Page 79 of No Man Left Behind

Chapter25

No Man Left Behind

Marcus watched the FBI agents drive away with Aazar, handcuffed and shackled in the van. Over the past week, there had been an investigation into Faadir’s organization and its business in the States.

Aazar had broken down and confessed to everything. Finding Elina by accident in Seattle. Following her and harassing her at her business and home.

At the time, he’d thought he had some hopes of regaining his uncle’s trust. He hadn’t escalated the situation with Elina because he hadn’t wanted to risk his position.

Almost a year later, he’d seen her again in Albany. He hadn’t been promoted by Faadir, and that possibility grew more and more remote with every passing day.

Aazar’s anger had grown over those months, and he’d focused on Elina. He’d blamed her for having to leave his family behind, for being demoted, for having to work in the States. For everything that had gone wrong in his life.

He had photos of her from his stalking times in Seattle. He’d used facial recognition to troll for her online. When Nina and Piper had posted about meeting Paxi on Elina’s first night in Phail, he’d found her.

He’d had to do his job for Faadir, so he hadn’t been able to stay in town. He’d come in and out, trying to torment her every time.

The breaking point had been when a drug shipment had been lost because he’d been in Phail instead of Albany. Faadir had told him he would never regain his status. Aazar blamed Elina for that as well and had returned to Phail to make her pay.

Faadir was far scarier than a US jail, so Aazar had willingly given the FBI a ton of information they could use to shut down the drug operation. In exchange, he would be locked up in a jail where there were no prisoners with connections to his home country.

The thought of what could have happened still gave Marcus nightmares. Waking every morning with Elina in his arms helped soothe those away. She was safe and happy. And she was here.

Currently, she was sitting in the park on her favorite bench. Instead of working on her tablet or in her notebook, she watched the FBI van drive away. And she watched him.

He crossed and sat beside her. “How does it feel to watch him leave?”

She smiled at him and leaned up to brush a soft kiss across his lips. “It feels great to know we’re safe from him. It feels even better to know that one drug operation is going to lose its access to the States.”

They both knew it was a stopgap measure. Either Faadir would build a new set of connections here, or another group would take their place. But they’d stopped this one, and that was no small feat.

Elina squeezed his hand. “How are you feeling? Is it great to have Phail Jail empty again?”

“Sure is. I’m glad he’s gone. I’m glad it’s over. And I’m so glad you’re safe from him forever.”

Her eyes warmed at that. “I’m always safe with you.”

The things this woman did to him. Her faith was humbling.

His phone beeped, and he checked the notification. “Someone else has put in an application for the job.”

She grinned. “How many is that now?”

With all the work involved in Aazar’s case, he hadn’t put the application online until the previous day. “This is the sixth person.”

“Have you checked out their letters and resumes yet?”

He shook his head. “Not yet. I wanted to have Aazar gone first. That mountain of paperwork has mostly shifted to the FBI, so I can put my focus on growing our force now.”

“I know I can’t read confidential details, but if you want to talk it out, you know I’m happy to help.”

He knew that. He knew he could count on this amazing woman for anything. It was a heady feeling. He doubted he’d ever been so content in his life. “You going to marry me, Elina?”

Her bright laughter filled up the park and his heart. “You’re such a romantic, Arrow.”

Her eyes twinkled, and he had his answer with no words, but he dropped to one knee anyway. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Elina Vasquez. You make the world a better place. Your kindness and empathy have helped people across the world. I’m in awe of your creativity, and your resiliency. You make my pulse race, my heart fill, and my happiness complete. I love you with my whole heart. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes misted but her smile only got bigger with each word. She took both of his hands. “Yes. Of course, yes. You’re the best man I know, Marcus, and I love you so much.”

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