Rising Storm (Westin Force #2) - Julie Trettel Page 0,78
do. I looked around grateful for each of them. Even Silas’s face softened into a smile.
“Thank you.” I rose on my tippy toes and kissed Painter on the cheek.
He was stoic, scared. I could sense it.
One of my girls grew curious and came close. She grunted and I started to hoot back in response but froze. I hadn’t realized I’d taken a step away from the group and towards her.
Painter wrapped his arms around me holding on for dear life.
“She’s calling for you.”
“I know.”
“Go,” he said.
I paused for only a moment and then turned in his arms. “No. It will only confuse her. I only ever needed to know they were okay. I love you. My place isn’t here anymore. I belong with you.”
His entire body relaxed as he kissed me in front of everyone—my old band, and my new one.
I wrapped my arms around him, happier than I ever knew possible. The weight of my past lifted, and I was free to truly move on.
Painter
Epilogue
The last place I ever wanted to return to was Vegas. The place was tainted with bad memories of everything Emma had been through. Yet somehow, we ended up there on a detour on our flight home.
“Here you go, Emma,” Tarron said shortly before landing. He handed her back her phone he had confiscated. “Just pull up this app and log in with the password you set earlier. And there you go.”
I looked over her shoulder to see her screen come to life with the sights and sounds of the jungle and her band of gorillas. While Martin and I showed Emma her lost family, the team had set up cameras surrounding the entire area. They had been quick and efficient. The look on my mate’s face told me it was worth it.
When Silas told me he would take the lead on Project Emma, I hadn’t known what to expect. He’d been stressed and harder on all of us than usual, but he’d come through for me and my mate. I owed him big time with this.
All I had asked was if I could have some time off to take Emma to find her gorilla band and ensure they were okay.
We’d talked, like really talked. He was happy for me, but without saying it I knew he was equal parts sad and hopeful for himself. It had always been the two of us. In some ways we were both mourning that while also celebrating the expansion of our little band.
“I’m happy for you,” Silas said. “Really happy. I knew we never thought this day would come, but I’m glad it did for you. No one deserves happiness as much as you, brother.”
With that, my life started to fall fully into place.
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been nervous about taking Emma home. I had hardened my heart to the possibility that she would still choose them, still I knew how badly she needed this closure for us to truly move forward with a life together.
It had gone so much better than I had ever imagined. She was mine. There was no longer any doubt in my mind. Perhaps I had needed that closure as much as she had.
Emma was laughing and pointing out each gorilla and sharing stories about them as the plane descended. She had the attention of everyone present. She was beautiful and glowing with happiness.
“You owe me,” Silas said, slapping me on my shoulder as he buckled into the seat next to me.
“I’m quite certain you’ll never let me forget it too.”
He shrugged and smirked. “Looks like it was worth it.”
“It was definitely worth it. Thank you.”
“It was nice seeing them, wasn’t it?”
I nodded. I knew exactly what he meant. It had been a long time since either of us had experienced that and I doubt he ever expected to again. I know I hadn’t.
Emma put her phone away as the plane landed. We got out and had limos waiting to take us to the Venetian.
Silas shrugged. “The way your birthday got botched, I figured we all deserved this.”
Spirits were high as we checked in, dropped our bags off in our rooms and then met downstairs. Grant called and warned he and Taylor would catch up later. I was kicking myself for not thinking of that too.
Baine was already at the tables playing cards and had cornered his own waitress who was ready and waiting with a tray of drinks.
“What is this?” Emma asked.
I cringed at the memory of the last time she drank.
“Alcohol. You might want to go easy on it.”
“Not wine, right?”:
“No, definitely not,” Baine assured her winking at me.
“Don’t,” I warned him.
“Come be my good luck charm, pretty lady,” Baine said flirting with my mate.
His flirtations didn’t bother me in the least, but we both knew if he hurt her, even on accident, I couldn’t be held accountable for what would happen. With that knowledge he treated her like precious cargo, just the way she deserved.
A few drinks into the night and Grant and Taylor finally surfaced. Taylor excused herself with Emma to go to the ladies’ room and when they returned, my girl was bright with excitement.
“You are never going to believe what just happened!”
“What?” We were in Vegas. There was no telling what she saw.
“Elvis isn’t dead. He’s here.”
The others laughed and shook their heads.
“Please tell me you haven’t corrupted her with that shit,” Silas grumbled.
“What? She loves Elvis as much as I do.”
“Best singer ever,” Emma proudly said.
I kissed her but backed off when I realized she was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. I was ready to call it a night and reap the benefits in bed.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Silas said sarcastically.
Emma looked worried. “Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”
“He’s fine, just an asshole,” I explained.
“That was sarcasm? Why would he joke about something like that?”
I didn’t bother answering, I just kissed her again until her question was long forgotten.
“Remember the plan? Maybe we can still get Grant and T drunk enough to let Elvis marry them,” Baine said.
“Marry? Like the human version of mating?” she asked.
“Exactly,” Baine said excitedly.
“Can Elvis marry us?” she asked.
I laughed. “Would you like that, sweetheart?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t you?”
“It sounds like the perfect ending for a new beginning.”
Two hours later my beautiful mate walked down the aisle being serenaded by the King with all the team as witnesses. It was a magical night.
“So, is she officially Emma Granger now?” Silas asked, humored we had gone through with it.
“Nah. If it’s okay with you, I’m taking my name back.”
“Painter Reed. It’s about damn time.”
“Still brothers?”
“Always.”
*****
If you loved Painter & Emma’s story, just wait, there’s so much more! Next up is Baine’s story. You can preorder your copy of Collision Course today!
Want to read more about Shelby and Ben? Check out their story in Coming Home, available now and free on Kindle Unlimited.
If you missed Grant and Taylor’s story, you can find it here in Fierce Impact, available now and free on Kindle Unlimited.
Keep going for more information on awesome Julie Trettel books.
Dear Reader,
Thanks for reading Rising Storm. I was a little nervous about this one and taking a chance on a different kind of shifter. If you enjoyed Painter and Emma’s story, please consider dropping a review. https://mybook.to/WestinForce2 It helps more than you know. And be on the lookout for Baine’s story. Collision Course releases January 7, 2021.
For further information on my books, events, and life in general, I can be found online here:
Website: www.julietrettel.com
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With love and thanks,
Julie Trettel
And check out these great books by Julie Trettel!
The Compounders Series
The Compounders: Book1
DISSENSION
DISCONTENT
SEDITION
Westin Pack
One True Mate
Fighting Destiny
Forever Mine
Confusing Hearts
Can’t Be Love
Under a Harvest Moon
Collier Pack
Breathe Again
Run Free
In Plain Sight
Broken Chains
Coming Home
Holiday Surprise
ARC Shifters
Pack’s Promise
Winter’s Promise
Midnight Promise
iPromise
Westin Force
Fierce Impact
Julie also writes these All Ages Series
Check out more great books by Jules Trettel!
Armstrong Academy
Louis and the Secrets of the Ring
Octavia and the Tiny Tornadoes
William and the Look Alike
Hannah and the Sea of Tears
Eamon and the Mysteries of Magic
May and the Strawberry Scented Catastrophe
Gil and the Hidden Tunnels
Elaina and the History of Helios
Alaric and the Shaky Start
Stones of Amaria
Legends of Sorcery
Ruins of Magic
Keeper of Light
Fall of Darkness
About the Author
Julie Trettel is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Paranormal Romance. She comes from a long line of story tellers. Writing has always been a stress reliever and escape for her to manage the crazy demands of juggling time and schedules between work and an active family of six. In her “free time,” she enjoys traveling, reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.
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