After returning the bottle, she cocked her head then walked to the window. “Well, here’s the thing. You’re going to get the opportunity to find out.”
“What?” I threw her a look.
Nodding toward the window, she smiled. “Headlights.”
I barely managed to place the glass on the coffee table without knocking it over. A bundle of nerves, I rushed toward the door.
“Have faith,” Valentina reminded me.
She was right. Kendrick had asked me to place my faith in him and I’d questioned it more than once. Now wasn’t the time. He was my hero whether he wanted to believe that or not. As I opened the door, I held my breath. No matter the conclusion, he’d awakened my heart and my soul while giving me back a portion of my life I’d thought had disappeared forever.
As soon as he stepped out, I slapped my hands over my mouth. His look of relief must match mine.
Hudson was with him, another car pulling up behind, the other three men of Raven Intel climbing out.
With careful steps, I walked closer while he pulled the driver’s seat forward, easing someone onto the driveway.
As soon as he moved away, the girl he had his arm around lifted her head. In the security light highlighting the entire driveway, I was able to see her face. Her eyes.
And the recognition in them.
“Briana,” I whispered, a wretched sob erupting from deep inside.
“Reese,” she managed and somewhere in the next few seconds, we tumbled toward each other. As I gathered her into my arms, pressing her so tightly against me I was fearful she couldn’t breathe, I allowed my gaze to fall on the man I loved, whispering my words of thanks.
In the next several minutes, we were led inside and I was finally able to let her go.
Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around Kendrick, instantly realizing he was injured.
“You’re hurt,” I managed, touching his arm when he winced.
“I’m fine. I would have walked through fire if that’s what it took.”
“Is it over?”
“It’s over, baby. It’s over.”
There was nothing like the feel of his lips on mine or the rush of my heartbeat echoing in my ears. My little family was safe. As he captured my mouth, another moment of being lightheaded rushed in, this time replacing the angst and the worry, the fear and the denial.
In those few seconds, I knew what it was like to have my own guardian angel.
In a big, strong, strapping man who’d fought for justice.
And won.
EPILOGUE
Two months later…
Kendrick
“Jackie. What are you doing here?” I was shocked to see her standing on my doorstep.
“I thought it was about time I came to see you.”
“Is something wrong?” In the last two months, the city had been inundated with arrests, at least two dozen and there were more expected. In breaking into the system created by Franklin, the information collected had turned Miami on its ear. The FBI, CIA, DEA, and Interpol were all working together to round up everyone involved.
The shakeup in the Miami Dade police department had caused shockwaves.
