The Long Way Home (Corps Security #6)(87)

She looks adorable when she’s confused. It takes her a second, but when she realizes what I’m talking about, the sassy woman I love comes rushing forward.

“When you ask me properly, which will not be standing in my underwear in your living room, mister.”

“Noted.”

“Take me to bed, Zeke Cooper. Take me to bed and let me show you how much I love you.”

She takes my hand and turns.

And what do I do?

I follow, feeling better than I have in two damn lifetimes.





“Make You Feel My Love” by Adele



“Are you sure you’ve got everything?” I ask Riley, again.

“Yes, Auntie,” she coos smartly, rolling her eyes at me and giggling. “Why do you keep asking me that?”

“Well, my little bean … I just can’t believe you’re going to be gone for two whole weeks. Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” I joke, knowing she will think it’s funny since I’ve been asking her for the past two months that we’ve been planning her trip to Hope Town.

“You’re silly,” she hoots. Her tiny belly laugh making me start to laugh with her.

I reach out and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my body and hugging her close. “I’m just going to miss you, sweetheart. You’re going to have so much fun with your brother.”

She makes a squeal of joy, just as she does every time I mention Zac. She started calling him her brother about six months after we had returned from our Georgia trip. It was a toss-up on who loved it more. Me, Zac or … Zeke.

“He said I get to meet more family, too. Kids just like me!”

“I know, baby. Zac even said he gets to take you in his police car for a ride!”

“Woohoo!” She jumps, almost knocking me in my chin.

“Knock, knock,” comes from the hallway that feeds the elevator.

“Zacky!”

And just like that, I’m forgotten. I love every second of it too. Seeing her this happy is worth everything I could ever give.

I smile and stand to my full height.

“Hey, Pops. How’s it going, Mama Liv?”

“It’s so weird when you say that, Zac.” I laugh, shaking my head. My smile grows when I see Riley riding on his shoulders. He ducks so she doesn’t knock her head on the door’s arch, coming deeper into the kitchen.

“Where are your parents?” Zeke questions.

“Looking at an apartment. They’re looking at getting a place that everyone can share. How do you not know this?”

“Why would I?”

“Well, I don’t know … because?”

“Pretty good one there.” Zeke laughs, reaching out to hug Zac. Riley giggles when they come together, and she has two giants’ heads to softly pop.

“Is she all packed? I’m double parked, so I need to run.”

Oh wow. I thought I would have a little time before I sent my girl off with new people and on a jet, no less. My stomach erupts in even more butterflies now that I’m closer to something else I’d been anticipating all day. I shake off the anxiousness and focus on Riley.

“Bye, Auntie! I’ll see you in two whole weeks!”

“Little girl, you better get down from there and give us both hugs and kisses!”

She laughs even harder when Zac reaches up and zooms her to her feet. She has a little wobble before she rights herself and rushes over. Her little body collides with Zeke’s legs.

“I love you, Pops!”

Oh my God.

My eyes find Zac’s and see the same awe-dumbstruck shock I feel mirrored on his face. It’s no secret that Zeke loves Riley as if she is his own. Their bond has done nothing but grow in the past year. I know he’s even expressed to his son that he wished he could adopt her, having heard that from Chelcie after his last visit here. Zac’s been waiting just as long as I have for this moment. I’m so thankful it happened at this exact moment, and he was here to see it happen. That man loves his pops, and he just got to watch him get the greatest gift ever.

Riley claiming him as hers.

I glance down directly at where she slammed into the man standing beside me. His large arms wrap around her tiny body, holding her close. His eyes on me, tears falling freely.

“I love you too, little girl.”

She giggles.

He closes his eyes.

I turn away and look at Zac to see him wipe his own eyes, giving Zeke this moment to himself. I love that he isn’t shy about showing or saying how he feels.

Riley gives me a hug next, and we all walk toward the elevator. We had stacked up her two suitcases and travel bag by the entryway seating area, so it didn’t take long before I was waving at my little bean as the doors closed.

Zeke’s arms wrap around me, and I take the comfort he’s giving.

“Two weeks will be up before you know it, baby,” he soothes.

“I know,” I whisper.

“Then what’s with all the tears?”

“She called you Pops, honey.”

He leans back and smiles down at me. “Never heard anything sweeter. I love her, Liv. She’s easy to love, but it’s more than that. I’m so damn proud to be hers and that I get that honor from her. Never thought I would get this, raising a life. It’s one beautiful life I never thought I would be living. Damn sure took the long way to find my home, and it’s even sweeter than I ever dreamed, baby.”