“Okay, extend.”

Manu followed Emerson’s order, testing out his new prosthetic.

This one was racier than his old one. Noah had added quite a few enhancements.

“Good.” The doc nodded and smiled. “The scans look great, and the function is good. It’s successfully been embedded into your nerves. You’ll need some rehab to get used to it, but I think it’ll function even better than your previous one.” She patted his shoulder. “You’re cleared.”

Manu stood, eager to get out of the infirmary. He’d been stuck in here for two days. Kate visited and sat with him, but he wanted his woman to himself.

“Thanks, Doc.”

She dusted her hands together. “All in a day’s work around here.”

“When you say all clear, you mean all clear, right?” he asked.

She waggled her eyebrows. “Yes, all clear.” Then her face turned white.

“Emerson?” Manu stepped closer.

She waved him off. “If you don’t want to see my breakfast make a reappearance, I suggest you go. Darn morning sickness.”

He backed up a step. “Right. Thanks again.”

Manu walked out of the infirmary with measured steps. He was moving a little slower than normal because he still needed to get used to the new prosthetic. His balance felt slightly different. He knew he had to get into the gym and work on his rehab. He figured he’d touch base with Kendra and see if she wanted to join him. The security officer had also had a new prosthetic attached yesterday.

But right now, Manu had other plans.

He nodded to a few people on the way, and finally made it to the Command Center. He passed through the big glass doors and headed straight for Kate’s office. As he passed through the security room, he lifted his hand when a few people called out hellos to him.

He spotted Miles and nodded at her office. “She in there?”

Miles grinned. “Yep. Been acting damn jumpy all morning. Keeps threatening to call the infirmary for an update.” The man’s gaze dropped to Manu’s legs. “Looks like it went well.”

“Yeah. Kate’s on a break for a bit.”

Miles’ grin widened and he tossed Manu a salute. “Roger that.”

Manu stopped in the doorway and looked at her. She was on a call.

“Check it again.” She paused. “I don’t care, Dwayne. Check it three times if you have to. I want a full report on my desk by tonight.” Pause. “Yes, by tonight. You think I care about your dinner plans? Good.” She ended the call and looked up.

When she spotted him, she stood. She took her time scanning Manu’s body and smiled. “Hey.”

He held his arms out to his sides. “I’m up and mobile.”

“Emerson cleared you?” Kate skirted her desk.

He shut the door behind him. Then he locked it.

Kate paused. “Manu—”

He strode toward her, and as soon as he was in reach, he gripped her hips and pressed his mouth to hers. She leaned into him, kissing him back. There was so much emotion in her embrace, and he wondered how anyone could ever think she was cool and unemotional.

He slid his hands under her ass and lifted her up onto her desk.

“We’d better check everything is in working order,” he told her.

She slid her hands under his T-shirt. “Your leg got hurt, Rahia, not your—”

He pushed her back on the desk and she let out a small moan. He returned the favor, sliding his hands under her shirt and molding her breasts.

Manu set to work, so hungry for her. He plumped her breasts, tugged on her nipples, then leaned down, drawing one into his mouth. She was writhing beneath him.

“You’re so hot, babe.”

“Only for you.”

Desire was a rough, edgy need pounding inside him. He quickly unbuttoned her trousers and yanked them off, along with her panties. Then he had his hands between her legs. Of course, she was wet for him. He pumped two fingers inside her, and she made small, husky cries. He thumbed her clit.

“You’re all mine,” he ground out.

“Yes.”

“I color your world.”

Her hot gaze met his. “Yes.”

“So damn gorgeous, Kate.”

He pushed her legs apart, loving that she had no inhibitions with him. Quickly, he unbuckled his belt and shoved his trousers down. He took his cock in hand and a second later, he thrust inside her.

She moaned, arching on her desk.

Manu had no finesse, no patience to make this last very long. He picked up his pace. This was a claiming. This was satisfying a savage need born in the desperate moments deep underground, when they’d fought together to survive.

