“Yeah, I am. Not one hundred percent, but better.” He searches my face with his eyes before he nods and moves on.
It takes us about an hour to go over everything and for him to sign. As he’s leaving, he kisses my forehead. “I just want you to be happy, Luci.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry for everything. I never wanted to hurt you or anyone.”
He nods. “I know and I’m doing okay too,” he assures me and turns to leave. And just like that I put another part of my life in order without even trying. My time spent with Devlin woke up my feelings and emotions again and I’ve been carrying around a ton of guilt for how I treated him after the shooting and now it feels like that slate is clean.
It’s been the day from hell and I’m cursing as I climb out of the car and head to my front door. The strap broke on my favorite pair of high heels, a client got nasty with me about a clerical error I had nothing to do with, and my air conditioner broke in my car. The day was total crap and May in Miami without an air conditioner is not where you want to be, yet here I am sweating my ass off. When I get out of the car, I tiptoe across the hot pavement and shove my shoes in the garbage can before heading for my front door. I round the corner of my house and catch movement out of my peripheral vision. Jumping almost a mile in the air, I screech about fifteen expletives in a row—I’m not big on being startled.
Devlin steps forward. The same Devlin I haven’t heard from since Valentine’s Day. The Devlin I thought was long gone from my life. Halting in my tracks, I whisper, “Devlin? Is it really you?”
“Yeah, Luci, it’s me.” I dump my bags and my keys and sprint to him on my bare feet and jump on him like he might get away. I leap for him when I’m about a foot away and he catches me, stumbling back on his feet from the sheer force of the impact. He doesn’t get a chance to say anything before my mouth is on him, kissing him as hard as I swore I would if I ever saw his face again. “God, I missed you!” I mumble in between the kisses I’m peppering his face with.
His chuckle rumbles up between us as he holds me tight against him. “For the record, I missed you too.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Why haven’t you texted me? I got that awesome present from you in February and thanked you and never heard another word. I thought you’d forgotten about me.”
“There is no way I could have forgotten about you. I wanted to surprise you. I’ve only been back stateside for a couple of days. I took leave as soon as humanly possible so I could see you. Let’s grab your stuff and get out of the heat.”
I readily agree and rush to the sidewalk to grab my things before leading him into the house. Once we’re inside and the door is locked, all bets are off. Our mouths connect and things become so frenzied that I’m on my back on the couch with him between my legs grinding against me in the most delicious way within a couple of minutes. I can’t seem to catch my breath, but I also can’t bear for him to pull away.
“Dev, God, Dev, I’ve dreamed of this so many times, honey.”
“Not as many as me,” he mumbles against my skin while his lips slide down my throat. As I arch my back, hoping to tempt him further south, the chime of my doorbell sounds through the house. What the hell? No one ever comes to my door, except delivery people and guests, and I’m not expecting either. “Ignore it,” I breathe as his mouth leaves my skin.
“I can’t. I’m expecting someone. I thought you’d be home earlier, so I scheduled this visit for seven, thinking that would give us plenty of time for a reunion.”
“What are you talking about? How did you know I wouldn’t be with someone else or out of town?”
“Sweetness, I’ve got a friend who has a friend who can find out anything. I knew you were in town and my inside information told me you weren’t seeing anyone else. That being said, I didn’t know you would welcome me like you did. I only hoped for that kind of reaction.” The chime sounds again. “Shit, I need to get that. You’ll understand everything in a few minutes, just let me answer the door. Trust me, please.”
I nod because what else can I do? I’m happy to see him and don’t want to ruin that. As he answers the door, I adjust my skirt and smooth down my hair.
I hear two distinctly male voices. “Mike Wade,” filters through to the living room, followed by a short pause and then, “Hudson McCormick.”
My eyebrows pull down low as I come around the corner to the foyer. “The owners of Sunset Security?” I ask. Now I’m more curious than before.
“Yeah, sweetness. I have an interview.”
They come in and greet me with firm handshakes and smiles, and I usher them to the living room where not a minute ago we were involved in a full-on make-out fest.
“Can I get y’all something to drink?”
