One month after Monroe's death, Angel quietly married Zachery. They held the wedding at the house with Marguerite and Stephens standing by them. They invited no guests because questions about Master would make things difficult.The time leading up to the wedding was no less harsh, though Sir let his feelings show. They shared tears and laughter, talked about Master, and spoke of their future. None of it took away the pain, but it was a start.Stephens arrived with the Justice of the Peace and then the noble man with a heart of gold walked Angel down the stairs and to her husband-to-be. The white wedding gown had a modest, high neckline and covered her arms, but hugged her upper body like a glove then flared out slightly at the waist. At Sir's urging, she wore no veil. He wanted to see her face and hair.She gazed at Zachery-his black tuxedo fit to perfection, defining his muscled torso and accenting the length of his long, sturdy legs. Her heart rate decelerated at the sight of him

Hearing Zachery use his first name floored him, but then... the kiss. If the man had fired a bullet into his chest, he couldn't be more surprised. Monroe shook his head trying to clear the memory of Zachery's warm lips. He had to concentrate to stay alive and keep the people he loved safe. To do that, he needed to kill Uday.Monroe drove for an hour, obeying the speed limit and doing nothing to attract attention to the vehicle. He pulled into a warehouse district in downtown Houston and sent a text. Twenty-seconds later his phone vibrated and the large door in front of him rolled up.The men inside took care of the bodies and the vehicle. Monroe changed clothes, and then left in another car, driving to a private airfield. He jumped aboard a small aircraft and leaned back as the pilot immediately took off.Past exhaustion, he needed sleep. Closing his eyes, he let the plane's engine lull his mind, but sleep didn't come quickly, because thoughts of Zachery's lips clouded his senses.

The dense jungle obliterated any signs of his trail as Monroe made his way to Uday's location. All his senses remained on hyper alert and he refused to let thoughts about what would happen after his mission encroach. He would not repeat the mistake he made in the Middle East that almost cost him his life.He had spent two days watching the compound to determine the best way to proceed. He put his plan into action late on the second night. The death of the two guards was short and silent-the knives in his hands were an extension of his mind and body. Wiping the dripping blood on his pant leg, he continued to the house.He had briefly seen Uday the day before, so he knew the man was somewhere inside. The home sprawled in a large square with only a few windows, though they were too small for him to fit through. He knew from other similar homes used in Mexico and the Middle East that a courtyard would grace the center of the building. Monroe had no idea where Uday was, but had no doubt h

She held onto Master tightly. After repeated nightmares that ended in his death, she had trouble believing he was real. He usually disliked touch, but when she tried to take her hand away, he grumbled low in his chest and didn't settle until her hand covered his heart again."I love you. Don't leave me again," she repeated the few times his eyes opened.Mostly she watched him sleep.The bed dipped and Sir moved in with his chest against her back. He kissed her shoulder and neck while threading his fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry, Angel."She didn't take her eyes from Master. "This is truly real?" Even she could hear the doubt in her voice."This," he pressed in closer and kissed her tear-streaked skin, "Is incredibly real."Angel feathered her hand across Master's skin. It seemed slightly cooler than earlier, but she wasn't letting go."How?" she asked without turning.Sir's breath was warm against the curve of her shoulder. "I don't know the full story but he came to the

The next time he woke up, the world was a little clearer and his pain had ebbed slightly. His stomach growled loudly and Angel's hand traveled down to where the grumble came from."Do not stop there."Her hand snatched away and she sat up. Her eyes were so incredibly large and the tear that slipped down wasn't unexpected."No tears." He reached up and slid his finger over the wet streak."You're in no position to stop me.""Ahh, you have become the bratty sub Zachery tells me about.""When you're better, I fear you will be seeing an even brattier sub. I can't lose you again and I may need to beat you to prove my point.""Come here." He reached out."I don't wish to hurt you.""Never."He pulled her into his chest, feeling a twinge where the bullet struck his abdomen, but the pain was a small price to pay for having her in his arms. Dipping his head, he inhaled her scent.Zachery rolled and leaned over Angel's shoulder. "I'll hold you still while she beats you."Angel's laug