His eyes went blank as the man behind them disappeared.
His body stilled…and he was gone.
“Destiny!” Jake dropped to his knees and ran his hands over her.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
“You need the hospital,” he said, yanking his shirt over his head and pressing it to the cut on her stomach.
“I never said I didn’t, but I won’t die.” She closed her eyes, darkness pulling at her. “I won’t die,” she whispered again before the light faded out.
Epilogue
The clean, Minnesota breeze swooped in, carrying the fresh scent of spring with it, as it teased the edge of Destiny’s dress where it ended at her knee.
She’d spent a week in the hospital, mainly because of the hit she’d taken to her head. Jake had remained by her side every minute. He’d had Sean reach out to her mother, and a day later, her mother was by her bedside holding her hand.
Her mother offered no time limit on grief. Not this time. They just cried and held each other as long as it took to wash it all clean.
Josie being the police chief’s daughter worked in their favor. The fact that she happened to be at the scene made it all even easier.
Destiny was running from an abusive husband. He found her. She defended herself.
Fierce was there to witness it all.
Even if it was through hearing alone.
“Here it is,” Destiny said, pulling Jake along with her to the maple tree she had coveted since she was a young child.
“So this is where you were first kissed?” he said as he stared up into the maze of gnarled trunks and branches overhead.
“Of course that’s the only thing you remember about why I love it here,” she said, giving him a playful elbow to the side.
He snaked his hand out, catching her wrist while he hooked her foot with his, making her squeak. Lowering her down with ease, he laid her reverently in the soft, green grass beneath their feet.
Coming down on top of her, bracing himself on his elbows, his easy gaze roamed her face. “I think it’s time to make a new memory under this tree. One we can both be excited about,” he said, nuzzling her neck with his soft lips.
She giggled and tipped her chin, giving him easier access. His arousal grew, the demand of it pressing against her thigh.
“I agree. It’s why I brought you here,” she said.
“What time did you tell your mother we’d be back?” he asked against her throat. His tongue trailed over her collarbone, and she gulped.
“I didn’t.” She laughed and patted his arm. “Focus. I have news.”
“I’m listening,” he said, popping the top button just above the cleavage of her dress. “You know, I didn’t picture you as a dress lover. I’m enjoying this side of you.”
“Jake,” she said, taking his face in her hands.
“What?” he asked, his eyes drifting shut as he turned his mouth to the meaty section of her palm and playfully bit the flesh there.
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
“That’s nice,” he muttered against her wrist.
She laughed and clutched the hair at the back of his head to raise his mouth off her. “Did you hear me?”
“Sure, you said you were…”
His eyes shot open, and he took a ragged breath.
“Pregnant,” she whispered again as she ran her finger over his bottom lip.
“Jesus, I just tossed you on the ground like—”
“Oh, please, you did not,” she smacked at the hands trying to lift her to her feet. “Come back down here with me.”
He tucked in next to her and moved to lay his hand against her belly, something he did all the time, but now he hesitated.
“I won’t break. Remember?” she asked as she took his hand and pressed his palm to her middle.
“Are you sure?” he asked, staring at his splayed fingers.
“Yes, I confirmed it with the doctor to be sure,” she said, trying to read the expression on his face.
“How far along are you?” he asked.
“Eleven weeks. I’m due Christmas Day,” she said. When they’d revealed the details of their lives, often in bits in pieces, holding each other in the dark, Jake had told her that he’d never been given a Christmas present. His father had forbidden it. It only seemed fitting that she give him his first one. “How do you feel?”
“I don’t know what kind of father I’ll be,” he said, doubt creeping into his eyes.
“I do. You took care of me, supported me, and made me strong in ways I’ve never been. I can’t imagine a better father. Our baby is going to adore you.”
“Our baby.” The words rolled off his lips tinged with wonder. He bowed his head and pressed a kiss to her stomach, and she knew that, although unexpected, this child was just one more part of their healing, making them whole.
Making them a family.
About the Author
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ABOUT CASEY HAGEN
Casey Hagen pens her snarky, passionate stories from the salty air of Kennebunk, Maine. She’s a born and raised Vermont native, a New England girl to the core, with Ben & Jerry’s in her heart and real Vermont maple syrup pumping through her veins.
She’s the proud mother of three girls and a soon-to-be first-time grandma with an insatiable addiction to Fall Out Boy, and a new, rather concerning obsession with tattoos and piercings. Can you say “cool grandma?”
The inked and pierced grandma spends her time tucked away in her office, coated in cat hair, alternating between tearing her hair out trying to find the perfect words and being one step ahead of her three scheming fur babies she is positive are plotting her demise with every swirl around her ankles at the top of her office stairs.
She loves writing stories about real people, with complicated histories, relatable everyday problems, and giving them the hard-won happily-ever-afters they deserve.
And she thanks every last one of you who picks up one of her stories.
Casey is done talking about herself in the third person.
*Casey out*
Fierce Protectors Series
Shielding Nebraska
Shielding Harlow
Shielding Josie
Shielding Blair
Falling in Paradise Series
Falling in Fiji
Falling in Angel Falls
Sassy Ever After
Bewitching Sass
Captivating Sass
Paranormal Dating Agency
On The Run
Livingston Valley
Sunset at Lake Crane
The Aegis Network
Safe House
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
KD Michaels: Avenging Angels
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate
Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Jen Talty: Burning Heart
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn (Feb 2019)
Shelter for Koren (June 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite (Jan 2019)
Securing Sidney (May 2019)
Securing Piper (Sept 2019)
Securing Zoey (TBA)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
susan@stokeraces.com
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