Three months later. Alec’s House, Seattle, Washington.

Alec slid his hand down Vara’s back to cup her ass, tugging her up against his body.

“Stop.” She chuckled and pushed at his shoulder.

“You’ve been gone two whole weeks.” He walked her back until he had her pinned to the wall.

“You were working.” She curled her fingers through his hair. “You wouldn’t have gotten to see me if I was here because you weren’t.”

“Exactly.” He kissed her cheek when she turned her head.

“Stop. Dinner’s almost done.”

The smell of the grill and the brisket that had been cooking most of the day had his stomach growling. But he was far more hungry for the woman in his arms.

“I’ll eat later.” He kissed her jaw and then her neck. “You haven’t told me how your first week on the job was.”

“Vara? Alec?” Carson called out.

Alec dropped his head to Vara’s shoulder and groaned.

“Yeah?” Vara hugged him to her and laughed.

“You guys going to come out?” Carson’s voice vibrated with laughter. She’d spent a lot of time around the house and had gotten close to Vara.

“In a minute,” she replied.

“A minute? You think I can do it in a minute.” He reached for his belt.

“Stop.” Vara snickered. “Be serious for one second?”

“Do I have to?” He groaned.

“Yes.” She took both of his hands in hers. “I figured out why Abigail offered me a job.”

“Oh?” Alec had been as surprised as anyone by the out of the blue offer a month ago.

“You can’t say a word to anyone.” Vara’s smile disappeared, and she gave him her ultra serious face.

“Not a word.”

“She’s pregnant. That’s why she needs someone who can be in the field for her. I think it’s permanent, too.”

“My, my, my.” Alec’s brows rose. That was surprising news.

“They want to keep it quiet for now.” Vara lifted a shoulder. “But I was thinking...”

Babies?

Alec had thought about them, too, but not soon.

“Luke’s going to want someone to watch my back. Think you’d be interested? After my training wheels are off?”

Not babies.

Alec shook his head.

“Damn, that sounds like a good gig. Way to go, babe.” He held up his hand.

She slapped her palm to his.

“What do you think?” Her smile was wide. The job fit her.

“Get paid to watch your behind?” He edged in closer, cupping her ass once more. “That sounds like the best job ever.”

He bent his head and kissed her neck.

“Stop. They’re waiting.” She smacked his shoulder.

“Fine.” Alec blew out a breath and took a step back. “You’re walking in front of me.”

Vara glanced down at his groin and grinned.

“We’ll feed that later. Come on, Carson’s up to something and I want to know what it is.”

She took his hand and led him out through the house into the back yard where a little barbeque had been set up. A handful of guys had been invited over, including their three newest recruits, Vara’s old smuggling team minus Wyatt. The guys were fresh off their training, but they’d find their place.

Wyatt was in prison, due out in three more months. He’d gotten off easy because of Vara. She’d pleaded for him and damn if she wasn’t convincing.

Paxton, Silas and Vito stood with plates in hand.

Carson and Ryan stood at the grill, almost like a defensive line between the guys and food. There was an odd, expectant air to them.

Alec glanced at Vara who just shrugged.

Vara was right, something was up.

Ryan bent and pressed a kiss to Carson’s forehead then glanced at them and their guests.

“You want to?” Ryan said in a low voice.

“No.” Carson shook her head.

“Okay.” Ryan pulled Carson to his side.

“Ten bucks says she’s pregnant,” Vara whispered over her shoulder to Alec.

“I’m not taking that bet.” He pulled Vara back against his chest.

“We’re going to have a baby,” Ryan said with a grin.

“For real this time?” Silas asked.

“Fuck you.” Ryan presented Silas his middle finger and Carson smacked him.

Vara turned her head and smirked up at Alec.

“Did you know?” he asked.

“No. She just looked different today.” Vara shook her head.

Alec wrapped his arms around Vara’s middle, content to hold her while the others loaded their plates and congratulated the other couple. Their old bachelor pad was growing less and less bachelor these days.

“You ever thought about kids?” Alec whispered in her ear. Now that his head had gone there he couldn’t get the idea to go away.

“No. I mean, with the way my life was going that wasn’t really an option.” She glanced up at him. “I was still in love with you. I didn’t think I’d find someone who’d want me like that.”

“I think you’d make a good mom.”

“I’m not against the idea, I just... I think I’m still waiting for you to get tired of me.”

“Babe, I’m not going to get tired of you. Ever.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.” He bent and kissed her gently. “What do you want me to do to prove it to you? You want me to ask—”

“No. Don’t.” She pressed her hand over his lips. “I’m not ready for that.”

“Okay.”

“And I don’t think I’m ready for kids, either.” She glanced at Carson, then back at him. “I’m just...I’m not done with the dangerous stuff. Yet. You know?”

“I do,” he said against her fingers and winked.

Her cheeks blazed red.

They weren’t ready. Yet. But soon.

Vara was the future he’d always wanted, and someday she’d be his wife.

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