We’re all dancing to OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” when Claire and Ms. Levine, Eve’s high school English teacher, walk over. Eve’s jaw drops in shock as she runs to hug them wholeheartedly.
Eve hasn’t seen Ms. Levine in years, but they’ve kept in touch via email. As the woman who picked up my girl by the bootstraps and got her out of Blue Houses hell, I’m forever indebted. When I called her with the news of our wedding, she was over the moon with happiness.
Claire and Eve haven’t seen each other since Columbia, but they’ve kept in touch for all these years, too. Claire was in Algeria with Doctors Without Borders and it was purely coincidental that she was back in the states for a two-month vacation while our wedding was happening. Seeing her is bittersweet; she was part of the best and the most terrible of times.
As the guests eat and hang out by the bar, Eve and I continue to dance under the evening moon, our own pace nice and slow despite the beat of the music. My hands stay on her at all times. I know I’m greedy, but I just can’t let her go.
“Eve?” I bring her closer.
“Mmm?” she hums, smiling.
“You gave yourself to me.” She squints in annoyance. I know it drives her insane when I talk macho, but her mad face is just so damn sexy.
“Vincent,” she says my name all angry, and I have to stop myself from dragging her out of here and taking her to bed.
“Now that I’m your husband, I’ll be more protective. Extra crazy, too. Gonna need you next to me all the damn time.” She gives me another face. “Can’t help it, babe.”
“Is it too late to back out?” My mouth turns down and she giggles, slapping my arm. “Oh, come on. As if I don’t know you.”
“Well, that’s why I think we should build out your center next to my office trailer. This way I can always be near.”
“You were able to get the land?” She lets out an adorable squeak.
I nod slowly and her eyes flash in excitement. The last few months, Eve has been planning logistics of her domestic violence shelter. With five short-term residences and a specialization in building life skills, employment assistance, and legal counseling for battered women and their families, she hopes to give families a safe place to restart their lives and rise above their current situations.
Eve went through hell by the hands of her own mother, but with an iron will and the support of her sister and Ms. Levine, she was able to claw up and out. Still, most people aren’t so lucky or as strong. This shelter will be a support and savior in the way these families need.
I touch her gorgeous dark hair, down and wild the way I love, and feel immeasurably lucky. “I’ll spend my life making myself worth it. I swear.” I kiss the top of her head softly before she tilts her head up, giving me those warm, full lips. My entire soul stirs.
“Vincent. Vincent. Vincent,” she says my name over and over like a blessing.
“Yeah, baby?”
“We’re married.” She looks at me then, in a way only Eve ever has. And with every ounce of love within me, I kiss her.
The End
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Books in the Vincent and Eve series:
Rising (Vincent and Eve Book 1)
Reckoning (Vincent and Eve Book 3)
Redemption (Vincent and Eve Book 3)
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Readers,
Did you know the Vincent and Eve series was my debut? As a brand-new author who independently publishes, reviews have the power to make or break a book. If you have the time, please drop a line on Amazon or Goodreads! It would truly mean the world to me.
With Love,
Jessica Ruben
Acknowledgments
This book has been an incredible journey. Without certain individuals, the finish line would never have been reached. Firstly, I need to thank my husband for giving me the space and support I need to follow my dreams. Jon, you’re the breath in my prayers. I love you more. I must also thank my children, who make me believe in the purity of human beings. Because of my family, I know that love is truth.
I want to thank my team. First on the list is Leigh Ford, my master Beta reader. When things got stressful, you were the one talking me through my words. Helping to outline and brainstorm. You’re the scaffolding for not only these books, but also for life. I also need to thank Andrea at Hot Tree editing, Candice, Caitlin, Jana, Roxy, and Jayme for Beta-reading. Your support in these books gave me the strength I needed to plow forward. Lauren Runow—my big sister in this author world. I adore you. M.J. Fields!! Your support and love for Vincent and Eve along with the friendship you’ve offered me still feels like a dream come true.
Now here comes the part when I talk about the big gun. Autumn at Wordsmith Publicity. You are fierce. You are brilliant. And you literally picked my debut books by their straps and threw them, with all your might, onto the map—all with class and determination. You’re amazing. I am so thankful to call you my publicist, but even more thankful to call you my friend.
I have to thank Ellie from Love N’ Books for reading the earliest draft of my work and encouraging me to split the novel into three. Your guidance and knowledge of the book world is second to none. From small wording changes to large plot issues—I’m lucky to say my books were all in your excellent care.
BilliJoy Carson at Editing Addict. You are so skilled at what you do. You dissect my work like a book surgeon! And your attention to detail are what took my books from “good” to “as good as they could be.” I thank you.
The bloggers. You ladies are amazing. You shouted my books from the social media rooftops and brought me to Kindles around the world. You’re the gatekeepers of the book community and I admire all of your hard work and dedication. Most of all, I admire your passion for the craft and love of books. I may be a storyteller, but you guys shed the light. I am so grateful you all took a chance on me.
The readers!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for reading. For clicking on an unknown and taking that risk. I hope you enjoyed the journey of Vincent and Eve.
Redemption (Vincent and Eve #3) Page 20