Page 44 of Kyle (Gold Team #3)

My chest expanded, not with air, even though I was breathing heavy, but from something so big building up, I thought I’d shatter.

“Fuck, baby, you cannot say shit like that to me when the movers are gonna be here in five minutes, your bed’s already disassembled, and your couch is covered in suitcases.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” She smiled and tilted her head in a way that left me no option but to lean down and take her mouth.

And like always, my girl didn’t mess around, her tongue came out to meet mine and she swept me away into another world. One where only she and I existed. One that was so fucking bright and beautiful it didn’t just fill me with hope—it filled me with pure joy.

The knock at the door ended our kiss far too soon.

“Tonight when we get back to our hotel room, I’m gonna show you just how much your words mean to me.

I’m gonna take my time, I’m gonna do it thoroughly, and I’m gonna do it in a way that you’ll never forget.

I love you, Anaya. So damn much I can’t begin to tell you.

But I promise you, even though I can’t find the words, you’ll always know.

And you’ll feel it from top to toe, you’ll feel it in your heart, you’ll feel it in your soul.

I swear it, sweetheart, your days of living behind walls are over.

You tore those down and built yourself a home.

And knowing I’m the one that gets to fill it with family and happiness is the best feeling in the world. ”

Anaya did a face plant into my chest, my arms went around her as her body shook. I knew she was crying, her tears were soaking my tee, but these I’d let seep into my skin knowing she liked what I said and she was feeling my promise deep.

The pounding on the door sounded again and I didn’t move. Fuck it. The movers could wait.

“Piper!”

Anaya immediately stood from her seat to greet Ace and Piper as they approached our table.

Shock registered on Piper’s face and Ace broke out into a wide smile.

Yeah, he saw it. There was no way to miss the change in Anaya.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t been friendly with them when we’d met at The Del the day we’d left for Timor-Leste, she had been.

But now Anaya was a different kind of friendly and Ace understood.

I was sure he saw the same smile on his wife’s face every day.

“Hey,” Piper returned. “You look…great.”

Anaya’s cheeks tinged pink but she didn’t shy away.

“Thanks. I feel great. How are the girls?”

“Perfect,” Ace answered, and Piper looked over at her husband, her face soft and her mouth curved into a smile.

Ace was a lucky man, having all that directed at him, though I was, too. Anaya was not selfish with her smiles or her laughter. She gave me both daily. And I’d work my ass off making sure that never stopped.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” A very pretty, tall woman stopped at our table and it took me a moment to recognize her.

The one and only Jessyka Sawyer, owner of Ace’s Bar and Grill.

“Long time, Jessyka. How’s Benny?” I asked.

“He’s great. You should’ve called Kason. He would’ve loved to come and catch up.”

“Sorry, we didn’t think of it. Jessyka, this is Anaya Baker. Anaya, this is a friend of ours. Benny’s wife,” I introduced.

“Nice to meet you.” Anaya offered her hand. “But I’m confused, is your husband Benny or Kason?”

“Both,” Jessyka answered and giggled when Anaya’s eyes went round. “No.” Jess shook her head and smiled. “I’m not married to two men, Benny and Kason are the same person. I mean, Benny is Kason’s nickname. Like Ace is Beckett’s. ”

“Oh. Sorry, I was thinking you were one busy woman with two men.”

“God, no. Kason and three kids are enough for me.” Jess laughed.

Ace took the opportunity to scoot by the now-chatting women and quietly asked, “Amisha?”

“Taken care of.”

He nodded and continued. “As bad as Anaya thought?”

“Worse, brother. You know we had to rush the op because we needed to get to Cambodia, but after being in that shithole and walking into what I did, I’m still struggling with the knowledge we were there the night before for recon and we left knowing those girls were inside.

Can’t say I ever take pleasure ending a life, but there was a sense of satisfaction when my blade passed across the bitch’s throat.

And I’m not losing sleep over her, that’s for damn sure. ”

Ace winced before his jaw went tight.

“Don’t go there, Ace. You had no idea what was going down next door. When Anaya approached, you helped her, and that’s what matters.”

“My daughters—”

“Don’t, Ace. You got your daughters home with you. You and Piper are giving them a life they never would’ve had. They’ll grow up knowing nothing but love. Stay focused on that, yeah.”

“You’re right. They’re home, they’re thriving, and they’re surrounded by love.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“So.” Ace smiled. “You and Anaya.”

“Told you over the phone.”

“You did,” he confirmed. “And I was happy to hear it, but I’m happier to see it. She’s different.”

“That she is.”

“She’s lucky— "

“No, brother, she is not. Anaya’s never seen luck, not a day in her life. Everything she’s become she’s worked her ass off to accomplish. Which makes me the luckiest son of bitch in the world because she wants to share all that she is with me.”

“I hear that.”

Anaya’s giggle drew my attention to her, Jessyka, and Piper.

I saw her smile, I heard her laughter, and when both of those hit me, I was filled with her happiness.

It was another hit straight to my heart and it felt damn good.