Iron Willed Warrior (Last Refuge Protectors #5)

Epilogue

Brynn

Cole tugged at the knot of his tie. “I hate dressing up.”

“And yet you look so darn good doing it.”

I fixed his collar and adjusted the knot, making sure it was just right. My guy was smoking hot in a suit, even if he did seem a bit uncomfortable. “These clothes will be even sexier when they’re in a pile on the floor of this room tonight.”

Cole smirked. “How am I supposed to partner with someone who sees me as a sex object?”

I patted the lapels of his jacket. “I don’t know, but you seem to manage.” I pulled him in for a kiss. It was a bad habit of mine. Whenever Cole was within reach, I had that undeniable urge to kiss him.

He cupped the nape of my neck, pulling back briefly to look down at me. Then he slanted his mouth over mine in earnest. Turning the kiss filthy in a matter of seconds. The silky fabric of my dress was soft on my skin as I pressed up against him.

Reluctantly, I put my palms to his chest and broke away. “ Keep going like that, and I’ll have to redo my makeup. Or we’ll end up undressed and back in bed. It’ll be big trouble if the best man misses the ceremony.”

The wicked glint in his eyes said that he was still tempted. But I also knew that Cole wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world. “All right, fine,” he grumbled. “Let’s head downstairs. But I’m taking the tie off for the reception.”

“Okay, grumpy,” I teased. “I’ll take it off for you.”

Grabbing his hand, I dragged him out to the hallway and toward the elevator.

After the end of our mission in Arizona and the few days spent in the safe house, we’d talked about traveling to Mexico. But first, we’d taken a detour back to Hartley. With Trace and River both otherwise occupied, the Protectors had needed our help at Last Refuge.

And that visit still hadn’t ended. We’d been here for three months so far. We had a room at the inn and a standing invite for meals at the tavern, where Aiden Shelborne cooked up excellent food and his fiancée Jessi made addictive desserts. With protectees cycling in and out of Last Refuge, Cole and I had plenty to do. Especially with the wedding planning going on.

Having the best man on the premises had meant Cole could listen and nod when Aiden complained about the wedding vendors or when Jessi got fed up with her fiancé. I’d gotten to know Jessi better and bonded over our pair of grumpy men. Trust that Scarlett, Trace’s wife, had plenty to say on that subject too. Because as much as they got on our nerves, we wouldn’t change our guys for the world.

Cole and I had also taken a few field trips for discreet missions, whatever Trace or Michael passed our way. The Protectors and the FBI had been busy dismantling Stillwater, piece by piece. But it would still be a long while before the whole job was done .

When we got downstairs, Cole kissed me on the cheek. “I’d better find the groom,” he said. “I swear, Solo used to be cool under pressure.”

I chuckled. “Even big, bad warriors are entitled to pre-wedding jitters.”

I made my way outside to the spacious deck, where rows of chairs were set up and guests had started arriving for the ceremony. It was an ideal mountain summer day. Blue skies, high of seventy, no storm clouds or haze obscuring the view. The mountains in the distance were crisp and clear. Flower garlands were draped everywhere, and a big group of Aiden’s family from California chatted nearby.

Owen was here with his girlfriend, Genevieve, plus half a dozen deputies from the Hart County Sheriff’s Department. I waved at Keira, who was talking quietly to Dean. There was some kind of tension between those two lately, but Keira always brushed it off as nothing when I asked.

“Did you save me a seat?”

I turned around to find my best friend Charlotte standing there, smiling. “Hey!” I pulled her into a hug. “When did you arrive?”

“Riv and I both got back to Hartley late last night. First time I’ve seen my husband in a month, and I’m so glad to be home in Hart County. We’re going to sneak away tomorrow for some time at the cabin.”

Charlotte’s career was still back in Denver, and it was strange to think how I’d used to grab lunch with her at the spur of the moment in Capitol Hill.

“Missed you,” I said with feeling.

“Yeah, you too. It’s hard being so far. I’m committed to finishing out my term, but sometimes…” She sighed. “It’s hard. Wanted to be there for the rehearsal dinner last night, but it just didn’t happen.”

Charlotte’s strawberry-blond hair was swept up in a twist, and she’d worn a sheath dress. Classic and elegant, as one would expect from the lieutenant governor. I had opted for brighter colors and a shorter length then I might have dared in my FBI agent days. But Cole did have a thing for my legs, especially when I wore heels. My hair was shoulder length now, since I had cut off the dead ends from my undercover bleach job. I’d also dyed my hair back to a darker shade, and it was quickly growing out. Cole kept saying he looked forward to seeing my high ponytail again.

“What about you?” Charlotte asked. “Have you decided to give in to the pull of the mountains? Make your stay permanent? You’re an official Protector now. Don’t deny it.”

