Hollywood opened his eyes and blinked several times. A doctor stood over him and said, “Hello, Mr. Lock. How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good, Doc,” he said, spying Dozer standing next to his sister Emily. She was smiling, their closeness signaling more than just a friendship. One of his brothers and his sister? Hoo-yah, he couldn’t think of a better man for Emily.

Then he met his mom’s eyes, and they were filled with tears. He must look like a horrible mess. “I’m okay, Mom.”

She came over as the doctor moved away, looking at his chart. She kissed his cheek gingerly. “Your dad is at work. He’ll be here tonight. All your teammates have come by, but Joe’s been here daily, your brothers are downstairs in the cafeteria.”

“Joe saved my life,” Hollywood said, giving Dozer a fist bump when he came over to the bed. Emily looked at him, her eyes shining. Yeah, looked like she was a goner.

“Hey man, bout time you woke up.” They made small talk until his mom and sister left to get some lunch.

“What the hell happened?”

Dozer filled him in.

“That fucker got away? Dammit! I don’t like it that he’s out there and can strike at me or my family any time he likes. Do we know where he went?”

“No, no clue, but eventually he’ll surface. The CIA is looking for him as well. He got away with two nuclear triggers, but we’re not sure if he got the codes. Rafiq was killed at the airfield and didn’t give us any answers. Borkov is dead, too.”

Hollywood nodded as his eyelids got heavier. His face still hurt from the beatings he took. To make sure his family was completely safe, he had to track down that psychopath. Even if he had to go off the grid, he wouldn’t rest until Eze was either in CIA custody or dead. Hollywood preferred the latter.

The accommodations were top notch, the grounds immaculate, and the residence not exactly on any map. Vyncent Eze walked through the elaborately carved doors and into his host’s library. Raimondo Rojas stood up from the ornate Spanish desk rumored to be from the library of the famous conquistador Hernán Cortés. Vyncent expected the conquering of people and their savage ways appealed to Rojas. That suited him perfectly. The Rojas Cartel was now his new home.

“Welcome, my friend. Let’s talk about asylum and what you bring with you.” He indicated he should sit in the beautiful tufted burgundy leather chair.

“Thank you, Raimondo.” Vyncent sat down and patted the small case he carried with a smile. The library doors closed behind him.

Wicked hadn’t been in his palatial family home in such a long time, it now felt foreign to him. The maid opened the door for them, and he and Kat, hand in hand, walked inside. She led them into the living room, and Selene rose from one of the stark white couches. She came over and hugged them both.

She smiled when she looked down at their clasped hands. “Are you two getting married?”

Wicked laughed softly and said, “Yes, we are.”

“I’m so happy for both of you.”

“What did I just hear,” his dad said as he came in from the patio. “You’re getting married?”

They turned toward him, and he looked ten years younger, certainly not like a man who had just been hospitalized.

“Ares, you look great.”

“Let me go and alert Bethany that we’ll have two more for dinner. You will stay, right?”

“It depends,” Wicked said. “Susan—”

“Is gone,” his dad said. “She left after I came home from the hospital. We had a terrible fight about Selene.” He reached out and his daughter tucked under his arm in a mutual hug. “She’ll be taking over the company.” He gave Selene a quick, tight squeeze as she wrapped her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. “Susan’s note said she wanted a divorce and to be honest, our marriage has suffered for a long time. I’m not going to fight her on this. The lawyer is already drawing up the papers.”

“Are you all right, Dad?”

“Yes, Rion. It was long overdue. Your mother’s bitterness ended our marriage a long time ago. She was never happy with the way I raised you kids, and I don’t care. I’m proud of all of you and,” he reached out and squeezed Kat’s hand, “your choice of a wife.”

“You’re not upset about her being engaged to Phoenix and now to me?”

“No. Things happen, and love can’t be contained when it is true. Let me talk to Bethany.”

Selene beamed at them, and they both laughed. “Wow, I can’t believe this. It’s about time.” She got up and hugged them both again. “When is the wedding? Can I be a bridesmaid?”

Kat started laughing at Selene’s enthusiastic questions. “Thank you. As soon as we can get it planned. Yes.”

Selene laughed and clapped. “We’re going to be great friends.” She sat down again and said to Wicked, “Dad and I are planning for his eventual retirement. He’ll be cutting down his hours until it’s final. Of course, we’re going to have a fabulous celebration. You’ll come to the retirement party, right?”

Wicked smiled at his sister and nodded. “Yes, we will.”

“Good. It’s sad about Mom, sad she couldn’t just love us all. I think Phoenix’s death broke her even more than she was before.”

“She was a hard woman, but we can all move on now,” Wicked said.

Selene nodded, and they all rose when Bethany called that dinner was ready.

Later, after drinks and more discussion about family matters and the wedding, they left the house. When they reached the curb, Wicked grabbed her around the waist. “So, I guess it’s full steam ahead.”

“Sailor talk?” she asked, then laughed when he dug into her waist. She nodded and kissed him. “We’ve moved on, found forgiveness. We’ve already transcended the past.” He straddled Phoenix’s bike, and Kat climbed on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He could weather anything now. He opened the throttle as he left the only home he’d ever known, until Kat. It was just the beginning for them.

Maui, Hawaii

Beckett Family Residence

Kat woke up in the pitched tent. She could hear the ocean in the background as it crashed to shore. The gentle, warm breeze fluttered the white sides, billowing them out. She rolled over to find Wicked already up. He probably went for a run on the beach. Who could blame him? She stretched and slipped on her bathing suit, donning a cover up and a pair of jean cut-off shorts.

