Angel: A Linear Tactical Romantic Suspense Standalone Read online

“I can’t believe you did this,” she said to Gabriel as they sat on the steps of her new porch, looking out at her land.

  She had her home back. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought it would happen like this.

  “I didn’t have to twist anybody’s arm. They wanted to do this for you.” He leaned over and kissed her temple. “There’s one more thing you need to go over.”

  He jogged to his car, got some papers out of the back seat, and came back to her.

  “First, this is the deed to the house. Everything is legal and, hopefully, structurally sound.”

  She couldn’t quit smiling. “It looks pretty damn solid to me.”

  Gabe shifted uncomfortably in front of her, and she looked up at his face, shocked to find him looking so anxious. “And then I have two more sets of papers. Both are agreements from capital investors who believe in your abilities in cybersecurity. There are different options, but either investor will back you in starting your own company.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

  “Very much so. One is Ian DeRose, the same man who bought Collingwood Technology. I showed him some of what you can do, and he is definitely interested in backing you. You would have to work out details, but it would be your company.”

  “I can’t even believe this.”

  He shifted again. “But I hope you’ll consider the other option before making your decision. It’s a bit more unorthodox.”

  She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she had options. “Okay.”

  “The second option is a partnership.”

  “With Ian DeRose?”

  “No, with Gabriel Collingwood. Collingwood is no idiot and recognizes your abilities and talents. He is interested—very interested—in a merger with you. Building a business that the two of you would run together.”

  A giddy heat swept through her. “I know I don’t have a lot of business savvy, but that offer doesn’t sound very unorthodox to me.”

  “Well, the unorthodox part comes in because Collingwood Technology would still be the name of the company. It was part of my agreement when I sold the business to Ian DeRose. He’s got to come up with a new name. Mine comes with me.”

  She smiled up at him. “Keeping the name of a company that has a stellar reputation? Excellent suggestion. But still, not very unorthodox.”

  “No, the somewhat unorthodox business transaction can be found in this contract.” He handed a stack of papers to her.

  “Do I have to read all of these now?”

  “No, just skip to the last page. I think it’ll be evident exactly what I’m asking you.”

  She turned to place the papers on the porch, frowning when they made an odd thumping noise against the wood.

  There was something heavy attached to the last sheet.

  She flipped them open and found a ring taped to the page.

  Eyes huge, she spun back around to face Gabriel and found him down on one knee.

  “Be the other half of Collingwood Technology. You’re already my other half, the half I can’t live without. I know you need time, and we can take as much time as you need, but I just want you to know that I am all in.”

  She slid down one step closer to him, ring in hand.

  “I know you feel lost right now, like you don’t have a name or a family. But I want to be that for you. Let me be your family. Take my name. Be my partner in every way. I want to sit on a rocker on this front porch when we’re both old, still looking out at this land. I want to weather every season, every storm, everything life has to throw at us, with you.”

  “Gabriel.” Her guardian angel. She ran her fingers through his thick hair. “Yes. Yes to all of it.”

  He stood, wrapping his arms around her and crushing her to him. He slipped the ring on her finger. She wasn’t surprised when it was a perfect fit.

  Then, just like he had on the first day they met, he kissed her on the porch.

  A kiss full of promise.

  A kiss that told her she would never be alone ever again.

  A kiss from an angel.

  *****

  Thank you for reading ANGEL. The Linear Tactical world continues with GHOST, Dorian’s story with his mysterious Wraith.

  Grab it HERE.

  Sometimes the dead don’t stay that way.

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  And the other Linear Tactical books are available now

  CYCLONE

  He’d protect her from any threat…

  But what if the biggest threat is him?

  EAGLE

  He’s fighting for what’s right.

  She’s fighting just to survive…

  SHAMROCK

  Every mission has a price.

  He never meant for her to pay it.

  Acknowledgments

  Jordan was never supposed to be a character in the Linear Tactical books, but she showed up in book 1 and pretty much demanded her story be told.

  So a special thanks to my reader and editing team who told me to listen to her and write her story. It ended up being one of my favorite.

  There are many people that deserve my gratitude for making this book:

  As always, my husband and kids for putting up with my craziness. Old hat to them by now.

  To my Bat Signal tribe: Ladies, your friendship and encouragement means everything to me.

  To my editors and alpha readers: Elizabeth Nover, Jennifer at Mistress Editing, Marci Mathers, Elizabeth Neal, Stephanie Scott, and Aly Birkl. Once again, thank you for your patience, consistency and hard work. I depend on you so much and you never let me down.

  And finally, to my readers, especially the Crouch Crew: THANK YOU. You make me feel special and treasured and it’s such a wonderful feeling. I’m going to keep writing books that you love—because I love you guys!

  ~ Janie

  Also by Janie Crouch

  LINEAR TACTICAL SERIES

  Cyclone

  Eagle

  Shamrock

  Angel

  Ghost (2019)

  Shadow (2019)

  INSTINCT SERIES

  Primal Instinct

  Critical Instinct

  Survival Instinct

  THE RISK SERIES (2019)

  Calculated Risk

  Security Risk

  Constant Risk

  Risk Everything

  OMEGA SECTOR: CRITICAL RESPONSE

  Special Forces Savior

  Fully Committed

  Armored Attraction

  Man of Action

  Overwhelming Force

  Battle Tested

  OMEGA SECTOR: UNDER SIEGE

  Daddy Defender

  Protector’s Instinct

  Cease Fire

  Major Crimes

  Armed Response

  In the Lawman’s Protection

  OMEGA SECTOR SERIES

  Infiltration

  Countermeasures

  Untraceable

  Leverage

  "Passion that leaps right off the page." - Romantic Times Book Reviews

  USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the coveted RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America.

  Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she's not listening to the voices in her head—and even when she is—she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds.

  Her favorite quote: "Life is a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller.

 

  Janie Crouch, Angel: A Linear Tactical Romantic Suspense Standalone