Page 110 of Zero Hour

Then he sighed and glanced at the body on the floor. “But right now, I need to call this in, because there’s a dead terrorist in my damn bedroom.”

She giggled, the tension breaking. “I’d better get dressed, then.”

Pat shot her a heated look. “I promise it won’t be for long.”

EPILOGUE

Pat held Jasmine’s hand as they strolled through Rock Creek Park, the late summer air warm and sweet with the scent of blooming roses. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light across the rolling green fields and tree-lined paths. Clusters of wildflowers peeked through the grass, their vibrant colors swaying in the breeze.

Ahead of them, Izzy walked beside Ryan, the two of them deep in conversation. At first, Ryan had been quiet around her, hesitant, but in true Izzy fashion, she’d charmed her way into his heart. Now, he trailed after her like a little brother, hanging on her every word.

Pat smiled as he watched them. “It’s great they get along so well.”

Jasmine squeezed his hand. “Ryan suddenly became the most popular boy at school. Having a celebrity fashion icon as a friend will do that.”

Pat chuckled. “I can imagine.”

Jasmine turned to him, her blond hair catching the sunlight, her green eyes full of warmth. She was so damn beautiful. He still couldn’t believe she was his.

“You told me everything would be okay,” she said softly. “And you were right. You got Ryan back. Amir is serving life in prison. Riad is dead. The attack was stopped. It all worked out.”

Pat looked down at her, his heart tightening with something fierce and permanent. “You forgot the most important part,” he said. “I got you.”

She smiled up at him, that breathtaking smile that had knocked him sideways from the start.

After six whirlwind weeks together, he’d known. This was it.

So he’d asked her to marry him.

It had been fast—some might say reckless—but when you knew, you knew.

She’d cried when she said yes, throwing her arms around his neck, kissing him with such joy that he’d felt it in his bones.

Now, she lifted their joined hands and let the diamond on her ring finger catch the sunlight. “And I got you,” she whispered. “My own superhero.”

His throat tightened.

“I feel like the luckiest woman alive,” she added.

He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her up in his warmth, his strength. “Not as lucky as I am, sweetheart.”

She’d given him something he’d never thought he’d have again—a future.

Losing Val had wrecked him. Losing Astrid had nearly destroyed him.

But Jasmine had changed everything. She’d shown him it was never too late.

The past six weeks had been the happiest he could remember. He’d laughed until his stomach ached, made love to her until they collapsed in exhaustion, woken up wrapped in her warmth every morning. She was smart, sexy, and always ready to challenge him—whether in an argument, a playful dare, or the bedroom.

And damned if he was happy to oblige.

Her arms slipped around his neck, pulling him closer. Her lips brushed his—soft, teasing, then deeper, hungrier. He felt himself sinking, drowning in her, just like he always did.

She slid a hand under his shirt, her nails tracing over his abs. His hands dropped to her hips, tugging her against him.

She moaned into his mouth.

Desire hit him hard. “You drive me crazy, woman,” he murmured against her lips.

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