Page 84 of Command and Control: GHOST Operative

He's also starting to realize I'm one of those dangers, which hasn't helped his hesitancy toward me.

Kyler jerks his chin toward the open living room. "Come on in. Vera made us pasta to eat while we watch the game."

“Great.” I'm not a big sports fan, but that doesn't really matter. I love Julieanne and that means I love her sons. And I sure as fuck love hanging out with them more thanbeing in my house while it’s taken over by loud, inebriated women.

We line up on the sofa, me in the middle, kicking my feet up on the coffee table as we tuck into the dinner my housekeeper made her two surrogate sons.

I'm about halfway through my plate when Holden starts to laugh. I glance his way and find him peering out the long line of windows aimed at the back of my house. They give us a great view of the women stacked along my sectional. Julieanne has her head thrown back, that smile I love so much brightening her whole face as she laughs hysterically.

"My mom looks like she's having the time of her life." Holden watches her quietly for a few minutes before his eyes come my way. "I'm glad she married you."

My thumb slides across the smooth band I’ve been wearing on my left finger since a month after Julieanne came to Alaska. "I am too."

More than anyone else will ever fucking know.

****