Page 87 of Life

I scoot as close to Eli’s side as I can get. “And Tommy?”

“Couldn’t handle that I killed the man in what he considered cold blood. The man’s hands were up, and I killed him. Thomas lied to the sergeant and internal affairs for me so I wouldn’t be charged, but after it was all over he told me he couldn’t handle what I did and what he in turn did to save me from life in prison… So I left.”

I close my eyes and kiss the ball of his shoulder. “You did what you had to.”

“I’ve never been sorry for the decision I made that night. I did it for Shelly Ann, and I’d do it again. My only regret was losing my brother in the process.”

I inhale long and slow, grip his chin, and turn him so he looks directly at me. “According to both of these letters, Tommy regretted the decision he made. He loved you, came to the conclusion on his own that you did what you had to do to ensure justice for Shelly Ann’s murder.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right, babe. He finally got over it, but it was too fucking late.” He closes his eyes, his face a mask of sorrow.

“It’s never too late to make amends.”

That day, we visit Tommy’s grave. Eli says what he needs to say, as do I. Eli even promises to name our first son after him. I don’t agree to that part, but I know I will later. Anything to keep the man I love smiling and happy. At least a middle name…

As we walk back to the car, he holds me close. I ask him the single burning question that had been plaguing me. “Would you do it all over again? Go through what we went through the last couple months?”

He stops by the side of the car, and turns me at the waist so I face him head on. “I’d do anything to ensure you’re in my life. Hunt down criminals. Scale mountains. Spend every dollar in my bank account. Whatever it took to make sure you were mine.”

Eli kisses me long, deep, and so wet, I feel it from the roots of my hair to the tingle in my toes. Every last kiss from him is the best kiss I’ve ever had.

He rests his forehead against mine until we’re sharing one another’s breath. Then he blows me away with the one thing I’ve waited twenty-eight years to hear from the man I love.

His breath whisks across my cheeks and tickles my moistened lips as he speaks. “Without you, Maria, the world does not turn, and my days do not change to night. You are my life.”

Epilogue

Three years later…

“Cara bonita, that is one long flight.” I pull Gillian into my arms. Her long red hair bounces over my shoulder as she returns the hug. “But thanks for flying us in one of the Davis jets. They treat us like royalty,mi amiga.”

Eli stands next to me as I lock an arm around his waist.

Chase claps Elijah on the shoulder. “Soup’s on.”

I pull Elijah in. Usually I take these trips to Bantry, Ireland, alone so he can get some bounty-hunting work done in another state, but I finally got him to agree to come to the Davis Estate. The girls and I have been coming here since Gillian and Chase bought the house and got married in this tiny town across the pond.

We move through the vast home and head to the patio where I can already hear my nieces and nephew playing. Once we get outside, Eli gasps. “Holy fuck,” he whispers under his breath.

I look out over the unimpeded view of the cliffs and ocean beyond. The kids run around after one another in the gated-off area under the patio.

Eli tips his chin toward the kids. “That’s going to be us one day soon you know.”

I elbow him in the gut. “Not until after the wedding. And don’t you dare think otherwise.”

“When can we get married?” he says into my ear, kissing my neck.

I shrug. “Whenever. Nothing big. Just these people are all I care about having.”

“We’ll be here for two weeks. I’ll fly my parents out. Why not get married here?”

I turn fully toward him and focus on his gaze. His startling green eyes seem brighter today, and the easy smile proves he’s not joking.

“Don’t play with me,Cazador.”

He puts an arm around me and brings me up against his body. “Babe, you say when, you say where, and I’m there. Tomorrow works for me. I’m kind of tired after that flight to do it today.” He nuzzles my nose.

I kiss him quick and then tug on his hand to introduce him to Rebecca and Colin, the other half of the Davis staff who are more like family now. “Hold that thought. We’ll come back to it after we tell the girls.”

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