Fast Burn (Body Armor #4)(103)

“We’ll have a small ceremony,” Sahara said, “as soon as I can get it arranged. Then later, maybe a year from now, we’ll have a wedding party.”

“A small ceremony?” Ann asked politely, trying to keep her expression contained.

“My brother and my friend Enoch, and of course, Brand’s friends and their wives.”

“They’re our friends, Sahara.”

Smiling over that, Sahara said to Ann, “I hope you’ll both join us.”

With exuberant relief, Ann hugged her again. “You couldn’t keep us away.” Cautiously, she glanced at Brand. “What about Becky?”

“I invited her.” He moved to sit by Ann. “You’re my mother in all the ways that matter, so I hope you don’t mind.”

Ann put her palm to his face. “Oh, honey, I think we’re so blessed that we should only spread happiness, not bitterness.”

Damn, when it came to the women in his life, he’d struck gold. Brand smiled. “I figured you’d feel that way.”

“Becky gave John and me a very special gift when she handed you over.”

“She did,” John agreed. “We’re grateful to her.”

Since he felt the same, Brand nodded. “So am I.”

Understanding, supportive, always there for him... Ann’s voice broke when she said, “Becky might never realize what she missed, but having you for a son has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

“Mom.” Brand brushed the tears off her cheek. “I love you.” He looked at his dad. “Both of you.”

Suddenly he heard Sahara sniff.

Surprised, Brand turned his head and saw the tears tracking down her cheeks. His heart softened and he reached for her.

Sahara quickly stood, saying in a brusque tone, “Show me that new gun you mentioned, John. Let’s do some shooting.”

His dad jumped up so quickly, it was like he’d had a spring on his butt.

Ann started to rise, too, but as Sahara swiped at her cheeks, she said, “No, you two stay and finish your chat. We won’t be long.”

“It’s a new Smith & Wesson 9 mm,” John enthused as he latched an arm through Sahara’s and led her away. “Got a good deal on it, including a rebate and some accessories.”

Brand grinned as he and his mom stood. “She’s bossy.”

Ann stared after her husband and Sahara. “In the most remarkable, loving way.”

He laughed. “Exactly.” Everything about Sahara was remarkable, and she was all his.

He’d been lucky as a boy, and now he was lucky as a man. That left no room in his life for resentment...only love.





EPILOGUE

THEY SAT AROUND a bonfire near the pond by the farm. Maxi and Miles had done an amazing job with the place since their wedding. The parklike setting made a perfect location for everyone to get together—and they routinely did.

Brand watched Justice and Fallon, newly married now, amused that Justice couldn’t keep his hands off her. He had Fallon in his lap, and he kept nuzzling her ear. Not that Fallon appeared to mind. In fact, given the way she encouraged him, no one would ever again call her shy or reserved.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground in front of Leese, leaning back against his legs, Catalina sketched the landscape highlighted by the crimson glow of a setting sun. She was two months pregnant, and it was almost like they were all becoming dads, everyone was so excited. Leese kept a perpetual smile on his face—and he was even more protective than usual.

Next to Brand, Sahara stroked a large cat while talking about the house they’d bought together.

A house that would become a real home.

“I’ve almost finished remodeling it,” she said. “Once we move out of the Body Armor suite, we’ll have a party so everyone can visit.”

“I want to see the bedroom,” Justice said with a grin. “Brand says you designed the whole thing to go around that one piece of art.”

Miles stepped back into the circle with Maxi, both of them carrying trays of sandwiches and drinks they’d just gotten from the house.

Maxi said, “I thought Catalina did a painting for you.”

“She did.” Sahara smiled. “It’s a stunning piece that now hangs in the dining room.”

Miles said to his wife, “The artwork in the bedroom is something unique.”

Catalina looked up. “Well, now I’m curious.”

Leese lifted his beer in a toast. “What do you get the woman who has everything?”

Sahara looked around at all their friends. “It was the most romantic gesture ever.” She sighed. “Brand had my shiv placed in a fancy open frame so that it fits with the expensive decor, but is accessible if I ever need to grab it.”

Now that he was a bodyguard, too, Sahara’s own personal bodyguard, she wouldn’t need her makeshift weapon—but he knew she liked it. The gesture might have come off as a joke, at least to everyone else. After all, the men were all grinning and the women laughed.

But Sahara knew the true meaning of his gift—a symbol that she’d impressed him, that he respected her ingenuity and capability and most of all that he loved her, everything about her, including her take-charge persona.

That’s why, even as she petted the cat one-handed, she leaned on his shoulder. “I do have everything,” she whispered in his ear, “now that I have you.”