Hallie followed his gaze to her husband and smiled. “The best. I’m so glad you and Reese came. I know big gatherings aren’t really your thing,” she said to Reese, “but I couldn’t be happier that you came.”
Reese pulled away from Garrett and the women hugged. “Thank you. You’re a stunning bride and tonight was perfect. Where are you guys going on your honeymoon?”
Hallie raised an eyebrow and looked at Caden, before turning back to Reese. “We don’t know yet. We’re both pretty busy with work right now, but we just didn’t want to wait anymore.”
“We kept trying to pick a date and none of them seemed to pan out, so we just said, heck with it. Let’s get married this weekend, and here we are, happily married,” Caden beamed. “The honeymoon can come later. Whenever. We’re just glad you guys could share this night with us.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Garrett said. “After everything you went through, you guys deserve the best.”
“Thanks,” Hallie beamed.
“There you are.” Orly came in, her gaze landing on Hallie. “Your parents are leaving and they want to say goodbye.” She turned to Caden. “And your mom wants to take a few more pictures with you before she and your dad head home, too.”
“Guess we better get back to the party,” Hallie said. She turned to Reese. “No one wanted to worry me about what happened before the ceremony, but I’m calling you tomorrow to set up a girls’ lunch, and you’re going to spill.”
Garrett watched Reese’s reaction carefully, not sure if pushing her on the matter was the right thing to do, but she impressed the heck out of him. Straightening her shoulders, Reese simply nodded. “Tomorrow.”
“Good.” Hallie turned and walked out then, with Caden following close behind her. Skyla left with them, but Blake stayed behind.
“Should we start heading out, too?” Garrett asked Reese. He wanted to take her home and make sure she was okay. Tonight had been fun, but the stress of what she’d seen was still evident in her eyes, and it definitely weighed heavy on him. He wasn’t nearly as worried for himself as he was about her. He wanted her to tell him everything she saw, and to reassure her that he and his friends would do everything possible to make sure it didn’t happen. But more than anything, he just wanted to hold her.
Her words still echoed in his mind, landing directly on his heart.If it meant there was even a small chance it could save your life, I would do anything. Even leave you. Break both our hearts. Spend the rest of my life wondering if what we have could’ve been more. I’d endure all of that, for even a small chance at saving you.He’d never been loved like that before, and he needed Reese to know he was going to do whatever he could to make sure he always came home to her.
“Can I have a word with you before you guys head out?” Blake asked Garrett.
Garrett looked at Reese. “That’s fine,” she said. “I’ll go find Hallie and Caden, and tell them we’re going to be heading out.”
Garrett watched her leave, not liking that she was going to be out of his sight for even a few minutes. “Can we shelf this until Monday.”
“No,” Blake said. “We’re talking about your life right now, so you’re going to listen. I put out some feelers after we talked at Madigan’s and reached out to some of Caden’s contacts in the bureau. One of them just got back to me. Word is that Russell Graham left Los Angeles last week on some trip and hasn’t been heard from since.”
“He could be on his way to Dallas,” Garrett surmised.
“He could already be in Dallas. I don’t know. He hasn’t used his credit cards in five days. We haven’t had eyes on him in six days. I don’t know if he figured out the FBI was watching him, or if he just has really good timing, but he managed to give his tail the slip and hasn’t surfaced since.”
“Best guess,” Garrett said. “He’s coming for Reese.”
“Or Orly,” Blake said.
His friend's words made Garrett take a step back. Having two women he cared about in danger because of this prick was almost more than he could handle. “Did you tell Luke?”
“Not yet. Haven’t told Caden yet either, seeing as it’s his wedding night, but I will. I thought I’d tell you first since you’re here, and this clearly affects you directly.”
Garrett rubbed a hand down his face. He was tired. Exhausted, really. What started out as an amazing day had turned into a nightmare, made better only by his friends’ wedding, but it was quickly starting to go downhill again.
“Everything okay?” Orly asked as she came back inside carrying a stack of dirty plates. Both Blake and Garrett moved to take them from her. “Thanks,” she said. “Their parents just left and I thought I’d help clean up a bit before Luke and I go home.”
“Skyla and I can help, too,” Blake offered, then turned back to Garrett. “We’ll talk more tomorrow. Take your woman home and stay safe, would you?”
“Will do,” Garrett said. He turned to head back outside, but Reese was already coming in carrying a similar stack of dirty dishes to the one Orly had brought in moments ago. He took the plates from her and deposited them into the sink. “Let’s get out of here,” he said. “Blake, Skyla, Orly, and Luke are going to help Hallie and Caden clean up, and I was just given the order to take you home.”
Reese smiled, obviously catching his drift. “I would love to go home with you, Ranger Cooper.”
Garrett’s breath caught in his throat at her calling him by his official name. She hardly ever did that, but it sounded sexy as hell coming from her. “Lead the way, Miss Graham.”