Smoked (The Invincibles 5)

“That doesn’t matter to me.”

“Will you teach me?”

I ran my fingers through her hair that was still growing back.

“I don’t want you to coddle me, Smoke. It’ll drive me mad.”

“I don’t think I could stand it if anything ever happened to you.”

“Nor I, you, but we can’t live our lives with the constant worry of it.”

I leaned my head against the seat and closed my eyes. “In sickness and in health, in stubbornness and submission…”

“Submission? If that’s what’s written into your vows, Smoke, I swear I’ll—”

I grasped the back of her neck and kissed her long enough that I felt the muscles in her body go slack. She pulled back and rested her head on my shoulder.

“Do you think we’ve been unfair to Ms. Wynona and Zeke about having our wedding at the ranch? It’s so much extra work.”

“I’ve given them both free rein to hire as much help as they need.”

“If you think Ms. Wynona will admit to needing help, you’re mad.”

I laughed. Once we were home, I had no doubt my sweet Siren would respectfully take charge and ensure Ms. Wynona had all the support she needed.

“I’m so happy Uncle Gene is coming to the wedding. He’s the closest thing I have to family.”

We both agreed not to have anyone stand up with us, although Gene would be walking Siren down the aisle, and I made arrangements for Hammer to marry us.

Neither of us had parents still living, nor siblings, and yet, with all of the agents and operatives we’d worked with, our combined guest list topped one hundred.

“You know everyone from the K19 team has responded that they’ll be at our wedding. As have the Invincibles.”

“I didn’t think of that. Although I’ll hardly be in interview mode on the most important day of my life.”

I kissed her again, harder and deeper than I had a couple of minutes earlier.

“I know them all well, and there isn’t a single person from either firm who will talk about business that day.”

“Not even Rile?”

“Even if he tried, which I doubt he would, Kensington would intervene.”

“I’m so happy they’re together.”

It was protecting Kensington that had brought Siren and I together—the same mission had come close to costing her life. There was a time I wondered if Rile could let go of his past enough to let Kensington into his life, but she hadn’t given him much choice. I smiled at that, so thankful Siren would’ve done the same for us.

If I had tried to walk away, she would’ve followed. Had she been the one to test our love in that way, I may not have been as brave.

Siren wound her arm through mine, and I kissed her forehead.

“Look,” she said, pointing out the window. “I can see the Blazing T!” She sighed and smiled. “I can’t wait to be home.”

In all the times I’d looked down at the same view as I flew back from missions around the world, I’d never felt the peace and contentment I heard in Siren’s voice. Not until today. “I can’t wait to be home either,” I said, for the first time, meaning every word.