Page 46 of Shadow Touched

He frowned. “Then why?”

“I couldn’t leave without knowing you weresafe,” she said. She gave him a sad smile. “I know you don’t loveme. I know you want me gone. But I could only live in this worldknowing you’re somewhere in it.”

“Then you know nothing,” he said. “Because Ilove you so damn fucking much it tore me up seeing you in thehospital. I had to protect you, and that meant being far away fromme.”

“You … you love me?”

“I know this is fast, but never thought I’dfind someone like you. Never thought I’d be so consumed by someone.I don’t want you gone, Leia. I want you right by my side.”

“Then why did you push me away?”

“Because I didn’t want the ugliness in myworld to touch you. I want to protect you, always.”

“And I will do anything to protectyou,” she said. “I accept your life is dangerous. I acceptthat things aren’t legit. I accept that you kill bad people. Clubsare family, right? You’re all my family now.”

He bent his head and kissed her on themouth. The smell of smoke filled the air and he pulled back to takehold of her hand.

“Time to go home,” he said.

She nodded. “Sounds good. There’s just onemore thing I need to know.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”

“Just what did happen on yoursixteenth birthday?”

Epilogue

One month later

“It’s right up here,” Brim said, pointingtoward a shop in the strip mall.

They had gone to St. Louis, partially forhis work and partially as an impromptu honeymoon. Brim hadn’twasted time putting a ring on her finger. She’d always wanted to goto a Cardinals game, and he’d made her wish come true. They hadspent a fun afternoon eating hotdogs, drinking beer, and cheeringon their baseball team.

Now they walked down the street as he ledher to some mysterious gift he said he’d gotten her. When he pausedin front of the storefront, she read the sign.

“A psychic?” She raised an eyebrow. “Ithought you didn’t believe in paranormal shit.”

“Let’s say I’m a convert. Go on, I paid fora session.”

“Buy why?”

“You once said you would like to know whyyou can see the shadow of death. Maybe a psychic can answer thatquestion.”

Leia’s heart swelled with emotion. She stoodup on tiptoe to kiss him. “Thank you.”

He smiled and swatted her on her ass. “Goon. I’m going to grab a coffee across the street.”

Leia watched him for a moment before facingthe store. She took a deep breath and entered. The low lightinggave a mystical vibe to the place with heavy incense filling hernose. Crystals hung from the ceiling. Candles, statues, windchimes,clothing, and books were shoved in every corner. A regal lookingblack woman came through a doorway obscured with hanging beads. Aturban rested on her head and she wore large hoop earrings.

“Welcome,” she greeted with a smile.

“Hi. Um, my husband said I had anappointment.”

Being able to call Brim her husband broughta smile to her face.

“Leia? Please, this way.”

She followed the psychic into a small room.A tarot deck was laid out on the table and the psychic gestured toa chair.

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