Take Me to Heaven Read online

  Take me to Heaven

  Take me to Heaven

  Copyright © 2022 by Adina D. Grey

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organiza- tions, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Also by the author:

  Swipe of Love

  Her Heart is Mine

  Spindle Together

  Consumed by Fire

  Sealed with a Kiss

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Take me to Heaven | Love knows no limits and distances | Usa Today and International Bestselling Author | Adina D. Grey

  Kate

  CHAPTER 1 | Kate

  CHAPTER 2 | Kate

  CHAPTER 3 | Kate

  CHAPTER 4 | Kate

  CHAPTER 5 | Logan

  CHAPTER 6 | Kate

  CHAPTER 7 | Kate

  CHAPTER 8 | Logan

  CHAPTER 9 | Kate

  CHAPTER 10 | Logan

  CHAPTER 11 | Kate

  CHAPTER 12 | Logan

  CHAPTER 13 | Kate

  CHAPTER 14 | Kate

  CHAPTER 15 | Logan

  CHAPTER 16 | Kate

  CHAPTER 17 | Logan

  CHAPTER 18 | Logan

  CHAPTER 19 | Kate

  CHAPTER 20 | Logan

  CHAPTER 21 | Kate

  CHAPTER 22 | Kate

  CHAPTER 23 | Kate

  CHAPTER 24 | Kate

  EPILOGUE

  Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! | Please add a short review here and let me know what you thought!

  About the Author

  Come Follow me: | https://linktr.ee/AdinaDGrey

  Also by the author: | Swipe of Love

  Her Heart is Mine

  Spindle Together

  Consumed by Fire

  Sealed with a Kiss

  Coming in 2022: | One and Only | In a Heartbeat | Our Afterlife Forever

  Take me to Heaven

  Love knows no limits and distances

  Usa Today and International Bestselling Author

  Adina D. Grey

  Kate

  Twenty-five and almost divorced. Not somewhere I ever wanted to be, but when your boyfriend's father is dying and his last wish is to see his son married, you do what you've got to do. Isn't that just a similie for my life?

  My brother is missing. My Squad being deployed. I'm heading into a war zone and my heart is stuck on a series of messages from a stranger.

  Logan

  It's been twelve years since she left, leaving me and my daughter without hesitation. Twelve years since I felt a stirring in my heart, and a drive for more.

  But the pretty girl on our plane caught my eye, and to find out she's the same one to steal my heart, well, that's even better.

  But we're in a war against time. Her brother's life is on the line. Is there really time for love here? Will we make it out alive, with the second chance I never thought I'd get?

  CHAPTER 1

  Kate

  June

  Hearing the notification sound even when I'm sleeping drives me crazy. I open one eye, unlocking the screen, seeing Alec's message.

  Alec: Be in the office at eight a.m.

  Fuck! No good morning or hello; that’s an order and means I’m in trouble. I get up, trying to get ready even though I'm still tired. We landed just five hours ago and I'm so sleepy. Hopefully a double espresso will help me be the nicest person on this earth.

  I’m in front of my boss’s door. He also happens to be my friend from high school—a huge asshole who has loved to piss the hell out of me since we were teenagers, just for the sake of being right, although he never is. Between us, it has always been a competition. Who got the highest grades, who got the best score, who graduated first? And so, at sixteen, we graduated and enrolled together. Best decision ever.

  After three years, I went home with nine completed missions and a badass reputation because I couldn't keep my mouth shut, getting me in more trouble than I wanted to be in. Some appreciated it though, and that's why I guess I am still here now. Alec continued for another couple of years. Obviously, he wanted a career but I didn’t really want to be led by someone who doesn't understand that out there nothing is easy, and when he called me, I jumped into it, that's my life after all.

  I’m a hothead, I have a tough character and many people avoid me because they know I don’t carry out certain orders and I can keep up with any person.

  Military ranks are only ornaments when they’re shooting at you from all sides. When the safety of my team hangs in the balance, it’s up to me to decide how to get out of there. The only thing that matters is to get back home safe with a mission successfully completed. The end justifies the means. Always.

  I take a breath and go inside. I don’t bother to knock, as it’s not worth it, I already know I’m in trouble, especially after what I did yesterday.

  Alec Carter, CEO of the International Defense Department, the only one who rules the X Squad, is at his desk, with a tired face and a pissed-off posture.

  “You’re late!” he snaps.

  I look at the clock behind him. “It’s 7.55 a.m. I’m on time. What happened?”

  “Katherine, that damned clock is six minutes behind and you know it. I know it was you moving it. Don’t deny it." He looks at me, amused. It's a game we played since we were children and still do.

  “However, it happens that my damn phone doesn't stop ringing, Kate." He sighs, throwing his cell phone on the desk. "I guess your bags are ready. Inform your team. You’ll leave in two hours. They want you in Washington. And, Kate, we need to have a serious talk..." He stops and I feel his eyes on me while typing a text to my squad. I look up from my phone, rolling my eyes.

