Page 78 of Devlin

Two Months Later

Devlin pulled into his driveway just as the porch light flicked on, casting a warm glow over the front of the house. He cut the engine and sat for a moment, letting the sight settle into his bones. Inside, behind that welcoming light, was Mia. She was here. She had moved in with him, and every time he looked at the house, he knew it truly was a home.

For years, he thought he’d never have a woman he loved sharing his life. Now, he knew it was a gift he would never take lightly again.

Stepping inside, he was hit with the scent of something warm and familiar, spices blending in the air. And then he saw her—standing in the kitchen, barefoot, a wooden spoon in one hand and a knowing smile on her face.

She turned toward him, and in the next instant, he had her in his arms. She kissed him, long and deep, the kind that could turn into something much more. But she pulled back, laughing softly as she pressed a hand against his chest.

“Let’s eat first,” she said, amusement dancing in her eyes. “It’s my night to cook, and I made something special.”

He groaned but relented, letting her lead him to the table. The meal was perfect—kikalayi pork with vegetables. She had occasionally added Ugandan cuisine to their meals, saying it reminded her of the good times and friends still there. They ate while catching up, and their conversation was easy and warm. She told him about an email from Farid—he’d just been made the lead food security officer. And another from Karen, who was now dating Percy. They’d decided to extend their tour in Uganda for another year.

He told her about an upcoming mission—just security planning, nothing dangerous. He’d be gone for a couple of days.

She tilted her head, considering him, then smiled. “Then I’ll have to give you a private going away party. And, of course, a welcome home one.”

His grin was slow and wicked. “I’ll hold you to that.”

After dinner, they took her wine and his whiskey to the back deck. The sky had turned into a watercolor of deep purples and oranges, and the sun was dipping below the horizon. She curled into his lap, her legs draped over the arm of the chair and her head tucked beneath his chin.

Silence stretched between them, the kind that spoke of contentment rather than distance. Then she shifted slightly and looked up at him. “Can I ask you something?”

He glanced down, amusement flickering in his gaze. “Mia, we’ve known each other for twenty years. You can ask me anything.”

She studied him for a moment before asking, “What did you think of me when you first saw me?”

His brows furrowed slightly, and then his lips quirked in a smirk. “When I first saw you? I couldn’t believe you marched down to the field, wrapped a chain around the goalpost and yourself, and locked it in place.”

She laughed softly. “That’s what you saw me do. But what did you think?”

His expression softened, and something deep and unwavering settled in his eyes. “At first, I wondered if you were nuts. But then, when I saw you stand up to the two officers and the principal, I thought you were the most fascinating person I’d ever met.”

Her smile was slow, but before she could respond, he continued. “But I’m not finished.”

She tilted her head, waiting.

“I knew, at that moment, that I would do anything in the world to protect you. I fell down on that once, but I will never let that happen again. I would scorch the earth to keep you safe from now until the day we die.”

Her smile spread slowly and radiantly until it beamed. As she tucked her head back under his chin, he exhaled deeply, his arms tightening around her.

This was it. The life he had fought for, the love he had never truly let go of. And now, finally, he had everything he had ever wanted in his arms.