Exiting the tent, she turned to the rolling ocean. She could see Blue out in the waves with Charlie, getting in an early morning surf session before they said their I dos. She smiled and waved back when they waved at her, blowing a kiss.

She headed for the wide, beautiful house surrounded by a wraparound lanai. Entering the house, she breathed deep of the delicious aroma. She followed her nose to the kitchen where Wicked was icing some glazed donuts, then sprinkling them with…unicorns? “What are those?” She flattened her hand against the slogan on his apron: What part of “It’s not ready yet” don’t you understand? She was sure he was going for grumpy chef.

Kid slid his arm nonchalantly around her neck and said, “That would be candy chocolate donuts with shinies, namely, unicorn rainbow glitterfetti.”

Ruckus flanked her and said, “Also known as an overload of pretty.”

“Aw, yeah,” Kid said, giving Ruckus a high five. “You’re getting it, LT.”

She looked at Wicked, who just started laughing. “Don’t try to make sense of it, babe. Just roll with it.”

People started filtering in. Dana and Paige grabbed donuts. Kia started pouring mugs of coffee, and Blue’s parents came in to the mix until it was one big kitchen party. They took it all in stride. Blue came in, and everyone started clinking their mugs, forcing Blue and Charlie to kiss. They laughed, and Blue said, “That’s not until the reception.”

They all sat down at the long table while Wicked started cooking like a demon possessed: eggs, omelets, toast, French toast, pancakes. He was amazing, and he was all hers.

Scarecrow nudged her. “Beauty tamed the Beast,” he drawled. “That was you believing in him.” He covered his heart and dipped down and kissed her on the cheek. “We wish you all the happiness you both can hold.”

Yana nodded, slipping her arms around Kat and hugging her tight. “I’m so happy for you. You so deserve it. Let’s catch up later.”

Kat hugged her tight and smiled. “You bet.”

Blue stood up once everyone had gotten their breakfast and Wicked and Kat had sat down. “Okay, news. Hollywood is doing great. He will be out of the hospital soon.” He turned to Ruckus. “LT?”

Ruckus stood up and reached for Dana’s hand. “We are happy to announce that we’re having our first child.”

“Hoo-yah!” reverberated around the room.

Kid stood up and laughed. “So are we.” There was clapping and well wishes.

Wicked stood and Kat looked up at him. “We’re getting married.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box. “This makes it official, babe.”

She took it and opened it, her heart melting. “It’s beautiful.”

He took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger. “I love you, Kat.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. “I love you.”

Blue stood again. “Okay, Charlie and I had a brainstorm last night. We’re pretty loosey-goosey here on the island. Since your weddings got postponed, how about Tank and Alyssa and Cowboy and Kia join us tomorrow and get married? We already have the officiant. You’ll love the ceremony. You have a whole day to shop. Tomorrow at dawn, we get hitched!”

Tank, Alyssa, Cowboy, and Kia all hugged Charlie and Blue, keen on the idea.

The next eight hours were crazy as all the women helped Alyssa and Kia find dresses. Kia choose a light blue one with silver stars that was breathtaking, and Alyssa chose a spaghetti strap cream lace dress. They all went out to lunch, getting to know each other as their men were all bonded together on the team.

Kat had never felt so connected in her life.

Later on, in their tent after an amazing gourmet dinner Wicked had cooked with seafood and pasta, she lay against him listening to the surf. He gently caressed her back. Contented, she fell asleep in his arms.

They woke at five the next morning. There was much laughter as they got dressed. Kat helped the brides and generally kept everyone calm. Wicked hung out with the guys.

When it was time, soft music played from the house speakers as everyone got seated on the sand in ocean-blue chairs; a pretty awning made out of puka shells and driftwood arched over the couples’ heads.

As the couples stood in front of Kayne, Blue’s childhood friend and the man who had helped him immensely during his battle with PTSD, they were each offered leis, then exchanged them with their intended spouse. Kayne said, “The lei is the unbroken circle that represents your eternal commitment and devotion to each other.”

Kanye placed all the rings into a Koa wood bowl. With a Ti leaf, which represented prosperity, health, and blessing of body, mind, and spirit, he sprinkled the ocean water from the leaf over the rings three times, chanting, “Ei-Ah-Eha-No. Ka Malohia Oh-Na-Lani. Mea A-Ku A-Pau. May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you now and forever.”

He offered the rings and each of the couples took theirs, and the ceremony came to a close with each of the couples kissing to seal their love.

Kat wrapped her hand around Wicked’s and leaned against him, knowing the day would come when they pledged themselves to each other. They had their jobs—a terrorist to catch and the world to protect, but for now, they were content to celebrate with their teammates and the women who loved them.

That was enough for now.

Look for Hollywood, the next book in the SEAL Team Alpha series. Hollywood may be a womanizer, but he has a lot to learn about the opposite sex, namely Willow Blackmoon, the beautiful and innocent-looking photographer who is heading up the Angel Warrior Project. Hollywood has been chosen by the brass to pose for a calendar that will help homeless vets. But when Hollywood’s recent past comes back to haunt him, Willow will be caught up in a terrifying nightmare, and the only man who can save her is the lethal, drop-dead gorgeous, but scarred warrior she dares not trust with her heart.