  “What?" I ask, shrugging. "I informed my team. They’ll be here in less than an hour.” I put my phone on his desk and sat down. “Before you say anything, I have to explain to you that... “

  “Katherine, no," he cuts me off, raising a hand. "How? I mean, what in the fucking hell have you done?" Alec hits the desk, then grabs it, trying to calm down. He's furious. "You called him a stupid idiot in a video conference. Do you realize that ending the meeting after that, and especially insulting a general, has serious consequences for you?”

  My anger level is beyond my limit for this morning, but I still try to be kind. “I don't give a shit, Alec! That jerk dared to say his team risked their lives because of us," I say, playing with my dog tags. "We showed up to save their asses in Kandahar. Yes, the general gave me precise orders to go and pick them up, but it wasn’t so easy, and we found ourselves together with his team in front of a firing squad. What should I have done? Extract the resource and leave them there? You know very well what would have happened, they'd be dead. I don’t give a fuck if he felt insulted for me not obeying his orders. You know better than me that the moment must be seized in those situations and they, like us, have families. Nobody gets left behind, Alec, that's my first rule. I’ve never lost a man in these nine years, and I don’t want to start now. Did he want my head?”

  “No, he asked you to join him in Washington. I don’t know why, but the only thing he asked is that you show up in civilian clothes. You know, like heels, skirt... you got the idea, formal clothes. “he ended, gesturing amused.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. What the hell is he up to now?” I ask while Alec bursts out laughing. “You know! Speak up, Alec!”

  “I don’t know much about that, but definitely he's going to enjoy the view.”

  “Hahah, you’re not funny, so do we really need to leave?"

  "Yes, he's waiting for you."

  "Okay, but why the whole team?"

  "No idea," he replies, vaping.

  "Do I have to remind you that we’ve just come back from a mission? We can't do another one. The squad needs to rest.”

  “No, but you have to go.”

  “Argh, balls, that's not fair!" I say looking at his tired face. "Alec, please go to sleep, take a break, get laid. Live a little out of these four walls. You won’t find a woman to make your life a living hell.“ I pick up the cell phone and head to the door.

  “That’s up to you, Kate! And you do it great. Be careful and keep me posted,” he says, shaking his head.

  “Yes, sir!” I wink at him before heading out.

  It could have been worse. I still have half an hour before my team will arrive. While on my way to the IT department to have the new security systems recharged, I get an email from my lawyer with the divorce documents.

  Jason and I have been married for four years, but we spend very little time together with our work, and he knew I wouldn’t quit my job. We got married for his dad. His last wish was to be present at our wedding, and so we did for him. It was a great day, but deep down we knew it wasn't meant to be. We agreed to get divorced once his dad passed away, but his death destroyed him, and I couldn't ask him to sign the documents and get in touch with his lawyer. I couldn't be that bitch, so I focused on my job, pretending everything was okay and we were happy in front of our friends and
families. Now though, three years after his dad's death, I need to end this agreement. I've lied to my family about us and I'm so over it right now. There's no feelings anymore, and even though it's a fake marriage, I can't even think about dating someone either. I'm not sure if we can call it cheating, because it's not for me, but I just can’t do it. Finally, the papers are ready and I can finally move on with my life.

  After collecting all the dog tags from the IT department, I head to my office, finding my squad waiting for me with their luggage at their feet. As soon as I enter, everyone gets up and I hand them their dog tags too.

  I update them, and we go to our jet. The flight will last eight hours, during which time we’ll be able to relax and rest, as always.

  •

  CHAPTER 2

  Kate

  I have a great bond with my team. They're my family and they know me sometimes better than I do.

  Finding out that Hewitt finally has a girlfriend surprised me, he told me once he’s not a relationship type of guy but apparently, he was wrong. Reyes broke up with his girlfriend, he's too much to handle for a lot of girls, so he chose to have a weekly relationship, as he called it. Never heard about it and honestly, I'm not sure I want to dig more. Roberts is married to our job, one-night stands are the best for him. I'm sure sooner or later he'd change his mind too. They are all amazing guys, with a shitty temper, but they deserve the best from life.

  “What about Jason?” Reyes’s question awakens me from my thoughts.

  “It’s been a while since we’ve seen him,” adds Hewitt.

  “You see him much more than I do,” I reply, and they freeze at my answer. It’s as if the air from the jet has been sucked in. I hadn’t realized I had said it out loud.

  “Kate, what do you mean by that?" Hewitt snaps his fingers in front of my eyes. For a moment, I had slipped into a daydream where I shut my mouth for once.

  “There isn’t much to say. Jason travels often.” I shrug.

  “Kate is everything okay?” asks Roberts.

  "Yeah, sure," I say, feeling their eyes on me. I sit up walking away, pretending I have some emails to answer. I sit a few rows down, opening my laptop.

  "Okay, Kate. What's happening?" Hewitt sits in front of me, closing my laptop. Reyes and Roberts join us too. Oh lord.

  "What do you mean?" I whispered.

  "Kate, I have known you for a lifetime. Tell me the truth."

  "Yeah, Kate, you're always there for us. What's going on?"

