Collateral Damage

Fighting tears, she knelt down in front of him. “Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his jaw, squeezing her eyes shut. “I absolutely will.”

Liam groaned and caught her face between his hands, then kissed her breathless. When he eased back and took her left hand in his, Honor’s fingers shook slightly as he slid the aquamarine on.

“So she said yes?” a familiar male voice called out from above them.

They both whipped their heads up to glance toward the top of the bank. Ryan was lowering his cupped hands away from his mouth and Ace was smacking his shoulder. The two of them stood there peering down at them, along with Maya and Jackson, Erin and Wade, and Cam and Devon.

“Wow, so much for privacy in the most romantic moment of my life,” Honor muttered to Liam.

“Wentworth, you’re such a dickhead,” Liam yelled up at him, but there was a smirk on his face.

Ryan cupped his hands around his mouth. “I know,” he called back, his unrepentant grin telling her he didn’t feel the least bit guilty.

Laughing, Liam grasped her wrist to hold her hand up for everyone to see. A loud cheer rose up from their friends when they saw the ring on her finger. Tuning them out, he helped her to her feet and put his hands on her hips in that possessive way she loved. “Guess the secret’s out.”

“Yeah, guess so.” She felt giddy, like she might burst from happiness. She couldn’t wait to call her mom and sister to tell them the news. Because this time she knew it would be well received.

“Would you marry me before I go back?” Liam asked, casting a sidelong glance at her as he led her back toward the bottom of the path.

Chuckling, Honor reached up to brush her fingers over his clean-shaven cheek. “That’s in three days.”

“Yeah. So will you?” His expression was earnest, as serious as she’d ever seen it. “I’ve gone long enough without you. Putting that ring on your finger felt great, but before I go back I want you to have my name. While I’m overseas this time, I want the entire world to know you’re mine.”

Warrant Officer One Honor Magrath.

She’d always thought it had a nice ring to it. And she didn’t care about pla

Honor smiled up at him. She was falling more in love with him every second, something she hadn’t thought possible. “Then I guess we’re eloping tomorrow. Because I can’t wait to make you mine forever.” If they had to hop a plane to Vegas tonight to make it happen, so be it.

Heat flared in Liam’s eyes. He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her snug into his body as they walked, the possessive gesture filling her with warmth. “You got yourself a deal, sweet pea.” A satisfied smile curved his mouth. “Tomorrow it is.”

—The End—

Thank you for reading COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I really hope you enjoyed it and that you’ll consider leaving a review at one of your favorite online retailers. It’s a great way to help other readers discover new books.

If you liked COLLATERAL DAMAGE and would like to read more, turn the page for a list of my other books. And if you don’t want to miss any future releases, please feel free to join my newsletter. Direct link: http://kayleacross.com/v2/contact/

Complete Booklist

Romantic Suspense

Hostage Rescue Team Series

Marked

Targeted

Hunted

Disavowed

Titanium Security Series

Ignited

Singed

Burned

Extinguished

Rekindled

Bagram Special Ops Series

Deadly Descent

Tactical Strike

Lethal Pursuit

Danger Close

Collateral Damage

Suspense Series

Out of Her League

Cover of Darkness

No Turning Back

Relentless

Absolution

Paranormal Romance

Empowered Series

Darkest Caress

Historical Romance

The Vacant Chair

Erotic Romance (writing as Callie Croix)

Deacon’s Touch

Dillon’s Claim

No Holds Barred

Touch Me

Let Me In

Covert Seduction

Acknowledgements

This series would not have been possible if not for my awesome military experts, Kim B. and David W. You guys are so wonderful to share your knowledge with me, and I appreciate you both! I hope I did your brothers and sisters in uniform justice with these books.

Katie, Joan and Todd, thank you for all your support, encouragement and help in getting this ready for publication! Love you guys.

About the Author

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

You can visit Kaylea at www.kayleacross.com. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please join her newsletter. Direct link: http://kayleacross.com/v2/contact/

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Glossary of Terms

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Epilogue

Complete Booklist

Acknowledgements

About the Author