“Give me your eyes, Kate.”

She opened her eyes and their gazes met.

“There’s nothing better than being inside you,” he said.

“Faster.” She reared up to grip his arms.

He grabbed her hands and pushed them above her head on the desk. His hips kept hammering, his cock driving inside her. “Get there, babe.”

He heard the change in her breathing, felt her sweet body tighten on his cock. She cried out, and he leaned down and pressed his mouth on hers, swallowing her cry.

Two more thrusts, and pleasure rushed through him. “Kate.” A guttural cry as he poured himself inside her.

“Love you, Manu.”

When he could function again, he was lying sprawled on top of her on the desk, panting.

Kate kissed the side of his neck. “I think your leg works just fine.”

He laughed. Then he lifted his head and looked down at her flushed face.

“Marry me.” The words came out of him unexpectedly.

“What?” She froze, looking like a deer in headlights.

“Marry me.” It felt so right, those words echoing through him. “You’re mine, I love you, and I’m too old for games. I want everyone to know that you’re mine and I’m yours.”

Her gaze moved over his face and then her expression softened. “You don’t mess around, do you, Rahia?”

“Hell, no.” He pulled her close. “I know when I’m onto a good thing.”

“Me, too.” She smiled. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Manu.”

* * *

“Still no sign of the octagon,” Elle said. “It’s driving Marcus crazy.”

Kate smoothed her hands down her dress, watching Elle and several other ladies sitting on chairs inside the small marquee set up in the Garden.

The women were all dressed up and sipping champagne. Outside, Kate could hear the murmur of voices and smelled the rich scent of grass and flowers.

From beside Elle, Liberty nodded, her coiffed blonde hair bobbing. “Adam, as well.”

“We’ll find it.” This came from Mac. The tiny Squad Nine soldier was dolled up in a short blue dress. “The Gizzida can’t hide it forever.”

“I don’t care what the aliens are doing.” Kate pressed a hand to her churning belly. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Not on the dress.” Cam stepped up beside her, smoothing Kate’s dress down. It was a simple column of ivory silk. When Kate had first looked in the mirror, she could hardly believe she looked so beautiful.

“Elle,” Liberty said. “Adam said you found new references in raptor data to the Gizzida queen.”

Everyone went quiet.

Elle nodded. “Nothing much. It doesn’t say anything detailed about her, but she exists.”

Cam stepped forward. “Well, I say fuck the Gizzida today. We have a wedding to enjoy.”

Instantly, Kate’s nerves surged. “I’m forty. I’m the head of security of a base filled with the survivors of an alien attack. I have no business getting married.”

She heard giggles and looked at the gaggle of women watching her. They were sipping champagne—someone had raided the Enclave’s supplies—and eating the canapés, all dressed in pretty dresses, like they didn’t have a care in the world. Most of them were soldiers, for God’s sake. They knew what was out there.

Cam gripped Kate’s shoulder. “Are you in love with Manu Rahia?”

Kate’s insides warmed. “Yes.”

“Is he your badass?”

He sure was a badass and he was hers. “Yes.”

“Are you his woman?”

Kate raised a brow. “I’m not sure I love that term, but yes.”

“So, go out there and grab your happiness.” Cam waved at the women. “We all know the sucky side of life, but when the good is right there in front of you, you hold on to it, and enjoy it every second you can. It carries you through the shitty times.”

Kate nodded, feeling choked up.

Suddenly, Miles appeared in the marquee doorway. “Wow, you look gorgeous.”

The man was dressed in a sharp suit, his sandy hair styled.

“Thanks,” Kate said.

“When Manu sees you, he’ll swallow his tongue.”

Well, she had plans for his tongue, so she hoped not.

“It’s time,” Miles said.

From outside, Kate heard music start. The sweet sound of strings.

Oh, God. Her knees felt weak. She’d faced raptors in battle, but this reduced her to jelly.

