Page 126 of Oathbreaker

“Are you still mad?”

“No. I was never mad, just hurt. But then—” She pauses. “I read the letters, Colt. While you were gone.”

The letters.

I’d forgotten about those.

“I think I understand you better now. The man you are.” She curls her hand around my shirt, making sure she has my attention. “And just so you know, you are so much more than a soldier. You know that, don’t you?”

“I don’t know what I am,” I say quietly. “All I know is that I love you.”

“You’re strong and brave and beautiful.”

Our foreheads are still pressed together, and she’s staring deep into my eyes.

“Colt?”

“I don’t think…anyone’s ever called me…beautiful before.”

“But you are. Inside and out. A beautiful human being with a big, beautiful heart. Who wants to right all the wrongs in the world, one bad guy at a time. That’s the man I fell in love with, so how can I love you the way I do and simultaneously ask you to be someone else?”

“I’m never going back to that life,” I say firmly.

“That specific life, no. You can’t. Not if you want to be Frankie’s daddy—and daddy to this new little one.” She takes one of my hands and presses it against her stomach. “But you have to be who you are, and we both know you need to be fighting off bad guys, one way or another. When you say life with you will be an adventure—I feel that in my soul. That’s partly why I love you so much. Life with you is an adventure. The best kind of adventure.”

“Yeah?” I pull in a deep breath. “I never want to hurt you again, Briar.”

“You won’t, as long as you’re honest. We both probably need to stop having knee-jerk reactions to everything.” She pauses. “And I do understand why you had to go get Igor. Is he okay?”

“He will be. He’s in rough shape, but we got to him in time.”

“Was anyone else…hurt?”

“No. My buddy Grim has a couple of broken ribs but nothing he can’t handle. We had a SEAL team with us, so that’s always a bonus.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Ready to go on the next big adventure with me?”

“Do you already have one in mind?”

“I do.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and she laughs.

“I’m ready, Colton Blackwood. Whatever it is, I’m ready.”

“Excellent.” I take her hand and lead her back to the kitchen. “Hey, Atlas! Fire up that jet of yours—we’re going to Vegas!”

“Wait, what?” She tugs my arm. “What are you talking about?”

“Show them your ring, baby.” I grin. “We just got engaged, and I’ve waited too long for this—we’re getting married. Today, tomorrow, but we’re not waiting.”

“You’re getting married?” Frankie asks, staring at us.

“You’re engaged!” Aspen says at the same time.

“I knew it!” Willow grins, clasping her hands together.

“Yay!” Jade squeals with delight.