I laughed. “I wouldn’t dare deny it.”

My government days were over. Cole and I were Protectors now, and I was proud to own that affiliation. I’d gotten comfortable in Trace’s chair at Protectors headquarters, since I sometimes filled in as chief of operations when our leader was off-site.

Keira had made no secret of her eagerness to join our ranks. Sheriff Owen still had reservations, but I’d been giving her some one-on-one training to improve her skills. It was just a matter of time.

Heaven help me, I was really starting to fall in love with Hart County.

And maybe…fall in other ways as well.

“I can’t say it’s permanent, though,” I hedged. “Cole and I have plans as soon as things calm down. He wants to take me to the beach. He has that place on the coast, and I can’t wait to see it. We could use a vacation.”

“Can’t we all.”

I didn’t know what would happen afterwards. I had promised Cole I would give us a chance, and I’d meant it. Would we work out? Would I end up back in Hartley or someplace else? I couldn’t say .

But when I closed my eyes at night and let my mind wander to the future, I always saw Cole there.

Charlotte glanced around, tugging me toward a quiet corner of the deck. “I had a meeting with the governor yesterday. The FBI will be making some big arrests early next week.”

“Eric Masterson?”

She nodded. “That’s one. On bribery charges related to his senate campaign. But also several members of Stillwater’s ruling circle will be charged with racketeering.”

I released a breath. “About dang time.” Since I wasn’t a government agent anymore, I was out of the loop. “And Westwick?”

“The FBI will be issuing a statement.”

So far, the FBI had acknowledged that Garon Westwick disappeared from the Arizona resort where he’d been giving a seminar. But rumors had swirled about Westwick being involved in shady criminal dealings. That he’d invested in a solar plant that was really a cover for an organized crime operation, and that he’d fled the country after a gun battle with a rival organization.

But the FBI had insisted it was all an ongoing investigation, and they couldn’t comment further.

Stanford had been true to his word about his strike force cleaning up the mess Cole and I had left behind. They had made sure that the scene at the solar plant looked like a battle between mafia outfits. Some competing bad guy who’d been angry at Stillwater’s move to corner the dark-web black market.

The FBI had also recovered Lance, the hotel clerk who’d helped Rykker kidnap me and Cole. Lance had barely lived through his ordeal in the desert, and he had wisely chosen to claim no memory of how he had wound up there with a gunshot in his leg. With all the chaos that the fire alarm and sprinklers had caused at the resort, half the guests had left anyway. So there had been few questions about what had happened to Brianna Waverley and Cameron Clay.

But there was one guest I'd wanted to thank. Molly. Cole had explained how she'd confronted him. So I had sent her a gift with a note from Brianna, telling her I had decided to leave Cameron and quit social media. Of course, I'd made sure that no one could trace it back to me as Brynn Somerton. But I had wanted her to know that her small act of bravery mattered.

River’s virus had worked exactly as it was supposed to. The Protectors and FBI hadn’t just learned Stillwater’s secrets and identified its entire list of members. Westwick had also amassed blackmail material on his friends and enemies. But acting on all of that information took time. Breaking down Garon Westwick himself via interrogation had taken time as well.

Next week, given what Charlotte had just shared, the FBI would finally confirm Westwick’s ties to Stillwater. I could already imagine parts of the Bureau’s statement. The result of an extensive investigation based upon a trove of documentary evidence provided by anonymous sources. There would be a lot of questions. From the media, from Congress, from legal experts and defense lawyers as the charges against Stillwater’s leaders hit the justice system. I trusted Stanford to keep our cover stories solid. Nobody outside our small circle would ever know about the Protectors’ involvement.

Of course, not all of Stillwater’s secrets would result in public trials or media statements. Even more of the guilty parties would be dealt with through less official means. Like those missions Cole and I had been taking here and there. Each of the Protectors, including me, had friends we trusted from our military days, and we’d been outsourcing assignments. Our expanding network of allies was probably our greatest asset.

I was proud to be a part of it. My life looked nothing like it had six months ago, but I didn’t have a single regret.

Charlotte’s smile turned sly. “Apparently, Interpol is getting tips about sightings of Westwick all over Europe. Did you see the online movement to track him down and bring him to justice? There’s a devoted subreddit.”

“I’m sure the interest will only increase after the FBI confirms the rumors about him being a criminal kingpin.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “If it takes attention away from where Westwick really is, I’m all for it. The good part is that victims are speaking out. There’s going to be a joint fund to provide restitution to those Stillwater and its members have hurt. The logistics will be tough, but I plan to make sure the money gets to the people who deserve it.”

I was glad for that. It paid to have some friends in high places.

