Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,73

them, but it did mean there were secrets between her and Roz now, which was why she’d resigned from Zenobi. She didn’t feel it was fair to split her loyalties when she knew deep down Jack would always come first. She was now free to care for her sister if she ever came out of the coma and would help with the Queen’s protection, which she enjoyed. Roz hadn’t been happy, but she’d understood and told her she was always welcome back in the future if she changed her mind.

Astrid would miss working with them. They were a strong group of women who’d saved her in more ways than she’d ever be able to thank them for, but she also knew she had friends for life who would die for her and her them. That made her lucky in so many ways. Plus, she was now officially a WAG—a wife or girlfriend—of one of the Eidolon men according to Evelyn.

“He is free to do as he wishes. He has been released from his duty now the threat is gone.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“I do hope I’ll get an invitation to the wedding when you two tie the knot.” The Queen smiled wide, and Astrid blushed as Jack grabbed her hand with a grin.

“I haven’t asked her yet, Your Majesty, but when I do, you’ll be at the top of the list.”

“Oh, good. I do love a wedding. You will stay for lunch?”

“We’d love to.”

Jack answered for them, and Astrid was happy to stay too. She’d missed Lydia and would always be there any time she needed her.

Epilogue

Jack had never been so nervous in his life. He’d rather face down a room full of insurgents with a pair of knitting needles than this, but he was also excited. Valentine’s Day had seemed like a long time away when he’d set this plan into action, but it had come around quicker than he’d realised. He guessed that’s what happened when you were truly happy, and after so many years the heavy load on his shoulders was lifted.

Astrid was with her sister who was still in a coma. Each day she stayed that way a little more hope that she’d ever come out of it died. His heart ached for the woman he loved who’d gotten her sister back only to have her snatched away. He’d agreed when she’d decided not to tell her parents anything. Why give them hope when there may not be any.

Jack checked again to make sure he had everything he needed and waited. He didn’t have to wait long before he heard the keys in the lock. Astrid had moved in with him just after Christmas, and he’d never been happier in his life. She was everything to him. Just the thought of her made him smile and a day away from her felt like a year he missed her so much.

He now knew how his men felt about the women they loved. Alex was now a father to a daughter named Liliana, but they called her Lily for short, and Mitch’s wife Autumn had given birth to a son they’d named Devon.

Waggs and Willow had gotten engaged just before Christmas, Blake and Pax had a baby on the way, and the others were enjoying newly wedded bliss. It was good for his team to be back on an even keel, and he was ready to move his own personal life to the next level.

He stood as Astrid walked through the door to the living room, knowing he wouldn’t have much time before the surprise was ruined so he needed to move fast.

“Hey, handsome.” She came straight to him for a kiss, and instantly he was seduced, mind and body by the feel of her lips on his. His hands roamed over the tight black jeans she wore to cup the cheeks of her ass, and she moaned against him.

Jack pulled away, needing to put space between them or he’d lose himself and take her to the couch and forget everything but how she felt and tasted. “I have a surprise for you.”

Her eyes lit up, and he loved how she was such a big kid about gifts. Christmas had been so much fun because he got to watch her get so much joy from both the gifts she’d received and those she gave. Her generosity was one more thing he loved about her and it more than made up for the mountain of shoeboxes stacked in his previously spare