Page 50 of Hacker Unknown

“What other reason did I have to leave my job and move to Paris?”

She reached out and ran her hand over my cheek. “But I did what you told me not to do.”

“I never wanted to put you through pain. You saved me twice. How could I not follow you to the end of the world? I understand this moved fast, and you might need time to have the same feelings.”

She sat up in bed. “What do you mean? I told you I loved you first.”

“I disagree. I have never heard those words come from your sweet lips.”

“Did Sawyer give you the letter?”

I nodded. “I didn’t read it. Whatever you wrote, I wanted you to say it to my face, not in a note while you ran from me.”

She slid over in the bed and climbed on top of me. “I didn’t run from you. I didn’t want to see you disappointed in me.”

My hands crept up her back and tugged at the zipper of her red dress. “I’m not sure I believe you. Maybe you could prove that you really do love me.”

Her fingers trailed down my chest. “Are you serious about coming to Paris?”

I slowly worked my hands up her body, pulling the red fabric with them. She lifted her arms above her head, and I flung her dress to the side. “Do you mind having an unemployed bum living with you in Paris?”

“I have a counteroffer. How about we live in the United States, and I hire you as my bodyguard and assistant. I’m going to need help setting up my business here. There is nothing for me in Paris. I love it here.”

“The only way to sign a deal is with a kiss.”

Sonali leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. We just signed the agreement to start the next chapter of our life together.

Chapter 17

Epilogue – Paolo

“Do I win brother-in-law of the year, Paolo?” Sawyer asked.

The past few months, Sonali and I had spent a lot of time with Sawyer. He still held a secret I hadn’t cracked. When I expressed this to Antonio, he told me I was looking for something that wasn’t there.

“Not yet. Still need her to set a date, so I can walk her down the aisle. One thing holding her back was seeing her mom. This week’s meant a lot to her.”

We were in a castle on the outskirts of London. I didn’t bother asking who owned it, because I was sure Sawyer wouldn’t tell me, claiming it to be part of the society bullshit.

“Mom has enjoyed her time with you guys. What are your plans for your last few days in the UK?”

“Not sure you want to hear about my plans for your sister.”

He shook his head and took a sip of his beer. During breakfast, I’d heard a couple of the cooks talking about how they went dogging the night before. Thinking it was something to dowith dogs, I asked them what kind of sport it was. The chef’s face turned bright red and apologized before he left the room. I whipped out my phone and googled dogging. The internet search had led me down a rabbit hole and left me with a plan.

“You’re right. I’ve seen my sister naked enough,” Sawyer agreed, glancing at his watch. “Well, it’s time for me to head out.”

I didn’t need to look at my watch to know it was a quarter to eight. The same time he’d escaped every night he was with us this week. Then he would return a few hours later, head straight to the study, and drink himself to sleep.

It was also close to the time for the surprise I had planned for Sonali. Just thinking her name made her saunter into the study where I’d escaped to each night so she could have alone time with her mom. “Are you guys done for the night?”

Sonali nodded. “Mom wanted to head down to the lab to check on a few more tests. She told me your blood work came back perfect. No sign of cancer.”

This was the tenth test I’d taken since my treatment. All of the scans came back clear, and my COPD cleared up. Quitting smoking was hard, but if I had a second chance, I didn’t plan on spoiling it.

“So, you’re free for the rest of the night?”

“Yes, do you have plans for us?”

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