“I’m sure I’ll be inundated with calls for comment because Stillwater targeted me last year, and I already spoke out about them,” Charlotte said. “I’m planning another interview with Genevieve. Sadly, I don’t think an article in the Hartley Gazette will satisfy my media obligations.”

“Thank goodness I’m staying out of that part.” I grinned.

“Ha, true. But all of this is making a difference. Stillwater’s operations have ground to a halt. Their members are being arrested or discreetly disappearing, never to be heard from again. And everyone has you and Cole to thank for it, even if most don’t know it.”

“River deserves the credit. I’m sure you already show your appreciation to him.”

She smirked. “Any chance I get. But you’re wrong. You and Cole put yourselves on the line to make this a reality. I’m grateful. You don’t know how much.” We hugged again, both getting choked up. “Okay, no more on that subject. Let’s talk about happier things.”

“Like the wedding we’re here to celebrate?” I asked.

“Or maybe the fact that you and Cole are going strong. I never would’ve expected you to fall for your undercover partner. It’s those fake relationship situations. They’ll get you every time.”

We both laughed.

“Cole and I are…good.”

“That’s all you’re giving me? Really?”

“It’s only been three months. I don’t know yet where it’s going.” We hadn’t exchanged I-love-yous yet, which actually reassured me. It would’ve killed me if he said it and then took it back.

But at the same time, I felt how much he cared for me. It was in the sweetness of his kisses and the way he always had his eyes on me, no matter what else was going on.

“But you seem really happy,” Charlotte said. “Enough to make me realize you might not have been so happy before.”

I nodded. “I never told you this, but I was engaged once. Before I met you. It ended badly, and I thought I could never trust a man like that again.”

“Oh, B. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I never thought I’d say this. But I think maybe it was all worth it, just so I’d recognize how perfect Cole is for me.”

Charlotte squeezed my arm. “Sounds like you do know where this is going between you and Cole. Your heart knows. Even if your brain hasn’t caught up yet.”

“That’s possible.”

Soft music started, and I glanced over toward the wedding arch made of hundreds of flowers. Aiden had just walked up and was shifting nervously. Cole stood beside him, murmuring something, and whatever he’d said made Aiden nod.

Then Cole saw me looking and sent a smile my way. There were dozens of people around us, yet I felt that smile like a secret message meant only for me. Didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing. It was the two of us, connected by an invisible, unbreakable thread. Drawing us together since the moment we’d met.

The only thing more frightening than the thought of trusting Cole with my entire heart? The thought of ever letting him go.

Cole

A hush fell over the audience as Scarlett, the maid of honor, walked up the aisle. Then the music shifted, and Jessi appeared in a floor-length, lacy dress. She walked forward on the arm of her brother Trace. Her long veil stretched out behind her. The sun was setting. A gentle breeze blew across the mountainside, shaking the wildflowers and grasses beyond the deck.

Beside me, Aiden cursed softly under his breath. Despite the crowd of people and the gorgeous surroundings of Refuge Mountain, the bride and groom didn’t look away from each other as she made her way to the wedding arch. Like nothing existed except the two of them. It was a feeling I understood.

My eyes searched out my girlfriend in the third row, sitting beside Charlotte on one side and Keira on the other. Just looking at Brynn filled me up with an uncomfortable, too-big feeling. Like things shouldn’t be this good, and there was no way it could keep going.

I’d been shocked when Aiden asked me to be his best man. I mean, me ? But I’d been honored. Even when I’d had to talk my buddy through the stress. Aiden had wanted to make every detail of today perfect for his bride, because her happiness was his happiness. Seeing them now, taking their vows? So worth it.

It had been a long time since I’d been a part of something bigger. Something important. I liked being a Protector. Especially because I had Brynn to share it with.

For so much of my life, I’d seen bad stuff happen to good people. But here we were, seeing good things unfold for some of the best people I knew. This was a new experience. I had the hunch I could get used to it.

Was I a sunny optimist now? Not even close. But my dark outlook was teetering on the edge.

When the ceremony ended, the photographer wrangled the wedding party into a slew of photos. Brynn stood off to the side and waited until I was done. The moment the photographer waved me and Scarlett away to focus on the bride and groom, Brynn came over to loosen my tie. She slid it away from my neck with a knowing grin. Then kissed my beard and my jawline as she undid the top button of my shirt.

“Better?” she whispered.

I groaned. “Way better. Will they notice if we sneak away for a few?”

“Yep, your best-man duties aren’t over yet.”

Damn.

Scarlett tapped me on the shoulder, holding up a phone. “Hey, can I get one of you two? You’re downright adorable together.”

Brynn snuggled into my side, while I put an arm around her. I wasn’t a huge fan of posed photos, but I felt the grin on my face grow along with the pride of knowing the woman beside me was mine .

