by Anna Hackett
He’d also set his mind to convincing her to move to Las Vegas and spend the rest of her life with him. When he’d given her an oval-shaped diamond, surrounded by emeralds, she’d quickly snatched it off him and said yes.
So, she was making the move to Las Vegas, and in talks with the university about how she could continue her work. She was even thinking about taking some time off when the baby arrived, and spending some time writing history books. The first one she had planned would be about the Snake Kings.
She’d also told him that she wanted to dedicate the books to her mother.
They’d also spent a lot of time arguing. His woman sure as hell could argue. He grinned. But he enjoyed seducing her out of her tempers.
Lachlan clasped Seth’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you, man.”
“We’re both lucky bastards.” Just months before, they’d both been considered scary and focused, and they’d avoided relationships.
“We sure are,” Lachlan answered.
They left the suite and headed for the elevator.
“You had to pick the Aurora,” Lachlan muttered.
Seth slid his hands in his pockets and smiled. “I wasn’t the one who dived off the roof with my woman and landed in the pool. I like the place.”
Lachlan grunted. “No jokes about Rowan falling off roofs. My heart can’t take it.”
Two women stepped out of a room. Both were wearing short dresses, dangly earrings, and high heels. As they spotted the men, smiles crossed their faces.
“Hello, there,” one of the women purred. “You guys looking for a private party?”
The other woman leaned around her friend. “Want some company?”
Seth jerked a thumb at Lachlan. “He’s taken, and about to stand up with me as I marry the only woman I’ve ever loved. She’s also carrying my baby.”
One woman snapped her fingers. “We were too late.”
The other woman winked. “What a shame.”
“Good luck!” The women headed off with a wave.
Seth and Lachlan stepped into the elevator. It whisked them upward, and soon they stepped out on the rooftop terrace of the Aurora Casino.
Chairs had been set up in neat rows and lanterns were strung up everywhere. Guests milled around. Seth spotted his parents sitting up front. His dad was tugging at the collar of his suit, and Seth’s mother was wearing one of her best dresses. Callie was chatting with them, trying to keep them comfortable. He scanned the rest of the space, seeing that the team was all there, including Jonah, Ty, Nat, and Brooks. There were also several archeology friends of January’s, as well as her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Both the cousins had been icy with Seth over the last few days, clearly protective of January. But slowly they were thawing.
At the end of the aisle stood the celebrant, dressed as Elvis. Seth shook his head. January had insisted that if they were getting married in Vegas, they had to be married by an Elvis impersonator. Seth didn’t care. He’d marry her naked in a shark tank if she wanted.
“Ready?” Lachlan said.
“Absolutely.”
They joined Elvis, standing there waiting, as the string quartet in the corner played soothing music. All the guests sat.
Then there was a pause, and the music changed.
Seth took a deep breath and looked down the end of the aisle. January’s friend Qian came first, her dark hair elegantly styled, and wearing a jade-green dress. She carried a bright bouquet of flowers.
January followed a moment later.
The air caught in Seth’s chest.
She looked gorgeous. She wore a romantic lace dress, with a deep V neckline. It hugged her body before flaring out at her feet, with a tiny train behind it. Her pregnancy wasn’t showing yet, but she was glowing. Her brown hair was pulled up in some sort of elaborate style, with a few delicate wisps escaping to frame her face. She carried a bunch of pretty, colorful flowers that were perfect for her. Bright and vibrant and lively.
Their gazes locked and she grinned. It was a wide, happy smile and they stared at each other as she walked to him.
January finally reached the two men and Elvis. “Hey.”
Seth pulled her close. “Hey.” Then, he cupped one palm over her belly. “Hey, sprout.”
Unable to stop himself, Seth lowered his head and kissed her. He was so grateful that January had busted through his defenses. There was nowhere else he wanted to be.
“Uh, that bit’s supposed to come at the end,” Elvis said.
As the crowd laughed, Seth stepped back. “Carry on.”
