****
“Yes,” Olivia whispered.
Her heart soared, her head dizzy from the sudden turn of events. She brought her good hand up to cover his. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Jake. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I love you so much. And I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left the way I did. I should have listened to you and Mike when you tried to explain. I...”
“Shh.” Jake moved a finger to her lips. “Baby, stop. You have nothing to apologize for. I was an ass, and you reacted accordingly.”
“But—” she tried to interrupt, but he just shook his head.
“No buts.” He moved his finger and began caressing her cheek with the back of his knuckles. “The rest is in the past. All you need to focus on now, is our future.”
Olivia knew they’d never forget what had happened. As Jake carefully brought his lips to hers, she also knew that—despite the horrors she’d suffered the past few months—she was the luckiest woman in the world.
Epilogue
“It’s time.”
Olivia turned away from the floor-length Venetian mirror to find Trevor standing in the doorway.
He looked ravishing in his black tuxedo. He truly was movie-star handsome, and Olivia knew that any woman out there would be very lucky to have him.
The moment was bittersweet. She’d always pictured her dad as the one who would give her away on her wedding day. Then, after learning that Mike was still alive, she’d desperately wanted him to do it but had no way of contacting him.
Unfortunately, he was still finishing up his last undercover job. He’d promised they would see each other again soon. That had to be good enough.
For now, her man was waiting for her outside. She was certain of it. She’d heard stories of other brides who were so scared of being left at the altar that they couldn’t relax until they actually saw their groom.
Not Olivia. She had no doubt that Jake was out there, waiting to become her husband.
The past six months had passed in a blur. Between moving into Jake’s ranch, her rehab and counseling appointments, and planning a wedding...the days had flown by. Some nights were still rough, but the nightmares came less frequently now, and Jake had been by her side through it all.
Both to her delight and dismay, Jake had taken a leave of absence from R.I.S.C. He still took care of the day-to-day decisions, but wouldn’t play an active role in any dangerous jobs that had come their way for a while.
At first, she’d cringed at the idea that he would take time away from the job she knew he loved simply because of her. It didn’t take long, however, before she realized just how much she enjoyed having Jake McQueen at her side every day and in her bed every night.
The first two months consisted of a lot of personal, in-your-face care since she needed help cleaning and dressing the wounds on her arm and back. Once most of her injuries had begun to heal, Olivia had wanted Jake to touch her in a way that wasn’t clinical. He’d adamantly refused for fear he’d hurt her.
After weeks of frustration and waiting, and after preparing a few tricks of seduction up her sleeveless teddy, Jake had finally relented, letting go of that famous control of his.
At first, she was self-conscious about her back, but Jake quickly put her at ease when he lovingly kissed every single one, reminding her repeatedly how strong and brave she was.
Olivia hadn’t thought that part of their relationship could get any better than it had already been. Boy had she been wrong. Tonight would be no different.
After their simple ceremony behind Jake’s ranch, they would go to whatever hotel Jake had chosen. He’d let her plan the wedding with the agreement that he got complete freedom to plan their honeymoon. Olivia trusted him completely, so of course she’d agreed.
Their honeymoon was to be celebrated at an undisclosed location. Jake had wanted to surprise her, and no amount of begging and pleading had worked. Not even in bed.
So, tonight—wherever they were staying—she and Jake would make love for the first time as husband and wife. It would no doubt, be a night she’d never forget.
Olivia smiled and started toward the doorway, wrapping her fingers around Trevor’s extended elbow. She was so thankful he’d agreed to give her away.
She and Trevor had become even closer friends these past few months, and Olivia couldn’t imagine her life without him.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I’m honored you asked me to give you away today.”
“No, not for that. Well, that, too, but I meant for making me see things through Jake’s eyes.”
Trevor’s eyes became tormented. “I just wish I wouldn’t have left so soon. If I hadn’t, then maybe...”
Olivia squeezed his forearm. “You have to stop blaming yourself, Trevor. If you’d stayed, Cetro would have just waited and come after me a different time. Besides, it’s over. You guys found me, and Cetro’s gone for good. I’m marrying the man of my dreams today, so, no more talk of drug lords or anything else like that. Today is all about being happy.”
“And are you happy?”
Her face lit up. “The happiest. Although, I do wish my husband-to-be would have let up on the whole security thing today.”
Understanding filled Trevor’s face. “He just wants to keep you safe, Liv.”
“I know, and I love him for it.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“Well, given his propensity to keep today all-things R.I.S.C., Mac and Ryker’s secretary, are the only other females here. I mean, no offense to either of them, but it seems a shame to waste a handsome man such as yourself on a woman who’d probably kick your ass if you tried anything with her, and a sweet grandma.”
Trevor threw his head back and laughed. “I didn’t know you were so concerned with my love life.”
“It’s your lack of a love life that concerns me.”
He shook his head and grinned. “Well, don’t let it.”
“Look, I know
