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And because there were so many people here that he’d never met, he was worried that the ghost would show up here. It would be a prime time to try to get close to Fallon. Haven was almost positive she was the focus. If the government wanted to study one of the Dogs they just had to get a good hacker to break into the files or schmooze one of the head honchos at the CIA. Seemed like they were more than happy to trot them out on display.

Haven found a secluded corner and faded into the shadows.

* * *

Aiden knew they held a ticking time-bomb, but damn, she was cute.

Fallon lay in Angela’s arms, looking up at the swaying fabric and the twinkling fairy lights. They were also near the chandelier, which she’d craned her neck to see a couple of times. Aiden didn’t think she was supposed to be able to do that, but she did, smiling each time. The wedding would be starting within the next ten minutes. Her tummy was full and they had a pacifier and toys at the ready if she started to get fussy.

Aiden glanced back through the crowd. He knew most of the people coming in. Not everyone, but most of them. The guests had been sent an invitation they needed to show at the door to get in, and he’d seen the master list they were checking off as people arrived. The location was as secure as it could be, right now.

Several couples had stopped to say hi on their way to their seats, and Aiden appreciated the consideration. There were even a few cops here that Angela knew from Denver PD.

Theoretically, doing anything at this wedding would be a bad proposition, just because of the high number of military and police presence. But… this was the first time Fallon had been out of the Elton Building for any length of time. If she was a target, this would be an ideal time to get close.

The chairs were almost full, and the wedding was drawing near. His gaze flicked to the back corner. Anything to report?

Big negatory, boss man.

Okay. Stay sharp.

Roger that.

* * *

“Your future husband got you a couple of gifts.”

Ember blinked up at Willow in the mirror, trying not to turn her head. The hairdresser, Brittany, was putting curls into her dark hair, and she didn’t want to mess it up. “What did he do?”

Willow reached around her and set a box on her lap. Ember looked down at it, turning it in her hands. It looked like the lid just flipped up. “Oh,” she breathed.

Inside, on a pale blue satin pillow, sat a small, jeweled crown. Made of some type of silver metal and white crystals, it looked like what an ice princess should wear. It wasn’t too gaudy. It was subtle, and it matched the dress she’d chosen perfectly.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. Her makeup had already been applied and she didn’t have time to reapply. She looked at Brittany. “Can you integrate this?”

The woman smiled and nodded. “Absolutely.”

Brittany took the piece from her and set it on the vanity.

Willow set the second, larger box on Ember’s lap. “Zeke thought you would appreciate these.”

Ember flipped open the lid and peeled back the tissue paper, then burst out laughing. Inside was a pair of size seven high-top tennis shoes, blinged with shiny glass rhinestones from toe to elevated heel.

“He didn’t think you would want to wear actual heels,” Willow continued, smiling. “There are some over there you can look at if you want, but he thought this was more your style.”

The man knew her as well as he did himself. Ember hardly ever wore heels. She was more of a tennis shoe or boots kind of girl, and Zeke knew that. When you were on your feet eighteen hours a day, you looked for comfort rather than style. She looked up at Willow. “I dearly love that man.”

Willow nodded and took the shoes from her, then kneeled down to help her put them on. There was no way Ember could have bent over since the bodice of the dress had been tightened. The shoes felt good by the time Willow had tied them, and she admired them with the dress. They looked surprisingly fashionable, and she wouldn’t worry about falling on her face at some inopportune time.

Willow looked up at the clock on the wall. “It’s about time.”

Brittany finished with her hair, placing the crown just so and pinning it in place. Ember slipped out of the chair and moved to the full-length mirror to her right. She looked amazing, even if she did say so herself.

“Zeke is going to be speechless,” Willow told her. “You look incredible, Ember.”

She looked at the women ranged around her, and her heart was so full. Three years ago she’d been in the darkest place of her life. Her mother had died and her father had just sent her to the emergency room when he’d struck out after a PTSD flashback. Zeke had inserted himself into her life when she’d most needed him, bringing along some of the most special men and women. Ember couldn’t believe how much her life had changed.

“I love you guys, so much. You’ve showed me what true friends are, and I value each and every one of you.”