The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1)

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Authors: K. Langston
Tags: Fiction, Romance
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to my original color before the anniversary party, which was coming up soon. I was nervous about seeing everyone again but excited, too. A sense of longing bloomed inside my heart, wishing my parents could also be there.
    Once I finished up in the bathroom, I walked out to find Ryker standing there.
    “Good morning, beautiful,” he greeted, walking closer and landing a kiss to my forehead.
    My heart flip-flopped in my chest every time he did that. I could tell he was struggling to hold back. I knew he was doing it for my benefit, but it was starting to drive me crazy. Every single touch or brush of skin had become magnified the more time we spent together. To the point where I was almost ready to just take charge and kiss him myself.
    “Morning.”
    “How’d you sleep?” he asked, tucking a loose strand behind my ear.
    Blush crept up my cheeks. “Wonderful, thanks to you.”
    He smiled. “Are you hungry?”
    “Starving.”
    “Good, let’s get you fed then I have somewhere I want to take you.”
    “Where?”
    “Somewhere very special.”
    *     *     *
    Nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming emotions that came with being here. I’d always been too afraid to revisit this place because of the devastation and sadness that gripped me each time I thought about the way they died. I was forced to relive it every single year. When the news stations would flood our TVs with images of that awful day. My fear only compounded, knowing if I ever came here, the loss would somehow be greater.
    The twin reflecting pools were a sight to behold, set within the footprints where the Towers once stood. The names of every person who died that day were inscribed into bronze panels edging the Memorial pools, a powerful reminder of how many precious lives were lost here.
    My heart ached as Ryker led me to where my parents’ names were listed. He knew the exact location. That had me on the verge of tears. He’d been here before, but not me.
    I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
    I assumed he’d been here for others and not just my parents. I’m sure his father lost a lot of men that day, too.
    Grazing my trembling fingers across my parents’ names, I closed my eyes as memories began to flood my mind. The calming rush of water was the only sound penetrating my thoughts. Even though my heart ached, the loss still just as great as it was the day it happened, there was also peace.
    Closure.
    And I was reminded that these two people, while here on earth, loved me beyond measure.
    Ryker stood close, his hand resting on my shoulder as I sucked in a cleansing breath. “You okay?”
    Opening my eyes, I sighed. “Yeah. It hurts but not as much as I thought it would. It’s hard to believe something so horrific could be turned into something so beautiful.”
    “I could have never done this without you, Ryker. Thank you for bringing me here.”
    His fingers gently gripped my chin, bringing my gaze to his. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. And being strong is important, but I want you to know, whatever you face from here on out, I’ll always be right here with you.” His eyes softened as his hand moved to my cheek. “You will never have to face anything alone again.”
    I lifted my hand to cover his. “I know.”
    We ended up staying for a while longer. Ryker showed me the names of all the men his father had lost, told me story after story of survival and bravery. Men and women who had given their lives up so selfishly to save another. Guilt plagued me after we left. I should have come sooner. I should have honored my parents’ memory before now, but if I’d learned anything over the last few weeks it’s that fear is only temporary, regret lasts forever, and I was done with regrets.
    Later that afternoon, when we got back to Ryker’s apartment, he surprised me yet again.
    A gasp fell from my lips as I took in the sight before me.
    The coffee table and sofa had been pushed back and a blanket

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