Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
He shakes his head earnestly. “No, I want to be like you and eat strawberry.”
My heart swells, tears escaping down my cheeks. “Nate, you’re already so much like me. You can eat whatever flavor you like best.”
He snuggles deeper into the pillow, clutching his favorite teddy bear tightly. “Okay, maybe I’ll have a scoop of each.”
I sit beside him, gently smoothing the covers and watching as he drifts off to sleep.
As Nate’s breathing slows and he falls into a peaceful sleep, I let myself indulge in a few more tears. They’re tears of relief, sorrow, and hope. For now, the promise of ice cream and the soft rhythm of my son’s breathing are all I need to hold onto.
Chapter 39
Benedict
I stand quietly in the doorway, giving Eva and Nate the space they need. The sight of them together, the simple comfort of mother and child, tugs at my heart. I have so much to say, so many feelings bottled up, but now doesn’t seem like the right moment. We’re in the midst of an active mission, and declaring my feelings for her feels like it would only complicate things further.
When I revealed that I wasn’t a priest, I saw the look of betrayal in her eyes. It cut deep, and I regret not telling her the truth sooner. I should have come clean after our first kiss, or even after our first night together. There have been so many moments when honesty could have bridged the gap between us, but I faltered every time. I wish I could rewind and make different choices, but regrets won’t change what’s happened.
Eva’s gaze meets mine as she stands from the bed, her face a mixture of exhaustion and vulnerability. “Hi,” she whispers, her voice soft but carrying a note of weariness. She takes a tentative step toward me.
I step back into the hallway, trying to give her some room. “How are you feeling?” I ask, my voice filled with genuine concern.
“A little dizzy, but I’ll survive,” she replies, managing a small, tired smile.
I nod, feeling a pang of sympathy. “We should get you to sit down. You need rest.”
Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see the weight of everything she’s been through reflected in her gaze. I want to offer more comfort, more support, but right now, it’s all I can do to ensure she’s physically okay and make sure she’s getting the care she needs. The mission and the danger still loom large, but in this quiet moment, I just want to be there for her, however I can.
“Was any of it real?” she asks me.
“Of course it was,” I rush out, hoping she believes me. “Eva, meeting you was everything to me. You’ve changed my life.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know what to believe.”
I grab a hold of both her hands, holding them between us. “Believe me. I’m going to make everything right between us, Eva.”
Before I can say another word, Vin appears at the far end of the hallway, urgency written across his face. "We’ve found them," he says, his voice sharp and quick. "They’re off the coast. A chopper’s on its way to pick us up."
Eva's eyes dart to mine, wide with concern. I see the fear swimming in them, and it grips me in a way nothing else does. She whispers, "Be safe," her voice barely above a breath, but the weight behind it is staggering.
I bring my forehead to rest gently against hers, closing the gap between us. Her breath, shaky and uneven, mingles with mine as I promise, "I’m going to make this all up to you. I swear, Eva. I’ll tell you everything—about me, my life, anything you want to know. No more secrets."
Tears brim in her eyes, her lip quivering as she holds back the flood of emotion threatening to spill over. "Just come back to me," she pleads, her voice barely steady, the vulnerability of her words cutting straight through me.
I can’t stop myself, I lean in and press my lips softly against hers, a kiss filled with all the things I wish I could say, with all the unspoken apologies and promises of a future I’m desperate to secure. "I will," I whisper as I pull back, locking eyes with her for one last moment before I have to go.
I don’t want to let go of her hands, but I force myself to step away. The mission calls, and as much as I want to stay here with her, there’s unfinished business out there. Danger still lurks, Christopher’s still at large. But I’ll come back. For her. For Nate.
I take a breath, steeling myself for what’s next, and follow Vin down the hallway, my mind filled with the feel of her lips, the sound of her voice, and the weight of the promise I intend to keep.