My first week on the job wasn’t so bad. I got shot, had a concussion, ended up needing several stitches, and prevented an explosion from causing spent nuclear fuel to burn and throw radiation across the land. Oh. And I fell in love with my Ellie Mae.
—Hugh Johnson, Brigade Notes
Hugh kicked back in his Missouri quarters, contentedly eating some vanilla ice cream that Nora had so kindly brought to him after he’d been all stitched up. He sat on the flowery couch with his feet up on the dented coffee table. The bed was behind him, the kitchenette to his right, and a small television on a table in front of him. How long would they have television?
Most of the plane ride home was a blur, but now he was rather content. Where was Ellie, anyway?
A knock sounded on his door. “Come in.” He licked his spoon. There she was.
Nope. Connor strode inside, still wearing a leather duster that made him look like a badass. “Came to check on you.” He hovered near the sofa.
Hugh gestured to the seat. “You can stay.”
Connor grinned, his teeth a flash of white in his dark face. “No way. Ellie will be finished debriefing Nora soon, and she’s pissed, man. I mean, pissed.”
Hugh paused in his ice-cream eating frenzy. “She’s mad? Really?”
Connor’s eyebrows rose. “Hell, yeah. I’ve never seen her like this.” He patted Hugh’s healthy shoulder. “But I think you’re awesome, brother. Great job today.”
Hugh grinned. “You, too. This is going to be quite the ride, isn’t it?”
Connor gave him a look. “Yeah. I’m glad you have my back.”
“Ditto.” Hugh meant it. Connor was a hell of a soldier. It was nice to bond.
“All right. I’m out of here before she arrives,” Connor chuckled, turning and all but jogging for the door.
Some brother. Hugh smiled. This was a good place, and these were good people.
Ivan poked his head in the door, his eyes a piercing blue. “Is Ellie here yet?”
“No.” Hugh motioned him in. “You’re welcome, though.”
Ivan glanced behind him. “That’s ah, all right. I’ll come back later. I’m glad you’re okay.” He smiled and then disappeared.
Huh. The intelligence specialist was afraid of sweet Ellie? Interesting.
The door shoved open, and Hugh straightened, relaxing upon seeing Deke stride inside. “Hey. You done debriefing?”
“Not yet,” Deke whispered, his green eyes sober. “I just wanted to check on you. Great job today, man. I’m glad we brought you on board.”
Hugh frowned. “Why are you whispering?”
Deke straightened to his full and rather impressive height. “I’m not,” he whispered.
Hugh shoved the spoon into the ice cream carton. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of Ellie.”
Deke’s eyes widened. “Nope. Just wanted to make sure you were doing great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The dangerous soldier backed to the door, gingerly slid outside, looked both ways, and then made a run for it.
Hugh swallowed. Okay.
The door opened again, and sweet Ellie Mae stood there. Her thick hair bounced around her shoulders, and her stunning eyes shot sparks.
He tried not to wince.
“I cannot believe you drove toward a river with bombs in the car.” She moved toward him, her hips swaying in a very nice way. “That was insane. Dumber than dumb. Did you have a lobotomy in the ten years we were apart?”
Man, she was lovely. “No.” He set the ice cream on the table by the sofa. “I’m, um, sorry I scared you.”
“Scared me?” Her voice rose about fifteen octaves. “Scared me. You’re sorry you scared me.”
He nodded.
“Not good enough.” For once, her cheeks weren’t pink. They had bloomed a very angry red. “Not even close.”
“You’re right.”
“I am. I love you, Hugh Johnson. I mean it. Forever. No more bombs.”
Her words were a hit to the chest. She loved him. He tried not to smile, because even though she’d said what he wanted to hear, she was still obviously furious with him. Fuck, this was confusing. He tried to move and then winced.
Her face softened just a little. Was that concern? Hell yes. He’d totally run with it. He gingerly patted his newly stitched abdomen and then leaned forward. “I’m so sorry, Ellie Mae,” he groaned, pouring it on thick. “Let me come talk to you.” He let his breathing hitch.
“No.” She rushed for him, settling him down and sitting next to him. “Don’t move.”
“Well, okay.” He wrapped his good arm around her and drew her close. Yeah. She’d ended up right where he wanted her.
She caught his satisfied gaze. “Oh. You did not.”
He tried to look injured. Truth be told, Nora had given him a very nice pain killer. “I love you, Ellie Mae.”
* * * *
Those three words just melted right through Ellie, as he no doubt planned. She pressed her palm against his very sure and strong heart. “You said there was no going back,” she said softly.
He covered her hand with his. “I did say that. Meant it, too.”
She snuggled into him, her body still rioting. “Then no more messing with bombs. Next time, we figure out a safer way to be…safe.” They were silly words, especially considering the world was dying from a pandemic, but she needed them. Needed to somehow hold on to the thought that they’d survive. Together. “I need you, Hugh.”
He ran his palm down her arm, giving comfort and reassurance. Yeah. He knew how hard those words were for her to say. When she’d lost her mom, she’d lost all family.
Now she had him and the rest of the Brigade gang. They were family. All she had. “I’ve already started searches for Orion and that Wanda woman you talked about. More danger is coming. You can’t take chances like that,” she said.
He gently eased her onto his lap, straddling him. His blue eyes, so dark and fathomless, caught her gaze. “I promise to be more careful because nothing is going to take me away from you, sweetheart.” He stroked down her face. “I waited a long time for you. I’m not going to let you get away now.”
Her heart turned right over. He was solid and sure beneath her. All of him. The crush she’d had in college had grown into something strong. Real and everlasting. “I waited longer for you.”
His grin was a little lopsided. “I never was as smart as you. So that makes sense.”
She chuckled.
He leaned up, capturing her mouth. His kiss was sweet and sexy, slow and sure. Definitely all Hugh. “I love you, Ellie Mae. For as long as we have.”
She leaned into him, caressing his jawline. “We’d better have forever, Hugh.”
He kissed her again. “I promise.”
* * * *
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