The audience neither realized was there, clapped and cheer with congratulations. But Garrett paid them no attention. He was too busy kissing his fiancée.
Hours later, after dealing with the local police,again, Garrett and the others were finally free to go.
Thanks to the unlimited connections Owens had, including the U.S. president, both Tac-Ops and Delta had been cleared of any wrongdoing. In fact, they’d been assured the unnamed special ops teams who worked together to protect the people of the DR would be dubbed heroes in tomorrow’s papers.
But Garrett didn’t care about any of that. The only thing he cared about was that Avery was safe, and they were on their way back home.
Ghost and his team were also on a plane, although they hadn’t said where they were headed, and Garrett knew better than to ask.
He did exchange numbers with the Delta leader, because yeah. Once you’ve shared an experience like the one they’d just had, that created a certain bond that you never really wanted to let go.
With a heartfelt thanks and a promise to invite them to the wedding, Garrett had said his goodbyes to the special ops badasses, and the two teams had parted ways.
“I knew you’d come for me.” Avery’s soft voice rose from where she lay against his chest. “I knew, if anyone could, it would be you.”
“I’ll always come for you, baby.” Garrett kissed her on the top of her head. “Although, I have to say, I’d love it if you never got kidnapped again.”
“Same.” She chuckled before whispering, “It’s amazing the difference a day can make, huh?”
“Yeah.” Garrett had been thinking the same thing.
He’d woken up yesterday happier than he’d ever been. Then in the middle of it all, his world had been torn apart. But by the end, with the help of his friends—both new and old—it had been sewn back together.
And now it was stronger than ever before.
Epilogue
Six months later…
“I now pronounceyou husband and wife. You may kiss—”
Garrett didn’t wait for the preacher to finish. He was already kissing her.Dippingher. And Avery didn’t mind one little bit.
“Get it!” Colt hollered from his spot as Garrett’s best man.
Even the preacher and Rafe Owens, Garrett’s stoic boss, couldn’t hold back their laughs.
Avery chuckled against Garrett’s lips, loving that she hadn’t just gained a husband, but also the best brother-in-law a girl could ask for.
And, though no one could ever replace her father, Garrett’s dad had already proven himself a darn good substitute.
Kenneth Morgan had beamed from the front pew throughout the entire ceremony. Avery suspected she’d start getting questions about grandbabies soon, as Garrett had the last few years.
But she was fine with that.
They’d already discussed kids, and as of last month, they were officially trying. This wasn’t news they’d shared with anyone yet. Not even Alex.
Avery would tell her sister, and probably soon. But for this first little bit, she liked the idea that she and Garrett had something that was just theirs.
Cheers and whoops from the small crowd filled the church where Avery and Alex’s parents had exchanged vows fifty years ago to the day.
When she’d told Garrett about her idea for that to be their wedding day, too, he’d kissed her wildly and told her he loved the idea.
Alex was on board, too, and as the Maid of Honor—and Avery’s only bridesmaid—she’d taken care of almost every part of the planning. Of course, she’d made several checklists.
None of which included kissing a hot guy.
But Avery was kissing one, anyway. And since Garrett was her husband, she’d get to kiss him whenever she wanted to…for the rest of their lives.