Page 41 of Legacy's Destiny

She nodded, her voice quieter now. “I could train. I could work hard enough to fit on a team. Physically, I know I can. Mentally, however, I’m taking a step back from that life. I love building. Creating something entirely new. I think I’ll return to that after I give the CIA my notice. I’m not sure how large the market is for what I do, but perhaps a defense contractor will have something I can really dive into.”

Deacon smiled, his eyes warm as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Whatever you choose to do, you’ll excel at it. I’msure there are one or two places that would be eager to hire you,” he said with a chuckle.

Echo narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to glance up at him as they walked toward the small shelter. “Why do you say it like that?”

He shrugged casually. “I know some people at Guardian; that’s all I’m saying.”

She stopped in her tracks, her expression stern as she shook her head adamantly. “No. If I’m going to have a job, I will have a job I’m qualified for and earned. I’m not taking handouts—not even from you.”

Deacon smirked but opened the door, gesturing for her to enter. “I can respect that. I get it—you don’t want a handout. But I never said Guardian would give you one. They only hire the best of the best.”

Echo laughed as she stepped past him into the shelter, turning to face him with a playful gleam in her eye. “The best of the best of the best, sir!” she quipped, imitating the iconic movie line.

Deacon threw his head back and laughed, his deep voice filling the small space. “Yeah, well, we don’t take on aliens or track them on Earth, but we seek out the best. And if Guardian were to hire you, that wouldn’t have anything to do with me. It’d be because of what you’re capable of. No amount of family connections or favors would get you hired for a position you weren’t qualified for.”

Echo settled into one of the small chairs, crossing her legs while raising an eyebrow. “You don’t even know if there’s a job opening, so all of this is moot.”

Deacon kneeled before her, resting his hands on her knees as his expression softened. “So, follow me through this bit of logic. If Guardian hired you to do what you already know—becauseyou’re qualified for it—and I was still working in the field, do you think our relationship could grow?”

Her gaze softened as she leaned in, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and intertwining her fingers behind his neck. “Deacon, if our relationship could thrive through a monsoon and endure me drowning, it can overcome deployments and missions. Because separation of that nature is far less intense than what we’ve already faced.”

His lips curved into a smile, and he leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers in a slow and deliberate kiss. “Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page, babe.”

Her smile grew wider as she met his gaze, her eyes sparkling affectionately. “Not only are we on the same page, but I believe we’re even in the same paragraph. Maybe even the same line.”

Deacon leaned back slightly, studying her face with an amused glint in his eye. “I don’t know if you’d still feel that way if you knew what my paragraph was about. It’s forecasting the future.”

She leaned closer, her lips gently brushing against his as she whispered, “As long as that future includes you and me together, we’re on the same page.”

She kissed him again, slow and deliberate, before pulling back with a playful grin. “And now, we’re reading the same paragraph.”

Deacon’s eyes darkened with intensity as she kissed him once more, slipping her tongue between his lips. When she pulled back again, she added in a husky voice, “And we’re on the same line.”

The teasing remark shattered the last of his restraint. He reached for her, his strong arms encircling her waist as he pulled her off the chair and into his chest. She let out a soft laugh that quickly faded into a sigh as he held her close, their foreheads touching.

At that moment, words became unnecessary. They understood each other—it seemed they always had. Whatever the future held, they would face it together.

CHAPTER 14

Deacon tilted his head back, letting his eyes trace the clear sky. For the first time in over two weeks, he could see the soft, endless blue of the heavens. The view felt unfamiliar after so many days of relentless downpour. Beside him, Bandit trudged steadily, mud clinging to his boots as they made their way to the elder’s tent. The thick humidity hung heavy in the air, sticking to their skin like a wet blanket.

Inside the simple bamboo structure, Ralph sat with the village elder, their conversation quiet yet warm. Deacon nodded in acknowledgment, and Bandit stepped forward to translate as Deacon expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Deacon said sincerely. “And for providing us with shelter and safety.”

The elder’s lined face softened into a wistful smile. His steady voice was rich with the wisdom of years. Bandit translated almost simultaneously: “It’s good we could help. It’s Christian to help.”

Ralph smiled at the elder, respect evident in his demeanor.

“Let him know Guardian will send payment for our time here to alleviate any hardship,” Deacon said.

Bandit conveyed the message, but the elder shook his head firmly, speaking almost reverently. Bandit continued, “Cap, he says he doesn’t want payment. When he was very young, he was rescued by an American. That man cared for him and ensured he returned to his people. He says the American could have killed him but didn’t. It was a tough time, but the man was kind and fair. He states this is a debt he owed, and now, it is settled.”

Ralph chuckled as he extended his hand. “Thank you for not killing me in the jungle.”

Deacon grasped Ralph’s outstretched hand with a firm grip. “Thank you for being curious enough to investigate the explosion,” Deacon said.

Ralph’s smile became thoughtful. “I believe a higher power brought us together. You can call it whatever you like, but?—”

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