout the process, Sasha remained quiet.

  When Cade finished, Josh dismissed him. “Go rest. I’ll expect coffee from my favorite barista early tomorrow morning.”

  Sasha smiled. “I’ll have it ready along with muffins for you and Del.”

  Durango’s leader chuckled. “My wife will appreciate it. She swears she’s carrying voracious triplets who never stop eating.”

  Cade’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you expecting multiples?”

  A scowl. “I barely survived my sisters.”

  Sasha laughed. “I hear multiple births run in the family.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Take your woman home, Ramsey. She has a mean streak.”

  Cade saluted and walked Sasha to his SUV, Matt following with his mike bag slung over his shoulder.

  “I’ll be on your six,” his friend murmured. He moved his SUV out of Cade’s way.

  As he drove, Cade wondered what Sasha thought of the incident in the school. She didn’t seem disturbed by how events unfolded in the rescue. Throughout the drive to his home, Sasha remained silent although she kept her fingers laced with his. That had to be a good sign.

  He ushered his girlfriend into the house and deactivated the alarm. “Stay with her,” he told Matt.

  Sig in hand, Cade searched his house for intruders. When sure Sasha was safe, he returned to the kitchen to find her prepping his coffee maker for the early morning alarm. She finished the coffee preparations and set the timer. “I’ll give you breakfast at Perk.”

  Sasha needed to sleep, but he wanted to spend a little more time with her. Yeah, he was crazy about this woman and hoped she was as invested in this relationship as he was.

  They rummaged through the freezer and chose meals prepared by Serena Blackhawk. After dinner, Cade turned to his friend. “I’ll take first watch.”

  A nod. “I’ll be up in three hours.”

  When Matt’s door closed, Sasha looked at Cade. “I know I need to sleep, but I want to be with you a few minutes before I turn in.”

  Did she expect him to object? “Come on.” He led her to the living room and sat with her on the couch, grateful she was there and safe.

  Cade turned on the television to a light jazz station and reduced the volume. They sat in silence for a few minutes, the lights dim, the night quiet and peaceful as the mellow tones of a soprano saxophone dissolved lingering tension in his muscles.

  He threaded his fingers through Sasha’s hair. “No second thoughts about us?”

  Sasha stared. “Why would I have second thoughts?”

  “We blew open doors and confronted eight gunmen, most of whom did not survive.”

  “You also saved eleven people, one of them a good friend. Why won’t you focus on that? What you and your teammates did was amazing. Although I didn’t see the action, I heard enough from your statement to know you did what was necessary to protect Ivy and her students, nothing more.”

  The ball of ice in his stomach melted away. “Sasha.”

  She captured his lips in a sweet, soft kiss. “I respect what you do and the sacrifices you make. The more I learn about you and your work, the more my admiration grows. I have no doubts about us, Cade.”

  Unable to help himself, Cade fisted her hair and plundered her mouth with his. He poured the depth of his feelings into the kiss, trying to convey without words how much she meant to him. Her rejection now would break his heart.

  When they were both desperate for air, he broke the kiss and eased back to see her eyes. He was either about to make the biggest mistake of his life or the best decision ever. Depended on her response in the next two minutes.

  “What is it, Cade?” She palmed his cheek with a gentle touch, concern in her gaze.

  “Although I hate that you were kidnapped at the bank, I don’t regret having the chance to be with you and learn who you are. Sasha, I thought I was in love with Emily. In these last few days, I’ve realized how wrong I was. What I felt for her is a shadow of my feelings for you.”

  Man, he was lousing this up. If she was a wise woman, Sasha Ingram would dump him and run for the hills.

  “What are you saying?” she whispered, hope a living, breathing entity in her eyes.

  Another soft kiss from the woman in his arms. Hmm. Maybe he wasn’t doing a bad job after all. “I love you.”

  Her beautiful eyes widened. “Cade,” she murmured.

