“We’re going to need to call this in.” Karyn breaks the silence. “No survivors.” My chest fills with a weak sensation at her words. The moment has finally come.

Popov’s eyes open wide and the same evil smile reappears. “You don’t have the…” He stops mid-sentence as I step up and place the barrel of my pistol directly against his forehead. Mom and Dad this is for you.

Popov’s grin fades just before I pull the trigger, firing a single nine millimeter bullet through his brain, ending his miserable life. His body drops straight down, collapsing awkwardly on the mud beneath our feet. Blood splatter covers my shirt, like a Jackson Pollock painting. Retribution is mine.

“Well then I do believe my work here is done.” Belfast smiles and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s just witnessed federal agents murdering an unarmed man, or if he’s just plain having fun.

“Thank you,” Karyn speaks the words as if they burn her tongue.

“I was never here.” Belfast winks at Georgia, before joining his men and leaving the cleanup to us. I drop the gun and walk off toward the shoreline. A sob escapes my lips and the tears start to roll down my cheeks. It’s over. Six years of waiting and the bastard is dead. My legs feel weak and shaky as I make my way to the edge of the water. Staring out at the blue sea reminds me of our family vacations and calms me.

A hand touches my arm, startling me. “Zoe, it’s okay. It’s just me.”

My head turns, and I lock eyes with Nash. His are filled with concern. “You did what you needed to,” he offers, consolingly.

“You think I’m having regrets or feeling bad about killing Popov?”

“I don’t know,” he answers. “I’m not sure where your head’s at right now, but no matter what I’m here for you.” He pulls me against his bloodied, cut up chest, holding me close. I breathe a sigh of relief that we were on the winning end today. Things could’ve gone much differently. They almost did.

I glance up at Nash. “I’m not feeling remorse for killing Popov. I’m feeling sad it took me so long and cost me so much. I miss my parents, Nash, and it never gets easier.”

“I know you do. Do you know how proud of you they are right now? You stepped up and did what you had to do. No hesitation whatsoever. You’re not only an FBI Agent, but you’re the kind that everyone dreams of being.”

“I love you, Nash. I should have told you sooner.”

“I’ve been in love with you for six years now, Zoe. And I already knew, even if you hadn’t said the words. Come on, let’s get out of here. I need some patching up and we both need showers.”

Today was Martin’s funeral. Nash’s somber mood matched the cloudy, dark sky. This is an emotionally taxing time for him whether he admits it or not. He considered Martin a good friend and in many ways he was, even though Nash will deny the point now.

I know Karyn and Georgia are also struggling with the loss. Martin was more than a coworker to them, also. The four of us agreed to skip the funeral and get together for a bite out at a local restaurant.

“That’s some shit. I still can’t wrap my brain around what Martin did.” Georgia shakes her head and grabs another chip from the large bowl in the center of the table. “How did we miss the signs? There had to be some.”

“If there were any to be seen we all missed them, not just you.” Karyn shrugs.

“We were blinded by our friendship. That has to be the reason,” Nash replies, before taking a deep pull of his beer.

“I don’t know. I think Martin was smarter than all of us. He kept up the loyal friend facade pretty fucking good.” Georgia’s angry and rightly so but she needs to let it go. I know better than anyone that time takes care of everything one way or another. She’ll discover that herself eventually. I just wish I could make her path a little less troublesome for her. When tragedy like this happens, it raises a lot of questions and increases your self-doubt. She’s wondering if there was something she could’ve done to change the outcome, but there isn’t. Life happens how it will and all we can do is our best and try to make sense of it all.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve been giving the side eye to a lot of people at work lately,” Karyn mentions and we all laugh. “Hashtag trust issues,” she continues.

“I feel you. I’ve been doing the same thing, but I’ve been dealing with trust issues for six years, so I might be an expert.”

“You definitely have reasons to be that way. Hell, I don’t know if I could’ve made it through what you have, so kudos to you,” Georgia raises her margarita glass my way before taking a sip.

“Is anyone going to mention the eight-hundred-pound gorilla in the room?” Nash questions.

The three of us ladies glance at each other not sure what he means. “What gorilla?” I inquire.

“The one with an Irish brogue who brought his flock of gunmen to our rescue.”

“Georgia, you want to touch this one?” I question.

