Chapter Thirty-Four
Mac packed up his desk and figured there was no avoiding it any longer. He hefted the heavy bag that contained all his paperwork and headed upstairs to SIOC. He bumped into Libby Hernandez outside ASC Gerald’s office.
“Going somewhere?” she asked.
“Today’s my last day.”
“Ha, good one!” She put her hand on her heart. “You almost had me for a moment.”
Mac remembered the date. “Yeah. I know it’s April Fool’s Day but I’m not actually kidding.”
The file she held in her hand crinkled as her grip tightened. “But you only just started here.” She appeared upset, which was more than he’d expected.
Truth was he felt like he’d been here a thousand years already. Tess was getting out of the hospital this week. It had been a month since she’d been shot and almost died. They hadn’t spoken about the future, but he had a ring burning a hole in his pocket and he intended to be there for her every step of the way.
Libby appeared genuinely horrified. “But you can’t go now—”
“Hernandez!” She was cut off by Gerald who opened his door.
ASC Gerald was the only person here who knew of Mac’s decision and he’d asked Gerald to keep it from the others.
Frazer and Parker knew. Parker had offered him a position if he wanted it, but Mac hadn’t figured out the future yet. He just wanted Tess.
The investigation into Paula Rice’s infiltration of the FBI and how much damage she’d caused was ongoing. Makimi was doing a hell of a job weeding out the right-wing extremists who’d colluded in acts of sedition against the US government, not to mention murder. A couple of the lucky ones had flipped like breaching humpbacks and the whole stack of cards had come tumbling down in the resultant tsunami.
Makimi was going to go far and Mac was thrilled for her.
Gerald stepped out of his room to shake Mac’s hand. “The director wants to say something to you…”
The director stepped out of Gerald’s office and Mac blinked in surprise. Mac didn’t want any speeches. He shifted uncomfortably. He should have slipped out without anyone noticing.
The director held out his hand. “You did great work on HQBOMB, McKenzie.”
HQBOMB was the name of the investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding the attempt to bomb headquarters. The FBI did love its acronyms and this one seemed appropriate.
Mac smiled politely. “Not really, sir.”
The man held onto his hand and pressed a little harder. “I think you forgot the part where you and ASAC Frazer raced to a vehicle you suspected was laden with explosives, detained the suspect, and managed to neutralize the threat without anyone getting hurt.”
“We still missed the main culprit.”
Cole Fallon had been released and Mac had spent a lot of time with the kid lately as they’d kept Tess company. Cole was young and pliable, but seemed like a good guy who’d been through hell. He’d discovered the woman he loved had set him up to take the fall for an act of terrorism. He’d also watched that same woman shoot his sister before Mac put a bullet between her eyes.
Paula Rice had deserved to die. At the time of the raid twenty years ago, Paula had been three months pregnant with her son, Joseph.
It had been a tough time, but Cole had rallied around his sister and cooperated in every facet of the investigation. He’d had no idea one of his best friends was actually his half-brother, or that he was sleeping with Joseph’s mother. He’d been targeted and used by them both.
“You saved lives that day. Possibly mine.” The director’s brown eyes were intent on his.
“Tess saved lives. We got lucky.” Mac didn’t like to think what could have happened if that bomb had gone off, or if Tess hadn’t stopped Paula. It was bad enough Walsh and Tess had both taken bullets.
“Good training and keen instincts help people get lucky.” The director stepped back. “I have a proposition for you.”
“Sorry.” Mac shook his head.
“You don’t know what it is yet.” The director laughed. “The Special Agent in Charge of the WFO is retiring due to ill health. I want you to take the job.”
Emotion crowded Mac’s throat and he couldn’t speak. It was everything he’d ever wanted, but he wanted Tess more.
“I’m truly honored by the offer, sir. The FBI has been my whole life.” He swallowed roughly. “But I’m hoping I can persuade Tess Fallon to be my wife just as soon as she’s walking again.”
“I don’t see why those things are mutually exclusive.” The director lifted his chin and angled his face towards Gerald’s office. “Ms. Fallon. What do you think?”
Mac’s eyes widened as Frazer opened Gerald’s door wide, and there was Tess. Finally standing up again. The curly, brown hair, which annoyed her so much, was pulled back in a loose braid. She wore a pretty wraparound dress because pants were too much effort to get on.