“No thanks, Luci.”
Devlin says to them, “She just got home not ten minutes ago. Can you excuse us for just a moment?”
Both guys nod and we step into my kitchen. “I’m sorry the timing didn’t work out better for me to give you an explanation, but here’s the quick version. I put in my paperwork the day I got back from being out of the country, to get out of the Navy in September. I remembered you talking about these guys so I did some research and decided I would talk to them about a job if they are hiring. They were here in Miami today, so they agreed to meet me before they fly back to Tampa.”
“You’re getting out? I thought you loved it.”
“I did, but I’ve found something I want to love more.” He gently strokes my cheek with the back of his hand before saying, “Come on, let’s do this.”
“No, I shouldn’t be here for this. This is your life. You have to decide if it’s something you want to do—without my input. I can find something to do in my room while y’all talk. I’ll get cleaned up, and join you soon.”
“I want you involved because I plan to spend my life with you, so this will affect you too.”
“Dev,” I pause, not knowing how to finish with so many different things running through my head. “How about you start with them and then I’ll join you shortly? This has to be something you want to do before you can hear my thoughts. So go talk to them and I will be in soon.”
“Okay, please don’t be long,” he bosses with a grin.
Leaving them to it, I head for my room and take a quick shower to wash off the sweat and freshen up.
By the time I come back, I realize that their formal conversation has ended and Hudson and Devlin are talking about some of the guys they both know. I guess the SEAL community can be small.
“Well, we are going to leave you be. I’ve got a wife and baby to get home to, and Hudson has a wife. Hope we will see you both soon! Next time you’re here, y’all come up to Crystal River and stay with us on the river. It’s amazing.”
“Thanks, will do,” Devlin promises as he shakes hands with both men.
After goodbyes, I shut the door, lock it, and turn to put my back against it.
“How did it go?”
“I got the job if I want it. They are based out of Crystal River, which is about four and a half hours from here. I don’t have to live there, but I will have to go there some. The pay is good, they’re working on providing insurance and 401K benefits now, and I don’t have to give up all the action I’m used to. I like both guys, but more than anything I like that I can live in Miami.”
“Are you sure you want to get out of the Navy? And live in Miami?” I whisper, almost afraid he will change his mind.
Scooting in closer to me, he grins. “Yeah, I’m sure. I’ve been thinking about this for six months. Every day I’ve spent away from you has sucked. I want to be where you are, and I’d like a job with some flexibility. I’d also like to be able to use some of the skills I’ve gained over the years and I think this checks all the boxes.”
“Really?” I croak, overwhelmed by the events of the last hour.
“Yes. I want the woman with the power to pull me out of hell, and that woman is you.”
Dear Lor
d, my heart melts into a puddle on my ceramic tile floor. He must see in my eyes everything I’m feeling because his mouth meets mine much slower and sweeter than how I came at him earlier, and it’s pure heaven. The best part about it is that I’m about to have this anytime I want it.
Epilogue: Lucianna
Two years later.
“Simone! You better tell that husband of yours to get Dev here pronto or I will kill them all!” I growl as another contraction rips through me.
“They’re on their way. They should be here in the next half hour,” she murmurs, attempting to soothe me. Instead, it just pisses me off.
“I knew he shouldn’t have gone! But oh no! He read somewhere that first-time mothers don’t have their babies early, so now he’s gallivanting all over the world playing bodyguard while I’m pushing out his baby girl!”
“Stop being an ass, Luci! This is the pain talking. He’s going to make it in time. Trust me.”
Without warning, my anger turns and I start crying. Throughout this whole pregnancy I’ve been hormonal as hell. Although my mom said she was the same with me and my siblings, I had hoped it wouldn’t be like that for me. Poor Devlin has been a trooper, not knowing which way the wind was going to blow my mood. The next contraction hits and Simone breathes with me through it and then wipes the sweat away from my brow with a damp cloth.
“There is some pressure, but not a lot yet.”
She reaches under the sheet and does her finger exam and smiles at me. “You’re at eight centimeters. Getting close to push time. Keep breathing and try to relax between contractions,” she chirps happily before she slips out the door again.
