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  Then her gaze landed on a palomino horse tied to her railing. He softly nickered at seeing her. There was a saddle on him, and another rose tied in with the reins.

  The gelding looked familiar, as if she should know it. Then it hit her. He was the horse Wyatt had put her on after they had killed the Saints.

  “How did you get here?” she asked as she walked to the gelding and ran her hand up his velvety nose.

  “I thought you’d sleep forever.”

  Her head jerked to the side to find Wyatt leaning a shoulder against the house. He had showered and now wore a pair of jeans, boots, and a button-down. He pushed away and walked down the steps to her.

  “I thought you left,” she said.

  He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I did. I went to get him,” he said and nodded to the palomino. “He saved our lives.”

  “So did you,” she said, continuing to pet the gelding.

  Wyatt walked to the horse and took off the saddle before setting it on the side of the truck. Then he removed the halter and gave the palomino a pat on the rump. The horse took off at a run, tail up.

  With nothing to do, Callie had no choice but to face Wyatt. He held out his hand to her, and she took it. He led her into the house to where she had overlooked a bucket of ice and the bottle of champagne it held.

  Roses? Champagne? Who was this man?

  Not that Callie was complaining. She quite liked it, but she wasn’t sure how to act.

  “Our conversation was interrupted earlier,” Wyatt said as he stopped and faced her.

  She noticed how he wouldn’t let go of her hand. “Yes, it was.”

  “I didn’t get a chance to speak.”

  When he remained silent, she swallowed and said, “What’s holding you back now?”

  “You.”

  “Me?” she asked in shock.

  He nodded slowly. “From the moment you arrived on the ranch all those years ago, you captured my attention. You became like a sister to my brothers, and a daughter to Orrin. But my emotions ran in another direction.

  “I found you after your family beat you. I can’t describe the rage that came over me when I discovered you. I brought you to the house, and while Dad and Uncle Virgil tended to you, I went to your family. They never deserved you, Callie. You were everything good and whole, and the Reeds tried to destroy you.

  “I tried to think of you as a sister, to deny the pull toward you. Then I gave in. Those were the best two months of my life. You made me want to be the man that I saw in your eyes when you looked at me, but I knew I wasn’t.”

  She gripped his hand tightly. “So you left.”

  “I had to. Everywhere I looked on the ranch was a reminder that my mother had been viciously taken from us and that Dad wasn’t doing anything. For my own sanity, I had to leave.

  “I thought I was better on my own, far from you and the love I craved. Until I was forced to return. Then I saw you, and I knew, whatever courage allowed me to leave the first time, deserted me now. I paired up with you because I had to be with you in whatever capacity I could.”

  She shook her head, dismayed. “I never knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  His lips twisted ruefully. “I couldn’t. Words have never come easily for me, but after everything you said after the battle, you deserve the truth.”

  “What are you saying?” Could all her dreams really be coming true? Could she finally have the love of her life? The hope was there, dangling right in front of her.

  Wyatt gave her a crooked smile. “Isn’t it obvious? I only want you. I love you, baby girl.”

  Her heart was going to burst she was so happy. She threw her arms around him, both of them then wincing at their wounds. They laughed as they looked into each other’s eyes.

  “There’s some pink champagne waiting for us.”

  Her eyes widened. “You remembered.”

  “When it comes to you, I forget nothing.”

  She took a step back and grabbed his hand before leading him to the bedroom. There was no telling how long of a reprieve they had, and she was going to take advantage of it.

  “The champagne,” Wyatt said.

  She shrugged and dropped his hand to remove her shirt. “Can wait until later.”

  “And your wound?”

  “Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

  There was a groan that rumbled from his chest before he claimed her mouth in a savage kiss filled with passion and the promise of tomorrow.

  EPILOGUE

  Airfield outside of Virginia

  Andrew Smith strode to the limousine waiting for him. He climbed inside and faced his superior. The elderly man had a kind face that belied the evil inside him.

  His eyes had faded to a dull shade of gray, and wrinkles covered his narrow face. His gray hair was thinning and parted on the side impeccably. He was tall, but age had made his frame look frail in a way that even the expensive suit couldn’t hide.

  “You failed.”

  Andrew looked into his eyes as the car drove off. “It’s merely a battle, and though it might look like I failed, I didn’t.”

  “How so?” he asked curiously.

  “I hit Orrin. It was a mortal wound. There’s no way they could get him to a hospital in time to save him. It’ll be a blow to the sons.”

  He raised a bushy eyebrow. “It could rally them.”

  Andrew shook his head. “Then we don’t waste any time sending in another strike.”

  “I want proof Orrin is dead first. And you still need to find Ragnarok, or, barring that, the formula.”

  “I’ll bring it to you personally.”

  The man snorted and looked away. “Let’s hope so because the only thing between you and death is me. The rest of the council wants your head.”

  Andrew fisted his hand at his side. Damn Orrin Loughman for again ruining things, but it was the last time.

  * * *

  Wyatt ignored the knowing smiles from his brothers and Maks when he and Callie arrived at the base the next day. It was the news that Orrin had woken that brought them all together again.

  He walked with Callie into the med room to find Kate and Yuri with Orrin. His father was sitting up but still looked pale. It was a testament to Kate’s skill as an ER doctor that she had saved his father’s life.

  “They are all here,” Yuri told Orrin.

  Wyatt looked around at Owen and Natalie and Cullen and Mia to find that Sergei and Lev had remained and were standing with Maks.

  Orrin cleared his throat and said, “We all learned just how powerful the Saints are, and my family has discovered that we have friends willing to stand with us. Thank you, Sergei, Lev, Maks, Yuri, and Kate. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “It is just the beginning,” Sergei said.

