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“At the moment we must be separate. You need to be strong for both of us, okay? This isn’t goodbye forever; trust me. I love you.”
“What are you talking about?” She shakes her head and her bottom lip quivers. “You’re coming with me, aren’t you?”
“Not yet.” I pull a piece of paper from my pocket and hand it to her. “Once you land, go to this address. Don’t call me. Don’t text. Nothing. I’m dead to you for the time being but I will find my way back to you. Do you understand?”
She buries her face in her hands, and her forehead lands against my chest. Her slim shoulders shudder with each gut-wrenching cry. “I don’t want this to be the end.”
I cup the back of her head and kiss her temples. “This is just the beginning, baby girl.”
Epilogue – Hazel
Three Months Later
If someone had asked me three months ago where I would be living, I would have told them in my tiny house on the outskirts of New York City.
Never once did I think that my whole life would change in the blink of an eye. I never thought I would end up moving from New York to Moscow, but here I am.
All because of that infuriating man and his plan to keep me safe.
I smile at my reflection in the mirror as I finish lacing up my running shoes. Yes, I am safe and have everything I need. Everything except him by my side.
Nik insisted on staying in New York and sorting things out. He wanted to make sure I could return home one day.
So, I am living on the outskirts of Moscow, and I run every morning to avoid the aching feeling I get when I think of him and long to feel his hands on my body.
I would give anything to go back to New York right now and be with him.
In the beginning, I thought it would be easy, but I stayed strong. I thought the lack of contact wouldn’t bother me and that time would pass quickly.
But after the first two days, I realized how wrong I was. Now, I’m left with a Nik-sized hole in my heart.
One day we’re going to be together again. Nik promised.
A run is the one thing that keeps me from my spiraling thoughts and my aching desire for him this early in the morning.
The sun has barely risen when I step outside, but the day is already warm. I shut the front door of my apartment before closing my eyes and tilting my face up to the sky. The warm rays hit my skin.
“How do you feel about skipping your run today?”
My eyes fly open at the familiar voice. As I look at Tom, I try to find an escape route, but there is none. He's standing on the sidewalk, a black car idling behind him.
Shit! Am I caught? How did he find me?
Did something happen to Nik? Is that why they were able to track me down?
“Come on, kiddo.” With a gentle smile, he opens the passenger door. “We have a lot of catching up to do and we shouldn't be seen together.”
I stare at him hesitantly, I should run in the other direction, but something about the gentle expression on his face makes me walk towards the car. Tom closes the door and gets in on the other side.
“You’re probably wondering what I’m doing here.” He drums his fingers on the steering wheel as he takes a road that leads out into the countryside. “I’ve known Nik for many years. My little brother managed to get involved with the wrong people.”
His words are a sucker punch to the gut. I look over at him, grasping the edge of my seat. “Tom, please don’t mess with me.”
Is this a setup? Is he pretending to be someone he’s not to get me arrested?
After all, Tom is an undercover agent. He's the one who taught me everything I know. As much as I want to trust him, I don’t know if I can.
“Nik saved my brother when I thought there was no salvation for him. He put him back on the right path and I didn’t lose the only family I have left. When he called me a few years ago because he needed help, I jumped at the chance to return the favor for his kindness.”
