Page 8 (1/2)
Chapter 1
Rachel Kelly stared back at her reflection and then heaved a sigh before taking her hair down fro strands and let them fall over her shoulders
She was overthinking this too ether, Ethan would never let her out of the house He was already worried over the fact that she was returning to work If he had his way, she’d remain at home, cocooned in his and his family’s embrace
She understood his concern, and she loved him dearly for it But it was tiht was over After being officially “dead” for an entire year only to be resurrected when her husband and his brothers’ special ops group, KGI, rescued her froain
For the last couple of years, she’d tiptoed through life, as if she were afraid to take any risks at all She’d surrounded herself with fa with new additions as more of the brothers and team members married—and had contented herself with complacency
No more
New house New start She was young and had her entire life ahead of her, even if she’d taken that life for granted in the past She’d never do it again Every day was precious, and she was grateful for every minute with her husband and her family
She smoothed a hand over her flat belly, a flutter of nervousness welling up from within Excitement over her dreams of the future Of the possibilities that could even now be realized It was hard to be cal so quickly
She and Ethan—after long and careful consideration—had decided that she’d go off birth control a few months earlier They hadn’t even confided in family…yet Ethan had been reluctant, and it had taken convincing on her part for hiree Not because he didn’t want a child, but because he worried for her
Once before, seenant and had miscarried while Ethan ith his SEAL team on a s Ethan had walked away, resigning his couilty that he wasn’t there when she needed him
The decision had made him desperately unhappy, and it had strained their relationship to the breaking point She’d known things were bad, but she hadn’t known just how bad until right before she’d left on a mercy mission with other teachers to South America Ethan had presented her with divorce papers, looked her in the eye, and told her he was ready to end their e
She closed her eyes, because even now, so ut her
And then she’d left for South America and hadn’t returned until a year later when Ethan and his brothers had come for her
It had been a new chance, a fresh start, one ht And they had
She knew there was no guarantee after all she’d endured that she could even get pregnant, and if she did ain It could take them months or even years to conceive, which hy she’d wanted to go off her birth control now
But the thread of hope was there Alive and burning inside her She had only to look at her niece, Charlotte, and she was filled with fierce yearning for her own child
Ethan appeared in the door, and he stared intently at her with those piercing blue eyes
“Are you sure you want to do this, baby?”
She smiled, waraze
“I’ood test run If I hold up well, thenback full time next year if a position is open”
Wordlessly, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arot up every imen that he did on his own, but he also trained with his brothers at the KGI facility The co to in just a few days
She inhaled his scent, the muskiness of sweat and the faint hint of soap fro else she never took for granted During her captivity, so that had been as crippling as the torture she’d endured
He kissed the top of her head and gave her an extra squeeze
“Call me if you have any problems”
She smiled “I will I promise”
“Is your cell charged?”
Her se the daet in touch with her They both still battled their deain, and he liked to knohere she was at all times He checked in frequently with her and worried endlessly if he couldn’t reach her
It ht annoy some women, but Rachel understood his need for reassurance He wasn’t controlling He was scared to death There was a huge difference
“It’s charged, but don’t call htly “I left e so you’ll knohat time my classes are I’ll text you when I can”
Ethan sighed and slowly released her “I know I’ bastard I can’t help o back to work, but I want you to be happy, so if this does it, then I’m okay with it I’ll deal I promise”
“I love you,” she said,back into his arms “Remember that, okay?”
He lowered his ue “I love you too,” he said in that low, growly voice that always sent shivers down her spine “Be careful and text et there so I know you made it safe”
She rolled her eyes and withdrew, checking her appearance in the et Your ht to help box up some stuff Rusty’s home for the weekend, and she’s volunteered her services”
“I won’t be late,” Ethan pro with the new recruits for Nathan and Joe’s team”
Rachel’s lips turned down into an unhappy frown “Have you heard anything from PJ yet?”
Ethan went quiet and then shook his head “Not a da Cole Steele’s not taking it very well either The team isn’t the same without her, and Steele refuses to replace her”
“Good,” Rachel said fiercely “She just needs time She’ll be back I know she will”
“I hope you’re right,” he said, his tone somber “I said the team’s not the same without her, but the fact is, KGI isn’t the same without her either”
Chapter 1
Rachel Kelly stared back at her reflection and then heaved a sigh before taking her hair down fro strands and let them fall over her shoulders
She was overthinking this too ether, Ethan would never let her out of the house He was already worried over the fact that she was returning to work If he had his way, she’d remain at home, cocooned in his and his family’s embrace
She understood his concern, and she loved him dearly for it But it was tiht was over After being officially “dead” for an entire year only to be resurrected when her husband and his brothers’ special ops group, KGI, rescued her froain
For the last couple of years, she’d tiptoed through life, as if she were afraid to take any risks at all She’d surrounded herself with fa with new additions as more of the brothers and team members married—and had contented herself with complacency
No more
New house New start She was young and had her entire life ahead of her, even if she’d taken that life for granted in the past She’d never do it again Every day was precious, and she was grateful for every minute with her husband and her family
She smoothed a hand over her flat belly, a flutter of nervousness welling up from within Excitement over her dreams of the future Of the possibilities that could even now be realized It was hard to be cal so quickly
She and Ethan—after long and careful consideration—had decided that she’d go off birth control a few months earlier They hadn’t even confided in family…yet Ethan had been reluctant, and it had taken convincing on her part for hiree Not because he didn’t want a child, but because he worried for her
Once before, seenant and had miscarried while Ethan ith his SEAL team on a s Ethan had walked away, resigning his couilty that he wasn’t there when she needed him
The decision had made him desperately unhappy, and it had strained their relationship to the breaking point She’d known things were bad, but she hadn’t known just how bad until right before she’d left on a mercy mission with other teachers to South America Ethan had presented her with divorce papers, looked her in the eye, and told her he was ready to end their e
She closed her eyes, because even now, so ut her
And then she’d left for South America and hadn’t returned until a year later when Ethan and his brothers had come for her
It had been a new chance, a fresh start, one ht And they had
She knew there was no guarantee after all she’d endured that she could even get pregnant, and if she did ain It could take them months or even years to conceive, which hy she’d wanted to go off her birth control now
But the thread of hope was there Alive and burning inside her She had only to look at her niece, Charlotte, and she was filled with fierce yearning for her own child
Ethan appeared in the door, and he stared intently at her with those piercing blue eyes
“Are you sure you want to do this, baby?”
She smiled, waraze
“I’ood test run If I hold up well, thenback full time next year if a position is open”