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Most of the Delta and Trident operatives within hearing distance, and a few others who were acquainted with the spy, zeroed in on the conversation. With a huge grin on her face, Jordyn rubbed Carter’s shoulder with the palm of her hand. “Yes, dear. Why don’t you tell Annie your full name? I’m sure she’d love to hear it. I know I would.”
He growled at her under his breath, before turning back to the little girl. “My full name is T. Carter, but everyone just calls me Carter.”
Annie seemed to consider that for a moment, but being her true, inquisitive self, she wouldn’t drop it. “You’re named after tea ... like sweet iced tea? That’s weird.”
Ignoring the few chuckles around him, he shook his head. “No, not like iced tea. Just the letter T.”
“That’s even weirder. A few kids in school arecalled by two initials, like C.J. and P.K. but they told me what the letters stand for. What does T stand for?”
Several people moved closer, including Fletch who was holding back his laughter. Haven stared at her colleague over Annie’s shoulder. “Yeah, Carter, what does the T stand for? I think after all this time working with you, I should be allowed to know what your full name is.”
The man glared at her before softening his gaze for the little girl again, clearly knowing she’d backed him into a corner. Apparently, it wasn’t often he couldn’t charm the hell out of a member of the opposite sex, no matter their age. “If I give you five dollars, will you forget it and just call me Carter?”
Tilting her head to the side, Annie thought for a moment before saying, “Make it ten dollars—I’m saving for a tank.”
Laughter burst out around them as Carter pulled out his wallet with a sigh. “Fletch, you do realize you and your pretty wife are raising an extortionist, right?”
“Yup,” the little girl’s father said with a grin. It wasn’t the first time the little imp had conned one of Fletch’s associates to add to her piggy bank. “Normally, I would’ve cut her off at thepass, but this is too funny. Besides, your first name is one of the great mysteries in life I’d love to solve. Even Tex hasn’t been able to find it.” Tex was a buddy of Ghost, Fletch, and the others on their team, with a talent for uncovering intel on practically anyone. If he couldn’t find it, there was a good chance no one could.
“That’s because it’s been completely eradicated from every computer and written record out there. The only two people who know are my boss, who recruited me and knows I’ll slit his throat if he ever tells anyone, and my beautiful woman here, who will never be able to sit down again if she repeats it.” He handed Annie a twenty-dollar bill. “The extra is so you can get that tank sooner and drive your daddy crazy.”
Shrugging, she examined the money. “I already drive him crazy.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” her father agreed, before tugging on a lock of her hair. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
As Carter fended off the others trying to guess his name with some hilarious suggestions, the little girl hopped off Haven’s lap and ran to find her mother to hold onto the cash for her. Haven’s gaze followed her for a moment before returning toFrisco. Rolling closer, she lowered her voice so only he could hear. “She’s adorable. It’s been years since I’ve thought about having kids, but being around her and the others lately has me thinking that one day I’d like to have some. After Mom and Tara were killed, I never thought I’d be happy again—part of a family—you’ve helped me prove that theory wrong. Thank you.”
Frisco’s heart began to beat faster. He’d never come right out and told her he wanted to marry her one day. But he’d dropped semi-obvious hints here and there, saying things like, “This is something to tell our grandkids someday” or “When we’re old and gray ...” However, this was the first time Haven had commented on something about their future together. It was as if their stars were aligning themselves and giving him a sign.This is it. This is the time to tell her and everyone else here I plan on making her my wife.
Getting to his feet, he reached into the side pocket of his cargo shorts and pulled out the small jeweler’s box, cupping it in his hand so she couldn’t see it until he opened it. Going down on one knee, he barely heard the gasps and squeals around him. He didn’t even acknowledge when, from somewhere behind him, Sawyer groanedand said, “Oh, jeez, Taint-waffle. Seriously? Make it quick, will ya?”
Tuning everyone out, especially Sawyer, Frisco focused all his attention on Haven. A flash of confusion had crossed her face before turning into stunned disbelief. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes went wide. Butterflies had taken flight in his stomach, but Frisco knew he would never be satisfied until his ring was on her finger. She was who his heart had been searching for all his life—the other half of his soul.
Haven’s mouthwent dry as she stared at Frisco down on one knee. This had to be a dream—a wonderful, crazy dream. Never since her mom and sister had been killed had she thought she’d have a normal life again. But this handsome, amazing man in front of her had made her realize she could be happy once more—she could open up her heart and love someone and have them love her back. She still had her career, but at night, that wouldn’t keep her safe and warm. And there would come a day, hopefully, when she was old and gray, she could leave all that behind her and just enjoy being with Frisco for the rest of their lives.
“Haven, I know this is sudden, but to me, it feels like I’ve known you all my life. When I think back to the day I first laid eyes on you, before I knew how perfect you were for me, it still freaks me out. I could’ve lost you before I ever had the chance to fall in love with you. But I did. I fell hard, baby—face first—and I’d gladly do it again.” She giggled as happy tears began to roll down her cheeks. “You’re the other half of my heart and my soul—the better half. Please, make me the happiest man alive—marry me?”
A hushed silence had fallen over the party, interrupted only by a few of the smaller kids laughing and asking what was going on. Haven was still in shock—and here she’d thoughtshe’dbe the one surprisinghim. “On one condition.”
Puzzled, his eyes narrowed as she rotated the wheels of her chair back a few inches, then locked them in place. Never taking her eyes off him, she leaned down and lifted the calf and foot rests out of the way. Placing her feet on the ground, she gripped the arms of the chair and pushed upward. It had been difficult, but she’d managed to keep it a secret for the past few days. She’d wanted everyone who’d helped her that fateful day, and every day since, to be present to see what she’d accomplishedafter all these months. Frisco had known she’d gained more strength in her legs while he was away on the mission, but this was going to be the first time he saw her stand without any assistance. She’d worked her ass off while he was gone. She still wasn’t one hundred percent yet, and might never be, but it didn’t matter. Frisco loved her regardless, and she loved him.
His eyes widened as she used all her might to stand. He jumped to his feet when she swayed forward before catching his arm. Steadying herself, she grinned as she let go again and stood without assistance. “I’ll marry you as long as I get to walk down the aisle—just make it a short one.” She smirked. “Think you can handle that?”
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he picked her off the ground and spun around in circles. Cheers filled the air as his lips found her ear. “I can definitely handle that. You’ve got yourself a deal.”
I hope you enjoyed Frisco and Haven’s story. I had so much fun borrowing Susan Stoker’s Delta Force operatives and their families for this book and combining them with those from my TridentSecurity series along with a few new characters. I look forward to writing more stories about the other covert spies at Deimos.
I’d appreciate if you took a moment to leave a review forHandling Haven.
If you’d liketo read more about the Trident Security team, start withLeather & Lace, available on Amazon.
"No one doesAlpha heroes like Samantha A. Cole!"—New York Times, USA Today, #1 Amazon Bestseller, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker
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