Page 219 of Chasing Hope

“Those are words I’ll cherish for as long as I live.” My heart pinches knowing the confession is just that more special to Matteo since his parents never told him they loved him. “Please say it again, just once more,” he whispers.

Smiling at my beautiful man, I say tenderly, “I love you, Matteo Valenti. Always have, always will.”

He sighs contentedly, his eyes fluttering closed as if he’s savoring the words.

I pepper his cheek with a kiss before whispering, “And you will always hear those words from me. Be prepared to be loved loudly, Matteo, because mine is a love far too great to keep quiet.”

His eyes fly open at that. “We’re always on the same wavelength, Dove. I was just about to say the same.”

“I just have one question.”

“Anything,” he whispers, the joy radiating off him sending endless warmth through my veins.

“Why do you call me Dove?”

His thumbs brush back and forth across my cheeks. “Because when I look at you, I see freedom,” he confesses. “Youare my peace, Evie. I look at you and I feelfree.”

My heart freefalls, dropping right down into my stomach at the revelation before coming back up andsoaring.

“And in return, I’m going to help you feel free, my Dove.”

His smile turns sheepish as he lifts his shirt, letting me bask in the glory of his tattoo as he turns to the side. “When I went to college, I got this—a tattoo of a dove fleeing its cage because I was finally free." He pauses, the silence weighted. “It made me think of you, made me think of how much happiness you gave me, how you helped me through the hardest time in my life. It was as if I could have a part of you everywhere I went.”

Tears are glistening in my eyes as he lowers his shirt. I’m all but choking on my emotions as I declare, “I’ll fight. I’ll use all my strength and fight. Not just for myself but for all the girls he hurt. I’ll fight for our freedom.”

“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers before kissing me gently, softly, as if I’m the most precious thing in his life. “Are you ready to fly again?” he asks.

Looking into the eyes of my best friend—the one who has been there beside me through all of this, reminding me of my strength on the days I feel like I have none—I know I can do this.

Deep down within my soul, I know I can.

And although I’m doing this to help all those women, I’m doing this for myself, too. For the three-year-old girl who had so much taken from her, who was hurt beyond repair.

I’m doing it forher.

Because no one else would, and she deserves to have someone fight for her.

With that thought in mind, feeling more strength than I have in months, I say, “I’m ready to soar.”

Pride shines in Matteo’s eyes at my answer. Rising to his fullheight, he rolls up his right sleeve, revealing the bracelet I gave him when we were kids. My heart skips a beat at the sight.

I didn’t realize he was wearing it outside of games now.

I frown as he takes it off, but then he gently lifts my hand. “You once told me that when you were scared or sad, you’d look down at this and it would make you feel happy and safe.” Once the beaded bracelet is secured on my wrist, he smiles down at me. “It’s time you felt safe, Evie.”

THREE MONTHS LATER

Chapter 63

Evie

CALLING FOR A HOT DISPATCHER

ANGEL

wishing you luck today x

TRISTAN