Support.
Mutual respect.
The absolute certainty another had your back.
And, damn it, he’d had that. With Sadie. He’d had all of it and he’d thrown it away because…
Because of Lila?
The FBI read Matthews his rights and informed him of the charges.
Because of the baby?
The man spluttered and cursed the whole time as several FBI team members moved in and secured him in cuffs.
Because he was stupid.
It was the only answer left. Because he’d finally found forever and he would be the world’s biggest fool to let it go.
* * *
Sadie looked around the small library of the home she’d grown up in and wondered how she’d ended up back here. Not the literal here, since she regularly visited her brother or came over on CI business.
But since she’d already been given one of the guest bedrooms for the night and even had a toothbrush set out on the sink, the proverbial “here” seemed pervasive.
The house doubled as CI headquarters and Riley had already pulled her aside to discuss how he wanted to further expand the business. Ashanti’s successful work on the Wes Matthews situation had further confirmed Riley’s instincts.
Colton Investigations frequently worked with law enforcement, and the more skilled individuals he carried on his payroll, the more cases the firm could work.
That was why he wanted Sadie to come work for him. As CI’s first crime scene investigator.
Sadie rolled the idea around, more and more convinced it was the right choice. As an ex-FBI agent himself, her brother had vast resources, and she’d already told him that he’d need to invest in state-of-the-art equipment if she was going to even consider it. Riley had not only said yes, he’d given her a budget she could work with, and she was already dreaming of the great new tools she could buy.
But it also meant coming home.
She’d keep her apartment and continue living on her own, but making this choice meant she would be tying her life even more tightly to her siblings. And while part of her questioned if she lacked independence, a bigger part of her thought it sounded nice.
Better than nice, actually, especially with Vikki joining CI full time, too. To be part of the family business and use her knowledge doing a job she loved.
She and Vikki had spent about an hour together earlier, talking through what had happened and how happy they were to be back together. By the end, Sadie had known how badly Vik wanted to get to Flynn and she’d sent her off then wended her way through the house to a quiet room not full to bursting with Coltons.
She loved her family, but a bit of quiet was welcome.
“Sadie.”
Vikki was back and stood at the door. “Someone’s here to see you.”
Her twin slowly backed out of the entryway as Tripp filled it. And in that moment Sadie finally understood what she’d been feeling.
Like Vikki had wanted the comfort of being with Flynn, all Sadie wanted was Tripp. And she’d accepted that what she’d wanted wasn’t possible.
Only, he was here. Now.
And that feeling of safety only intensified, wrapping her in its tight, warm arms. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
“I heard the FBI took down Matthews.”
“It was textbook, thanks to Ashanti. And that is good, since we’re going to need every advantage when this goes to trial. And Brody is home and safe.”
Sadie nodded, well aware of the risks if things hadn’t been handled to the letter. Namely, that Wes would get off and find some way to replicate the project elsewhere.
Tripp continued to stand there, discomfort riding his shoulders like a cloak. “So, um, look… You said something to me. After we talked last. About it all being over.”
Hope fluttered once more in her chest but Sadie pushed it down. She couldn’t go there. Couldn’t let herself believe things might be different for them. “Because it is.”
Tripp stepped into the room, carefully closing the French doors before turning back to face her. “Did you mean Greer and Matthews and RevitaYou? Or did you mean you and me?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does.” He moved closer. “To me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m done hiding, Sadie. I’m done living half a life. And I’m done believing that having no one in my life is better than risking loving someone.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
He stared at her, those steady blue eyes never leaving hers. “Does that mean you’ll give me another chance?”
“At what, exactly?”
“At us. At being a couple. At making a life together.”
She wanted nothing more, but she couldn’t quite let him off that easily. “You’re not still upset that it might be awkward at work?”
“No.”
“And you need a place to live. You thinking of freeloading off of me for a while?”
A small smile twitched the corners of his lips. “If you’ll have me.”
“And what about a Christmas tree?”
“What about one?”
“I’m putting up Herman once I get home. I’m not living without a Christmas tree.”
“Herman?” His eyebrows narrowed in confusion.
“The tree.”
“Oh. Then I won’t, either.”
She opened her arms. “Come here, Tripp. Please.”
