Three months later. Trinity Hall Pub, Seattle, WA.

Jackie climbed out of her car, hit the lock button and quick stepped it into the pub. It was packed with regulars and the Happy Hour crowd, but Felix stood out even in the press of people. Tonight, he was manning the taps behind the bar, pouring out pints for patrons. She breathed a sigh of relief at his smile, glad to see that today was a good day.

His recovery hadn’t gone as smooth as they’d have liked, and he still wasn’t cleared for field work, which was why he’d begun picking up shifts at the pub. She would prefer to have him at home, but she could understand not wanting to be stuck at the apartment or her loft all the time while she was busy with work.

She shrugged out of her blazer and found a two-person table tucked in the corner. Aunt Liv strode up and leaned on the table. The smile and blond hair were hereditary.

“Usual, sweetheart?”

“Not yet. I’ll wait for Felix to be done, if you don’t mind?” She propped her chin in her hands.

“It might be awhile.” Liv gestured to the large, community table of regular trouble makers who’d assembled for the weekly trivia night. The pack dubbed the Dancing Princes were a good group, but she was too tired for their antics.

“I can wait,” Jackie said.

“Have it your way. I’ll bring you some water.”

“Thanks, Aunt Liv.”

Jackie leaned on the table and watched Felix move back and forth, serving pints and shooting the bull with the people. Soon their happy routine would change. He’d go back to work, and they’d spend weeks apart at a time, but the difference now was she thought they could weather the storm. She’d miss having him there, but soon enough she’d begin traveling and they’d find a new normal.

The letter her father had given her was the key to a different way of having the same life. Before, she’d worked with a variety of charities, focusing on a single project or disaster at a time. It was the only way for her to guarantee that the most of every dollar raised was spent on the purpose it was intended for. Now as the lead project manager for an umbrella charity she could vet and fund more things, thereby doubling her reach. And that was only the projection for the next year. In five years they could do ten times this much.

A plate of double fries and two burgers plopped down on the space while she blinked up at the man carrying the dishes.

“Hey!” She slid out of her chair and gave Felix a squeeze. “I thought you were going to be busy for a while?”

“Nope. I always have time for you.” He leaned down and kissed her.

She curled her toes in her pumps, relishing the feeling of butterflies inside her stomach. This would never get old.

Three months later. Sea-Tac Airport, Seattle, WA.

Felix strode off the plane, ready to be free of these guys. Change wasn’t easy, but nothing stayed the same. Still, he wasn’t eager to sit around with the others.

He checked the time and crossed to the nearest arrivals screen, scanning for the five o’ clock plane from Dubai.

Twenty minutes late.

Felix checked his watch.

Which meant Jackie would be landing any minute now.

He double checked the terminal and headed off to surprise her. When they’d last synched their schedules, he’d thought the earliest his team would get in would be tomorrow morning. He’d been completely surprised—and thrilled—at the way things worked out. Along the way, he stopped at a fast food restaurant and picked up a snack size serving of fries. He’d learned in the last few months what with their schedules, it was the little gestures that kept the love alive. Just because they’d jumped in deep didn’t mean everything was a cake walk, it just meant they had more to work through in the beginning.

He made it to the terminal as the first passengers disembarked. He dropped his bag into a chair and braced his hands on the plastic back, settling in to wait awhile.

Half an hour later, Jackie and two familiar faces strolled off, their heads together talking.

“Excuse me?” Felix stepped in their path and held out the fries.

Jackie glanced up at him, her eyes going wide.

“Felix!” She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms and legs around him, like he was some sort of climbing challenge.

He laughed and handed the fries off to their newly eloped friends. Too bad they did it first, or Felix might have had to steal the idea.

“I missed you,” she said against his mouth.

“I missed you, too.” Two weeks was a long time to go, but in the scheme of things, he was angling to spend the rest of his life with this woman.

Matching scars. Matching hearts. Matching rings, someday. Forever.

You can stay up to date on the whole Alpha Team crew in and . Check out to read Duke and Val’s story. And stay tuned in 2018 for !

Sign up for the New Release Newsletter at to get inside scoops and free books.