Page 78 of The Specialist

What if they somehow set off the explosives? What if they startled me and I somehow activated something?

The longer I sat in the darkness, the more my fear soaked into my chest. Fear became terror.

I began to talk to myself. Whispering words of comfort. I thought about Egan. His warmth and smile. The way he surrounded me with his love—even when I hadn’t returned it.

I listened to his voice in my head. The soothing cadence of his tone when he would hold me after we made love. The way he could calm me with his presence. How he touched me. Cared for me.

I knew now, without a doubt, how much I wanted a life with him. More than I wanted anything else. Even my career, which had been the one constant in my life.

I wanted it all with him. I wanted to marry him. Have children. Watch them grow. Bounce their babies on my knee and spoil them. Sit back and grow old with Egan, watching the way time would soften our bodies and gray our hair, but not change our love.

A future I could see but might never have.

I wiped at the tears in my eyes, tucking my legs closer as another wave of shivers racked my body. The waterworks didn’t stop, and I gave in, letting them run down my face and sobbing into my hands.

“Please, Egan,” I begged. “Please.”

I cried until I was exhausted. Until I slipped into the darkness, joining it.

* * *

“Sofia,” a voice called softly in my dream. “Iubirea mea, it’s me. I’m here.”

I lifted my head, the room still dark, my hopes dashing as I realized I was dreaming.

Until a noise made me glance toward the door and I saw the glimmer of light under it.

The voice spoke again.

“Sofia,” it called. “Can you hear me? It’s Egan.”

“Egan?” I responded, my voice raspy, still unsure if I was hearing things.

“Yes. I’m here.”

“Egan, there’s a bomb! Don’t come in here!”

“I know, my love. I’m going to get you out, but I need your help, okay?”

“Yes,” I sobbed.

“Don’t cry, my brave girl. Please. I need you.”

I sat up straighter, wiping my eyes. “Tell me what to do.”

“I am going to slip a light under the door so you can see. And a small camera. You will have to help me guide both of them safely to you.”

“Okay.”

I heard something, and then light filled the room. I blinked, and Egan waited until my eyes were used to it. He kept talking, encouraging me, and I heard another voice.

“Who is there?”

“Marcus and Julian. Damien is outside, and so is Matteo. You are safe now, Sofia. We will not leave you. Be patient, and I’ll have you out soon. Have your eyes adjusted?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’m sending in the camera. You tell me how to get it to you.”