Page 29

Taking a swig of his beer, Frisco sat in a chair across the unlit fire pit from Reardon, after handing over the grilling duties to Oz and Grover.

There were about forty adults and a dozen or so kids spread out across the patio, backyard, and pool area at Haven’s house.

It was a welcome home party for both Frisco’s and Ghost’s Delta teams after being overseas for the past three months on a joint mission.

Despite some bumps, bruises, and an isolated wound or two requiring stitches, everyone had come home safe and sound three days ago.

They’d shipped out two weeks after the mission in Mexico, and Frisco had been able to join them, having been medically cleared the day before.

For the first time in his career, he’d regretted having to leave a girlfriend behind, not knowing when he’d be back.

But thankfully, there’d been numerous opportunities for Frisco to call or video chat, via a secure link, with Haven while they were apart.

Although he would’ve preferred to be in her bed every night, it had given them a chance to get to know each other better.

It had cemented in his mind that taking their relationship to the next level was the right thing to do.

An engagement ring was practically burning a hole in the pocket of his shorts, and he was working up the courage to take a knee in front of her.

After spending a little more than twenty-four hours in bed making love to her, interspersed with breaks for food and other necessities, he’d used a debriefing meeting as an excuse to go pick out the ring.

Avery had agreed to meet him at the jeweler’s.

The older woman had been delighted to help and was the only one at the party who knew the proposal was coming today.

Out in California, his parents and sisters also knew and couldn’t wait to meet his intended bride after he’d been telling them all about her whenever he’d called them.

Frisco was just waiting for the right moment to ask Haven to marry him.

He wanted them engaged when his team helped him move from his apartment to her house in a few days, since they’d all shipped out prior to being able to do it for the date Haven had set.

Roxie was having a grand time following the toddlers and older kids around, snatching up any food they dropped onto the ground, and getting petted by everyone.

In addition to Avery, Reardon, and the Delta teams and their families, also present were Carter, Jordyn, and a few Trident operatives.

Surprisingly, Ian Sawyer and his pregnant wife Angie, Brody “Egghead” Evans and his new wife, Fancy, Kip “Skipper” Morrison, and Tempest “Babs” Van Buren had flown into town yesterday at the last-minute invitation.

They’d been en route to Florida from California where they’d been visiting their friend, country singer Summer Hayes, who’d been in a recent rollover car accident.

Angie and Fancy had gone along to check on her, while the Trident team members were planning the security for Summer’s release from the rehab hospital she was in for her injuries.

She’d be returning to her new home outside of Tampa for the rest of her recovery.

Babs had flown the Trident jet in place of the regular pilot who was laid up with a stomach bug.

The others from the private security company hadn’t been able to attend due to various assignments or busy personal lives back in Florida.

When they’d arrived, Sawyer had handed over a case of expensive scotch to Ghost who’d been confused at first. He then laughed when the Trident boss pointed to Hollywood and said, “Everyone can have some except that rat-bastard who should know better than to try and pull one over on me.”

Haven had been thrilled to meet Babs and Skipper to thank them for their part in her rescue.

Apparently, she’d only met a few members of the two Trident teams prior to the mission.

She was currently talking to Fancy and Brody, the latter was joking about telling someone named “Mistress Roxy” there was another auburn-haired Roxie running around.

He pointed at the pup who was taking a break in the shade at the moment.

His wife laughed and dared him to do it.

From what Frisco could overhear, after a moment’s thought, the guy declined, saying he wasn’t into getting whipped by a Domme.

Rolling over, with Fletch and Emily’s daughter, Annie, on her lap, Haven stopped next to Frisco and leaned over for a swift kiss.

The seven-year-old girl had apparently become enraptured with the Deimos operative, and vice versa, as Haven had gotten to know the girlfriends and wives of the other Deltas over the past few months.

He’d been grateful they’d welcomed her with open arms. For the first time in far too many years, Haven had a group of women who were simply her friends, not coworkers, targets, or passing acquaintances.

“Look what Haven gave me, Frisco!” Beaming, Annie held out her hand.

In it was a small, clear, display box holding one of the Vietnam-era, 101st Airborne challenge coins that had belonged to Haven’s grandfather.

The little tomboy was fascinated with anything to do with the military, especially the Army.

Haven had told Frisco one night, during a video call, she knew her sister and mother would’ve loved little Annie and her enthusiasm.

They also would’ve agreed with giving her one of Joseph McBride’s coins, knowing she would cherish it.

“That’s great, sprite. You take good care of that.”

“I will.” She eyed Carter as he took the chair between Frisco and Jordyn, who’d also just sat down. When the spy smiled at her scrutiny, she held up the box. “Look what Haven gave me—”

She paused and wrinkled her nose. “I’m sorry, but I forgot your name.” Intelligent and wise beyond her years, the little girl had a tendency to sound like someone in their twenties or thirties, much to her parents’ chagrin at times.

“It’s Carter, sweetheart, and that’s a really nice present. You must be a very special person for Haven to give that to you.”

“I am. We’re best friends.” Her matter-of-fact tone almost dared anyone to disagree with her.

“Can never have too many of those,” he replied with a brotherly wink at Haven.

“What’s your other name? You can’t have just one name.”

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 are called 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 the pass, 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.”