Bodyguard's Baby Surprise (21 page)

Epilogue

H
ours had passed since their
wedding. It was all a blur to Annalise, a kaleidoscope of color and music and
voices. But she remembered staring up into Nick's handsome face as he pledged
his love and devotion.

She would never forget that. She would never doubt his love. He
had given her his heart—like she had given him hers so many years before.

Fingertips trailed over her naked skin. He hadn't left her
alone in bed this time. He lay next to her, staring at her in the moonlight. “I
am the luckiest man in the world.”

She laughed. “That's the same thing your surgeon said.”

A fraction of an inch to the left and the bullet would have
paralyzed him. He had been so lucky.

“You're the reason I'm so blessed,” he said. His fingertips
trailed over her belly now—where their son moved beneath his father's touch.

She smiled. “We both are.” She was so happy she felt almost
guilty.

Now Nick touched the furrow that had formed between her brows.
“What? What are you worried about?”

“Not us,” she assured him. She had no doubts they would be
happy. “About Gage...”

“He made it back,” Nick said. “Both physically and mentally.
He's doing great.”

He was better. But he still wasn't whole. It was as if a part
of him was still missing. He'd lost something. And she suspected it wasn't in
Afghanistan. He'd lost something before he'd left: his heart.

“I want him to be as happy as we are,” she said.

Nick sighed and pulled her into his arms. Holding her close, he
murmured, “Me, too...”

* * * * *

Look for the next thrilling installment in the
BACHELOR BODYGUARDS
series, coming soon!

And if you love Lisa Childs, be sure to pick up her other
stories:

BODYGUARD DADDY

THE AGENT'S REDEMPTION

AGENT TO THE RESCUE

AGENT UNDERCOVER

THE PREGNANT WITNESS

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CONARD COUNTY SPY
by Rachel
Lee.

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Conard County Spy

by Rachel Lee

Prologue

T
he hotel room was opulent, befitting an important man, one on a diplomatic mission for his country. But there was not a diplomatic discussion taking place within its confines. Deadly business was on the table.

The gray-haired man sitting near the window in a very expensive tailored suit looked at the dossier in his hands. He appeared to be extremely fit and when he moved, did so with fluid ease.

The man who faced him was decades younger, dressed in much less expensive garb suitable to a government clerk. He was also a little nervous, no matter how calm he tried to be. He was the cover for the people helping the older man. They both knew it. They both also knew it could end badly for this young man if this meeting became known to the wrong people.

The gray-haired man had a lot of experience judging people, and he knew that this one knew only what he needed to in order to complete this task. “So this is the one who betrayed me? Trace Archer?”

“Yes, sir,” said the other. “We told you that several months ago.”

“Where is he now?”

“We sent him on his way to recuperate away from here. We're tracking him.”

“So you know where he is?”

The younger man nodded. “What he did put you in great danger, General. My superiors understand.”

“My man did a poor job of taking him out in Bulgaria. It will be harder here.”

“It will be cleaner here. You know we value you highly. But if something happens to him on his trip, no explanations will be needed from anyone. That's how we all want it.”

The general put the dossier aside and went to stand at the window. “In Ukraine, the situation is very delicate. Now it is even more delicate because of this man.”

“I know.”

The general doubted the younger man knew even that much or had any real understanding of the complexities here. He was simply doing his job. “I will not trust this to anyone else. That failed last time. So this time you will get
me
close to him.”

The younger man hesitated. Apparently this had not been in his brief. “General, the risk...”

“There will be no risk. I am here on a diplomatic mission, yes?”

“But that won't protect you if...”

“There will be no
if
. This man has threatened my life, my family, everything I have worked for. I must know he is taken care of, see it with my own eyes.”

After a moment of hesitation, the younger man agreed. “As you wish.” Clearly he had been told not to disagree with the general.

“I would expect no less. I have worked with you for many years, first from my position in the Russian army, and now in Ukraine. You owe me.”

“Yes, sir.”

The general smiled for the first time. “Soon we will resume our mutually beneficial relationship. Once I remove the traitor.”

Copyright © 2016 by Susan Civil Brown

ISBN-13: 9781488004995

Bodyguard's Baby Surprise

Copyright © 2016 by Lisa Childs

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