Page 104 of The Big Fix

“I’ll never let you go.”

His sigh was long, and he held me.

I woke in the night, and he was there, coiled around me, head on my shoulder, arm across my chest. I lay there, in the dark, listening to the sounds of the sea, smelling it and the faint trace of jasmine, wondering how in the world this beautiful man, with an even more beautiful heart, was sharing my bed.

I had no idea how I got so lucky, but I wasn’t about to ever let him go. I’d been blessed. I was ready to start the rest of my life.

SEVENTEEN

Darius got the information to me and Dante before dawn the next morning, and Owen, Jing, and Arden were still sound asleep when we were ready to go. I was halfway to the door when I doubled back and kissed Owen. He smiled in his sleep but didn’t stir.

“You would have made a terrible spy,” I whispered, then followed Dante out the door.

Darius had sent some of his best men to guard the people I loved, and the guy in charge, Ruben Vega, assured me my family would be safe with them. I thanked him and his team, feeling confident in their abilities as I walked away.

I felt bad about not saying goodbye, but I knew Owen especially would insist on coming, and that couldn’t happen. I’d just gotten him back. I would not risk his safety again.

Darius sent his plane for us, and we’d been in the air about an hour when Owen called.

“You need to come back in one piece so I can kill you myself!” Owen yelled over the line.

I smiled but made sure he couldn’t hear it in my voice. “You and I both know there was no way I’d let you come with me. I can’t focus with you beside me. Your safety would be the only thing I cared about, and I could get hurt.”

“You could get hurt now,” he said, his voice cracking. “I don’t see why you couldn’t just send someone to—”

“We both know why,” I replied gently. “Whoever this turns out to be won’t stop coming for me until I’m dead. You’ll always be in danger, and I’ll always be in danger until we get this sorted out.”

“Yes, but—”

“You want us to start a life. That’s what you said.”

“I want that more than anything,” he rasped.

“Then it has to be done this way. There’s no alternative.”

He was quiet for a long moment, where I felt like my entire future was being decided.

“Owen…please don’t leave me or think of me going as some kind of test of trust that I’ve failed or—”

“I’m not going to leave you,” he stressed. “I will never leave you. And you’re the most trustworthy man I know.”

“Okay,” I said, realizing I’d been holding my breath. “I just… I want to start with you when this is over, and I don’t want anything to jeopardize that.”

“Then come back safe and as fast as you can.”

“I will. I promise.”

He sucked in a breath, and I was sure he wanted to say more, to make me swear to return, but he was smart and knew there were no guarantees. “I love you, Jared Colter. I have loved you and wanted you since I was eighteen years old. Don’t mess with my plans for our future or our happily ever after.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” I vowed. “And I love you back.”

“Good,” he said and hung up.

I smiled wistfully to myself. I couldn’t wait to get back to Owen.

“Aww, look at you all happy and healthy and finally jumping in with both feet,” Dante praised me indulgently. “I’m so proud of you.”

“That didn’t sound patronizing at all.”