Her Hidden Falls Bodyguard Billionaire Cowboy - Taylor Hart Page 0,47

lights; it was followed by pounding on the roof.

“What is that?” Rafael yelled at Sears, following him.

Zoey stumbled, trying to stay upright with her hands tied behind her back. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, and she laughed, thinking of Richard’s helicopter. “That’s justice!”

Gunfire cracked and burst from outside.

Agent Sears got to the back of the van and opened the door. “Get in there, and I’ll fight them off.”

Rafael had his gun out. He hesitated only briefly.

“Get in!” Agent Sears yelled.

There was no chance for withdrawal; the side wall of the building exploded. Agent Sears dove to the ground, as did all of the other men. Zoey was dragged with him.

Then, just like in a scene from one of those military movies, the Hardmans and Richard Chavez barged in through the billowing smoke.

“Sean!” she yelled.

His eyes connected with hers, and even the gunfire exploding around them seemed to drift far away.

“We can’t lose her.” Agent Sears pushed her down. “She’s our insurance.”

Her face was on the ground, but in her peripheral vision, she could see more men swarming into the building.

“FBI!” a guy called out on a megaphone. “Put down your guns!”

Agent Sears cursed and shoved Zoey behind him. “Hold your fire, everyone!”

The shooting stopped. Sean and his brothers, now accompanied by a band of FBI agents, pushed forward.

Agent Sears stood, yanking Zoey to his side. “If I give her up, I want immunity. I want a contract that indemnifies me from all wrongdoing.”

A gun went off. Agent Sears dropped to the ground, almost pulling Zoey down with him. Before she could fall, Rafael laughed and pulled her against him.

She stared in shock at Agent Sears’s dead body. Rafael had killed him.

Rafael spoke into her ear. “If you’re going to save anyone, it’s me. You owe me that.”

Every part of her shook.

Another shot cracked through the air, and Rafael went instantly limp.

She looked up into the barrel of Sean’s gun as he rushed toward them, and she cried out as Rafael fell away.

Sean pulled her into him, comforting her with his amazing, solid arms. “It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

“You came for me?” she whispered as she burst into tears. “I’m sorry I left. I shouldn’t have. I just …”

“It’s okay. You’re safe. We’re all safe.”

She clung to him. All she wanted was to be with him. A long time passed, and she didn’t let him go.

Agent Anderson walked around, ordering everyone around as the Hardman brothers and Richard all gave him their statements.

“Sean,” she finally said.

“Yeah?”

“I think I want to go back to Hidden Falls and decorate your house, if you still want me to.”

He grunted and held her tighter. “I’d like that.”

“I would too. And Sean …”

He brushed a strand of hair out of her face and looked at her lips. “Yes.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He pressed his lips to hers, and then … then she really felt like she was in one of those cheesy romance books where the hero had saved her life.

She wanted to stay in his arms forever.

Epilogue

As the opening notes of the “Wedding March” played, both Charlotte and Star turned to face Zoey. “You ready?” asked Charlotte.

“Shouldn’t I feel nervous or something?” Zoey whispered as she looped her arms through theirs and moved toward the side of the house, where tents were set up with food and decorations and a fake dance floor. Another tent housed pretty much the whole town.

Word had gotten out about what had happened to Zoey and the truth about her past—and the Hardmans’ involvement in her rescue. It was a hard story to keep under wraps in a town like this. Surprising Zoey, the whole town had welcomed her back with open arms when she’d come home to Hidden Falls. She and Sean had decided not to wait too long to get married. After all, neither of them had any doubts, and they were more than ready to start sharing his house.

“Why would you be nervous?” Star asked, waving to Mrs. Hurst in the crowd of people.

“You’re among family and friends,” Charlotte agreed, giving Zoey’s arm a squeeze. “We’re all just excited that you and Sean will finally be together.”

As Zoey looked into the faces of the people she’d come to know and love, warmth rushed through her. It was true; Hidden Falls was her home, and these people were her family now. Her eyes locked with Sean’s, and insane attraction buzzed through her. “The man looks good, doesn’t he?”

Star nudged her. “All of the Hardmans look