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Epilogue
Conversation buzzed around Eveline, but all her attention was on the man standing at the grill in Astrid and Growler’s backyard.
He was laughing at something Growler was saying.
In the two weeks that’d passed since she’d been kidnapped by Gerald, Kyle hadn’t left her side. The nights were the hardest when she relived the moment Gerald ended his life.
Although sometimes it was her who was shot, and other times it was Kyle. Eveline was working with a therapist, and Kyle was beside her every step she took. It was becoming easier, but she knew it would take a long time to forget the feel of Gerald’s blood splashing against the back of her neck. Even Kyle had taken to talking to the therapist about his PTSD issues. The experience of working through things together brought them closer.
“You’re safe, baby. Nothing is going to happen to you.” Kyle spoke softly as he squatted in front of her, his hand on her knee.
When had he moved?
How had he known where her mind had detoured?
“I know.” Eveline placed her hand over his. “You keep me safe every day.”
Kyle studied her for a few moments. She kept her gaze locked on his, letting him know she believed there was no danger around her. Not with the Alliez Security team nearby.
As if he was satisfied with what he saw, Kyle leaned forward and kissed her. Slow and soft.
Who cared that they were surrounded by friends?. Because of that, she hooked an arm around his neck and deepened the kiss. She was rewarded with a groan from Kyle.
“You’re playing dirty,” he complained as they broke apart, both of them breathing heavily.
She shrugged, happiness chasing away the dark thoughts of Gerald. “All’s fair in love and war.”
“Only love, baby. Always love.”
“Definitely.”
Kyle gave her leg one last pat before standing from his squatted position.
Eveline bit her lip to stop from laughing when he adjusted his pants before he headed back to his friends. She couldn’t quite hear what they were saying, but when Kyle gave them the bird, she figured they were ribbing him about the kiss they’d shared.
“I thought for a minute there, I’d have to douse the both of you with a pitcher of iced water.” Astrid grinned as she flopped down in the chair opposite Eveline.
It was still a bit surreal that she could call a famous celebrity chef a friend, but that was what Astrid was. After her ordeal, Astrid had insisted on making sure that her and Kyle’s freezer was stocked with yummy food and the fridge full of delicious cakes and cookies.
“No different from the kiss I saw you and Growler sharing when I went inside to wash my hands.”
Astrid laughed. “There’s just something about former military men that makes a heart race.”
“Girl, ain’t that the truth?”
“Have you decided what you’re going to do for a job now?” her new friend asked as she picked up one of the mini quiches from the tray sitting on the table between them.
“Definitely not acting,” Eveline quipped.
The whole scenario of the film that Gerald insisted he was making for her was bizarre. Even the crew had seemed confused about what was happening at the time.
With her former boss not able to answer their questions, there were no real answers of why he’d acted the way he did.
Perhaps it was the drugs. Perhaps it was the stress of the job. No one would know.
Kyle had gotten in touch with his son, Wayne, and found out that Gerald was Wayne’s stepfather, and he didn’t want anything to do with the mess the older man had made of his life.