Another figure ducked inside. Tane was wearing dark trousers, a crisp, white shirt, and no tie. His dreadlocks were pulled back and tied at the base of his neck. It was the most relaxed Kate had ever seen the Squad Three leader. Damn, he was incredibly handsome.

The women behind her let out some sighs.

“Don’t you scrub up nicely,” Cam called out.

Tane shot her a small smile. “I’m the good-looking brother.”

Cam snorted. “Hemi might argue with you.”

Tane looked at Kate. “Ready?”

Everything inside her steadied. She was committing herself to the man she loved. The bravest, strongest, most honorable man she’d ever met. “I’m ready.”

Tane held out an arm, and she slipped hers through it. The women filed past her, giving her quick kisses.

The music swelled, and Kate let Tane lead her outside to the Garden, to walk her down the aisle. White chairs had been set out under the trees, with a red carpet running between them. Overhead, the retractable doors were open, letting sunshine spill down into the garden.

She saw the sea of faces—all the members of Hell Squad and their partners. Squad Nine. She saw Selena wearing a jewel-colored dress the same color as her eyes. Noah sat with his arm around his red-headed partner, Laura. Finn was grinning, holding Lia’s hand. The berserkers were at the front, all of them looking handsome and dangerous.

“Thank you,” Tane said quietly.

She looked up at him. “For what?”

“For making my brother happy. And helping him find the piece of himself that the aliens had stolen.”

“It wasn’t missing, just dented.” She smiled. “He’s the strongest man I know.”

“Me, too.” Tane led her toward the red carpet.

All Kate’s focus went to the man waiting for her at the front with Holmes.

Manu stood straight and tall in a dark suit, white shirt bright against his bronze skin. Her gorgeous, hot guy. All hers.

His brown gaze stayed locked on her, and as the music swelled, Tane led her toward Manu. When they got close, Manu took two steps toward her, and pulled her toward him.

“Thanks, bro.” He leaned down and nipped her lips.

The crowd laughed.

Holmes smiled. “Everyone ready for a wedding?”

The laughter turned to cheers and hollers. Kate smiled. Cam was right. This was why they fought, and this was what they had to hold on to, in order to keep up the fight.

Before all their friends and fellow survivors, Manu and Kate shared their vows. Her voice was strong and steady as she promised to be there for him, no matter what. To love him every day of their lives.

“I give you Mr. and Mrs. Rahia,” Holmes announced.

Oh, God. Shock and excitement coursed through Kate.

Manu pulled her in and dramatically dipped her back over his arm, planting a deep kiss on her. Their friends cheered.

“Love you, babe,” he murmured.

“I know,” she said. “I love you right back.”

With Manu, she was excited for every day. It didn’t matter what the aliens did, what they had planned, what the hell the octagon device was. Kate had Manu, and that made everything better, brighter, and more colorful. It made life worth living.

“Who’s ready to party?” Hemi called out.

Manu led Kate toward the tables loaded with food and drinks. Several people stopped to congratulate them. Each berserker lifted Kate off her feet and planted kisses on her. Most of them on the mouth.

As they walked under the trees, Kate spotted Kendra sitting on a chair, dressed in a flirty, pink dress. The woman was still getting used to her prosthetic leg, but she gave them a blinding smile and a wave.

“Save a dance for me, Captain,” Kendra called out.

She smiled. “Sure thing, Kendra.”

Manu pulled her to a stop. He looked over her head and nodded to someone.

She frowned. “What are you—?”

A second later, lights blinked on in the trees. A huge collection of colored lanterns, in all different shades. Kate gasped, and the guests all oohed and aahed.

Manu wrapped his arms around Kate. “I’ll always bring color to your life, Kate. Just the same way you do for me.”

Her chest filled with warmth, she leaned into her husband. “I love you, Manu.” And under the colored lights, Manu kissed his wife.

* * *