Page 60 of Skull

His fractured skull had healed, the bruises long gone, but she could still feel the echoes of her terror, the helplessness of watching him slip away after the kidnapping. He had fought his way back, through the pain, the recovery, the frustration. And now here he was, standing whole and vibrant in their new home, kissing her like they had all the time in the world.

When he pulled back, his smirk was pure Hazard. “Welcome home, Mrs. Hazard.”

Leigh arched a brow, her fingers tracing the edge of his jaw. “You mean welcome to the garage, right? Because let’s be honest. This whole house is just a cover for your true love.”

Hazard scoffed, but the guilty flicker in his eyes was unmistakable. “That is a terrible accusation,” he said, dragging his hands down her sides, pressing in close. “And I’m deeply wounded.”

She laughed softly. “Mmmhmm. As a SEAL wife, I hardly see you now. But with that garage? I feel like I might have to start scheduling appointments.”

His grin was wicked as he leaned in, voice dropping to a husky murmur. “You could always join me in there. I’ve got a workbench.” His eyebrows waggled. “Plenty of sturdy surfaces.”

She let out an exasperated laugh, shoving lightly at his chest. “Oh no, you don’t. You arenotdistracting me with sex.”

His expression was all mock innocence. “Why would you say such a thing?”

“Because I know you,” she said, tilting her head, eyes gleaming. “But I’ll admit. Youdohave good ideas.”

Hazard’s expression softened, his arms tightening around her. His playfulness never hid the depth of what he felt for her, and Leigh saw it in the way he looked at her now. She breathed a soft sigh, happy with her decision to go to bat for Jose Molina and Astrid Cristo. They had saved them from imminent death, protected them through that freaking Darién Gap, and delivered them back to the compound. She’d signed off on their immunity, no longer having to flee from Pincho, Alzate, or FBI, CIA, DEA, or the cartel. They were free to love and live out their lives wherever they chose…with all the money they managed to steal from Angel Alzate. But, of course, neither Jose nor Astrid knew anything about that…right?

She cupped his cheek, feeling the warmth of him beneath her palm, silently thanking the couple who had headed for someplace tropical. “I love you, Archer,” she whispered.

The memory of that moment, the one where she thought she’d lost him forever, flashed again in her mind. The raw, searing pain of it made this moment all the more poignant. They had made it. They survived. And now they had a future, a home, a life, a love that had only deepened through the worst of it.

Hazard’s gaze softened, his smirk giving way to something deeper. “Love you, too, Leelee.”

She let out a breath, leaning her forehead against his, taking in everything, the warmth of his body, the weight of their journey, the sheerrightnessof this moment.

They were home.

Skull stood in the wide,airy foyer of Leigh and Hazard’s new Virginia Beach home, Walker’s hand snug in his. From his vantage, the house seemed to glow in the midafternoon sunlight, revealing polished hardwood floors, high ceilings, and gleaming chandeliers that cast warm light onto the guests milling about. Traditional coastal elegance was everywhere, pale blues and sandy neutrals, oversized windows letting in salty breezes from the shore. It was undoubtedly upscale, every corner carefully curated, but it still felt welcoming and full of life.

He couldn’t help but grin at the joyous chaos swirling around him. Hazard was laughing loudly as he ushered visitors in and out of the house with boisterous enthusiasm. A few months back, that carefree laughter would have seemed impossible. Now, his broad-shouldered, other half of the Goldilocks Twins, and his teammate moved without hesitation, his steps sure and steady, living proof that he had beaten the odds and come out stronger.

Skull gave Walker’s hand a gentle squeeze. She looked radiant, as always. Her warm smile lifted every space she entered, and she offered a small wave to GQ across the room. Together, they made their way to the heart of the house. An open-concept kitchen that flowed seamlessly onto a lavish, meticulously landscaped backyard.

Outside, the party buzzed with the enticing scent of a cookout. Smoke curled from a high-end grill where fresh burgers, chicken skewers, and colorful veggie kebabs sizzled. Leigh’s new yard was picture-perfect, a lush lawn surrounded by tasteful hedges, stylish lounge chairs arranged around a large in-ground pool. String lights crisscrossed overhead, waiting for dusk to cast their soft glow. Classic navy-blue umbrellas and carefully chosen potted plants made the space feel like a private, five-star retreat.

Hazard stood by the garage, beckoning for Skull to come check out his pride and joy. Skull left his Hummingbird to chat with another guest and followed the excited wave. The massive garage, large enough for multiple cars and stuffed with brand-new tool cabinets, left Hazard practically bouncing on his heels. Floor-to-ceiling shelving lined one wall, stocked with gleaming automotive gear, spare parts, and equipment. A well-lit workbench occupied the other side, ready for any tinkering or restoration projects a car enthusiast could dream up. His gleaming motorcycle parked in a preferred spot.

“This is a dream,” Hazard said, running a palm over his pristine new tool chest. “Never had a space like this before.”

Skull laughed, patting him on the back. “I get it, brother. I’d be thrilled too if I had all this room to show off my baby.”

“You mean your Porsche?” Hazard teased, winking. “With a place like this, you’d have it spotless every day.”

Before Skull could retort, a burst of laughter from the pool drew their attention. Their teammates were getting rowdy as ever, splashing about in the water, using neon-colored water guns to ambush each other with surprising tactical precision. The shouting and spurts of chlorinated water sent bystanders scrambling for cover. Hazard chortled at the ruckus and dashed off to join them.

Skull wandered back toward Walker, unable to suppress his smile at the camaraderie. Everything here, Hazard’s bright grin, the carefree banter, the new house humming with possibility, made him think of a future he could build, too. While he and Walker chatted with friends by the grill, he gazed across the well-kept lawn to the peaceful pool and felt a gentle warmth in his chest.

“I’d like something like this one day,” he said quietly, leaning closer to Walker. There was a soft glow in her eyes as she looked at him. “A place of our own. You know, cookouts… family… the whole deal.”

She tilted her head, her mouth curving into a sly smile. “Is it the house you want, or just the garage for your Porsche?”

He laughed, giving her a playful nudge. “Can’t lie—I have a weakness for a good garage.”

Her teasing gaze softened, and she squeezed his arm, a silent promise that she wanted that dream with him, too.

Boomer steppedout of the pool, water sluicing off his body in rivulets, his skin still chilled despite the heat of the midday sun. The air crackled with the shouts and laughter of his teammates, locked in a neon-colored war zone of water guns, the plastic barrels pumping streams of electric green and pink liquid across the yard. He swiped a hand over his face, raking damp hair back, and exhaled, momentarily content in the chaos of it all.

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