“Is it bad that I just want to punch her? Doesn’t she realize how annoying her cheerfulness is when I’m in this kind of pain?”
Simone busts up laughing at me. “Mamá Rosa is going to love these stories. She’ll be here tomorrow morning, by the way, and Devlin said his parents are on the road and will be here within the hour.”
As I’m about to respond, there’s a little knock at the door and Devlin comes in with a huge smile on his face.
“You made it!” I cry.
“Yeah, I made it, sweetness. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” He kisses my forehead and gets into the chair Simone was sitting in, taking my hand and lacing his fingers through mine.
“I’m going to go say hi to my hubby. I’ll be back in a few to hold a leg when it’s time to push.”
For the first time today, I relax against the mattress, content now that my husband is here. I didn’t want to do this without him, so the fear plagued me all day that he wouldn’t make it.
Another contraction builds and he helps me breathe through it. Once it’s done, he rubs my shoulders. Another one hits shortly thereafter, until they are one on top of another and I feel like I’m going to die. The doctor comes in at the same time as Simone, followed by the nurse with a weird-looking cart thing. Simone grabs one leg, Devlin grabs the other and the doctor gets between my legs. It’s time to push.
Thirty minutes later, after the worst pain of my life, our daughter comes into this world more beautiful than I imagined. Golden skin, dark blue eyes that the nurse says will probably turn brown, and a head full of curly red hair. Sweet ginger perfection.
My husband takes her when they’re done weighing her and messing with her. “Welcome to the world, Morgan Briana Byrne. Daddy loves you and will protect you at all costs.” And just like that my world is complete.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband and children for believing in me and being my biggest source of support. I love you all more than words can express.
To my TLC crew you guys rock! Remember…what you find is what you find.
To my readers, thank you for your time and kindness. Your support means the world to me!
Also by Tiffani Lynn
Colorado Veterans Series
Finding Purpose (Colorado Veterans Book 1)
Finding Heart (Colorado Veterans Book 2)
Finding Passion (Colorado Veterans Book 3)
Finding Life (Colorado Veterans Book 4)
Finding Hope: A Colorado Veterans Christmas
Florida Veterans
Saving Summer (Florida Veterans Book 1)
Saving Stacey (Florida Veterans Book 2)
Betrayal to Bliss Duo
Strangers at Sunset (Betrayal to Bliss Book 1)
From Strangers to Lovers (Betrayal to Bliss Book 2)
MacGregor Family Novellas
Love, Lust & Life (MacGregor Family Book 1)
Beauty, Bliss & A Bed of Roses (MacGregor Family Book 2)
Eden’s Odyssey Series
Finn's Shot (Eden's Odyssey Book 1)
Tangled with Tyler (Eden's Odyssey Book 2)
Rescuing Reya
Rescuing Reya: Brotherhood Protectors World
You can learn more about Tiffani’s books here
https://www.tiffanilynn.com/books
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
Christie Adams: Charity’s Heart
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Linzi Baxter: Unlocking Dreams
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Alice Bello: Shadowing Milly
Heather Blair: Rescue Me
Anna Blakely: Rescuing Gracelynn
Amy Briggs: Saving Sarah
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
Anne Conley: Redemption for Misty
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Sarah Curtis: Securing the Odds
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Tarina Deaton: Found in the Lost
KL Donn: Unraveling Love
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
PJ Fiala: Defending Sophie
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Michele Gwynn: Rescuing Emma
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
EM Hayes: Gambling for Ashleigh
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Kimberly McGath: The Predecessor
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
Angela Nicole: Protecting the Donna
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Victoria Paige: Reclaiming Izabel
Anne L. Parks: Mason
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
TL Reeve and Michele Ryan: Extracting Mateo
Elena M. Reyes: Keeping Ava
Rose Smith: Saving Satin
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Lynn St. James: SEAL’s Spitfire
Dee Stewart: Conner
Harley Stone: Rescuing Mercy
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
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
Barb Han: Kace
CM Steele: Guarding Hope
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 (Jan 2020)
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 (TBA)
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