“Thank you for coming, everyone,” Elvis called out. “Shall we get the party started?”
Seth and January traded vows in front of their friends and family, the bright sun shining down on them.
“I now pronounce you badass and wife,” Elvis said.
Cheers went up.
Seth swung January into his arms and kissed her, long and deep.
“You’ve already knocked her up, amigo,” Axel called out. “Let your wife breathe.”
His wife. Seth lifted his head. He liked the sound of that.
He looked over at his team. Axel stood with an arm slung over Callie’s shoulder. Rowan was standing arm and arm with Blair. Smith was smiling. Nat was leaning into Brooks, dabbing her eyes. And Jonah was off to the side a little, hands in the pockets of his jacket, a faint smile on his face.
Axel raised a hand. “Now we can get this party started!”
Servers appeared, carrying trays of food and drinks. The string quartet left, and a DJ started playing from the dancefloor set up in one corner of the terrace. Behind them, they had a sparkling view of Las Vegas and the setting sun to the west.
Seth leaned down. “I love you, Mrs. 007.”
January laughed, full-bodied and with all of her energy. “Right back at you, Mr. 007.”
January finally realized what true, deep-to-the-bone happiness felt like.
She smiled as she watched her friends drinking, laughing, and dancing. Night had fallen, and the terrace glowed with lights from the Strip.
She wandered over to a table set up near the door. Seth had surprised her that morning with a large framed photograph of her mother that he’d organized with January’s aunt.
“She’d be so happy.”
January looked up and saw her aunt at her side.
“I know you were worried that this was sudden, and with the pregnancy—”
Her aunt linked her arm through January’s. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, January. Like he can’t believe how lucky he is. That man, who I will admit is a little intense and frightening, loves you.”
“He does.” January automatically looked around and saw Seth across the terrace with Lachlan. God, the pair of them were handsome in their suits.
“And you him,” her aunt murmured, following her gaze.
“Completely.”
Then her aunt shivered. “At least he’s not quite as scary-looking as his boss.”
“Lachlan is good people,” January assured her.
“It sounds like they all are. Even if they are a little bit secretive about their military work.” Her aunt paused and smiled. “Happy?”
“Happy.”
“And off to Tahiti for your honeymoon?”
January was excited. They had a full week away with no work, no phones, and definitely no bad guys. Just sun, sand, and her man.
She heard a sexy chuckle, and looked over to see Axel flirting with some of her archeology friends. But he soon abandoned them to join Blair and Callie on the dance floor. Smith was sitting at the bar, nursing what looked like bourbon.
She liked seeing Team 52 relax. She understood now just how dangerous their job could be, and how important it was. They were a crucial line of defense.
Rowan approached Lachlan, tugging on his hand and clearly trying to lure him onto the dance floor where Blair and Axel were now dancing up a storm. January looked back at Seth.
All hers. He was so damn ha
ndsome and looked mighty fine in his suit. Her own personal 007. She couldn’t wait to rip it off him.
Blair appeared, color in her cheeks. “Phew, I need a drink. Axel has some moves.”
Axel was now pulling a protesting Natalie onto the dance floor. Nat said something to him, her face filled with attitude. Undeterred, Axel’s grin just widened.
“Come on,” Blair said. “I’ll buy you a drink.”
“It’s an open bar.”
“Well, I guess you’re buying, then.”
Blair ordered herself a tequila shot and January a pineapple juice. Blair knocked the shot back.
“Are you tempted to fall in love, Blair?” January asked.
“If it happens—” The woman shrugged a bare shoulder, her unique eyes looking off into the distance. The light glinted off her silver prosthetic eye. “But I won’t compromise. I want the real deal.” She smiled at January. “I’m glad you found it, and I’m glad you give it to Seth. He’s a good man under the cool shell. And you guys are perfect for each other.”
January wrinkled her nose. “Unless we’re fighting.” Which they did. A lot.
