When Day Breaks

Eden pushed her way up beside Swa

“Skylar, you look amazing!” Eden exclaimed. “Did I not tell you the saleslady would not steer you wrong? That dress looks absolutely stu

Skylar’s eyes glowed with pleasure at the compliment from Eden. And it was said so sincerely that there was no doubt she wasn’t speaking from the heart. No artifice or careful politeness from her. No, she was expressive and refreshingly honest and straightforward. Yet more things to add to the quickly growing list of things he loved about Eden.

“And Edge. Wow!” Eden said, casting an admiring gaze up and down his huge physique. “You clean up damn good. You look polished and yet you still have that air of danger that surrounds you, like someone would have to be the world’s biggest dumbass to ever piss you off. I have to say, women totally dig that. Skylar will have to be careful or you’ll have women crawling all over you tonight!”

Edge blushed. The big man actually blushed. Swa

Skylar caught it too and quickly lifted her clutch to cover her mouth, but her eyes sparkled with laughter as she watched Edge stare speechlessly at Eden.

But then Eden just had that effect on men and women alike. She was so freaking nice. And genuine. Not a fake bone in her body. Her smile was like being touched with sunshine, and Edge was no different than anyone else in that regard. He was as caught up in her spell as everyone else who came into contact with her.

“Glad I pass approval,” Edge said, finally finding his tongue. “If you all are ready, I’ve arranged a ride. We’ll go out the back. I’ve scoped the dropoff area. Eden said she’d have the tickets dropped off at the front desk, so I took the liberty of collecting those already. We don’t want to spend any more time than we have to in line to board.”

“They’re VIP tickets,” Eden said cheerfully. “We’ll have a separate boarding area and separate dining area as well. Not as many people that way. I’ll go ahead and admit that I bought out half the VIP tickets so we wouldn’t have people on top of us. I figured that would put you all at ease more and perhaps you could enjoy di

Swa

“I’m begi

“Money can only buy so much,” Eden said in amusement. “But no, I’m not just a pretty face, not that I ever thought you thought so. My brothers and father have always taught me to defend myself and I’m actually an excellent shot with both pistols and rifles. And as I told you previously, though you showed me up quite nicely, David and Micah had been working with me on self-defense moves and a variety of martial arts techniques.”

“I’m more than happy to take over that aspect of your training,” Swa

“Enough flirting, you two. I’m starving,” Skylar said. “And I’m excited to see the city at night from the river. I think this is going to be so cool.”

Swa

Edge nodded. “Car is around back waiting.”

Swa

“Then let’s get on with your night, honey. I want you to enjoy yourself.”

“Oh I will,” she said in a low voice as the others went ahead of them. “How could I not when I’m with you?”

The surge of satisfaction that filled his chest lasted the entire car ride to the riverside dock.

CHAPTER 25

SWANNY relied on his gut for just about everything. It had saved his ass—and others’—more times than he could count. His teammates joked and said he had a sixth sense for sniffing out danger, but they didn’t argue that when he spoke, they listened. They accepted without reservation when he hesitated and they acted accordingly.

Six months ago on a seemingly simple extraction, it had all gone to hell and they could have all died if it weren’t for Swa

Swa

Thirty seconds later, they would have been in the chopper when it exploded into fiery pieces, courtesy of a grenade launcher.

So now as he stood with Eden, Skylar and Edge, preparing to board the di

Eden looked as excited as a child at Christmas, and even Skylar had a wide smile on her face. Eden’s enthusiasm was infectious because he swore he actually saw Edge give her an indulgent smile.

Swa

They were seated near the head of the boat, and true to Eden’s word the tables around them were empty with only a few occupied toward the middle, close to the cabin. The back of the boat was filled to capacity, but there was very much a feeling that they were the only four on board.

Quiet descended as the boat disembarked and a waiter appeared to pour them their choice of wine. Swa

“I can’t thank you enough for this,” she said, a broad smile lighting her face, her eyes twinkling in the lights of the city. “The city is so beautiful at night. There’s a magic to it.”

And yet she’d never opted to take the trip before. What was it she’d said? That there’d never been someone else she would have considered going on such a trip with.

Swa

He knew he had to be gentle and patient. She would be tender from the night before, but he was imagining a dozen ways he could accomplish just that without causing her a moment’s pain.

He sat, watching Skylar and Edge actually relaxed and laughing, Eden joining in, their enjoyment of the city and the lights and landmarks, and he marveled at how normal it all felt.

Was this what normal couples in normal relationships did? Normal wasn’t something he was very accustomed to. Sure, he’d seen members of KGI fall and fall hard for the women they loved, but in no way could one ever call their courtship or resulting relationship normal.