Page 102 of Lost Hope

Christian set his handgun in its case and zipped it shut. “I’m good if you’re good.”

“Great.”

“Fine.”

The overhead lights hummed as Christian shifted, his boots scraping against the floor. “Actually, I’m glad we’re talking. The Big Man authorized me to feel you out about something. How would you and your team feel about joining Knight Tactical?”

Ronan’s pulse jumped. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.” Christian’s eyes, the same shade of green as their father’s, held his steadily.

“I ... I don’t know if they’d want to. Izzy and Deke have kids, and the others ... it’s been a long time.” His fault, completely.

“It’s not all or nothing. We’ll take whoever wants to come.”

Ronan’s throat closed. He swallowed hard before asking, “What about Maya?”

Christian’s grin turned predatory, his teeth flashing white. “The admiral’s extending a personal invitation to the lady right this very minute.” His expression hardened, shoulders squaring. “That gonna be a problem?”

Only if she refuses.Ronan’s fingers found their way into his pocket, crossing tightly. The childhood gesture made his palms sweat.

“Nope,” he said aloud, proud of how steady his voice sounded.

“Good.” Christian’s hand cracked against his back, the impact stinging through his shirt. “Hockey team’ll be hitting the gym Monday after school. Fifteen hundred. Be there.”

His footsteps echoed off the walls as he left, leaving behind the lingering scent of gun oil and sage. Ronan stood alone in the fluorescent glare, possibilities spinning in his head. The cross felt heavy against his chest as he bowed his head, offering up an awkward prayer, acknowledging the unwavering faith he’dwitnessed in Christian, in his team, in Maya. He could learn if the Lord was willing to have patience with him. Something flickered in his chest, tiny but warm—a seed of hope to nurture.

And while he was at it, maybe the Lord could help him find the courage to tell Maya how he felt about her. His fingers traced the cross again, and for the first time in years, he felt truly anchored.

52

MAYA END…

Maya pausedin the doorway of Tailwinds, momentarily disoriented. The homey café that shared a wall with Lauren Daggett’s original DreamBurger location in the tiny Hope Landing Terminal had morphed into something out of a music video. Tables lined the walls, strings of lights crisscrossed the ceiling like a constellation map, and the usually quiet space thumped with bass notes that vibrated through her borrowed heels.

But it was Ethan’s DJ station that made her grin. The tech genius had transformed a corner of the café into what looked like mission control for a Mars landing. Screens flickered with pulsing visualizations, RGB lights swept patterns across the makeshift dance floor, and Ethan himself wore what appeared to be a vintage NASA flight suit as he adjusted controls with the same intensity he brought to drone operations.

“Pretty impressive, right?” Star materialized beside her, lemonade in hand. “My husband doesn’t do anything halfway.”

Maya accepted the glass, taking in the unlikely mix of faces. Tactical operators in casual clothes mingled with kids racing between clusters of adults. A far cry from the sterile NCIS office parties she was used to. She spotted Austin’s wifeLauren in animated conversation with Jose near the kitchen, probably discussing the café’s journey from her original vision to his current ownership. The smell of carnitas drifted from the kitchen, mixing with perfume and the sweet-sharp bite of craft root beer.

“I still can’t believe you let me borrow this. It’s beyond cute,” Maya said, smoothing the buttery cotton that Star had insisted would be perfect. The deep blue material felt like wearing midnight.

“Honey, that dress was made for you.” Star clinked their glasses together. “And wait until you see what happens when Ethan really gets going. These guys may look scary in the field, but give them a dance floor ...” She gestured toward Jack, who was attempting to teach his daughter what appeared to be the robot. Kelli was recording it on her phone, shoulders shaking with laughter.

Maya smiled, but her eyes kept drifting to the door. She told herself she wasn’t watching for anyone in particular. She was just ... appreciating the scene. The way the Hope Landing family celebrated. The perfect blend of professional precision and absolute chaos.

Just then, Ethan hit something on his controls and the lights shifted into what had to be his mission-accomplished sequence. The café erupted in cheers as the music swelled.

The cheers hadn’t even faded when Izzy, Zara, and Axel descended on Maya like a tactical strike team. Izzy’s sequined top caught the shifting lights, Zara had traded her usual tech gear for a striking red sundress, and Axel ... well, Axel still wore combat boots with a wrinkled button down and hiking shorts.

“So what did you decide about Knight Tactical?” Izzy asked without preamble, her direct gaze as unwavering as when she had a target in her scope. “You in or what?”

Maya watched the admiral across the room, his arm wrapped possessively around his wife’s waist as they swayed to something slow. Must be nice, that kind of certainty. “I’m still thinking about it.”

“What’s to think about?” Axel sprawled against the wall. “We’re all in. Even that pain-in-the-ass Kenji’s signing on. He has med bay envy.”

“Everyone?” The word caught in her throat. She didn’t need to specify who she was asking about.

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