Page 102 of Hard Edge

“Thank you so much for today.” Dianne hugged Gabriela tight. “Knowing you’re safe, whether you’re Sister María or not, makes me feel like I’m finally home.”

Tim hugged her, too. “We will both be grateful for the rest of our lives for the strength and the kindness you showed us. You redefined the meaning of courage for me.”

Then it was Gabriela’s turn to fight tears.

* * *

Dylan and Gabrielagot back to Denver in time to grab some carry-out and a bottle of wine. It was warm enough to eat out on the balcony, the sun setting behind mountains still white with snow, night settling over the city.

Dylan took Gabriela’s hand. “You did a good thing today with Dianne and Tim.”

“It was good for me, too. I hated the idea of them losing sleep over me. It gave me a kind of closure. I feel like I’m finally able to let Sister María go.”

“I liked Sister María. She will always be who you were when I met you.”

Gabriela stood, walked over to Dylan, and sat on his lap, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “Tell me the truth—did you think lustful thoughts about her?”

“I tried hard not to, but Sister María washot. When I saw that photo of you—of María—in the initial mission briefing, my heart literally skipped a beat.”

That made Gabi laugh. “It did? That’s so sweet.”

“You want to know who turns me on more than Sister María?” He stood, lifting her into his arms. “You do.”

He carried her inside to the bedroom, undressed her, watched her expression change as she undressed him, her gaze raking over him.

God, he loved her.

They kissed, sinking to the bed, need for her thrumming through him. They knew each other well now, knew one another’s secrets, all the surest ways to please. Dylan made her come with his mouth, making it last until she pleaded with him for release. Then he buried himself inside her, made love to her, long and slow, the two of them falling together into paradise.

Afterward, they lay in bed together, her head on his chest as they talked through the day and the latest news from work. Corbray’s special trip to the Vatican to turn over the dossier on Father Alberto, who was now hiding in the jungle. Nick and Holly’s announcement that they were expecting their second baby. Word that Paulito and his family were doing well in Florida. The rumors that Cobra’s next big job would take Dylan and the rest of the tactical team back to Mazar-e-Sharif.

Then it occurred to him. “Hey, tomorrow’s Saturday. We get to sleep in.”

“I’ve got an appointment at nine with that realtor, remember?”

“Why don’t you cancel it?”

“I need to find a place to live eventually.”

“No, you don’t.” He’d thought this through over the past few weeks, and it made so much sense. He loved her. He wanted her here. “Stay. Live here with me.”

She sat up. “You want to live together?”

He chuckled. “We’re already living together, or haven’t you noticed? We’ve been living together for six months. Let’s make it real.”

“Are you sure? This is your space, your home.”

He sat up, took her hand. “I spent the five years before I met you living here alone. After Valeria, I thought I was better off by myself. It was only after I met you that I realized how empty my life was—all Tinder dates and Netflix.”

“That sounds lonely.”

It had been, even if he hadn’t realized it at the time.

“I didn’t think I would ever fall in love again, but you changed that. You showed me what an idiot I’d been to hold onto the past. I don’t want you living across town. I like waking up beside you every morning and going to sleep with you at night. Wherever I go in this crazy world, I want to come home to you.”

Her face lit up with a smile so beautiful that it sucked the breath from his lungs. “I want that, too. I want that so much.”

“Then it’s settled,mi amor.” Dylan kissed her, a soul-deep sense of contentment settling inside him. “Welcome home.”