Page 150 of Secret Mission

Somewhere in that shady retreat, Allison is getting ready, and she might as well be tethered to me by a rope.

Is she as nervous as I am?

Ridiculous, given all the things I’ve done. Jumped from planes, fought crocodiles, defended my country on countless dangerous missions. But this is next level.

Predictably, Axle is laughing when he sees the beads of sweat on my forehead as I close the distance to the officiant.

“Mr. Reese.” The gentleman extends his hand.

“Thank you for your time today.”

“The pleasure is mine.” He dips his graying head toward the little hotel. “You probably want to look that way.”

The air punches out of me.

My god.

My Ally is always beautiful, cargo pants, T-shirts, the panties I pick out for her… but the sight of her in her wedding dress will be tattooed on my mind until the day I die.

I am a lucky man.

Walking side by side with her mother, my fiancée’s smile is bright.

She has a happy glow now that’s chased away all the fear and pain from her time in hiding.

My mission in life now is to keep her this way.

Lifting the hem of her white sundress, she walks barefoot toward me. Blonde hair loose around her shoulders, gold bracelet and the necklace I gave her winking as they catch the light, drawing me more into the enchanting sight.

Our gazes hold the entire time.

“Hello, beautiful,” I rasp. “You’re crushing it in that wedding gown.”

She chuckles, and the husky sound squeezes around me, tripping my pulse. “You’re looking pretty fine too, fiancé.”

Smoothing my hand down my Hawaiian-style shirt, I elbow Axle. “His idea.”

Smiling at my brother, Allison gives him a nod. “Good job for a guy who lives in cargo pants and tactical T-shirts.”

“Ma’am,” I tip my head to Vanessa. “So happy you could be here.”

Allison’s mom dabs the corner of her eye with a tissue. “You couldn’t keep me away from my daughter’s wedding if you tried.”

They’ve been together a few times since that phone call. Getting closer as they get to know one another. Thankfully she approves of me. Not that she’s getting rid of me.

Vanessa leans in and hugs me back when I lift my arms to her.

The officiant clears his throat. “Shall we begin?”

I take Allison’s hands in mine, quickly pulling her to me so I can duck down to kiss her cheek. “Love you.”

She sighs happily.

I’m not sure what the officiant says. All I can see is the loving light in Allison’s beautiful eyes. The way her smile softens as she looks at me. Her small hands clasped in mine. Trusting me.

“Mr. Reese, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

I have to swallow around the tears clawing around in my airway. “I do.”