  "Okay, guys." I sigh "the truth is Jason and I got married just because it was his father's last wish. We were great together, we loved each other but not that deep forever love. So we agreed to get divorced after his dad died." I avoid looking at them because I know I disappointed them by hiding this part of my marriage.

  "What the actual fuck, Kate!" Hewitt snaps.

  "Nah, you're kidding us. It's not true," says Roberts. I don’t say anything more and Hewitt's look is burning me.

  "She's serious," he states. "You lied to us, Kate. I thought we were family. Does Max know?"

  "No, but you know he never liked Jason, so I'm sure it won't be a big deal."

  "So have you already divorced?" I chewed my lip, feeling so uncomfortable talking about it.

  "I got the documents this morning," I whispered.

  "I never understood, with all the men in the world, why him?"

  "I don't know. I liked him back then, and he pissed off Max a lot. He made me happy."

  "As long as you're happy now, that's all that counts."

  "I am, thank you," I say squeezing his hand.

  “Where is Max now?” Reyes asks me.

  “He's in Afghanistan. I don’t know exactly where, but in a few weeks, he should finally be home. I hope soon because I’d like to let him join our team if you agree. Alec forced me to expand the team by at least two other members, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

  I’m happy that we have changed the subject. My private life isn’t a topic I love to talk about.

  “It would be fantastic,” Roberts exclaimed. Seeing Hewitt rolling his eyes at me I know he saw my fake smile. He’s too smart, and I don’t have any secrets from him, other than my marriage. He knows everything, every thought of mine even before I open my mouth. I don’t know how it's possible for him to read me like an open book, but someday he will tell me his secret. When he mouths later I understand it will be a long chat.

  “Even though he’s my brother, we have to treat him like everyone else. That means testing him as well. I want to be sure that everything is okay with him.”

  I see them nodding, and I’m happy, as favoritism doesn’t save your skin. I know Max has all the skills we're looking for, but having been on a mission for the last five years, I want to be sure that there are no traumas so we can always be focused on what awaits us.

  ***

  The boys are resting, and I’m having a coffee when I hear footsteps behind me. I knew he wouldn’t take too long.

  “How are you?" Hewitt asks in a sweet voice.

  “Great, as always. Coffee?” I try to divert his attention, but it doesn’t work. Damn it! He's too smart.

  “I know we never talk about it, I know you avoid exposing your life, but I'm always here, Kate.”

  I sit at the table and look at him. “Same here. What’s up?”

  He takes a few deep breaths and sits down, playing with his cellphone. He seems a little uncomfortable. That worries me because the Daniel Hewitt I know is never afraid of anything.

  “I’m starting to worry. Are you okay? Did something happen?”

  He takes another breath and looks me in the eyes. I feel naked in front of him. In his eyes, I see a thousand things: anger, disappointment, tenderness, and fear. In the end, he decides to speak. “Let’s make a deal. I speak first, and after I’m done, you can reply. Agreed?”

  “What about democracy? Freedom of speech?” I pretend to pout, but then I smile. “Of course, I’m in.”

  “I asked for a couple of favors and, honestly, I don’t think you’ll like what I found out about Jason. Do you know that he’s now in London?”

  "He's free to do whatever he wants, Hewitt. I told you there's no feelings between us, just a signed piece of paper with no value to it."

  Hewitt takes my coffee and drinks it, grimacing in disgust at my sugar-free espresso. Then he gives me his phone with an open email. All of Jason’s travel plans for a year now. London, Paris, Hong Kong, Maldives. Once a month, he went to London for two weeks, and all the trips were booked for two. I scroll through some photos, seeing him near a pregnant woman.

  “Thank you, Hewitt. As I say, I have the documents, I just need his signature and all will be fine. I’ll solve the problem as soon as we return.” I smile at him. I’m not sad, I’m not angry or disappointed. I’m strangely at peace with myself and somehow happy for Jason.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks me, searching for my eyes.

  “I expected it, you know, so it doesn’t affect me at all. It’s not worth getting angry or depressed. Life goes on. I told you, we had no feelings for each other.”

  "Okay, Kate. I believe you. You know where I am if you need me," he says, hugging me.

  "Thank you," I reply, hugging him back.

  When we land, we find two army soldiers waiting to escort us to the base where the general is awaiting us.

  Crossing the base’s large gates, I feel like home. Since I grew up in a military base, it makes me feel good every time I step into one.

  The general is waiting for us in his office. Once alone, he apologizes for his behavior and congratulates us on the excellent work we’ve done. He specified that an apology should always be made in person. Above all, he doesn’t want to admit that he had made a mistake in front of his subordinates. Obviously, there is no mission to follow as I thought; it had only been a white lie so I could reach him as soon as possible, and that means we can have a much-needed rest.

  No damage was done. We use the free evening to wander around downtown and go shopping. Then we head to the hotel.

  While I print the documents, I listen to some music and write a text message to Alec.

  Me: Hey, Alec, we’ll return tomorrow afternoon. Everything went well, this crazy bitch's head is still holding her crown.