Her eyes were smiling, her skin pale, but there was a little color in her cheeks. Frazer was holding her arm.
“You had something to ask the lady?” Frazer prompted when Mac stood there like a dummy.
It was an ambush but there was Tess—standing, smiling—and he didn’t care.
He put his bags down on the secretary’s desk and stepped past Gerald and the director. Maybe now, she’d finally understand what she meant to him.
He dropped to one knee in front of her. “Tess Fallon, would you do the very great honor of letting this sad, lonely, former FBI agent become your husband?”
“No.” She crossed her arms and blinked rapidly. “Being an FBI agent isn’t just a job for you, Mac, it’s who you are. If you quit because of me, eventually you’ll hate me for it.”
“No, I won’t.”
She huffed. “Yes, you will.”
“First domestic,” the director intoned quietly to Gerald.
“Better get used to it and just do as she tells him,” Gerald agreed.
Mac glared at the interrupters.
Frazer sighed. “If you’d really screwed up the investigation I’d agree with you resigning, Mac. But no one blames you for Paula Rice. The entire FBI missed the signs. We all messed up to the same degree. Without you we wouldn’t have solved this thing until a lot more people had been murdered and a lot more agents had died.”
Frazer put a good spin on it, but it was Tess who Mac was watching. He was trying to read those clear, hazel eyes and that full, mobile mouth.
He assessed her carefully. “So, would you consider marrying a sad and lonely, employed FBI agent?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
Tears sparkled in her eyes when he pulled a ring out of his pocket.
“Boy scout,” Frazer muttered, clearly disgusted.
“Always prepared,” Mac muttered back.
“Not always,” Tess said softly.
Mac’s cheeks heated at that and Frazer coughed into his fist.
Mac slipped the pink diamond set in platinum onto her finger, happy that it fit. “We can change it if you like.” He’d chosen it because it was delicate and feminine, but also strong and durable. And the pink stone reminded him of her lips.
She stared at the ring for a long moment and then at him. “I don’t want to change it. It’s perfect. Thank you.”
Mac rose to his feet and reverently cupped her cheek, and leaned down very slowly to kiss her. She kissed him back, her hands rising to his shoulders and holding on tight.
He pulled back, letting her rest her head on his chest. Tess was recovering well, but she’d suffered a terrible injury and she’d done it to protect a bunch of heavily armed, highly trained people who’d previously vilified her.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe I’d like to reconsider my resignation.”
Gerald grimaced. “Just as well I never put in the paperwork then.”
“Seriously?” Mac put his arm around Tess’s back, supporting her, and turned to face his boss. Tess leaned against him, already tired from her exertions. “What were you going to do if I left today?”
Gerald looked embarrassed. “Donate my vacation days and hope my wife didn’t notice.”
Mac’s mouth went dry at that. “I appreciate your confidence, sir.” Mac turned his attention to the director. “As much as I would love the WFO post, I don’t feel I’ve earned it—yet. I’d like to stay on in my position here if possible. There’s still plenty to do. Plenty to learn.”
“Is this penance for any mistakes you think you made?” the director queried. “You have more than earned this posting.”
“I appreciate that.” Mac wished he could talk to Tess alone. “This whole time I was chasing the wrong dream. I was looking at the destination and not concentrating on the journey.” He kissed the top of Tess’s hair and she rested her hand on his heart. “I want to enjoy the journey for a little longer.”
The director nodded. “Fine.” Then he came and grasped Mac’s hand. “Glad you changed your mind, and congratulations.” He leaned down and kissed Tess on the cheek. “Thank you again, Tess. You saved lives that day and will always be welcome here.” The director winked. “And I expect an invitation. My wife loves weddings.”
Gerald held the door. “I’m gonna give you two some privacy for a few minutes.”
Frazer removed himself from the side of the room. “That’s my cue to leave, too. Let me know if you need to buy a new tux. I have connections.” He grinned hugely. “Congratulations.”
Finally, it was just Mac and Tess.
He stroked an unruly strand of her hair and hooked it behind her ear. “You tired?”
She denied it, but the white around her mouth gave her away.
He steered her to a seat and knelt in front of her.
She smiled as she examined her ring. “So I get to change my name again, huh?”
