Rescuing Isabelle, page 31
“And you think she’s going to say yes?” Her father isn’t letting me off the hook easy.
Wasn’t expecting a question, but I grin from ear to ear.
“I don’t think she’s going to say yes, Mr. LaCroix, I know she will.”
“Ha! I love your confidence, son.” He sticks out his hand. “Welcome to my family. If my daughter will have you, I’m pleased to give you my blessing.”
“Daddy!” Izzy shouts and comes running.
Her father releases my hand, then holds his arms out wide to give his daughter a hug.
“Are you okay? Did you get arrested? Did they hurt you? Impound the helicopter?” Izzy’s one long string of questions. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
Her father answers none of her questions as he holds his daughter in his arms and fights off the mist in his eyes.
I take a step back and move over to Izzy’s mother. “Mrs. LaCroix, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Likewise.” She grips my arms and kisses my cheek. “Are you ready?”
“Is it all set?”
“You know it is.”
“And did everyone make it?”
“Flew in this morning and are waiting inside.” She leans in close. “You know she hates surprises.”
“She’s going to love this one.” I turn to my girl, adoring how she’s surrounded by so many people who love her.
I made the right choice asking her family to be here today.
Her mother gets everyone corralled and headed toward the main building. Inside, the newer members of Izzy’s extended family wait to bear witness to what I hope is the beginning of a new life with Izzy by my side.
I drift back from everyone, letting them go inside ahead of me and Izzy.
Izzy takes my hand in hers. “I’m so glad Skye let me come back.”
“Technically, you never got to take your leave.”
“True, but I technically haven’t banked any time off yet. I have to say Guardian HRS is a really cool place to work, and I’m so happy they didn’t can my ass over the whole abduction thing.”
“You’re going to love working for them.”
She tries to tug out of my grip, but I hold her back.
“Let the others go in. I want to hang back for a second.”
“Why?”
“To admire you of course.”
“You say the corniest things.” Her cheeks turn pink.
“It’s true.” I pull her into my arms, hugging her tight. “I never want to forget this moment.”
“Why” She cranes her neck, looking up at me.
“Because.”
“Because why?”
“Ever inquisitive, aren’t you?”
“It’s just, you’re acting a bit weird.”
“No I’m not.” The thing is I’m scared shitless and that’s saying something for a man like me. What if I’ve gone to all this trouble and she says no?
Honestly, I haven’t thought of that possibility. In the days leading up to this, all I’ve thought about is the joy on her face and the yes on her lips that will irrevocably join us for life.
I kiss the top of her head and swoop down for a truly swoon-worthy kiss. When I let her go, her cheeks are the proper shade of red.
“Um…” She fans herself. “We should probably go inside. They’re probably wondering what we’re doing.”
“Probably.”
Only, I know Izzy’s mother is getting everyone in position.
The moment we walk through that door, her family won’t be the only ones inside. All of Bravo team flew down for this. Angie came with Brady, and even Skye Summers flew down to be here. Sam, CJ, Mitzy and Forest weren’t able to come.
They’re busy trying to figure out how to break the cypher on the information engraved on the pair of rabbit’s feet Angie and Izzy brought out of the Nicaraguan jungles. In solid Mitzy fashion, however, they will be present virtually.
I reach inside my front pocket and pull out the engagement ring. Angie and Brady helped me shop for the perfect ring and Mitzy added a bit of Guardian HRS tech that will help me sleep well at night.
“After you.” With a gallant gesture, I usher her over the threshold and wait two beats before joining her inside.
“What the—” Izzy presses her hands to her cheeks at the massive “Welcome Home” sign strung up in the middle of the room.
She’s cute, trying to pretend she’s surprised. Sitting in two chairs a bit off to the side, Charlie Tompkins and Sam Hodges take a load off. They’re still recovering from their respective gunshots to the chest.
Izzy spins around in a circle. My girl is such a bad actor, but when she turns all the way around and sees me on one knee, her pretend surprise turns real.
“Booker? What are you doing?”
“Isabelle LaCroix…” My eyes suddenly mist up and I cough to keep them from turning to tears. With a goofy grin on my face, I make a show of pulling out the ring and lifting the lid of the velvet box. Sitting inside is a one carat diamond ring. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Oh. My. God!” Her blush turns bright pink and happy tears fall down her cheeks. “Yes! Yes!” She wriggles her fingers, thrusting out her hand. “A million times yes!”
Jumping up and down, it’s difficult placing the ring, but I somehow manage it. Up on my feet, I pull my girl to me and kiss her in front of her family and ours.
