She stood and smiled, her eyes alight with happiness. “This was a good idea. Taking a month off and relaxing.”

The month’s vacation was a good idea for the entire team before they returned to work for the HDD, which everyone had decided to do. He leaned down and took her mouth, tasting chocolate and wine. “I figured you’d like Kentucky,” he said, kissing her again.

“I do.” She looked at the bucket. “I am not cleaning those.”

“I know.” He set it down and pulled her closer for an even deeper kiss. “This is our last night before chaos descends. Maybe we should just make a run for it now.”

“Nope.” She kept her arms around his waist and leaned back. “This is the perfect place for a retreat. Raider and Malcolm managed to rent really nice RVs, and Wolfe somehow got his hands on a motor home. Millie said she’d be fine in a tent, and Jethro is still insisting on staying at the motel in town, although I think we can change his mind.”

“And Serena?” Angus asked, knowing full well that Nari and Pippa were starting to matchmake with poor Jethro.

Nari shrugged. “I think she’s bunking with Millie, but we’ll see. You never know.”

Right. Well, so long as he was bunking with Nari, he didn’t care. “This isn’t really the type of team that likes retreats.” They weren’t in to bonding or anything. “Please tell me you don’t have activities planned.”

“Just fun stuff like making s’mores and fishing,” she promised. “And Pippa is going to teach me to cook.”

“No. Not in my cabin,” he protested. “I love this place.”

She slapped him in the stomach. “Funny. Very funny. Oh, and my parents are going to pop in the second week. My dad still wants to arm wrestle you.”

Angus sighed. How had he gone from being all alone with his dog to having this many people in his life? People he’d do anything for. The anger that had ridden him for so long was gone. He shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe you should try to convince me some more.”

She smiled, tucking her hand in his. “Now that’s a good idea. Let’s go inside.”

He forgot all about his fish and walked into the cabin with her.

Once there, she turned toward him. “I love you, you know.”

He did, and he savored the warmth of that love every day. “I love you more.” It was the truth. It had to be. Then he kissed her and took full advantage of their last night of peace together for a couple of weeks.

His family was on the way.

Teaser chapter

Please read on for an excerpt from the next book in Rebecca Zanetti’s Dark Protectors series.

REBEL’S KARMA

Chapter One