Mac rested his hands along the outside of her thighs. “If you want to.”
“I do.” She drew in a big breath. “I want a fresh start. New home. New name.”
“As long as I’m the one constant in your life I don’t give a damn about the rest. We’ll start house hunting as soon as you’re feeling stronger.”
“When I was a little girl I used to dream about marrying you.” She stared into her lap shyly. “Is it crazy that it’s coming true?”
“Nope. Not crazy at all. But it seems like a million years ago.”
She seemed pensive.
“What is it?”
“I figured out a few things.”
He knew she’d been doing a lot of thinking.
“I want to write a book about my experiences. I want to donate the proceeds in Ellie’s honor to an organization that’s fighting to end child marriage in America.”
Mac’s voice was rough. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“And I spoke to Cole. We want to donate the land to a good cause, but we haven’t figured out which one yet.” She shuddered. “I want to be free of all those old ties.”
Mac nodded. “What’s Cole gonna do now?”
Mac hadn’t revealed the existence of the file and thumb drive. Parker had examined it and sure enough their plans were encrypted on the drive, but the documents had belonged to Joseph. The plan had been to frame Cole so he and his mother could get away with murder and start their revolution. Cole had been nothing but a pawn. Joseph was in jail awaiting trial. Chances were he’d die in prison. Eddie was locked up again and the prison guard who’d helped him escape was up on charges.
Mac hoped Eddie enjoyed the reduced privileges of maximum security.
Tess smiled and Mac touched the gentle curve of her lips. “He told me he was going to take some criminal justice courses at the university. Said the good guys needed more geeks.”
Mac couldn’t agree more and didn’t mention it had been his suggestion.
“I might also want children. One day.” Her gaze turned pensive. “There’s nothing like being told you might not be able to have kids to make you reassess that priority.”
Mac drew in a deep breath. The idea of starting a family with Tess made a lump form in his throat. “Let’s give it some time. If you still want kids we can try in the future. Or we can adopt.” He stared deep into her eyes. “Plenty of kids around in need of a good home.”
Tears welled and her hands started to shake.
“I need to get you back to bed,” said Mac.
She huffed. “I wish.”
“Doctor said no sex for another month.” He smoothed a hand over her cheek. “Doesn’t mean we can’t get inventive in the meantime.”
She blushed and brushed her thumb over his bottom lip. “Sex god.”
“Damn right. Let’s go home and get started on that, shall we? I think I’ve earned a day off.” He pulled her carefully to her feet and bent down to lift her into his arms.
He opened the door and stopped short as a whole crowd of people started cheering. His throat closed with emotion. Crap.
“Surprise,” Tess whispered in his ear.
“Does this mean I’m going to have to wait to get you in bed again?” he whispered back.
“Patience. We have all the time in the world now.”
He carefully eased Tess back onto her feet and Frazer pushed over a wheelchair he must have brought from the hospital. Tess wasn’t happy to be sitting in it but Mac didn’t leave her side.
Everyone from SIOC had come to celebrate their engagement and to make Tess feel their love and gratitude. Walsh was there in a matching wheelchair. He was as frustrated as Tess at the slowness of their convalescence. They’d been competing with each other as to whom recovered the fastest. Like everyone else who spent any time with Tess, Walsh had fallen completely in love with her.
“Tired?” Mac asked her after thirty minutes of cake, champagne and congratulations. Everyone there had needed a little light relief after what they’d been through. They were celebrating one of the few good things to come out of a difficult period.
She grinned. “I never imagined I’d be here, at FBI HQ, getting engaged to someone as wonderful as you are. I’m so lucky.”
Mac frowned down at her. “You’ve got it all wrong, sweetheart. I’m the lucky one.” He smoothed away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. “And I’m smart enough to know it.”
“Fidelity. Bravery. Integrity.” She sniffed.
“Or Fucking Bunch of Idiots, depending on who you talk to.”
“I prefer my version,” she told him quietly. But her lips were pinched and she looked like it was time for her next painkiller.
He took the handles of the wheelchair and headed for the door. “Say goodbye to the inmates. Time to go home.”
She reached up and touched his hand. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”
Pre-order the next installment of Alex Parker and Mallory Rooney’s story today!
(Cold Justice Series, bk #9~A Wedding Novella).