  Was that good or bad? “I need you in my life more than I’ve needed anyone. Without you, my life will be an endless, meaningless existence. You bring out the best in me, and I don’t want to go back to the man I was before you entered my life.”

  A wide smile curved her lips. “I love you, too. I think I fell in love with you when I woke up and saw you leaning over me after the kidnapping.” Her cheeks reddened. “I’ve been more than half in love with you for months. Seeing your kindness and protectiveness tipped me all the way over.”

  Minutes later, he eased away from her again, heart racing and breathing rapid. “Will you marry me, Sasha?”

  “I would love to be your wife.”

  “Soon? I’ve wasted too much time working up the courage to talk to you. I don’t want to waste anymore. I want everything with you. A home, a family, a dog. I want it all, but only with you.”

  “Yes, to everything. Choose a date. I’ll be ready.”

  Cade held Sasha, kissing her and making plans. “Do you have a preference which house we live in?”

  “Yours has better security. If it’s all right with you, I’ll repair mine and sell it.”

  He wanted Sasha safe and happy. If that meant installing the same security system in her house that he had in his own, he’d do it. Home was Sasha Ingram soon-to-be Ramsey. Without her, anyplace he lived was just a house. She would make it a home, a place of love and laughter for years to come.

  “Sounds perfect. Have you heard from Ethan about your house?”

  “I forgot to tell you. Ethan called while I was cleaning the pantry at Perk with Dixie and Kat. The police finished their investigation and Elliott Construction has agreed to repair the house for me.”

  He stood. “Much as I’d love to keep you with me, you need rest. I’ll walk you to your room.” At her door, he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “See you in a few hours.” He stole another brief kiss. “I love you, Sassy.” With that, he nudged her inside the room before he lost the battle to stay on this side of the door.

  Cade double-checked the doors and windows before he returned to the living room and pulled out his phone. Reluctant to wake Zane if he was sleeping, Cade sent the tech guru a text, asking him to call as soon as possible.

  Within ten minutes, his cell phone rang. “Zane, thanks for calling. How’s Claire?”

  “Excellent. What do you need?”

  “Two things. Run a check on the trainees and staff at PSI.”

  A pause, then, “We routinely run scans every month. What am I looking for?”

  “Anything to indicate we have a traitor.” He summarized the hostage incident at the community college and the man who approached Sasha wearing a PSI t-shirt. “Someone could have copied the logo and slapped it on his own t-shirt.”

  “But we can’t take that chance. Gerard slipped through our security net because he was paid in cash. If the man who fixated on your girlfriend was bought off and paid with cash, I may not find an electronic trail to follow. What else?”

  “Find Tony Gerard and Gary Westlake. Gerard showed up at PSI and went after Sasha.”

  “She’s okay?”

  “Yeah, thanks to Nate.”

  “She’s your greatest weakness.”

  “And my greatest strength,” he countered.

  Soft laughter drifted through the speaker. “I never t
hought I would hear you say that. You’re in love with Sasha?”

  “Head over heels.”

  “She feel the same way?”

  “Yes.”

  “Congratulations, Cade. I’m happy for both of you. I’ll search for Gerard and Westlake and send the information. Because of the number of trainees and staffers at PSI, I’ll assign those searches to the tech division. We should have results in a few hours if there is anything to find. I also overnighted jewelry to PSI for Sasha. Trackers are embedded in them. She should wear more than one piece to ensure at least one of the tags will transmit a signal. Expect delivery tomorrow morning.”

  “Thanks, Zane.”

  After he ended the call, Cade grabbed his laptop and started digging for information on Black Dog. By the end of two hours, he was frustrated. Not enough information to find the answers he sought, answers that would protect his future wife.

  Rumors abounded on the dark web about the group, but no one knew the CEO’s name. Although their headquarters was in Kentucky, speculation said the mercenary group wanted to relocate to Tennessee.

  Cade frowned. Was that why their operatives were nosing around Otter Creek? Ethan would not be happy if that turned out to be truth rather than gossip.

