Page 203 of Chasing Sparks

“Cloak and dagger,” I mumble. “Kevin always gave me an uneasy feeling. He never did anything, per se, but there was an air about him.”

“Luckily, that’sallhe gave you.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

I slip the card into my pocket. “Will you ever return to Sparkwood?”

Trace shrugs. “Eventually. I’m not giving up on catching that son of a bitch, but for now, I need to protect Lucille. Kevin thinks he’s gotten away with this, but he hasn’t. We’ll get him one day.”

“I’m glad Lucille has you in her corner.”

Perhaps my senses are off, but there’s something tangible between Trace and Lucille. Ash mentioned they were once married. Who knows? Maybe this crazy-ass ride might rekindle their romance. Stranger things have happened, and the woman needs a good man to protect her. Seems like Trace is up for that job.

Lucille returns to my side, opening her arms. “Give me a hug, preggers.”

I stand and embrace her. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too—and take care of this guy, okay?” She glances at Ash, her eyes misty. “He’s one of the good ones.”

“You have my word.”

“This isn’t goodbye forever,” Lucille says, giving Ash’s hand a squeeze.

But I can’t help wondering if that’s exactly what it is.

Ash is quiet as we return to Sparkwood.

“Are you okay?” I ask, glancing at him.

He sighs and shoots me a half-smile. “Yeah. Just hard to believe it’s done. Not the ending we hoped for, though.”

“Hey, you helped save a dozen girls from a lifetime of slavery. That’s a pretty damn good ending.”

“But he’s still out there. He can still come back.”

I rest my hand on Ash’s arm. “You and I don’t have anything he wants. Like Trace said, we were pawns to him.”

“I just wish they’d captured the bastard.”

“They will. I saw the determination on Trace’s face.”

Ash exhales, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. “I guess.”

I toy with the seatbelt, hesitant about asking my next question. “Are you okay with Lucille leaving?”

“I want her safe, and Trace will take care of her.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Ash glances at me briefly before returning his focus to the road. His free hand reaches for mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I told you, you’re everything.”

Tears sting my eyes, and my voice shakes. “I didn’t believe it the last time you said it.”

“It’s always been true. It’s always been you.Sei sempre nel mio cuore.”

My breath catches at the unfamiliar words. “What does that mean?”

The corners of Ash’s mouth quirk up. “It means you’d better learn Italian.”

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