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“That was a great set,” Teagan said. The sound of the crowd still roared in the background.

“I didn’t rush the ending, did I?” Fiona asked, snagging a water bottle from one of the crew.

“Nah. And even when you do switch it up, you know we’ll follow you.”

Fiona smiled. She did know. Their band, Madison Grace, was so tight, so in synch, that she never really worried about playing live, even at this sold-out stadium in Los Angeles. 

They were on the fourth week of their world tour, still stateside for another few venues. Fiona was exhausted but thrilled that they’d achieved such success. In many ways, being on tour was good for her. After a concert, she’d fall into bed bone weary, and apparently too tired for the nightmares that had plagued her since her abduction. Any night she didn’t wake up screaming or in a cold sweat felt like a win. She also had a security team with her every minute of every day, and as much as she wanted to feel like this was an intrusion into her life, they made her feel safe. 

The outreach from fans had been unbelievable. Fiona was humbled and often moved to tears by the sheer volume of messages she received every day. Her security team went through them first, of course, and then her publicist, but she’d spend a little time each day sending a personal note to the ones that touched her most. 

And then there was Jake. His steady presence and unfailing support had kept her going when she’d wanted to crawl into her bed and hide from the world. 

He’d been leading her security detail for the first part of the tour, but in a couple of days, he’d be heading back to Boston. As the cyber-tech expert for Tactical Solutions International, he was needed at work. His former commanding-officers-turned-bosses had been gracious and accommodating. They understood Jake’s need to be with Fiona, and to assure, first hand, her safety. But the new security team, also employees of TSI, were the best of the best, and it was time for Jake to go home. She was going to miss him terribly.

She looked around for him now, but he was nowhere in sight. That wasn’t too unusual. Sometimes he prowled around the perimeter of the stage area at the end of a show, preparing for the band’s exit.

She did see her older brother Mike though, seated backstage with his girlfriend Lucia in the VIP area. The sling supporting Mike’s left arm caught Fiona’s eye. His shoulder had needed a surgical repair after an undercover op had gone wrong, and Fiona shivered thinking how close she’d come to losing him. But he was here to see the show, smiling and lifting his good arm to wave at her. Lucia blew her a kiss, and Fiona returned the gesture. To be honest, Fiona never thought she’d see the day when her gruff, ex-Delta, current FBI agent brother would fall head-over-heels for a woman, but he had, and Fiona was thrilled. 

Teagan put an arm around Fiona’s waist, pulling her in for a hug. “Come on, love. We owe these fine folks an encore.” 

The sexy, sweaty drummer planted a sloppy kiss on Fiona’s cheek and made his way back onto the stage, twirling his drumsticks and waving at the audience. The crowd roared when Teagan sat behind his kit and hammered out a beat. Diego Jones joined Teagan and added a bass line to the hypnotic drumming, and then Julian Cross returned to the stage, holding his guitar over his head. He accompanied his band mates with the opening riff of their final song. 

That was Fiona’s cue. She gulped down the last bit of water and bounded back onto the stage, taking her place behind the microphone. 

Just as she was about to sing the first note, everything behind her fell silent. She turned to Julian, a question in her eyes. He smiled widely, but it was Teagan who leaped from behind his drum kit and took the microphone out of Fiona’s hand. 

“What are you doing?” she mouthed, her voice inaudible. 

“Everyone, may I have your attention please,” Teagan said in his sexy Aussie accent and with his typical flourish. 

“Tonight, we are going to end things a little differently. Don’t worry, you’ll still get to hear your favorite song, but first, our boy Jake has something he’d like to say.”

Bewildered, Fiona turned to find Jake striding toward her from backstage with a huge grin on his face. 

“Here, mate, I think you need this,” Teagan said, handing the mic off to Jake and giving him a meaningful nod. 

When Teagan stepped back, the stage went dark. A spotlight shone directly on Fiona and Jake, encircling the two of them in its glow and casting everything else into dark shadows. The crowd fell silent when Jake dropped to one knee. 

“Oh, Jake,” Fiona whispered.

“Fiona, from the first moment I heard you singing ACDC at that dive bar in Boston, I knew you were the girl for me.” 

The crowd laughed, and Jake laughed with them. Then, his face and his voice turned serious. 

“I almost lost you twice, Fiona. Once because I was so broken I thought I’d never be worthy of you, and then again when a madman took you from me. Without you, I’m lost. You make me the best version of myself. You give me the greatest joy I’ve ever known. You are the strongest, most beautiful, most talented, generous, loving person I have ever met. You are my home.”

Tears streamed down Fiona’s face.

“Marry me, Fiona.”

Fiona nodded vigorously, and Teagan was suddenly beside them again, taking the microphone from Jake. Bright, flashing lights lit the stage, a celebration of color. The crowd roared again.

Jake reached into his pocket, producing a stunning diamond solitaire. He gently took Fiona’s left hand and slid it on. Her lips trembled, and a fresh flood of tears fell. 

Jake stood, pulled her into his arms, and spoke directly into her ear. “I wanted you to have this, so that for the rest of the tour, when I can’t be with you, you’ll know you’re in my heart. You’re my whole life, Fiona. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Jake. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

“Okay honey, you’ve still got a show to finish. Go and sing for me, my beautiful angel.”

If you are interested in Jake and Fiona’s story, click the link above to purchase on Amazon.