  Maybe he had crossed one of BD’s operatives or interfered in one of their missions. His teammates and their families would be at risk also if the crime wave in town was connected to Black Dog.

  He needed to find the answer before this group took another run at him or Sasha. Next time, they might not escape unscathed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Sasha woke with a groan and fumbled for her phone without opening her eyes. She mumbled a croaky greeting into the phone.

  “Where are you?” an irate voice snapped at her.

  Irritation with a major dose of crankiness swelled in her gut. “What time is it?”

  “A few minutes past one. Answer the question, Sash. Where are you?”

  “I have to be up in an hour to go to work. You couldn’t wait until Perk opened to demand an accounting of my movements?”

  “Sasha Marie Ingram,” her brother yelled. “Answer my question.”

  “You aren’t Mom or Dad. Using all three of my names doesn’t work as an intimidation tactic. I’m an adult, fully capable of staying where I please.”

  “I’m worried about you.”

  Sasha sighed, recognizing the concern in his voice. His concern was unnecessary. Cade would take a bullet for her in a heartbeat if someone breached his security system. “I’m staying with Cade and one of his teammates.” Someone plugged into the town’s gossip network would know she was staying in Cade’s house.

  Muttered curses came through the speaker. “If you care anything for your own life, stay away from Ramsey.”

  Stunned, she sat up. “Are you threatening me?”

  “How could you think that?”

  “I didn’t hear from you for twelve years. When you showed up, you acted like a stranger instead of my brother. Are you surprised I don’t know what to think about you?”

  “Stay with a friend. Anyone is better than Ramsey. I’ll pay for a hotel room if you’ll leave him. You’re at risk in his company.”

  “Knock it off. I won’t bring trouble to my friends’ doorsteps. I’m safe with Cade and his teammate.”

  “I can protect you. I’ll put you in a safe house. No one will touch you while you’re under my protection. Tell me where you’re staying, and I’ll rescue you.”

  “I don’t need rescuing, and I have a business to run. Whether I work or not, the bills don’t stop coming. I love Perk, Dean. I don’t want to lose my shop because you have me locked in a safe house until the person behind the attacks is behind bars.”

  Silence for a moment. “I’ll transport you from the safe house or hotel to your job for as long as you’re in danger. I’ll post guards in and around your shop to protect you.”

  Sasha frowned. “Guards?” Who did he know who could provide protection services?

  “I know some people. Good people. They’ll make sure no one hurts you again.”

  “Cade and his Fortress teammates are taking excellent care of me.”

  A bark of harsh laughter. “You have a concussion, your shop was broken into, and your house was set on fire. Doesn’t sound like they’re doing a great job, little sister.”

  Sasha’s hand fisted around her cell phone. At least he didn’t know about the incident at the mall in Knoxville or the episodes with Gerard. “Who are these friends of yours?”

  “Men who train hard and do the job, no matter what it takes.” Pride came through loud and clear in his voice. “That’s all you need to know.”

  Who were these men? She didn’t think her brother would tell her more. He’d been evasive except for his demand that she leave Cade’s house and trust her safety to Dean. Never going to happen. She trusted Cade with her life and her heart. Dean was a virtual stranger with an agenda of his own.

  “I appreciate your concern, but I’m staying.”

  “You’re making a mistake, Sasha. I hope it’s not a fatal one.” Dean ended the call.

  Sasha tossed her phone on the bed and blew out a breath. Great. Her brother had not only awakened her, he’d riled her.

  With anger simmering in her gut, going back to sleep was impossible. If Dean was angry because Sasha wouldn’t leave Cade, he would be livid when he found out Sasha planned to marry the Fortress operative.

  Tough. Although she loved her brother, if she had to choose between Cade and Dean, Cade would win every time.

  Sasha gathered her clothes and padded to the bathroom. After a steamy shower, she still felt sluggish and grumpy.

  Coffee, she decided. She’d brew the pot she prepped before bed. Maybe the caffeine-laced drink would help her compensate for another short night of rest.

