“Yes?”
“Arizona? This is Nora. Mr. DeLoach asked me to call you. The raid was successful, and Luca Vasquez is in custody. He said to tell you that he has someone from Child Services with Ruby tonight, but tomorrow you can pick her up. He’s made the arrangements.”
“Ohmigod.” Arizona was afraid she’d pass out from relief. “Thank you, Nora. And thank Joaquin for me.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I am so grateful.”
“He said you can come and pick her up at your offices about nine tomorrow morning. Will that work for you?”
“Absolutely.” She swiped at her tears. “It works just fine.”
She sat for a moment, just staring at the phone after the conversation ended.
“Good news, I take it?” Razor grinned at her.
“The best.” She told him what Nora had said.
He cupped her chin, tilted her face up, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I am so happy for you.”
She swallowed, hard, trying to phrase a question.
“You—You don’t have to leave right away, do you? I mean, now that your job is over?”
“Did you not hear me earlier today? I’m not going anywhere. I have nothing holding me anyplace, and I want to see where this goes with us.”
“I—I’ll have Ruby, you know.”
“We’ll have Ruby, and I’m going to do my best to protect both of you from whatever life throws at you.”
Relief surged through her. “Thank you. Thank you, thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I want to do this. First thing early in the morning we’ll have a doctor take a look at you. Then we’ll go pick up Ruby.” He kissed her again. “Life will be good, Arizona. I promise you.”
Epilogue
Arizona turned over in bed and nestled against Razor’s warm, naked body. They didn’t have too many opportunities for matinees, but today during Ruby’s nap they stole enough time to pleasure each other in ways becoming more and more familiar.
“It’s almost time for Ruby to get up,” she murmured.
“We’ve had our treat,” Razor teased. “Let’s take Ruby to that ice cream place she loves so much.”
“Did you ever think you’d make such a great dad?”
“I’m still learning,” he told her, “but enjoying all the lessons.” He cupped one breast in a warm palm. “And having a lot of fun doing it.”
The past year had presented a lot of changes. The scandal of Vasquez’s drug business had been a news topic for many days. After Arizona and Razor had picked up Ruby, a scared, confused little girl, they’d taken her out of the city to a ranch owned by a friend of Razor’s, where they could deal with her confusion and emotional upset. It had taken months and a very good therapist to deal with Ruby’s emotional upheaval, but they had made great strides.
Joaquin had recommended a top-notch attorney who had helped them navigate the legal hurdles of guardianship for Ruby. Vasquez was in a maximum security prison, classified as a dangerous prisoner and cut off from the outside world. His attorney had convinced him that if he ever wanted the terms of his confinement changed at all he needed to sign away his rights to Ruby. It had taken months to accomplish this, but he had finally agreed.
And Ruby seemed to be thriving.
They had left the ranch but made changes in their lives. Joaquin and suggested they not take Ruby back to Tampa, where she might be susceptible to actions from the cartels in revenge for Vasquez’s screwups. Instead they had settled in Colorado, where Razor had friends, one of whom owned a security agency and had tried several times to hire him.
Arizona had taken a leave of absence from the DEA while they all settled into a new life and looked toward the future. And she and Razor were in the kind of relationship she’d never thought she’d have.
“Thinking hard?” Razor’s voice held a touch of humor.
“Just about how lucky we are to be at this place in life. All of us.”
He nodded. “I agree. I’ll tell you, I never expected to be so settled and feel so good about it.”
She laughed. “Me, either.”
He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I don’t tell you this too often but I feel it every day. I love you, Arizona. More than I ever expected to love anyone.” He paused. “And Ruby, too. That is one sweet little girl.”
“Yes, she is.” His words gave her a warm feeling.
“With Vasquez signing away his rights to her, and we have a chance to be a real family. But there’s one thing missing.”
She frowned. “Like what?”
“Hold on.”
He leaped out of bed, naked, and grabbed a small velvet bag from his top dresser drawer. Then he sat down on the bed, opened it, and fished something out.
“What’s going on, Razor?”
“I loved you, Arizona. You and Ruby. We have a good life here but one thing’s missing?”
She frowned. “Like what?”
“The attorney said you can finally adopt Ruby. I want us to do it together.” He slid a ring on her finger, a small but perfect diamond. “Marry me, Arizona. Let’s adopt Ruby together and be a real family. Forever.”
Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”
She threw her arms around him, and in a moment they were locked in a kiss that warmed every part of her body.
“I love you, Clint DaCosta. I am so glad you came into my life.”
“And I love you, Arizona Hunt, soon to be DaCosta. Let’s wake up Ruby. Tell her the good news and get started on our lives together.”
“Amen to that.”
About the Author
I love to hear from my readers. You can write to me at authordesireeholt@gmail.com I hope you will do that.
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Also by Desiree Holt
Special Forces: Operation Alpha
Protecting Maddie
Protecting Cassie
Protecting Amy
Protecting Arizona
The Phoenix Agency (7 book series)
Extrasensory (The Phoenix Agency Book 2)
Scent of Danger (The Phoenix Agency Book 3)
Freeze Frame (The Phoenix Agency Book 4)
Feel the Heat (The Phoenix Agency Book 5)
Formula for Danger (The Phoenix Agency Book 6)
Unexpected Risk (The Phoenix Agency Book 7)
*
For a list of all of Desiree’s books, please click here to go to her Amazon page.
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: H
andling 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
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
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
Debra Parmley: Split Screen Scream
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
Police and Fire: Operation Alpha World
Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
Deanndra Hall: Shelter for Sharla
Deanndra Hall:Justice for Aleta
Barb Han: Kace
Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane
Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery (May 2020)
Securing Kalee (Sept 2020)
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian (Apr 2020)
Shielding Kinley (Aug 2020)
Shielding Aspen (Oct 2020)
Shielding Riley (Jan 2021)
Shielding Devyn (TBA)
Shielding Ember (TBA)
Shielding Sierra (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (Novella)
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
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
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 Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
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, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
susan@stokeraces.com