Page 84 of Endless Love

I sink downon the edge of the bed, the realization that it’s almost over hitting me. That we’re going to be safe. Ivan’s father is arrested, and if his brothers weren’t already—the ones that are still alive—they will be soon. The agent who comes to talk to us will tell me about keeping Nate away from me. And Ivan and I—we’ll be free to live our lives. Not on the run, not as different people, butourlives.

“You fixed it,” I whisper softly, half-amazed by it still. “You fixed it all.”

Ivan smiles at me, setting the phone down. “I told you I would.”

“So what happens after the agreement?”

Ivan breathes in slowly. “We go home. I’ll be given amnesty so long as I stick to whatever probation they give me—I’ll have to avoid some criminal activities, I’m sure. But I think I can manage that.”

“Are you sure?” I can’t help but grin, getting up from the bed as I walk over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “You’d have to stop stalking me. That’s probably on the list.”

“I don’t need to any longer. You’re right here.” Ivan grins back, his hands on my waist. “And if you run, little dove, I’ll catch you.”

I suck in a sharp breath, as he leans in to kiss me, soft and slow. When he breaks the kiss after a long moment, he looks down at me, his hands still gripping me gently.

“What do you want to do after this?” Ivan asks curiously. “You probably just want to go home, right?”

I smile, feeling lighter than I have in a long time. “To see everyone and let them know I’m safe, sure. But not to stay.”

Ivan tilts his head. “No?”

“No.” I lean up, kissing him again. “Not yet, anyway. There are so many adventures that I haven’t gotten to go on yet.”

I lean in, pressing my forehead to his, my arms still wrapped around him as I breathe him in. “And I want to go on all of them with you.”

EPILOGUE

CHARLOTTE

Outside, the Caribbean sky is a bright blue that almost matches the dazzling blue of the water. A sugary beach stretches out below the balcony of our beachside suite, the salty breeze tangling my hair as I look out, enjoying the sound of the lapping waves and the scent of the sea air and tropical flowers.

Behind me, I hear the pop of a cork as Ivan opens a bottle of champagne, the sound of him pouring it into glasses following shortly after. He walks up behind me, handing me a mimosa as he leans on the railing next to me, looking out at the beach below.

Zoe and Jasmine are already out on the beach, laying out on towels, enjoying the attention of the men who walk by and gawk. Sarah, I’m sure, is sleeping in—as she always has on every vacation we’ve ever gone on.

“To new beginnings,” Ivan says softly, tapping his mimosa glass against mine. Our fingers brush as he does, and I feel a spark tingle over my skin, lighting me on fire even though we only got dressed an hour or so ago. We enjoyed a lazy evening in bed last night after dinner, and he woke me up the same way thismorning, sliding under the sheets to tease me to a slow, sleepy orgasm.

“And all the adventures we can imagine.” I sip my mimosa, looking out at the sand. “We should go join them soon. We invited them on this trip—we can’t stay in the room thewholetime.”

“I know.” Ivan chuckles. “Maybe I should have waited. I still want you all to myself. But I also wanted your friends to get to know me. We got off on the wrong foot, after all.”

“You mean the whole kidnapping thing? Yeah, Zoe is going to take a while to get over that. And Sarah. Jaz is—” I laugh. “Jaz is the adventurous type, herself. She thought it was exciting. And she trusts my judgment.”

“The others don’t?” Ivan asks curiously, and I shake my head.

“It’s not that. It’s just—Jaz and I were always the closest. I’m not super close with my family, and she’s estranged from hers. It’s different. Sarah and Zoe are just more protective. But after last night, they like you a lot more,” I promise.

Last night, we had a beachside dinner with plenty of wine flowing, private for just the five of us. Ivan paid for all of it, and it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. We laughed and drank and talked, and by the end of it, I could tell that my friends had warmed up to him much more. They’d been skeptical, when he’d proposed us all going on a vacation. But none of my friends are the type to turn down a free exotic trip, and Ivan can be convincing.

I know that firsthand.

“I love you,” I say softly, leaning my hip against the railing and smiling at him. “That’s what matters. The rest will come in time.”

“I hope so,” Ivan agrees. “Because I wouldn’t want anything less than for all of your best friends to agree to be in your bridal party.”

“What?” I blink at him, confused. “My?—”

I gasp as he drops down to one knee on the balcony, slipping his hand into his pocket and pulling out a small black box. When he opens it, I see the most stunning engagement ring that I’ve ever laid eyes on.

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