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He was leaving the choice solely up to her, but she didn’t fool herself for aher choice wouldn’t affect him He’d made it abundantly clear that he supported her unconditionally and that she was free to pick and choose her assign with her to every one He would act as her personal security, along with Micah and David

She wasn’t sure he’d ever truly move past that awful day in Paris when she’d been abducted and subjected to the torture she’d endured Though heher career, he’d arrange to take a leave of absence for all of her shoots no ht be He still lived in terror that she would be taken from him, and he made certain that he would be with her every step of the hen she did choose to go back to her career

She studied hily a moment and then, because she could and because she could never say it enough, she blurted, "I love you"

His eyes warreen eyes "I love you too, honey"

"And yeah I’ to do it," she said decisively

"Good I’e to make that decision"

Her heart swelled Hoell he understood her In the short time they’d been ether, learning, growing Already so far ahead of most couples with only a few months behind them

He well understood her hesitancy Her self-consciousness when it ca if the scars were evident He understood that only too well, having lived it for the last few years He was her rock Her support And her biggest cheerleader Always telling her how beautiful she was

"When do we leave?" Swanny asked

Just like that So simply laid out No questions No reservations Just a solid reminder that he ith her every step of the way God, she loved this ive your team notice that you’ll be out of action for a bit?"

He nodded "Yep Already have all that down When I’m with you, they either don’t draw a mission or, if they absolutely have to, then one of the Kelly brothers fills in foron another teammate anyway We’re smaller than the other teams and we could use a sixth for times just like this And, well, when I am in action, an extra teammate at your side never hurts"

Eden pondered Swanny’s words and then glanced over at him

"What’s on your "

"Have y’all ever considered talking to Ryker about joining your teaether and he’s still sort of in action hat he does"

Swanny grinned "Isin on our conversations"

She lifted one eyebrow "No But now you’ve got me curious"

"We have considered it actually Depends on how rusty he is and how much he’s kept up his skills, but yeah, we’ve talked about it It all boils down to how hed "I feel like a duardless of whether you all have already talked about it Ianother person to worry about when your teaave her a tender s it before lacing their fingers together

"I’ll always coive me a reason to come home Every damn time"

"Just like I’ll always come back home to you," Eden returned, her so with me We’ll both always come home to Kentucky Lake"

He leaned over her just as she herself was leaning in, but that didn’t surprise her They were both so in tune with each other Their mouthsoff the lake, they sat there, hands twined Knowing that no matter where life or their careers took them, that they’d always have "home" to come back to