by Darcy Dawes
Not anymore, though.
“Do it then.”
Danny would want to do it. He’d want him alive so he could question him then probably kill him in a slow and agonizing way.
Part of me would love to help for what he’s put Gray through. But I’m different now. I don’t want a part of that anymore, not when I have a future with Gray.
If she sticks by me, that is, after I do what I’ve got to do for Danny.
One shot and it’s over. Cannon almost looked shocked, like he expected me to drag it out or haul him off to Danny. Perhaps it was less than he deserved but I just want it over now. I kick his body aside and hurry upstairs. Gray is curled up, a hand across her mouth. Smoke has turned her skin ashen and streaked with black. I grab her arm and she sways into me.
“Fuck.” She’s inhaled too much smoke. I haul her into my arms and she clings onto my neck, burying her head against my chest.
I stop only to make sure no one is waiting for us outside. Walker and Cooper race forward.
“Think we’ve got them all,” Cooper pants. I note the blood stain blossoming on his jeans.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Just a scratch. Looks like you took the same treatment.” Cooper nods to my arm.
“As you say, just a scratch.”
Behind me, something explodes. Debris rains down onto the grass.
“Let’s get out of here before the cops turn up.”
Walker grins. “I’m with you on that.”
I carry Gray over to the car and settle in the back with her while Walker and Cooper get in the front. Walker guns the engine and I glance over my shoulder briefly to see the raging inferno that was once Danny and Gray’s home.
Gray takes a choking breath and Cooper passes me a bottle of water from the front. I unscrew it and offer it to Gray. She takes several deep gulps and starts coughing again.
“Hell of a fire,” Cooper says. “Lucky to escape.”
I put a little water in my hand and try to wipe away the dirt from Gray’s face. She’s tired and has swallowed a bit of smoke but she’s okay. She smiles at me and my heart threatens to break in two.
“Is it over?”
“Almost,” I tell her. “Almost, Little One.”
I press her against my chest and hold her tight. I hold her as if I won’t get to hold her again. Which might be true. She might never forgive me for what I’m about to do.”
Epilogue
Valentine
It’s been five years but I’d recognize her anywhere. Five years behind bars. It’s been an eternity, but worth every hour of my imprisonment. Will Gray think that too, though? I haven’t seen her, not even when she asked to visit. I denied her every time. The last thing I wanted was her sitting in a fucking prison.
She turns, her chocolate hair catching in the breeze and her gaze locks onto me. Gray moves away from the car. I’m assuming it’s hers. I guess little Gray is driving now. Fuck, she’s grown up.
I walk over, my one bag in hand. Five years has probably aged me. There’s gray at my temples and probably more lines on my face. It’s aged her too but in the best way. She’s filled out a little but she still has those long, lithe legs and her face is as innocent as ever. I hold my breath as she nears. Her head tilts and she eyes me. Several heavy heartbeats pass.
“I didn’t expect you to be collecting me.”
A smile passes over her lips. “After you kept me away you mean?”
“You know why I did.”
She nods. “Yeah, I get it.”
“Do you?”
She nods again. “I understand, Valentine. I know why you took the fall for my brother. I wish you’d at least told me you were going to but I get it.”
“It was all for you, Little One.”
Tears appear suddenly in her eyes. She dashes forward and I drop the bag to take her into my arms. The scent and feel of her wraps around me. Five years means nothing. Not if it kept her brother safe and alive. I knew full well that if I turned myself in and took the blame for Danny’s crimes, I’d have no problems on the inside. With the help of Danny’s hotshot lawyers, my sentence was pretty short and good behavior helped me get out sooner. Better that I take the fall than Gray’s brother.
“It was all for you,” I murmur against her hair. “All for you. It always has been.”
“I know.” The words come out as a sob. She lifts her head and eyes me. “Danny said you didn’t want me growing up without my brother. That you believed someone else would try to get to him on the inside.”
“You two have been safe since, right?”
“Yes, thanks to you. Taking Cannon out put an end to all of that and Danny sent me away to school.”
I swipe a thumb over her face to smooth away the tears. “These past few years have been good to you?”
“Good enough. It wasn’t the same without you.”
“Does that mean you want me back in it?”
She gives me a watery smile. “Of course I do. I want that life we were meant to have five years ago.”
I stop and take in the sight of her. “I didn’t know if you’d wait for me. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t.”
“I love you, Valentine. I’d wait forever if I had to.”
“Well you don’t. I’m here now, Little One. All yours.”
“Good.” She grins. “Let’s get out of here.”
“I’m ready whenever you are,” I say, images already rolling through my mind. She takes my hand but I stop her from dragging me to the car. I draw her into me and press a kiss to her lips. She gasps and instantly opens her mouth to me. Her tongue touches mine and I’m taken back five years to the first time I kissed her. It’s memories like that that have been keeping me going. I break the kiss and suck in a deep breath.
“I love you, Little One. Always will.”
A shy smile breaks across her face. “Come on. We’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”
I grin and briefly picture all the things I’m going to do to her to remind her she’s mine. “Damn right.”
THE END
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