Page 120 of Wicked Union

“Did The Knights find Drake?” Grace choked out, wincing with each contraction.

I shook my head. “They’re out looking for him. The Salvatores are on their way home from Italy. Marcello has a lead on Drake.”

She screamed when she had another contraction. “Oh God, Cole. It hurts.”

“The doctor is on his way. Any minute now, baby.” I placed my hand over hers on her stomach. “Hang in there.”

Seven hours later, Grace delivered our beautiful baby boy. She lay back on the pillows, eyes half-closed, holding our son. His tiny fingers wrapped around one of hers, and she smiled.

Hale Colton Marshall.

Grace’s adoptive father moved on to his next duty station after our wedding. And since he was the reason she stayed alive for all these years, we wanted to honor him. If we had a girl, we would have named her Willow, after my mother.

“He’s perfect.” I bent down to kiss him and brushed my fingers over Hale’s white-blond hair, the same color as mine. “We make good-looking kids. We should have another one.”

She giggled. “He ripped apart my vagina coming into this world. Let me heal before we think about having another kid.”

I turned onto my side and kissed her lips. “I love you, Grace. I knew you were the one from the moment we met. And I can’t wait to have more kids with you. I want to give you everything you never had growing up.”

“I love you more.” A smile tugged at her delicious mouth. “I knew the second your fingers brushed against mine while we watched Captain America that you would be in my life forever.”

“Speaking of Cap.” I grabbed the remote from the nightstand, turned on the television, and hit Play. “How about a Marvel marathon? I have a feeling Hale will be a fan of The Avengers.”

Grace trailed her fingers down my arm as she held a sleeping Hale between her breasts. She was always so petite until her body changed from having Hale. And I loved the extra weight on her.

“I think Hale is going to be on Team Stark.” A smile tipped up the corners of her mouth. “He’s going to be a troublemaker like Tony.”

My cell phone dinged, interrupting our perfect moment. Before I glanced at the screen, I knew it would be Marcello Salvatore and dreaded telling Grace the bad news.

Marcello

We leave at 2200 with Alpha Command.

Cole

I’ll be there. Grace just delivered Hale.

Marcello

Congrats.

Sorry to do this to you. But Drake needs you.

I typed a quick reply and stuffed the phone into my pocket.

Grace glanced at me. “You have to go, don’t you?”

I nodded. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ve trained with Marcello and his team. And I have insider knowledge about Drake and his tech. They need my expertise.”

“You’re my hero, Cole.” She clutched my hand and grinned. “One day, I will tell our son stories about his father’s bravery. Find Drake. We’ll be waiting for you when you return.”

Epilogue

GRACE

One year later

Cole moved behind me and slipped his tie over my eyes, pulling it tight. He pressed his lips to the shell of my ear, his breath sending chills down my arms. “I have a surprise for you, Mrs. Marshall.”

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