It was only once he pulled her close that she let him off the hook. “Even if you feel weird at work or leave your clothes laying around my apartment or hate the Christmas tree, I’m going to love you anyway. I hope you know that.”
“Good. Because I’m going to love you, too. Because I do love you. I love you more than I ever thought possible.”
“I love you, too.” She pulled him in for a kiss, reveling in the fact that he was there and they were together.
It was only long moments later, when the kiss had faded and they had their heads pressed together, that she remembered her news.
“I do have one more thing to tell you.”
“Oh?” Interest sparked in those blue depths. “What is it?”
“I quit. Consider this my two weeks’ notice.”
EPILOGUE
Christmas Eve
Alfie raced through Riley’s living room as fast as his toddler’s gait would carry him. He had speed but was still a bit wobbly on his feet. Sadie let out a quick sigh of relief as she saw Tripp put a steadying hand on an antique manger set that had been her grandmother’s.
Now that there were small children in the house, it looked like they’d need to reconsider the placement of some of the holiday decorations. An idea that only made the smile she couldn’t seem to stop grow wider.
Then she smiled even more broadly when Tripp reached down and plucked Alfie up, holding him high above his head. The little boy giggled. “Uncle Tip! Airplane, Uncle Tip!”
“Uncle Tip” obliged, moving the boy around in the air before walking him to the tree so he could touch one of the more precious ornaments on a high branch.
“Watch out, Tripp,” Kiely admonished as she walked into the living room with a large tray of desserts. “Those little fists are quick.”
“Good thing I’m quicker,” Tripp said, closing a hand over Alfie’s just before his fingers made contact with crystal.
Tripp then leaned in and made raspberries against the boy’s belly, sending Alfie into gales of laughter and effectively distracting him from the tree.
Cooper, following behind Kiely, extended his hands for his son. “Is this one making trouble?”
Tripp gave the boy a quick kiss on the head before he passed him over. “Only the best kind.”
“There’s a best kind?” Kiely asked.
“When
you’re two, it’s all the best kind.”
With his precious charge deposited in his father’s arms, Tripp came and took the seat beside Sadie. Just like they always did now, his hand covered hers, their fingers linking. It felt so right—and so natural—Sadie couldn’t believe how quickly that simple touch had become a necessity.
Just like Tripp.
The time had seemed to pass in a blur, the RevitaYou case wrapping up with record speed. With Tate Greer dead and Wes Matthews in federal custody, the work had shifted to the federal prosecutors who’d taken over.
It had also left the two of them some quiet time together to settle into their relationship. As part of that, they’d also spent time with her family. Tripp had settled in well to the “Colton Chaos” as she liked to think of it, taking all of them in stride. It helped that he knew so many of them through work, but Tripp had seamlessly moved into a more personal relationship with each of them. Riley, in particular, had warmed to Tripp, their already strong work friendship morphing into a more brotherly relationship.
As if she’d conjured him, Riley entered the room, his hand on Charlize’s extended belly before he gently situated her in a chair by the fire. Once he was satisfied she was comfortable, he turned to face them all.
“I think he’s going to make a speech,” Sadie leaned over and said to Tripp. “Settle in.”
Tripp pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “I’m ready to be inspired.”
Sadie couldn’t resist sticking her tongue out at her brother before whispering back to Tripp, “You’re a traitor to the cause.”
Riley waited as everyone quieted, his gaze slowly moving around the living room. Sadie’s eyes followed and, despite her teasing over Riley’s assumption of de facto elder statesman, she understood his pride. It was an awesome sight to see them all there.
Griffin and Abigail sat on the floor, Maya nestled in Abigail’s lap, a stuffed reindeer in her small hand. Vikki and Flynn sat beside Pippa and Emmanuel on one of the large couches that bookended the room, while Kiely and Cooper kept Alfie occupied between them on a matched love seat. And Brody had taken a seat on the end of the couch where Sadie and Tripp sat, opposite to Riley.
Sadie gave Tripp one last kiss before scooting over to sit beside her brother in spirit. Brody had saved her and Vikki. He’d finally decided to take things into his own hands, ending the threat Tate had posed, determined to keep them all safe.
“If I haven’t said it lately, thank you.” Sadie tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. “For everything.”
Brody blushed but nodded. “I did what I had to do for my family.”
“You did.”