I hadn’t been sure how today would go over for me and Brynn, given the rocky history we both had with the subject of marriage. But when Scarlett showed us the photo she’d taken, I saw that Brynn’s smile in the image matched my own. Simple joy. So beautiful it struck me in the chest, stealing my breath for a couple of seconds.

I was probably a little obsessed with Brynn. If that was a character flaw, I had no intention of apologizing for it.

The two of us had become a fixture here at Last Refuge, which hadn’t been my plan. But Colorado was easier to deal with now that the snow had melted and summer was here. My favorite time of each day was sunset, when Brynn and I could sit and watch the sun sinking behind the trees, sharing a cigarette. Marveling at how damn lucky I was. Then, after dinner, taking her back to our room and stripping off everything until we were down to bare skin. Making love slow and sensual or rough and fast, depending on the kind of day we’d had.

Sadly, our room at the inn didn’t have a bathtub. There was a hot tub on site, which we had visited several times for heavy make-out sessions when nobody else was around. But not nearly as much privacy as I would’ve wanted.

The only thing that wasn’t perfect was that I missed home. Last Refuge was a great place, but it wasn’t my place. I was anxious to get back, whether it was my apartment in the city or my quiet spot on the beach. As long as I had Brynn beside me.

She had suggested before that she’d come with me when it was time to leave. But what if she changed her mind? Those last threads of doubt still clung to me.

After the wedding dinner and endless toasts, Brynn insisted on dancing. She tugged at my hand and pulled me to the dance floor. Then Owen and Dean started passing around whiskey shots. With that added to the obligatory champagne, I felt pleasantly weighed down with booze and with contentment.

“Cole?” Brynn asked softly. We were swaying on the dance floor to yet another romantic song. But from the way she’d said my name, I could tell she had something important to tell me.

“Yeah, B?”

“I—”

Unfortunately, Trace decided to walk up to us that moment and rest a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. Do you two have a minute? It’s Protectors business.”

Brynn lifted an eyebrow at me. “Sure,” I said, reluctantly pulling away from her. But I caught hold of her hand as we walked over to the building that housed the Protectors’ headquarters.

Nobody else was inside. Trace stopped in the open space in the middle, turned around, and crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t have done this today, but waiting didn’t feel right either. I have news that I think you’ll want to hear, Cole.”

Brynn’s fingers tightened on mine.

Trace got straight to the point. “I spoke to Michael Stanford last night. A few weeks ago, FBI agents in the northeast busted a criminal ring who were using trafficked women as unpaid labor. They found a young woman there named Daniela Rojas. I believe you were looking for her before? On behalf of her mother, Luciana Rojas?”

“Yes.” My voice was hoarse. Numbness spread through my limbs. “Where is she? Is she in custody? Or…”

“She’s in protective custody at the moment. The FBI has specialists treating the victims, interviewing them, and reuniting them with their families. I understand Daniela has an aunt in Mexico, and they’ve already contacted her.”

I cursed under my breath, rubbing my face. This was the last thing I’d expected to hear today. But it was welcome news. I’d thought Daniela was gone forever, like her mom.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Brynn asked.

“I wish there were. But Stanford assured me that Daniela is being well-cared for. Better that we keep you both away from the FBI operation given your undercover work.” Trace nodded at me, then Brynn. “The only reason the authorities found those young women is because you succeeded in your mission. I just wanted to let you know.”

We talked a few minutes longer, and then Trace excused himself to return to the reception. As soon as he was gone, Brynn slid into my embrace and tucked her head into the curve where my shoulder met my neck. I just held her, letting Trace’s news sink in.

“We should head back to the party,” I said.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” I smoothed my thumb over the wrinkle of tension between her eyes. “I wish I could bring Luciana back. But Daniela is free, and she’ll be heading home to her family. Best news I’ve heard in a while.”

I started to turn toward the door, but Brynn held onto me. “Wait. I’d like to finish what I was going to say before Trace interrupted.”

“Is it good news? Or bad?”

“I think it’s pretty good.” She gazed up at me, looking more tentative than usual. “I love you. Whatever happens next, I want us to do it together.”

My breath whooshed out of my chest for at least the second or third time today.

I’d known for a while that I was completely in love with her. But I hadn’t wanted to scare her away by making any declarations before she was ready.

Hell, if this wasn’t the moment I’d been waiting for, what was ?

“B, you’re the first thing I think of when I wake up. The last thing on my mind before I go to bed. It’s only been a few months, but I already can’t imagine my life without you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So are you saying those three words back? Or…”

My laugh was loud in the quiet space. “Yes, honey. I love you. I love you so much. So long as we can get out of Colorado before next winter.” I kissed her smile, hands cupping her face. “Run away with me?” I whispered against her lips.

“Anywhere.”