  Sasha’s lips quirked. Right. She didn’t think consuming a vat of espresso would jumpstart her synapses. How did the Fortress operatives function on so little sleep?

  She stumbled into the kitchen and pressed the coffeemaker’s start button. Sasha waited impatiently for the brew cycle to finish, eyeing the carafe and the stingy stream of liquid dripping into the glass container.

  A muffled step had her spinning on her heel.

  Matt walked into the kitchen. “Why are you awake this early?”

  “A wise man would allow me to drink a large mug of coffee before he engaged me in too much conversation.”

  The medic chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. Does Cade know about your early morning disposition?”

  She scowled.

  After another soft laugh, he held up his hands. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. I need to do another security sweep. I’ll return in a few minutes.”

  Sasha glared at the operative’s back as he walked outside for a circuit around the house. How could he be cheerful this time of morning? Matt was right. She did have quite an early morning attitude.

  Down the hall, a shower turned on.

  She blew out a breath. Rats. The last thing she wanted to do was wake Cade early. Sasha must not have been quiet enough. The operative slept light. Perhaps the circumstances made him hyperaware of his surroundings. Would he sleep deeper when she was safe or was this a byproduct of his military training?

  She swiveled to face the infernal machine that dripped coffee at molasses speed. Finally, the coffeemaker beeped, signaling the end of the brew cycle.

  Sasha grabbed three mugs and pounced on the carafe, pouring steaming liquid into her mug. She climbed on a barstool and sipped, praying the caffeine did its job before she said something she would regret. By the time she finished half her drink, Matt returned and filled a mug.

  A minute later, Cade walked in. His gaze tracked immediately to Sasha. Concern filled his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “A phone call woke me early.”

  Matt poured coffee into Cade’s mug and handed it to him. “Bad news?”

  Depended on how you looked at it. “More an
annoyance. I was so aggravated by the time the call ended, I couldn’t sleep.”

  Cade sat on the stool next to hers. “Who called?”

  “Dean.”

  “What did he want?” Matt leaned against the counter, mug cradled between his hands.

  “To know where I was staying. I told him I was with you and Cade.”

  “I can imagine how that went over,” he murmured, his tone wry.

  “He insisted I leave Cade and go with him. He promised to set me up in a safe house or hotel, and keep anyone else from hurting me. I turned him down flat. He was not happy.”

  “Not a pleasant way to wake up.” Cade leaned close and kissed her.

  When he eased away, Sasha smiled. “That goes a long way toward making up for my rude awakening.”

  Matt snorted. “Nice. You get a kiss,” he told Cade. “I got a bad-tempered rant about not talking to her before she downed a mug of coffee.”

  Her husband-to-be smirked at his friend. “You don’t have the right touch.”

  At that moment, both of the men’s cell phones signaled an incoming text. Cade grabbed his phone and checked the screen. A broad smile curved his mouth. “Ivy had a seven-pound girl. Her name is Savannah Rose. Mama and baby are going great. According to Josh, Alex paced a trench in the floor, snarled at the doctor and nurses, and is absolutely in love with his daughter.”

  He tapped the screen and turned his phone around for Sasha to see the picture of a dark-haired baby.

  “She’s beautiful.” Sasha hoped one day she and Cade would be sending a text message with pictures of their child. Her gaze lifted to his face. Did Cade want children? He’d hinted as much when he mentioned having a family, but he’d never said specifically. In response to her silent inquiry, he gave her a slight nod.

  Warmth filled her. Cade Ramsey would be an amazing father.

  “Something I need to know about?” Matt’s mug stopped halfway to his lips as he watched their silent interaction.

  “I asked Sasha to marry me last night.”

  “And?”

  “She said yes.”

  The medic set his mug on the counter with a thud. “Man, a guy sleeps for three hours and everything changes.” He came around the breakfast bar and clapped Cade on the shoulder. “Congratulations. That’s the smartest thing you’ve done since I met you.”