Page 125 of Oathbreaker

“Colt, I have to tell you?—”

“Let me finish. Please.” I hope she can see how important this is. “I’m back, just like I promised. I explained to you about Igor. This was a one-off and there won’t be any more. There were some mini-missions toward the end of training, but I only really ever went on the one—the one where I was captured. Igor, who was my friend long before Russia, got me out. That’s it. There are no more debts of honor or any other loose ends. All that matters now is us. You, me, and our family. Do you understand?”

She’s gazing up at me, her expression filled with love and…understanding. I see it in her composure, her body language, and most of all—in her gorgeous green eyes. “I do and?—”

“Do you want the good news or the bad news?” I interrupt because the damn ring is burning a hole in my pocket.

She almost seems amused as she says, “Surprise me.”

“The good news is—I finalized all the paperwork, so I am officially out. Done. Finished.” I watch her face, spotting the first hint of a smile, before continuing. “The bad news”—I pull out the ring and slip it on the fourth finger of her left hand—“is that your fiancé is an unemployed freeloader.”

Her mouth opens but she doesn’t make a sound as she stares down at the ring.

For the first time ever, I think I’ve shocked her speechless.

Then her gaze sharpens, and she arches her brows. “Well, my good news is—” She holds up her left hand. “—the answer is yes. But the bad news is that you better figure out what you’re going to do for work because newborns are expensive.”

“Newborns? Frankie’s almost five.”

She doesn’t reply, merely stands there watching me watch her.

“Babe, are you saying…oh shit!”

Everything suddenly snaps into place and excitement fills me.

She’s pregnant!

Hot damn, she’s pregnant. Again.

There must be some magic that happens when I’m inside her because we’re basically two for two.

“Are you in for this, Colt?” she whispers, as if suddenly worried.

Yeah, that’s not the mood I’m going for.

“Baby, I was always in. For anything and everything.” Then I crush my mouth to hers, kissing her like I was just gone another four years instead of a week.

“Colt.” She’s breathless when we finally pull apart and I press her against the wall.

“I’m right here, baby. For you, for Frankie, and for any other little ones who come along. I love you, Briar. More than fucking anything. I can’t say I’ll never spend another night without you, because life with me is always going to be an adventure—but you’ll be at my side and in my life until I take my last breath.”

“When did you buy me the ring?” she asks softly, putting her left hand against my shoulder.

“The day I found out about Igor. I was going to plan something special and then…” I shake my head. “I’m sorry the big romantic event I was trying to put together kind of fell by the wayside. But I’ll make it up to you.”

She laughs, but it’s a soft, patient sound. “I don’t need grand gestures, Colt. I just need to know you’re coming home to me.”

“Always.”

“I was afraid history was repeating itself,” she admits.

“You already knew about the baby?”

“I’d just found out. I came home early to tell you and… you were walking out the door.”

“Dammit.” I press my forehead to hers. “Better communication on both our parts going forward. Okay? Promise?”

She nods.