Savage Ending (Savage Trilogy 4)

“You made me a killer.”

“As long as I was involved, every kill you made saved lives,” he insists.

“You wanted me out of Candace’s life.”

“You’re a strange combination, Savage. A man who can save a life and take a life. I admit I wasn’t keen on you with my daughter. But I was wrong. If Candace’s mother was alive, she would have long ago beaten my ass over you, Rick Savage. Ironically, you helped Candace survive her loss.”

“I wish I could have met her, sir. I’ve heard many stories.”

“She would have told me that a man like you would kill and die for the woman he loves. And you love my daughter. And she loves you.”

“I do love her. More than you can possibly know.”

“Then marry her and take good care of her. And maybe, just maybe, one day we can put the past behind us, and be father and son.” He pauses. “Speaking of. Is your father attending today?”

Now my lips press together. “I didn’t invite him.”

“I see,” he says, and I believe he does. I know Candace has told him about my father’s abuse of my mother, as well as her miserable life before she died. I also know the general checked me out before inviting me onto his special ops team, and probably sooner because I was seeing his daughter, and did so with enough depth to know everything there is to know about me. “That’s rough,” he comments solemnly. “I’m here. One day, as I said, maybe that will matter to you. I’ll see you at the front of the church.” He starts to turn and hesitates. “For what it’s worth, which is likely not much, you have my blessing.”

The words punch me in the chest. He’s reaching for the door and I feel a compulsion that has me saying, “It matters. You’re her father. She loves you. And for that reason alone, I’d protect you with my life.” And then, because I’ve seen a few behavior patterns through his communication with Candace, that doesn’t sit right, I add, “But don’t do something stupid and repeat history. Don’t try for a do-over with a new task force. We did it. It went badly. It’s over.”

He glances back at me over his shoulder and says, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

And then he opens the door and disappears into the hallway.

Adam and Adrian step back into the room.

It’s almost time.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Candace

I’m standing in front of the mirror again. And my dress is stunning, the flowers on the skirt and veil even more beautiful today than I remembered in the store.

“The veil.” Linda sighs. “It’s sweeping all the way down to the floor and beyond. It’s just breathtaking.”

There’s a knock on the door. “I’m guessing that will be your father,” Linda says, glancing at Jessica. “Let’s give them a moment alone.”

The door opens and it’s Julie, looking stunning in a pale pink gown. “Your father is waiting to see you, but I just wanted to wish you luck. Lauren is helping at the door or she’d be here, too. And oh my God, you’re beautiful. Savage is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

“Thank you,” I say, and needing something other than the many guests about to watch me potentially trip down the aisle, I ask, “Me aside for a moment, did you tell Luke about the baby?”

“I did.” She smiles. “And he’s already being a protective papa bear. He’s funny but so very happy. It’s wonderful.”

Linda, Jessica, and I ask her questions for a few minutes but Jessica returns us all to the moment, and me. “Me and my sister will help you get to where you’re going without damaging your gown.”

There’s another knock on the door. My eyes go wide. “Is it time?”

“Not yet,” Julie assures me. “You’re fine on time.”

Julie opens the door and then points at Linda and Jessica to follow her. I frown, confused, as they all wordlessly disappear into the hallway.

That’s when my father steps into the room. Of course, that’s why they left.

“There she is!” he exclaims, shutting the door and looking debonair in his tuxedo, his gray hair neatly groomed, his newly grown goatee rather handsome on him. “My God,” he gushes. “You’re beautiful. Your mother should be here. Damn it, I’m going to cry. Grown men don’t cry.”

“Yes, she should be. And now, you’re going to make me cry and mess up my makeup.”

“Oh no, honey. Don’t you dare cry,” he commands in his best general voice.

I laugh and sober quickly. “I need you to be happy for me. I love him with all my heart.”

“And he loves you. I know. I just saw him. We had a chat.”

“And?”

“And I believe that man would die and come back from the grave and do it again to protect you and keep you happy. I made mistakes, honey. I regret those mistakes. I didn’t want you to end up with a guy like me.”