Page 124 of Kyle

“Piper!”

Anaya immediately stood from her seat to greet Ace and Piper as they approached our table. Shock registered on Piper’s face and Ace broke out into a wide smile. Yeah, he saw it. There was no way to miss the change in Anaya. It wasn’t that she hadn’t been friendly with them when we’d met at The Del the day we’d left for Timor-Leste, she had been. But now Anaya was a different kind of friendly and Ace understood. I was sure he saw the same smile on his wife’s face every day.

“Hey,” Piper returned. “You look…great.”

Anaya’s cheeks tinged pink but she didn’t shy away.

“Thanks. I feel great. How are the girls?”

“Perfect,” Ace answered, and Piper looked over at her husband, her face soft and her mouth curved into a smile.

Ace was a lucky man, having all that directed at him, though I was, too. Anaya was not selfish with her smiles or her laughter. She gave me both daily. And I’d work my ass off making sure that never stopped.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” A very pretty, tall woman stopped at our table and it took me a moment to recognize her.

The one and only Jessyka Sawyer, owner of Ace’s Bar and Grill.

“Long time, Jessyka. How’s Benny?” I asked.

“He’s great. You should’ve called Kason. He would’ve loved to come and catch up.”

“Sorry, we didn’t think of it. Jessyka, this is Anaya Baker. Anaya, this is a friend of ours. Benny’s wife,” I introduced.

“Nice to meet you.” Anaya offered her hand. “But I’m confused, is your husband Benny or Kason?”

“Both,” Jessyka answered and giggled when Anaya’s eyes went round. “No.” Jess shook her head and smiled. “I’m not married to two men, Benny and Kason are the same person. I mean, Benny is Kason’s nickname. Like Ace is Beckett’s.”

“Oh. Sorry, I was thinking you were one busy woman with two men.”

“God, no. Kason and three kids are enough for me.” Jess laughed.

Ace took the opportunity to scoot by the now-chatting women and quietly asked, “Amisha?”

“Taken care of.”

He nodded and continued. “As bad as Anaya thought?”

“Worse, brother. You know we had to rush the op because we needed to get to Cambodia, but after being in that shithole and walking into what I did, I’m still struggling with the knowledge we were there the night before for recon and we left knowing those girls were inside. Can’t say I ever take pleasure ending a life, but there was a sense of satisfaction when my blade passed across the bitch’s throat. And I’m not losing sleep over her, that’s for damn sure.”

Ace winced before his jaw went tight.

“Don’t go there, Ace. You had no idea what was going down next door. When Anaya approached, you helped her, and that’s what matters.”

“My daughters—”

“Don’t, Ace. You got your daughters home with you. You and Piper are giving them a life they never would’ve had. They’ll grow up knowing nothing but love. Stay focused on that, yeah.”

“You’re right. They’re home, they’re thriving, and they’re surrounded by love.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“So.” Ace smiled. “You and Anaya.”

“Told you over the phone.”

“You did,” he confirmed. “And I was happy to hear it, but I’m happier to see it. She’s different.”

“That she is.”