Three months later…

Kat wanted to get married outside, and there was no better venue than Jack and Gina’s house on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with its view of the Chesapeake Bay. Mendez had attended plenty of weddings there since Gina Hunter was somewhat of an amateur wedding planner in her spare time, but he’d damn sure never expected he’d be the one getting married.

Yet there he was in his Army dress uniform, medals glittering on his chest, standing in front of the gathered crowd and waiting for his bride to walk up the aisle.

She appeared on the arm of Ian Black, which gave at least half the audience a heart attack. Hell, he’d nearly had a heart attack himself when she’d told him she wanted Black to give her away. There was no one else, she’d argued—plus she’d added that Ian had gotten them together again, in a fashion.

So Mendez shrugged and let her have her way. Whatever she wanted. Whatever made her happy. Because damn, he was one lucky bastard. He’d lost her and found her again, and he wasn’t ever letting her go. Valentina, aka Kat, was his forever.

In his pocket, he had the locket she’d pressed into his hand this morning. “For luck,” she’d said.

He didn’t need luck. He had her. And a baby on the way. That still floored him. Every time he looked at her and thought about the life that was growing inside her, he was amazed and stunned. He was going to be fifty in a couple of months. A father at fifty. Well, why not? He didn’t feel fifty. He felt like he could fucking conquer the world.

He had his command back. He had the woman he loved. And he was brigadier general promotable. He wouldn’t put the rank on for a while yet, but damn, he’d never actually thought he’d get there. The past few years fighting Congress for HOT’s right to exist had made him think he had too many enemies there to ever get approved. Yet approve his promotion they had.

Kat’s smile made his heart ache as she approached. She was letting her hair grow out and she’d dyed it back to its natural color. He loved her red hair, though he’d told her he didn’t care if she was bald so long as she was his. She’d frowned at that, though he’d meant it as a compliment. Then she’d laughed and he’d kissed her silly before stripping her and kissing all the rest of her while she moaned and writhed beneath him.

She and Ian stopped, and the priest asked who gave this woman in marriage. After Ian replied that he did, he placed her hand in Mendez’s and stepped back. Her fingers trembled in his. The small bouquet of white flowers she carried shook just enough that he knew she was nervous. He squeezed her hand and smiled. He’d said they could elope, but she’d wanted the wedding. He thought maybe now she was wishing they’d run off to Vegas.

“Told you,” he murmured.

She laughed softly. “You did.”

She wore a white satin dress that trailed to the grass at her feet. It was simple, without lace or pearls or any of the crazy adornments that usually covered wedding dresses. On her, it was perfect.

The ceremony was quick and to the point. They didn’t write their own vows because they were private people. What they had to say was for each other’s ears only, not for a crowd. And they would say it later tonight when they were tangled in each other’s arms, his body buried in hers, the pleasure between them spiraling so high they felt like they would never come down.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said.

Mendez took her in his arms and lowered his head to hers. He’d intended the kiss to be brief and sweet, but that wasn’t how it happened. Kat put her arms around his neck and opened her mouth—and he was lost. He kissed her until the throats clearing in the background registered.

“I love you,” he whispered as he broke the kiss. He was a little breathless. So was she.

She smiled. “I love you too.”

The crowd broke into cheers when they turned as man and wife and walked down the aisle. An honor guard waited for them, eight men and women with sabers raised high. The last two sabers were crossed in their path. When Kat and Mendez reached those sabers, one of the honor guard welcomed Kat as a military spouse and then swatted her on the behind as they kept walking through the arch. Kat laughed, her face glowing with happiness.

He had to admit it was surreal to him, being here with her. He’d have never thought it could happen, but after the Russia mission and what they’d accomplished there, Kat’s nationality and former status hadn’t been an impediment. She’d helped to thwart a plot against the Russian government and clear the names and reputations of some of America’s finest soldiers.

They headed toward the tent set up for the reception. Gina had gone to great lengths to create a memorable event. As the sun was setting over the Bay, a band struck up soft music and the guests filed into the tent for dinner.

All Mendez could think about was getting Kat naked, but he had to endure the reception for the next several hours. They ate dinner, there were speeches, and then it was time to dance and mingle. The whole thing was torture, especially when Kat walked away to speak to someone and he let his gaze slide over the line of her back exposed in the dress. Graceful, beautiful.

Hell. He glanced at his watch.

“You’ve got hours of this to endure yet.”

Mendez looked up to find Sam standing there. He hadn’t noticed her in the crowd, but then he’d only had eyes for Kat.

“Sam. I didn’t expect you here.”

She smiled. She looked a little sad. Or maybe it was weary. “I know. I’m not a wedding crasher, and I’m not here to cause a scene. I came as Ian’s plus-one.”

Ian’s plus-one—it hit him then. What he hadn’t known. What she’d never hinted at. Because she’d claimed not to know Ian, so if she was here now…

“You’re Phoenix.”

She shrugged. “If I am, I won’t admit it.”

But she’d as good as done so. If she’d had no clue what he was talking about, she’d have responded with confusion instead of a denial. He should be angry, and yet he wasn’t. He was too happy to be angry.

“I’m sorry, Sam. If you’re still hurting.”

“I’m not.” She sniffed. “It’s my own fault. I love the job too much to ever change.” She turned to look at Kat, who was talking to Victoria, Lucky, and Ivy Erikson, the DEA agent. “She’s the right one for you, Johnny. It’s clear.”

“Yeah, she is.”

Sam reached out and squeezed his hand, and then she walked away. He watched her go, thinking that she was a sad and lonely woman—and probably always would be if she kept putting the job first.

He walked over to where Kat stood with the women and put his hand against her back. She shivered immediately, and it made him shiver too. Jesus, he loved this woman. Needed her like he needed air. He dropped his mouth to her ear.

“I need you. Alone. Now.”

“Yes,” she said. “Let’s go.”

It was easier said than done. It still took twenty minutes to get away, but soon they were in the car and heading for the hotel where they’d booked a suite. Half an hour later, he had her naked and beneath him, her legs wrapped around his body as he slid inside her. He made love to her slowly, deliberately. She came with his name on her lips. He followed her over the edge, then rolled and gathered her into his arms.

“You realize,” she said, tracing circles on his chest with her finger, “that everything’s going to change in six months when this baby arrives. We’ll never sleep again.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, his lips against her hair. “I’m looking forward to everything with you.”

“You know the right things to say,” she said with a laugh.

“Yeah, but it’s the truth.”

He’d seen the pictures of Roman and he’d had his own private breakdown over them. He’d needed to do that, to grieve a child and a relationship he’d never had. But now he wanted this relationship with his baby. So much. The new baby wouldn’t replace Roman, not for either one of them. But Mendez could be happy for the new life they were bringing into the world. A life he’d protect with his dying breath if he had to.

“I’m so happy,” she said as she curled into his arms.

“Me too.”

And he was. Happy, content, and eager to see what came next. Because he was certain it was going to be a hell of a ride…