Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I wasn’t sure who was more shocked when Raven suddenly launched herself at Matteo. She flung her arms around his waist, hugging him hard. She hadn’t displayed open affection like that to anyone except the children since we arrived. We had reconnected last night, but of all the men, Matteo was the one she was most skittish with. Seeing her hug him was surprising.
He looked at me before slowly wrapping his arms around her. He rocked her like a child, murmuring something to her. She looked up, nodding, then rose on her toes and kissed his cheek. He smiled at her with genuine affection, then tapped her nose. “You are welcome,” he said. “Damien is family, and now so are you. Whatever you decide, that will not change.”
He strolled away, and Raven approached me. I tugged her close. “What was that all about?” I asked.
“He is offering me a life without fear. A place to build new memories with you. I realized how big a heart he has under that gruff exterior.”
“He does. Family is important to him.” I sat down on the boulder Matteo had vacated and cupped her sweet face. “Is this what you want, Raven? To live here?”
“I’m torn. My first instinct is yes. But does that mean Andy won? If I leave Toronto, am I giving up on my dreams because of him? I wanted to teach.”
I studied her. “Maybe your location would change, but you can still teach. There’s a school on the mainland where the kids go every day. Matteo says they are always looking for teachers.”
“Oh.”
“We can go home, let Matteo build, and make our decision once we pick up our life again. You may want to stay, or you may want to move.”
“What about you?”
I tugged her close. “Wherever you want to live, Raven, is where I want to be.”
“But your company. The system you watch over. The people you protect—”
I silenced her with a long kiss. “The only person I want to protect is you, Raven. I’ve been the Watcher long enough. I have great people to take over. Leo will run the company. He can hire his own staff. The only thing keeping me there is you. And if you want to be here, then so do I.”
She threw her arms around my neck, burrowing her face into my shoulder. “I love you,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too. So, will we tell Matteo to build, and we’ll figure it out?”
She pulled back, the tears glistening in her eyes, happy ones.
Her smile said it all.
EPILOGUE
Damien
EPILOGUE — TWO YEARS LATER
I broke through the waves, the water refreshing on my skin. It had been a hot day on the boat, and I was grateful for the cool. I swam back to the shore, not surprised to find Raven waiting, towel in one hand, a cold drink in the other. I walked toward her, smiling.
Her skin was sun-kissed, a golden glow that set off her dark hair and emphasized her beautiful eyes. These days, they were relaxed and at peace all the time.
The choice to move here came easily. Once we were back in Toronto, Raven became fearful. Even though she knew Andy was dead, it haunted her. Even with counseling, she admitted she couldn’t let go of the memories. I wasn’t surprised. Everything that was part of us was associated with the events of the past. The pub where we met. The coffee shop. My apartment. The school. Even driving past the zoo made her uneasy. Deb, Tracey, Leo. All were reminders.
I called Matteo, and a year after leaving the island, we were back. Raven finished her school year, and I closed up my life. We returned to the island, and Raven flourished. She loved teaching on the mainland, and I enjoyed the outdoor life and helped out some days with the charter business Alex and Vince ran. Alex was off on another trip with Roza, so today, I filled in.
But it had been a long day, and I smiled as I approached my wife, grateful it was done and behind me. I bent and kissed her full mouth, and then, unable to resist, nuzzled her bare shoulder. She shivered, making me smile.
“You’re all wet,” she murmured, pushing the towel into my arms, edging away.
I caught her waist. “Give me five, baby, and you will be too.”
She laughed, pushing me away. “We’re having dinner with the crew tonight. Save it.”
I pouted but took the glass she offered and downed the fresh, cold beverage. Raven loved to mix the various fruits on the island and from the market, to make her own juice. This was one of my favorites—passion fruit, pineapple, and mango.
“You look very pretty,” I commented. “I like that dress.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Especially those little bows on your shoulders.”