“Oh, she wants to do more than touch it,” Karyn replies, dryly. We all break into laughter.

“He did save our lives. What can I say? There’s something extremely attractive about a hot guy with a gun, standing guard over me. But don’t worry, nothing will come of it. I haven’t heard from him since and if he does reach out, I have no plans to engage. Belfast is one of the bad guys and I won’t forget that.”

“Well that was fun. I’m glad we got together with them.”

“Yeah. I’m glad we didn’t go to the funeral. Martin doesn’t deserve anything from us except anger. He almost killed us both in the safehouse and he was instrumental in getting Popov information. Information that probably helped him to capture your parents.”

I place my hand on Nash’s thigh. “It’s okay to be conflicted about his death. You guys were friends for a long time, regardless of what you just found out about him.”

“I’m not conflicted about his death at all. I’m conflicted about our friendship and my lack of judgement. I don’t know how I didn’t see it. I let my guard down and never even considered he could be behind any of it.”

“I don’t think there were any signs. He was FBI, Nash. He was trained by the best and he knew how not to get caught.”

“Let’s talk about something else. We’ve wasted enough time on Martin. And talking about him anymore will only piss me off.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“How about a game of twenty questions?”

“This again, huh? Are you better at it than you used to be?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” He smirks, challengingly. “You go first.”

“Would you rather live in a cabin in the woods or in a beach house?”

“Beach house. Movies or Television?”

“Television. There are a lot of good shows on Netflix.” Tapping my lip, I think of another question. “Would you rather date someone with a perfect body or amazing bedroom skills? Watch it,” I jest.

“With you I get both and don’t have to settle.” He flashes me a quick grin.

“Aww, that was the correct answer. I’m going to pretend you meant it.”

“Of course I meant it. I don’t say things I don’t mean. Would you rather have sex with someone who never takes a shower or someone who never brushes their teeth?”

“Gross, neither.”

“Come on, you have to pick one.”

“Fine. Never brushes their teeth, I don’t have to kiss them.” I flick my glance in Nash’s direction and catch his chuckle. “By the way, where are we going? We just passed the exit to my place.”

“I’m taking you to meet my parents. I hope you don’t mind. We’re just going to stop in quick.”

“Nash, yes I mind. I need time to emotionally prepare myself for things like this. This is a monumental occasion. I don’t want to go there, reeking of tequila like I probably do.”

“You smell delicious to me,” he jokes. “We’ll be quick, I promise.”

“You owe me for this.”

“Oh my God, Nash, what happened to your face?” His mother asks with a hint of hysteria in her piercing tone and we haven’t even stepped through the door yet.

“This?” He points to his stitched and taped up cheeks. “It’s not as bad as it looks. I was taken care of by a plastic surgeon and I shouldn’t look too scary when all is said and done.” He rubs a hand over his stomach, and fortunately has the common sense not to show her the railroad tracks of stitches up, down and across his chest and stomach. They might send her over the edge.

“Do you think we can come in?” he inquires, laughter in his tone.

“We?” His mom questions sounding surprised. She steps back so Nash and I can step inside. His mom’s eyes light up when she notices me and our clasped hands.

“Mom, Dad, I want you to meet someone special. This is Zoe, your future daughter in law.”

“Nash.” My eyes get wide and my cheeks flush pink. I can’t believe he just said that.

His mother lets out a gasp before grabbing me and practically squeezing the life out of me. “I’m Carla, it’s so nice to meet you.” She steps back and looks me over. “Aren’t you a beautiful, little thing.”

“I’m David, Nash’s dad. It’s nice to meet you.” He holds out his hand and we exchange greetings.

“You guys will have adorable babies.” His mom claps her hands together, excitedly.

“Mom let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, you mean like introducing me as their future daughter in law?”

“Who says that’s getting ahead of myself? It’s not that far in the future.”

“It’s not?”

“If you think I’m waiting another six years to make you officially mine, you’re out of your mind.”

“I wasn’t thinking six years. Pfft, I’m not waiting that long.”

“So when is the wedding?” Carla asks.

“I haven’t asked her yet.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“I’m waiting until I’m sure she’ll say yes.”

I snort. “Good luck with that,” I tease. “So, Carla, I need all the dirt you can give me on Nash.”

She gestures to the comfortable looking couch. “Sit down honey. I hope you have a lot of time.”