Page 69 of Dead Drift

She sniffed back tears. “And how do you plan to do that?”

“One kiss at a time.” He nudged her nose with his, brushed his mouth along her hair to hover over her ear, and whispered, “Let me love you, Gracie.”

She swallowed. “You’re not fighting fair.”

“Darling, I will fight however hard, fierce, and long it takes to have you back in my arms forever. Marry me, Gracie.”

She didn’t move, not a single inch, just remained in his embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart thumping against his rib cage, her breath tickling his neck.

“I love you, Katie,” he murmured, his forehead resting against hers.

“I love you too,” she said between sobs.

He nearly collapsed to his knees in relief. Thank you, Lord.

He pulled her tighter to him, kissing her forehead, the tip of her nose . . . grazing her neck and earlobe before bringing his mouth to hers.

He stepped back, but only long enough to lift her hand, ready to slip the ring on, but she pulled back.

“Whoa!”

His stomach dropped. “I don’t understand.” She’d just said she loved him.

“Let’s get through this alive first. You officially leave the Agency, we spend some quality time together, and then I’ll marry you.”

“Fair enough. But will you please let me place this ring on your finger as a sign of my promise? I’ve been waiting more than seven years to do so.”

“And I’ve been waiting more than seven years for you to do it.” Shaking, she held out her hand, and he slid the solitaire diamond on her ring finger, inexpressible joy flooding him. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to take her and disappear, leave everything behind, but he knew Ebeid would never stop. It was up to him—he truly believed God had chosen him to bring Ebeid down. But afterward he would stand at the end of the aisle, awaiting his bride. Awaiting Katie.

He clasped her hand as he rested it against his chest, feeling the ring on her finger, finally where it belonged. He knew all the hurt he’d caused wouldn’t magically be erased, knew it would be years for the wounds he’d inflicted to heal.

Still floored Katie had agreed to join him on that healing journey, he uttered another prayer of thanks.

It seemed too good to be true, and suddenly the immense fear of losing her knocked the breath from his lungs.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as he tensed.

Just terrified of losing what I love most. “Just anxious to get Ebeid behind bars.”

She nestled back against him. “We’ll get him. All of us together. I trust God will equip us to prevail.”

But how long would it take, and how many more lives would it cost?

She tensed.

“What’s wrong?” he asked this time.

“Nothing. Just want to show you something . . .”

She reached for her shirt.

He arched his brows.

“My tattoo,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“You’re finally going to let me see it?”

“Since we’re going to get married, it only seems appropriate.” She smiled and tugged down the neck of her shirt, scooting back against him so he could look.