Riley raised his glass. “As we approach the holiday, we’re all here and all together. Our family has faced innumerable challenges this year, but as we come to the close of it, we’re stronger than ever. All while growing quite a bit.”
“Colton world domination!” Kiely shouted at her brother, eliciting a laugh all the way around. But she was the first to lift her glass in return, everyone else following suit.
“To family!” Riley said, his glass high.
“To family,” they all responded in kind.
Sadie gave Brody a large hug before shifting back to extend her hand to Tripp. As his fingers closed over hers, she knew she’d found her place. She’d always had one as a Colton, but now she had another one.
With Tripp.
The man she loved.
As the lights of the tree shone down on all of them, Sadie settled into the joy and beauty of her present.
And knew the future had never been brighter.
* * * * *
AUTHOR’S NOTE
For those of you familiar with the Grand Rapids area, you’ll know that Sand Springs Lake won’t be found on any map. While we tried to use many real areas in and around Grand Rapids in this series, I sought out a fictional location to place Sadie at the opening of the story. I hope you’ll forgive the artistic license and agree with me that it would have been a lovely place to go to summer camp!
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ISBN-13: 9781488064319
Colton 911: Ultimate Showdown
Copyright © 2020 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Addison Fox for her contribution to the Colton 911: Grand Rapids miniseries.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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“You have a bit of marshmallow on the corner of your mouth. Right here.” Using the pad of her thumb, Yvette rubbed the corner of his mouth lightly.
“Did that get it?” Reese asked, his voice noticeably huskier than usual.
“No. Hmm.” She leaned forward slowly, her gaze locking on his. “Guess I’ll have to get it this way.”
She closed the distance between them very slowly, giving him plenty of time to pull away. But he didn’t. He sat perfectly still, unable to believe that this beautiful, fey creature was leaning in toward him, closer and closer.
Gently, so lightly he barely felt it, her mouth touched the corner of his. Her lips were soft and plump, and then—
Jesus, Mary and Joseph. That’s her tongue.
She licked the corner of his mouth. It was a quick little flick with just the tip of her tongue against his skin, but there was no mistaking it. All of a sudden, there wasn’t nearly enough oxygen in his living room. Either that or he was no-kidding hyperventilating.
“There,” she whispered. “That’s better.”
* * *
The Coltons of Kansas: Truth. Justice.
And secrets they can’t hide.
* * *
If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you think of Harlequin Romantic Suspense! #harlequinromsuspense
Dear Reader,
Participating in one of the Colton continuities has always been a big deal for me. I love getting to play with a bunch of my esteemed fellow authors on what is usually a very lonely job. Plus, it’s exciting to see the great things they come up with as we flesh out a new series together.
But I have to confess I was terrified when asked to write the final book in this installment of the Colton family saga. It’s a big resp
onsibility to give you, awesome reader, a satisfying story in its own right, but also to tie up all the loose ends of a whole family full of unfolding happy-ever-afters.
Thankfully, the authors who went before me in this latest collection gave me the most amazing cast of living, breathing characters to play with as I crafted my own story within the world of the Colton clan. Truly, they made my job easy, and for that I am extremely grateful. Almost as grateful as I am to you—for making it possible for me to tell these wonderful stories of love and family conquering every challenge set before them with laughter, grit and grace.
Without any further ado, I’d like to invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy this story. Happy reading until the next time we meet between the pages of a book!
Warmly,
Cindy
Colton in the Line of Fire
Cindy Dees
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cindy Dees is the author of more than fifty novels. She draws upon her experience as a US Air Force pilot to write romantic suspense. She’s a two-time winner of the prestigious RITA® Award for romance fiction, a two-time winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award for Romantic Suspense and an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award nominee. She loves to hear from readers at www.cindydees.com.
Books by Cindy Dees
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
The Coltons of Kansas
Colton in the Line of Fire
Runaway Ranch
Navy SEAL’s Deadly Secret
Mission Medusa
Special Forces: The Recruit
Special Forces: The Spy
Special Forces: The Operator
The Coltons of Roaring Springs
Colton Under Fire
Code: Warrior SEALs
Undercover with a SEAL
Her Secret Spy
Her Mission with a SEAL
Harlequin Romantic Suspense December 2020 Box Set Page 23
