Page 96 of Covert Temptation

Kennedy had blinked fast, laughter bubbling up through her throat and clearing the tightness she hadn’t realized was there. “You really did teach me to color-code with flair.”

They’d laughed—the kind of laugh that broke tension and rebuilt trust. When Alyssa hugged her, it didn’t feel like forgiveness. It felt like friendship reclaimed and restored.

Now, that moment still lingered in Kennedy’s mind as she heard footsteps behind her.

Dante.

She didn’t need to turn around to know. The shift in the air, the subtle intensity he carried. And the way her pulse responded? Unmistakable.

He leaned against the doorframe, looking too damn good in a gray T-shirt and jeans. The bulge of a bandage on his side where he was still healing reminded her of how close they’d come to losing everything.

Kennedy crossed the room, her boots lightly tapping on the marble tile that ran through the entire base. Dante’s eyes trackedher, slow and lingering, like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“You should be resting, not working,” she murmured.

“Iamresting.” His eyes twinkled. “Resting after having to explain to Steele that pineapple doesn’t go on pizza.”

She laughed and reached for his hand. “Well, if you’re finished arguing the finer points of pizza construction, I was hoping you were up for a drive.”

He cocked a brow. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. You’re still under protection.”

“I cleared it with Con.” She felt surprise ripple through him and gave his hand a small tug. “C’mon. And I’m driving—no arguments.”

The drive was quiet as they headed south. Snow clung to the edges of the road, melting slowly in the late morning sun. Dante kept shooting her suspicious glances, but for just this once, she didn’t mind being scrutinized.

“You really aren’t going to tell me where we’re going?” he asked.

“Nope.”

“I’m the one trained in tactical surveillance and classified infiltration, and you’re the one keeping secrets.”

“Everyone’s got to have a hobby.”

But the truth was, this wasn’t a game. This mattered.

When they pulled up to the university campus, Dante froze. His body went still in that way she recognized now—not from fear, but from emotion buried deep. He knew why they were here…and who they were here to see.

He stared at the banner stretched between the gates.Congratulations, Graduates!

His voice came low and a little hoarse. “How did you—?”

“You’re not the only one who knows how to search the internet, Dante King.” She smiled. “Your brother is graduating from college today, an entire semester early. I figured he’d want the important people in his life to be here, even if you’re watching from afar. Even if he doesn’t know.”

He didn’t say anything for a second. Just kept staring at the banner. Then he turned to her, the expression in his eyes raw with emotion.

“This is the best surprise I’ve ever been given, from the best thing that ever happened to me.” He reached out and cupped her face in his big, warm palm. “Thank you for this, Kennedy. Being with you…it doesn’tjustmake life better. It makes it makesense.”

Kennedy’s throat tightened.

He reached for her hand, curling his fingers through hers, like an anchor. “I’m never letting you go.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Dante.”

They sat there, side by side, watching students spill out of the auditorium doors. Cheers and laughter echoed from the happy graduates across the parking lot, but happiness existed right here in this car too.

“You know,” she said slowly. “I’ve been thinking about leaving behind Diana Prince.”

He studied her. “Oh?”

“I guess I realized that I don’t need to hide as much from people anymore, now that people who are most important already know about my worst self.”

He squeezed her hand. “You’ve been so strong.”

She was zero steps from Dante’s arms.

She leaned across the console to rest her head on his shoulder as they watched the students celebrating their future.

A rich future stretched in front of Kennedy and Dante too, making life feel less like the battlefield where they began…

And more like a beginning.