Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“Love.” He smirks and lowers the gun. “It’s a bitch, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” My voice is shaky, but I can finally take a breath now that the gun isn’t pointed at my face. This is going to work out.
When he raises the gun and fires, I’m knocked back into the wall by the fireplace, pain roaring through me as I crash to the floor.
18
ARIADNE
A few weeks later
Christmas Eve
“What are you doing?” I yell at Brendan. “I told you I was going to do that.” In hindsight maybe I shouldn't yell at someone up on a ladder, but I was scared. He shouldn’t be up there. His side is still healing. Even though he only sustained a flesh wound from where the hitman had shot him, he was still supposed to be taking it easy. The memory of that is not something I think I’ll ever get over. I remind myself every day that it could have been worse. I’d rather him be on this ladder where I can yell at him than the alternative.
“You really think I’d let you up on a ladder in this weather?” he asks, shaking his head at me before finishing screwing in the broken white bulb. “There.” He starts to climb back down the ladder.
“Where’s your coat?” He looks me over.
It’s Christmas Eve, so of course I’m in flannel pajamas. I went as far as getting Brendan matching ones, which I’m going to let him open tonight. I don’t have any other winter gear on except for my boots that I slid on quickly when I went in search of Brendan to begin with. I knew when I couldn't find him anywhere that he had to be outside messing with the lights. He wouldn't have just left the house without telling me or asking if I needed something. I am even more clingy now after all that happened. I didn’t think I could get worse, but I have. Brendan doesn’t mind it, and it makes me happy, so I don’t see a problem with it. Some people might think it’s strange, but they already think that about me anyway, so who cares?
“I got worried,” I admit as he pulls his coat off and drapes it onto me. He’s always making sure I’m taken care of, especially when it comes to the outdoor elements. I swear he’d have me looking like Randy from ‘Christmas Story’ if I let him. I’d be so bundled up that I wouldn’t even be able to move. I smile, appreciating how lucky I am to have found him.
“I had to fix the light. It would’ve driven you crazy.” One light went out this morning. I hadn't gotten around to fixing it yet. I’ve been in the kitchen most of the day cooking and decorating cookies for Brendan. Okay, I wasn’t only making them for him. I love baking Christmas cookies. It makes me happy, but I also love to dote on Brendan. I’ve enjoyed taking care of him after he was shot.
Heath had said that blood needed to be shed, and it had. He also said we had to disappear. Easy enough when you’re involved with a hacker. He can make your whole life disappear as though it was never there and create a brand new one. I rather love our new life together. We are now Mr. and Mrs. Claws, born and raised in Finland, where it’s Christmas year-round here in the Arctic circle. I never have to take my Christmas lights down. There’s no countdown to December 1st. It’s magical. There’s no more competition with Brendan because now we share a home. Not that there ever was one to begin with. After all, it couldn’t be a competition when I was always the winner.
“It’s perfect.” I sigh, leaning into him. “You feeling okay?” I ask.
He never complains about the small wound and doesn’t act like it bothers him. We seem to be more active than ever in the exercise department. I smile just thinking about what we did this morning.
“I couldn't be better.” He kisses me on top of the head. “Maybe a little better if you get your cute ass inside. It’s too cold out here, and you’re not properly dressed.” He ushers me into our cabin. I don’t know how he found this place, but our home looks like one you’d see in a catalog. It’s nestled up on a hill all by itself. I’d been shocked at how fast Brendan had found this place for us, but I quickly learned he’d gotten the cabin awhile back as an exit strategy if he needed one for us. Even before we were a couple. Though he says from the moment he laid eyes on me that he considered us one.
We’re snowed in at the moment, and it looks as though it might be like that for a few days. It’s going to be the most perfect Christmas ever. I’m so used to spending them alone that it’s exciting to get to celebrate the holidays with someone I love.