Blair nodded. “And you both get off on it. Big time.” She winked. “And I bet the makeup sex is sensational.”
It was. Not that January was planning to share the details.
Callie hurried over, looking amazing in her shimmering, silver-gray dress. She was frowning. “Have you seen Kinsey? I never saw her arrive.”
“No, I haven’t.” January scanned around for the blonde. “But I have been a little preoccupied.”
Blair smiled. “I’ll help you find her, Cal.” Blair gripped January’s arm. “Take good care of him.”
“Absolutely. I’m not taking him away for very long. You’ll get him back soon.”
“Enjoy your honeymoon.”
January laughed. “Oh, don’t worry, I definitely will.”
As the women left, arms wrapped around January from behind. When those familiar long fingers cradled her belly, she smiled. Seth’s heat pressed against her back.
“How’s my son?” Seth murmured in her ear.
“It could be a girl.” By now, they were both over the shock of her pregnancy. Mostly. The surprise had been eclipsed by excitement, mixed with a healthy dose of nerves.
Seth had even gone out and bought them a dozen baby books. The man loved flicking through them.
“And how’s my wife?” He spun her around.
His wife. She loved hearing that. “She’s incandescently happy. I didn’t know I could be this happy.”
His face softened.
“And how’s my husband?” She tilted her head back. Oh yeah, she could tell from his face that he liked her saying that.
“So damn happy.” He lowered his voice. “And looking forward to you in a tiny bikini. I’ve packed my camera and plan to take a lot of naughty photos of you.”
January quivered.
“But right now, I’m ready to have you all to myself.”
“You think we can sneak out?” They had a suite at the casino all to themselves.
“Hell, yes,” he said. “I’m a former spy, remember?”
She slid her arms around his neck. “My own personal spy.”
“Yours forever, hellcat.”
He swept her off her feet and into his arms, kissing her hard. As he walked toward the elevator, their friends and family cheered.
Not very sneaky, but neither of them cared.
Smith
“We’ve got a problem.”
Blair’s murmured statement made Smith look up from his bourbon. She was nearby, talking to Lachlan.
Smith really didn’t like weddings. He was happy for Seth and January, but Smith had tried matrimony once. He’d been young, and stupid enough to let his high-school girlfriend lead him around by his dick.
Best thing he ever did, getting rid of Lila. Now, he stuck to the occasional fuck with like-minded cocktail waitresses or biker babes. Easy. No complications.
“Kinsey never showed for the wedding,” Blair said.
Smith’s muscles tensed and he swiveled. “What?”
Blair met his gaze. “She texted before the ceremony and said she was running late. There was a last-minute delivery scheduled at the Bunker, and she had to be there. She said she’d be here right after. That was hours ago.”
Smith had unconsciously been looking out for Kinsey all night. Hell, he’d actually been relieved that she clearly hadn’t been able to make it.
Watching beautiful, sweet Kinsey Beck swan around with a sunny smile on her gorgeous face was always a form of torture for Smith. Now, his muscles stretched so tight they hurt.
“And she never showed?” Lachlan said.
Blair shook her head, worry clear on her face.
Callie appeared. “No sign of her.”
“Call her,” Smith said.
“I tried,” Blair said. “No answer.”
“I’ll try again.” Callie held her phone to her ear. They all watched her.
Pick up the phone, Kinsey. Smith’s fingers clenched on his glass.
Callie shook her head. “No answer.”
“I’m going to the Bunker to check it out,” Lachlan said. “Maybe she just got held up.”
Smith stood. “I’m coming.”
“Me too,” said Blair.
“And me.” Callie stepped forward.
Axel appeared, joining the group. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m getting bad vibes.”
“Kinsey never showed,” Smith bit out. “Went to the Bunker for a late delivery, but never made it here.”
“Fuck,” Axel breathed.
“What will we tell Seth?” Blair asked.
Lachlan’s jaw firmed. “He just headed out with January. We aren’t ruining his wedding night. This might be nothing. So we aren’t telling him anything right now.” He turned to talk with Rowan, and Smith watched Lachlan’s woman nod, worry in her eyes.
