Epilogue
“Hey, Anna,” Flynn Kilpatrick said as he walked up to the pallet of dog food she was unloading. “I just came from Levi’s compound. Figured, since I was in town, I’d give you the good news in person.”
She straightened, brushed the hair back off her face. “Hi. That’s a crazy place to be these days. Katina told me about Rhodes and Sienna. I’m going down there this afternoon if I can get away.”
“Good.” He reached down and hefted several bags over his shoulder, walking inside to stack them in the shed. “But I wanted to tell you that the last of the men involved in Katina’s kidnapping have been locked up. We heard this morning. Even better, several are talking, and the DA is expecting everyone to go away for a very long time.”
“Great,” she said with a big smile. “I’m so happy to hear that. I’d hate to have anything else bad happen to Katina.”
“Merk won’t allow it.” He grinned at her. “Looks like the two of them are fairly matched up.”
“They matched up a long time ago. They are just now realizing how perfect they are together.”
Flynn laughed. Anna had told him a little bit about Merk and Katina’s relationship. He’d heard the rest from the guys. It was all good. As a matter of fact, it was looking damn rosy around the compound. He’d been there just this morning. He heard about all the chaos with Rhodes and Sienna. But he’d been out on the West Coast with Logan on a short job for Levi and had missed all the fun. Typical. But damn. Rhodes and Sienna—who knew they were a thing?
“That is great. Thanks for stopping by,” she said. “I know how much you were hoping to get hired into the company.”
He was indeed. And this next job would be short and sweet. With any luck he’d get over to Saudi Arabia, handle this problem and get back home again. The timeline was tight, but that was the way they liked it. And he wasn’t going alone; his buddies—Logan and Harrison, were going. That worked for him. He’d left his jacket at Anna’s to give him a reason to come back. But as the good news had come in, he hadn’t needed it – this time. Now he had an excuse to stop by after his next trip.
He wondered if she’d seen it. He’d hung it on the back of the door. Hopefully obvious enough for a man to see and understand but not so obvious that Anna would see.
He brushed the dirt off his hands, checked out the shed’s roof and realized the dog food would be nice and dry here. He closed the door, snapped the simple lock closed. Then he picked up the empty pallet, moved it to the stack with the others behind the shed. “Anything else?”
She shook her head but kept her face away from him. “That’s it. Thanks for the help.” Her voice was overly cheerful and bright as she turned to face him with a big smile. “I appreciate your timing for a visit. I have to admit, it was great to have your muscles for the couple weeks you were here. This last week, well, I missed that.”
“You need to get yourself an assistant. You know that, right?”
She laughed. “I need a lot of things. But it all takes money.”
He nodded. “Just don’t be thinking about hiring that Jonas character.”
She glared at him. “You won’t be telling me what to do any longer, thanks. You can leave again now.” It was said in a joking manner. They’d done a round or two about Jonas, a guy who kept coming on to her.
“I can’t believe you actually dated that guy.”
“It was hardly a date. I ran into him at the mall, sat down and had a coffee with him,” she protested.
“In Jonas’s mind that was a date. Obviously, as he’s come around, what? Five times since I’ve been here? He’s bad news. Stay away from him.”
“He’s not that bad.”
“He’s worse,” Flynn countered. For the weeks while Flynn had been guarding over her, he’d watched her, lived with her, inhaling the scent that was so Anna. And not touching her. But now he was leaving. But not without a taste of her. Especially when he wanted so much more …
Before she had a chance to protest he tugged her into his arms and said, “There’s really only one way to say good-bye.” And he lowered his head and kissed her.
Only neither expected the flash of passion that threatened to consume them both. Fireworks exploded in his head. And damn if he didn’t hear music.
Anna broke away, gave him an uncertain look, then headed inside her house.
Leaving Flynn wondering what the hell just happened.
This concludes Book 4 of Heroes for Hire: Rhodes’s Reward.
Welcome to Flynn’s Firecracker, book 5 in Heroes for Hire, reconnecting readers with the unforgettable men from SEALs of Honor in a new series of action packed, page turning romantic suspense that fans have come to expect from USA TODAY Bestselling author Dale Mayer.
Some jobs are more pleasant than others…
Flynn agrees to do a security job for Levi as a trial run for more work. Looking after Anna and her animal shelter is a breeze. Trouble free. Until he leaves…
Having Flynn around was both good and bad. To have the help at the shelter was huge, but they drew sparks just being around each other. She tells herself she’s relieved when he’s gone but when a dead man shows up, she’d do anything to have him back.
Someone is after Flynn… and he doesn’t care who he kills in the process…
Heroes for Hire Series