Page 186 of Wrecked
Addison and Hawk exchanged glances.
“Thank you,” Addison replied.
While relieved Addison was now safe, his heart sank. Hawk loved keeping her close and ensuring her safety. Their relationship had changed so much. She’d turned his house into a home, and seeing her every morning and every evening had been the best parts of his day.
“We’re sending in the teams. Great job, everyone.” Cooper hung up.
Back at the helicopter, Addison and Prescott removed their helmets, but Hawk still needed his goggles. They could relax, but he had to get them home safely.
After they climbed in, Hawk walked around the craft and patted the metal side. “Take us home, baby.”
He jumped in and powered up. Before checking the instrument panel, he turned to his partner. “We did good.”
“Yeah, we did,” she replied.
He buckled up, secured his headset, and lifted off the ground.
While he should have felt like he’d avenged his late wife by eliminating Haqazzii’s son, he derived no enjoyment from taking a life. Despite the evil he chased, he would have preferred that none existed in the first place.
As he pointed the chopper toward home, he glanced over at Addison. She met his gaze. Their relationship was different from any other he’d ever had. Friends, partners, now lovers. They relied on each other in harrowing, dangerous situations. He trusted her with his life and he’d take a bullet to save hers.
Is she the one? Sure as hell looks that way.
“Nice job tonight,” she said.
“You too,” he replied.
“Thanks for the assist.”
“Anytime, babe.”
In the darkness of the aircraft, they shared a loving smile.
This was it… and he was all in. The only question that remained… was she?
* * *
Stryker and Emerson’s wedding was finally here, and Addison was beyond excited to hang with her friends… and have fun with her man. The upscale event was being held at a boutique five-star hotel in DC. The past two hours had been a whirlwind in the bridal suite while the stylists worked their magic on the wedding party.
Addison’s hair had been swept into a stunning French twist with soft tendrils framing her face. As she glanced around the room at her cousin Liv, Evangeline, Providence, Slash, and Danielle, she smiled. How could she not? Being here, with them, was exactly what she needed. A break from the mayhem.
And Sammy Luck, Dakota and Providence’s daughter, was the most adorable flower girl she’d ever seen.
Emerson, in a beautiful white, satin, wedding gown, asked Sammy what she liked best about the evening.
Sammy grinned at her. “I’minthe wedding with my mom and Aunt E-leen.” She ran her small hand over her dress. “This is so pretty.”
“I’m so glad you’re my flower girl, Sammy.” Emerson kissed the top of her head.
The bridesmaids wore full-length, wine-colored dresses. While the dresses were all the same color and style, the necklines varied, based on each woman’s taste. Addison had selected the strapless neckline with a velvet choker around her neck.
Everyone looked beautiful.
Once they were all ready,Emerson called them over. “Thank you for making today so special for me and Stryker. I love you all like family.” She set a medium-sized box on a table, opened it, and pulled out several small, hinged, jewelry boxes. “This is just a little something from me. The gift receipt is included and my feelings are not hurt if you exchange it.”
Emerson handed one to each of her bridesmaids, then knelt and gave Sammy one, too.
Her eyes lit up. “Thank you.”