On cue, Izzy’s mom pulls on a lever.
A loud pop sounds as confetti bursts into the air. A hundred white and silver balloons drop on all of those gathered, and the Welcome Home sign flutters to the floor.
Stretched out behind it, is another banner with just three words.
SHE SAID YES!
Stepping out from behind the banner, my buddies from Bravo team stand witness.
“Angie!” Izzy screeches and runs to her dear friend. The two women jump up and down, then Izzy shows Angie the ring.
Angie looks at me, and winks. Without her, I wouldn’t have known what to get for my girl. Brady breaks away from the girls. He comes to me and sticks out his hand.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I can’t keep my eyes off my girl.
Rafe, Zeb, Hayes, and Alec bring beer. I stand with my brothers, fellow Guardians united by the same vision. We’re Guardians, hostage rescue specialists. We used to hunt dangerous men. Now, we do whatever it takes to retrieve the fallen, the broken, those who’ve been taken.
And we never fail.
I look at my wife to be, to her family surrounding her, and to my brothers standy by my side. What I do matters.
It’s the best goddamn feeling on earth.
“To the first man down.” Rafe lifts his beer and cuts his gaze to Brady. “When should we expect you to fall?”
“Ha!” Brady takes a swig. “In good time.” He looks over to Angie, eyes full of love. “When she’s ready, but this is Booker’s day.”
And he’s absolutely right.
Today is the best day of my life.
Untitled
The End!
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Ellie Masters is the lighter side of the Jet & Ellie Masters writing duo! You will find Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense, Billionaire Romance, and Rock Star Romance in Ellie’s Works.
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Military Romance
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Rescuing Melissa
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Alpha Team
Rescuing Zoe
Rescuing Moira
Rescuing Eve
Rescuing Lily
Rescuing Jinx
Rescuing Maria
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Bravo Team
Rescuing Angie
Rescuing Isabelle
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Military Romance
Guardian Personal Protection Specialists
Sybil’s Protector
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The One I Want Series
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By Jet & Ellie Masters
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA.
Saving Ariel
Saving Brie
Saving Cate
Saving Dani
Saving Jen
Saving Abby
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The Angel Fire Rock Romance Series
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.
Ashes to New (prequel)
Heart’s Insanity (book 1)
Heart’s Desire (book 2)
Heart’s Collide (book 3)
Hearts Divided (book 4)
Hearts Entwined (book5)
Forest’s FALL (book 6)
Hearts The Last Beat (book7)
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Firestorm
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Billionaire Boys Club
Hawke
Richard
Brody
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Science Fiction
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Ellie Masters writing as L.A. Warren
Vendel Rising: a Science Fiction Serialized Novel
About the Author
Ellie Masters is a USA Today Bestselling author and Amazon Top 15 Author who writes Angsty, Steamy, Heart-Stopping, Pulse-Pounding, Can't-Stop-Reading Romantic Suspense. In addition, she's a wife, military mom, doctor, and retired Colonel. She writes romantic suspense filled with all your sexy, swoon-worthy alpha men. Her writing will tug at your heartstrings and leave your heart racing.
Born in the South, raised under the Hawaiian sun, Ellie has traveled the globe while in service to her country. The love of her life, her amazing husband, is her number one fan and biggest supporter. And yes! He's read every word she's written.
She has lived all over the United States—east, west, north, south and central—but grew up under the Hawaiian sun. She’s also been privileged to have lived overseas, experiencing other cultures and making lifelong friends. Now, Ellie is proud to call herself a Southern transplant, learning to say y’all and “bless her heart” with the best of them. She lives with her beloved husband, two children who refuse to flee the nest, and four fur-babies; three cats who rule the household, and a dog who wants nothing other than for the cats to be his best friends. The cats have a different opinion regarding this matter.
Ellie’s favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch, laptop in place, watching a fire, drinking a good wine, and bringing forth all the characters from her mind to the page and hopefully into the hearts of her readers.
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Final Thoughts
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to you, my reader. Thank you for spending a few hours of your time with me. I wouldn’t be able to write without you to cheer me on. Your wonderful words, your support, and your willingness to join me on this journey is a gift beyond measure.
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Whether this is the first book of mine you’ve read, or if you’ve been with me since the very beginning, thank you for believing in me as I bring these characters ‘from my mind to the page and into your hearts.’
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Love,
Ellie
THE END
Ellie Masters, Rescuing Isabelle
