The Movie Star and the Spy (The Secret Billionaires #5)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

L ife was wonderful.

A dream come true, since Sarah had married Julian in the wedding of the decade, as deemed by the news, social media and hundreds of influencers. All the Billionaires of Miami and their spouses attended, as well as friends and family. Who walked her down the aisle?

Her dad.

Their relationship had blossomed since they reconnected. It may never be a traditional relationship, or a perfect one, but he’d made vast efforts to support her, in little and big ways. He made time for her at a moment’s call, attended special events and let her guide their relationship. When it was time for the wedding, asking him seemed natural.

Tears had been shed.

With the mission successfully closed, she’d returned to the force, albeit in a different role. She led investigations and, with the assistance of makeup and wigs, even delved undercover for short stints. She was still doing what she loved, catching criminals and seeking justice, yet there was something – someone – she loved even more.

Julian.

Life with him was an adventure, filled with the ordinary, extraordinary and everything in between. Despite their hectic work schedule, they made it work, spending more time together than apart. He had even booked an upcoming television show set in Miami, so he wouldn’t have to travel to location. For special events, she often accompanied him.

Now they were at one such special event, another comic convention filled with thousands of enthusiastic fans. As they prepared for their presentation for Spy Heat, she planned something special, a homage to their unusual beginning. They were acting out one of the biggest scenes, in which the hero, i.e. her husband, captures the masked villainess. Only instead of using the actress, Cheyenne convinced the director to let her dress as the character. In full costume and makeup, she was unrecognizable, if a little sweat-slicked under the skin-tight garment.

Yeah, she was going undercover.

They stood on the grand main stage, under garnet cascades of curtains, before an audience of thousands. The air smelled like cake makeup and anticipation, with a warmth of so many bodies packed so close together. Under the brilliant lights, the crowd hooted, clapped and cheered, ready for their favorite characters. The scene started, and Julian crept across the stage toward her, giving his famous monologue, vowing to discover all the criminal’s secrets. She stayed still in her hiding spot, waiting for him.

Even though his approach was imminent, she still jumped when he captured her. He lunged from the side and wrapped his arms around her. “You will never escape me,” he growled.

Then… he froze.

Freezing was not part of the script, not for him, not for her. He was supposed to launch into a triumphant speech, his victory lap now that he caught the criminal mastermind. The villainous was supposed to scream and struggle, proclaiming her innocence.

Yet neither played their part as they locked eyes, sharing a thousand messages. Did he realize it was her? How would he react? He shifted her, his narrowing eyes showing a tangle of confusion, shock and challenge. So she did what any red blooded woman would do when held by the hottest movie star in the universe.

She kissed him.

It was sweet, delicious and filled with more passion than all of Spy Heat. As usual, he stole control, holding her flush against his heated body, as he plundered her mouth. He whispered her name, proving he knew the woman he married.

Around them silence reined, traveling from a cacophony of screams and shouts to the utter quietness of a second’s breath. It lasted but a moment before the noise returned with a vengeance, the whistles, hoots and hollers filling the cavernous hall. Finally he pulled back and lifted her mask. They grasped hands… and bowed.

The presentation had been a success, and more fun than she ever imagined. Julian had previously offered her cameos, and for the first time, she actually considered it. She was already famous, whether she liked it or not, and working with him would be a rare treat.

Since the disguise worked so well before, they had both donned similar costumes for the remainder of the afternoon. Now they walked through the convention, and for once nobody was paying attention to them, providing a rare freedom. The costumes covered them from head to toe, including masks that only revealed their eyes and lower face. Of course, they were not Spy Heat costumes, but instead various aliens from a show that involved a time-travelling hero in a little blue box.

So far he hadn’t mentioned her subterfuge, instead staying silent as they passed talented artists, enthusiastic celebrities and exuberant cosplayers. Vendors offered a variety of souvenirs, including photographs and paintings of them . They passed a group of girls giggling about the Spy Heat presentation, and she grimaced. Three, two, one…

“You do realize I’m going to get you back for that little performance.” Cole gave a rather convincing growl that sent lightning through her blood. “Expect retribution.”

A shiver stole her breath. She couldn’t wait. “I’m a trained professional. I’m not scared of you.”

“No?” He lifted a perfect eyebrow. “Do you want to hear all the things I have planned?”

Oh. Yes.

“First,” he lowered his voice. “I’m going to make you play… a… word tile game.”

“No!” she gasped.

“Then you’ll have to answer thousands of fan letters.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“After that, I have some dry cleaning to drop off. I’ve added another six locations–”

She stopped him the best way she knew how.

And boy was the kiss delicious .

When they finished the kiss (and the two subsequent ones he initiated), they grasped hands and walked through golden-edged glass doors onto the grand balcony. They emerged to a private wonderland, under a star-studded sky that extended to the heavens above. The air was cool and fresh, surrounding a cityscape with soaring skyscrapers and bridges illuminated with rainbow lights. They stepped across pearly tiles and grasped the intricately carved balustrade. “Isn’t it beautiful?” She smiled.

“Yes, it is,” he replied softly, gazing at her with a thousand shades of love. His smile widened at her blush. “I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he murmured, ending the last of the distance between them. He caressed her cheek, lifting the mask ever-so-slightly. Leaned closer… closer… closer.

“Oh my gosh, it’s Julian and Cheyenne!” A young woman screamed. Then another and another, like a set of dominoes. Suddenly they were surrounded by cheering fans. They jerked back, yet a new cheer arose, “Kiss, kiss, kiss!”

Cheyenne laughed. What had her life become? In the distance, security was on its way, but for now, she allowed Julian to grasp her, holding her against a wall of pure muscle. She pushed even closer. “We can’t disappoint them.”

“No, we can’t,” he agreed.

So they started where they had stopped, kissing under the shimmering sky and cool night breeze, before fans and friends and the world. The night disappeared, as they traveled to their own world, just for the two of them. One home, one path, one destiny.

And their love?

That lasted forever.