“I’ll see you when you get back,” Rowan said.
“Let’s go. Now.” Smith didn’t want to waste any more time.
It was a tense ride down in the elevator to the garage. At the team’s SUV, Smith claimed the driver’s seat while the others piled in.
Once Smith hit Las Vegas Boulevard, he put his foot down, heading toward the airport. He did twenty over, desperate to get there.
They passed through the gate, showing their IDs. The SUV’s lights cut across the squat building of the Bunker and the attached aircraft hangar.
There were no vehicles outside, but he saw lights on inside. He hoped beyond hope that she was in there, doing some urgent work.
He cut the engine and the team stepped out of the SUV. As they approached the front door, they all scanned their surroundings.
As they got close, Smith saw that the door to the Bunker was ajar.
Dammit. It was always locked. His chest went solid and he reached back, pulling his SIG Sauer from under his jacket.
The others pulled out their handguns—SIGs, except for Axel who swore by his Glock. Even at a wedding, Team 52 was armed.
With a nod from Lachlan, Smith went first. He kicked open the door and moved inside.
Fucking hell. He froze. He couldn’t breathe.
“Damn,” Lachlan said.
The place was a mess. Filing cabinets had been tipped over, Kinsey’s desk was overturned, and books and papers had been flung all over the floor.
“Stay focused,” Lachlan said in a cool, controlled tone. “Clear the building.”
The team moved in formation, fanning out. Smith went with Lachlan, and they cleared the other rooms. Blair, Axel, and Callie moved to the hangar and the holding cells below.
“Clear.”
“Clear.”
“Clear.”
Smith lowered his gun. There was no sign of Kinsey or anyone else. He felt the blood pounding in his veins like a drum.
Kinsey—delicate, sweet Kinsey. When she smiled, it was like a light shon
e out of her. She’d watched him. Smith had sure as hell noticed. Once, she’d made a super-cute, drunken pass at him.
It had taken all his willpower to gently turn her down.
She’d avoided him for a few weeks after, but it hadn’t been long before her smile had reappeared. But she still watched him.
And when she wasn’t looking, Smith watched her as well. Oh, he’d looked his fill of her—round ass, long legs, shiny, blonde hair. Hell, even her nose was cute, and the pretty sweep of her collarbones, and her delicate wrists.
Fuck.
Blair moved over to straighten the chair near the desk. Kinsey loved that stupid pink, ergonomic chair.
Then Blair went still. “No.”
Gut curdling, Smith pushed forward. There was blood splattered on the floor.
No. He tried to pull in air, feeling dizzy. No.
Callie knelt. “It’s not enough blood to have killed her. If it is hers.”
“Someone took her,” Smith growled. “The fucker is a dead man.”
“Lachlan,” Axel called out from near the door.
There was a small shelf, where Kinsey kept a bowl of candy. She stocked it with all their favorites. Now, there was a cell phone and a note sitting beside it.
They crowded around, and Lachlan lifted it with his gloved left arm.
We have something of yours, and you have something we want. We propose a trade. Wait for our call.
There was a strange logo at the bottom. A circular, bird-like design.
All Smith could hear was a roaring in his ears. Some bastards had Kinsey.
Smith turned and slammed his fist into the wall. It plowed through the drywall with a puff of dust.
“Cool it.” Lachlan’s golden gaze was no longer cool. The man was pissed, but was keeping a tight hold on it.
“We have to find her,” Smith growled.
“We will,” Lachlan said. “Axel, lock up the Bunker. Blair, call Brooks now, and tell him what’s going on. We’ll use my condo as a base of operations.” Lachlan looked at each of them. “We’re going to find her and get her back.” Lachlan’s gaze landed on Smith’s for an extra second. “We’re going to find her.”
And they’d make whoever had done this pay. Smith’s fingers curled, his knuckles cracking.
