And just like that, every ounce of anger was gone. Smiling, Olivia grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down to her.
“I love you, too.” As Jake’s lips found hers, she began to wonder if someone’s heart could actually burst from being too full.
****
Three days later...
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Olivia asked him for the third time since that morning.
Jake smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sure. It’ll do you some good to get out of the house and have some girl time. Plus, I’ve got some stuff with the business I’ve been putting off for far too long. Phone calls, paperwork, you know...the exciting side of R.I.S.C.” He made a gun gesture with his fingers and pretended to shoot himself in the head.
Olivia grinned. “Okay. If you’re sure. I was surprised when Mac asked me to go shopping with her, since we’d only just met, but I’m actually kind of excited. I don’t remember the last time I had a girls’ day.”
Jake hadn’t planned on them staying at his place when he brought her here a few days ago, so they hadn’t brought anything with them. After seeing it, Olivia hadn’t wanted to leave.
With her blessing, Jake had called Mac—R.I.S.C.’s other sniper—the next morning and gave her Liv’s security code and a list of things to pack. Later that day, Mac brought Liv’s things to the cabin, and she and Liv hit it off instantly.
“Truth be told, I think Mac is more excited about your little outing than you are,” Jake said, smiling. “I’m pretty sure she likes to shop as much as she likes to shoot.”
That made Olivia laugh. “Yeah, I gotta say, when you first told me ‘Mac’ actually stood for ‘McKenna’, I was surprised. I was even more shocked when this petite, cheerleader-looking blond walked in carrying my stuff.”
Jake chuckled. “She tends to have that effect on people.”
Jake’s doorbell rang, and he went to answer the door. “Speak of the devil.”
“Hey, boss. Your lady ready to roll?” Mac greeted Jake with a smile, her blue eyes hidden behind her designer sunglasses.
“Yes, I am!” Olivia spoke up from behind him, not giving him a chance to answer.
Jake moved to the side to give Olivia room to get by. She stopped in front of him and raised up on her toes for a kiss. Even in heels, she still had to lift up to reach his mouth.
Mac mumbled something about waiting in the car, but Jake didn’t pay much attention. He was too busy kissing his woman goodbye.
Goodbye. A sharp pang struck his chest as Jake thought of the conversation he had planned for them tonight.
It was another reason why he’d been more than happy to let her spend the day away from the cabin.
He needed time to plan. Strategize. Jake had to figure out a way to tell her about her brother that wouldn’t end with her telling him she never wanted to see him again.
Jake deepened the kiss. If this ended up being their last, he was determined to take in every last drop of her love while she was still willing to give it.
“Wow. That was some kiss goodbye, soldier.”
Jake forced a smile. “Have fun today.”
She tilted her head, those little wrinkles forming between her brows. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He smiled wider. “I’m good. Now go,” he swatted her butt, loving the cute, ruffled skirt she was wearing. She didn’t dress up often, but man, when she did—damn.
“Have your girls’ day. Drink overpriced coffee, eat tiny little pastries, and spend a ridiculous amount of money on a bunch of stuff you don’t really need.”
Olivia laughed as she walked past him. “Been on a lot of these, have you?”
“I watch movies,” he joked.
“Why, Jake McQueen. I never pictured you a chick-flick fan.”
He gave her a real smile then. “Just go, before I give you another swat.”
Olivia tilted her head and looked at him thoughtfully.
This time, his brow furrowed. “What?”
“I’m just trying to decide how long I would have to stand here before that happens.” She winked and blew him a kiss, before walking out the door.
Jake laughed, but as he closed the door behind him, his smile faded. The woman he loved had no idea that, in a few short hours, her world would come tumbling down.
Chapter 8
An hour later, Jake stormed down the hill, wanted to howl out his frustration. He opened the man-door to the barn and headed toward his favorite horse’s stable.
Riding always helped to clear his mind. Gave him time to think. And if he didn’t think of something fast, he feared he’d lose Olivia forever.
Jake approached the familiar stall. Champ, his favorite horse, looked over at him, and he could have sworn the horse was glaring. Not that he could blame him. Jake hadn’t been around much lately to give him the attention he should.
His hired hand—a trusted Army vet Ryker had put him in contact with—came once a day when Jake was away for work. He’d saddle Champ and Daisy up, taking each one for a ride around the property and made sure they were groomed and fed.
Since bringing her here, Jake had taken Liv riding, but that had been the first time in a long time he’d given his horses some quality attention.
“Hey, buddy.” Jake reached out and rubbed Champ’s coarse, brown hair. “You still mad at me?”
The horse blew air from his nose in a loud huff, but Jake figured all was forgiven when Champ nudged his hand.
Drawing in a deep breath, Jake welcomed the smell of wood, hay, and horses. He smiled, loving the tranquility of it all. He was about to unlatch the stall door when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Suddenly, Jake knew he wasn’t alone.
He reached behind him, pulling the weapon he never left home without—not even to go for a short ride—from his back waistband.
With the safety off, Jake spun around, holding his gun out in front of