  Lev crossed his arms over his chest. “A war we shouldn’t get involved in.”

  “But we are,” Sergei said. “Someone has to make a stand. Everyone will eventually have to choose sides. I’ve chosen mine.”

  Wyatt bowed his head to the older Russian. “And we appreciate it. Lev, thanks for helping the doc out with our injuries.”

  “Friends,” Orrin said. “I think we’ve all learned we have few of those now that we’ve stood against the Saints. The only way we’re going to win is if we continue to stand together.”

  Owen frowned. “You mean keep fighting together?”

  “Whitehorse is still functional. I just need men.”

  Cullen draped an arm around Mia and smiled as he said, “I guess now is a good time to let you know that I’ve resigned my commission.”

  “Me, too,” Owen said. “There was really no other choice.”

  Natalie kissed Owen. “I’m a quick learner, so just point me in a direction.”

  “And if I can get my plane here, we’ll have wings,” Mia said.

  Maks ran a hand over his chin. “I was getting tired of the CIA anyway. Count me in.”

  “You know where I stand,”
Yuri said.

  Kate linked her fingers with Orrin’s. “There needs to be a doctor around.”

  Suddenly, every eye was on him. Wyatt looked down at Callie, who smiled up at him. She gave him a nod. He looked back at his father, staring into eyes that mirrored his own.

  “I’m no longer part of Delta Force,” Wyatt said. “I couldn’t walk away from Callie or this war.”

  There was a loud cheer. While everyone celebrated, Wyatt made his way to his father. Yuri and Kate walked away so Wyatt and Orrin could be alone.

  Wyatt took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  “No,” Orrin said. “I’m sorry. But let’s leave the past in the past and forge ahead in a new direction.”

  Wyatt considered it and smiled. “I like that idea.”

  “I never thought I’d see the day I’d be working with my sons. I just hate the reason.”

  Cullen came toward them. “We have little time to rest.”

  “They’ll attack soon,” Maks said.

  Owen nodded in agreement. “Unless we strike first.”

  Yuri crossed his arms over his chest. “We’re going to need more men.”

  “I know someone,” Lev said.

  Wyatt looked at him, brow raised. “Is he good?”

  “He’s exactly the type of man you want on your side.”

  “Call him,” Wyatt said.

  There was a moment of silence as it all sank in. Every day from here on out was a gift, and Wyatt would make the most of each and every one.

  “To Whitehorse,” Orrin said.

  “To Whitehorse,” everyone replied in unison.

  Owen then added, “To finding Andrew Smith.”

  “To taking down the Saints,” Cullen said.

  Wyatt wrapped an arm around Callie as he looked down at her. “To family.”

  “To family,” rang out around him.

  Also by

  DONNA GRANT

  THE SONS OF TEXAS SERIES

  The Hero

  The Protector

  THE DARK KING SERIES

  Dark Heat

  Darkest Flame

  Fire Rising

  Burning Desire

  Hot Blooded

  Night’s Blaze

  Soul Scorched

  Passion Ignites

  Smoldering Hunger

  Smoke And Fire

  THE DARK WARRIOR SERIES

  Midnight’s Master

  Midnight’s Lover

  Midnight’s Seduction

  Midnight’s Warrior

  Midnight’s Kiss

  Midnight’s Captive

  Midnight’s Temptation

  Midnight’s Promise

  Midnight’s Surrender

  THE DARK SWORD SERIES

  Dangerous Highlander

  Forbidden Highlander

  Wicked Highlander

  Untamed Highlander

  Shadow Highlander

  Darkest Highlander

  THE REAPER E-ORIGINALS

  Dark Alpha’s Claim

  Dark Alpha’s Demand

  Dark Alpa’s Lover

  Praise for the Dark King series by

  DONNA GRANT

  “Loaded with subtle emotions, sizzling chemistry, and some provocative thoughts on the real choices [Grant’s] characters are forced to make as they choose their loves for eternity.”

  —RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

  “Vivid images, intense details, and enchanting characters grab the reader’s attention and [don’t] let go.”

  —Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

  Praise for the Dark Warrior series

  “The world of the Immortal Warriors is a thoroughly engaging one, blending powerful ancient gods, fiery desire, and touchingly human love, which readers will surely want to revisit.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “[Grant] blends ancient gods, love, desire, and evil-doers into a world you will want to revisit over and over again.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “Sizzling love scenes and engaging characters.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Ms. Grant mixes adventure, magic and sweet love to create the perfect romance[s].”

  —Single Title Reviews

  Praise for the Dark Sword series

  “Grant creates a vivid picture of Britain centuries after the Celts and Druids tried to expel the Romans, deftly merging magic and history. The result is a wonderfully dark, delightfully well-written [series]. Readers will eagerly await the next Dark Sword book.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “Another fantastic series that melds the paranormal with the historical life of the Scottish highlander in this arousing and exciting adventure.”

  —Bitten By Books

  “These are some of the hottest brothers around in paranormal fiction.”

  —Nocturne Romance Reads

  “Will keep readers spellbound.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories. The acclaimed series features a thrilling combination of dragons, the Fae, and Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

  Want to know when Donna’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at www.DonnaGrant.com, follow her on twitter @donna_grant, or like her Facebook page at facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant, or sign up for email updates here.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  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

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Epilogue

  Also by Donna Grant

  Praise for the Dark King series by Donna Grant

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  THE LEGEND

  Copyright © 2017 by Donna Grant.

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  All rights reserved.

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  eISBN: 978-1-250-08344-9

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  St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / July 2017

  St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.