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Prologue: Lake
Thirty-two years. That’s how long I’ve spent pursuing things that were never meant for me. What started as whimsically chasing rainbows and fairytales as a child morphed into time and energy wasted on men who never cared a whit about me. But now that I’ve met Dash Slater, and we’re currently looking down the barrels of five machine guns, suddenly it’s all so crystal clear.
He loves me.
I’m not sure how or when during our adventure it happened, but he fell for me just like I did for him. The fairytale can come true—with the right person—and now I can die happy.
Though, I’d rathernotdie right now. If we could have more time, I’d plan the most wonderful life together. Marriage, babies, a family filled with so much love. Just like the one I was blessed to have grown up in.
Our time together is about to be cut tragically short, but I’m grateful for every single moment we shared. Loving Dash has changed my life in the most beautiful of ways. I’m no longer just a boring preschool teacher who spends far too much time at home, daydreaming about finding a hero like in my romance novels. I’m a competent, fierce, badass woman who faced down more bad guys in the last week than any heroine in any book.
I’d even like to think I helped my hero when he needed me most.
I only wish I could save us now.
Squinting against the bright sunlight and swirl of snow flurries, I shiver against the cold Russian wind, trying not to look at the wall behind us, splattered with dried blood. Instead, I focus on the man beside me.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers raggedly, teal eyes shining. He grabs my hand, squeezes tightly and says, “I love you.”
His words make my heart expand. “I know,” I respond softly.
I guess if I have to go, then this is the way I’d choose every single time. Gazing into Dash’s blue-green eyes, holding his hand, knowing we’re together.
“Ready!” the Russian guard yells.
Oh, God.I swallow down my rising fear, keeping my attention on Dash. My brave facade begins to crumble and I feel myself start to tremble. He pulls me against his body and turns, trying to shield me.
My fierce protector until the end.
The urge to feel his lips against mine is nearly overwhelming and just as the hot tears begin to slide down my face, Dash lowers his head and presses his lips against mine. As we kiss one last time, I taste his salty tears intermixed with mine and tighten my arms around him.
I’ll never let go and if I’m going to die then there’s nowhere else on Earth I’d rather be than here in this man’s arms.
Refusing to look at the firing squad, eyes squeezed shut, I hear the guard yell, “Aim!”
A moment later, the crack of weapons firing fills the air.
It’s over.
Chapter One: Dash
One Week Earlier…
I glance down at the large silver watch on my wrist and frown. I can’t put it off any longer. With a heavy sigh, I push my leather and chrome chair back and head into my private bathroom. As the owner of Slater Security, I allow myself a couple of perks, and installing this large, kick-ass bathroom was one of them. There’s a big, walk-in shower with multiple jets and a waterfall shower head, a marble sink and a black and white tiled floor that heats up.
Quite a difference compared to my apartment a few blocks away. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the place was just vacated by the previous tenant. It’s sparsely furnished and always just feels…depressingly empty.
I guess that’s because I have nothing to go home to. But it’s fine because I’m a workaholic. I live and breathe my job, and that’s what makes me happy and complete.
For the thousandth time, I look down at my watch. Also another indulgence. After separating from the military—the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta—I traded in my Casio G-Shock for a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Oystersteel. And I haven’t regretted spending one dollar of the forty grand it cost. It also contains a GPS tracker so my team will always be able to locate me, if need be.
For a long moment, I study my reflection in the mirror above the sink and wonder what’s wrong with me. Teal eyes ringed in indigo stare back at me, and a muscle flexes in my cheek when I think about how those three sneaky ladies roped me into my current situation. I’m 34, single and according to Fallon, Eden and Sailor, I’m a catch.
I don’t feel that way, though.
What woman would want me? I’m married to my job, a workaholic in the worst kind of way, and I have no intention of changing that. It’s my responsibility to keep this office running smoothly and maintain order over this looney bin. Don’t get me wrong. I love my team, they’re my family, but they drive me insane sometimes.
And then there’s the darkness. I keep it buried down deep, but it’s still there.
