meeting is too important. “Nothing. And since I’m here today and accepting your offer to work for your organization, and yours alone, I assume he simply wants you to keep me busy so I’ll stay put. He won’t admit that aloud but I know it’s how he feels.”
All male eyes dart around the room.
Wait. Did they not know Crew offered me a position among them?
I wipe the smile off my face.
Until Jarvis crosses his arms and grins, “Fuck, yeah. Welcome to the team, Spice Girl.”
Then, I’m surrounded by manly smirks.
Well, now. That’s better.
“I’ve been planning,” Crew announces. “When I started this venture, I never meant for it to grow into anything else. We do what we do best—it’s cut and dry and I liked it that way. But sometimes shit literally lands in front of you.” He looks to me and then to Ozzy. “I might be a killer but I’m also an entrepreneur. I don’t have to be smacked in the face with an opportunity to take advantage of it.”
I’ve spoken privately with Crew over the last two months many times about how I might fit into his organization. I want to work but I’m also ready to start living my life, eager to find the balance Cole insists is waiting on me.
But I’m not an assassin and have no desire to be one.
And given the positive results of the test I took last week, running around the world chasing after bad guys isn’t an option for me—at least for the next eight months.
There’s also our wedding next month. I’m finding it easy to say goodbye to my former life. There’s so much more to love about the one I’m living now.
Crew tosses a thick binder on the dining table in front of him.
Smack.
“It’s time to diversify. Welcome to the team, Bella.” Crew looks at me before settling his eyes on Ozzy. “This might get interesting, but I’m game.”
Ozzy shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Let’s do it.”
Epilogue
The next year
Cole
“Are you sure about this?”
I shift my weight from foot to foot and add a bounce every now and again. Sighing, I stuff my hands in my pockets and glance over at Grady. “What can I do? You’ve seen her. She’s been in the gym every day for three months. She loves this shit. When she tries to spar with me, I’m forced to end it with sex. Better that than sport a new set of bruises.”
“Why?” Ozzy bites. “Why can’t you keep your fucking mouth shut?”
“He has no idea what he’s in for.” Jarvis takes his place next to me and lifts his chin toward the newb on the mat.
“Never thought I’d see anyone with a bigger chip on their shoulder than you, Jarvis. But this guy gives the old you a run for your money,” Crew adds. “Only you could find this big of an asshole who fits the bill. He’s going to need some time.”
Jarvis crosses his arms and doesn’t take his eyes off the mat. “Remember when you humbled me on my first day?”
Crew lifts his chin. “It’s one of my fondest memories.”
Jarvis smirks. “He’s about to get humbled by a blond chick who just had a baby. At least I got humiliated by you. He’ll never live this down.”
A huge fart comes from my chest and every man in the vicinity nods, impressed. I look down at my son strapped in his carrier and beam. “Good job, buddy.”
Isaac Devon-brilliant-baby-Carson is six months old. He’s a brute of a kid, but he would be from all the badass breastmilk he guzzles. He’s a bigger, more masculine version of Abbott besides his eyes. His are so blue, they won’t ever change and will no doubt melt cheerleaders’ panties with a glance when he’s older. I’m damned determined my kids will remember where they came from. I don’t want them to wait until they’re thirty-five to figure their shit out. Life is short—too fucking short—and my only regret on days like today is Red won’t be able to meet his namesake. But if he were here, he’d bust my balls to give him more granddaughters.
We’ll work on that next year.
“What kind of shit is this?” The recruit points to my wife, who’s dressed in a pair of skin-tight leggings and a sports bra that teases me with the milky skin of her midriff. Her scar is still fading. “I am not fighting a chick.”
“I know it’s your first day, but don’t be scared,” Bella coos in a voice