Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Damien spoke. “Are you sure about this, Egan?”
“Wait,” I instructed.
The sound of a small explosion and the screams that followed were music to my ears.
“I guess he chose the wrong wire,” Marcus said dryly.
“That was probably his legs,” I mused. “Ouch.”
There was another explosion and more screaming. Damien looked at me. “You said one box. One bomb.”
I smiled. As soon as you pulled one wire—any wire—it activated them all.
“I lied.”
I detonated the main bomb from the van, the sound of the house exploding behind us the final checkbox for the night. We were silent for a while.
I passed a weary hand over my face.
“It is done. I need to go home to Sofia.”
“Julian texted. She’s awake. And angry.”
That didn’t surprise me. “I will make it up.”
“Can you wait until I’m asleep? Seriously. She’s my cousin,” Damien lamented.
I chuckled. “Yeah.”
Marcus turned to me. “How’s the arm?”
I shrugged. “I’ve had worse.” Sofia’s words would probably dig deeper.
“It’s over, Egan. HJ is looking after everything now. We’re out. Done.”
“Good.”
“You ready to let it all go?”
“I never wanted back in, Marcus. Ivan forced my hand. I just want a life of peace.”
“What’s next?”
“A life with Sofia. Wherever she wants it to be. If she still wants it.”
“You doubt that?” Damien asked. “She loves you.”
“I broke every promise I made to her. If she can forgive me, we will go forward.” I stared out the window. “If not, I will let her go.”
The rest of the ride was made in silence.
We entered the house, my jacket hiding the wound on my arm. Julian and Matteo waited, sitting at the table. Sofia leaned against the counter, a cup of coffee in her hand. She was pale, her bruises showing up on her skin like shadows.
Julian stood as we walked in. “HJ has finished the job. The house is secure, and they have the documents needed. It will help sort everything out. We’re done.”
I nodded, my gaze never leaving Sofia’s face.
Damien went over and hugged her, speaking quietly. I sat down, my legs suddenly too tired to hold me up anymore. Julian and Matteo left the room, pausing to exchange a look or tap me on my good shoulder. They knew I’d been shot but didn’t say anything. Marcus grabbed a bottle of water and strode from the kitchen, pausing only to hug Sofia and say something softly. Damien crossed to where I was sitting.
“It’ll be fine, Egan.”
I met his gaze, seeing the sympathy in his eyes.
“Thank you,” I said.
He nodded, knowing I meant for his quick action earlier. Thanks to his marksmanship, Ivan didn’t cause a major injury. He paused then turned back to Sofia. “Egan’s okay, Sofia, but he’s been shot.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I glared at him. “It’s a scratch. He barely hit me.”
She pushed off the counter. “You let him get shot, Damien? No one told me? I would have been ready!”
“I’m fine,” I repeated, even though my arm ached like a bitch. “You should be resting, iubirea mea.” I narrowed my eyes at Damien. “And you should be leaving.”
“You be quiet, Egan Vulpe. I’m so mad at you. Damien, bring me the medical kit.”
He opened the cupboard, handing her the medical kit every safe house contained.
“Where?” she demanded, opening the kit on the table.
“My arm.”
“Take off your jacket.”
I did as she requested, still glaring at Damien. I had planned on telling her gently. Maybe tomorrow. I would have cleaned it myself. I had done it many times, and I knew it wasn’t life-threatening. He grinned and winked at me, enjoying causing trouble.
“Egan was really awesome, Sofia. Kicking ass, taking names, all after being shot.”
“Shut up, you idiotule,” I snarled. “You’re making it worse.”
“Nope. My work is done.” He left the room as Sofia leaned over me, muttering under her breath.
In moments, she had cleaned and dressed the wound, winding a thick white bandage over it. Something wet splashed on my arm, and I slipped my fingers under her chin, lifting her face. I was horrified to see the tears in her eyes, dripping down her cheeks. “Sofia,” I murmured. “My love, everything is fine.”
She let me pull her to my lap, and I cradled her close. “Do not cry. It hurts me when you cry.”
“You left. You left without saying goodbye.”
“I wanted you to rest after your ordeal. Not sit and worry.”
“I woke up, and you were gone,” she sobbed. “All I could think was you didn’t give me the chance to say goodbye. To kiss you one last time. To tell you how proud I was of you. How much I loved you.”
“I’m sorry. But it’s over now.”
“Ivan is dead?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“And the rest of them?”
“All dead.”
“When Julian said it was all handled, the other man and his family…” She trailed off.
“Dead,” I replied flatly. “They were not good individuals, Sofia. They killed a lot of innocent people.”