Take - Page 109

And I also loved Reath’s brothers. They were all gruff and overprotective in their own ways. I thoroughly enjoyed family meals together. Beauden wasn’t here this week, and I missed his sense of humor. He’d driven to Texas for a boxing competition. He was the trainer for some of the competitors. Since he’d recently finished renovating a muscle car, he’d decided to drive and give the car a test run.

The only downside to my new life was my work. Everything was on hold while DARPA investigated Trent Weare, and any other potential leaks they had. They wanted a rock-solid plan for security going forward.

I was itching to get back to my project.

“Okay, we’re in an elevator,” Reath said. “Stop there.”

I felt us move upward. “What is this surprise?”

“You’ll see.”

We hadn’t walked far from home. We had to be close to the PSS office.

The elevator stopped and Reath guided me out.

“Ready?”

“Yes.” The suspense was killing me.

He pulled the blindfold off.

I blinked, and got the impression of a huge, light-filled space, then my eyes adjusted.

I gasped. It was a lab.

Taking a few steps forward, I took in the shiny benches, shiny equipment, shiny glassware. I reached out and touched a brand-new, white lab coat resting on a stool. It had Frankie Parker embroidered on it, and my lucky monkey pin was pinned beneath. I whirled. We were on the top floor of a renovated warehouse. Out the large windows, I saw Reath’s warehouse—our home—nearby. I could see the roof deck where we’d eaten breakfast this morning.

I turned to face him, my chest tight in the best way.

“It’s all yours,” he said. “I had some help from Tulane and DARPA with all the gear. My brothers and I had this spare warehouse sitting empty.”

“Reath…” My voice was breathy.

He strode to me, his big hands curling on my shoulders.

“It’s not all for you, Frankie. It’s for me too. I’ll know you’re on my block, and the building will be secured by PSS. My office is right next door.”

I threw my arms around his neck.

“If you want to change or add anything, just let me know.”

“It’s perfect.” I hugged him harder, and his arms closed around me.

His hold was tight, secure, and filled with love. Reath showed me every day how much he loved me.

There were still some teething pains. He was a private man used to living alone. He was learning how to live with somebody else, and how to open up. Both of us were learning how to be a couple together.

The bumps were more than balanced out by all the good moments.

“Thank you,” I told him. “I love it.”

He rubbed his nose against mine. “And I love you.”

I looked at his handsome face. “I know. The man who said he didn’t need love, who didn’t have a heart to give—”

He lifted me off my feet and I laughed. He set me on an empty bench, and my pulse skittered.

“You’re mine, Frankie Parker. Smart mouth included.”