Page 29 of The Hitman’s Obsession

But this is it. The only shot I’m gonna get before Jimmy kills Annie’s dad.

So I take it.

10

ANNIE

I sit on the edge of the bed, looking down at Roman. His eyes are closed, and his chest rises and falls with long, steady breaths.

My hero. My guardian. My protector.

A long way from the man who was sent to kill me.

Soft evening light shines in through the window, bathing him in gold. It’s been hours, and my heart is still pounding. I down another glass of water. I’ve been drinking almost non-stop since we got back. Probably to replace all the tears I shed.

I’m just about to get up and refill my glass when Roman’s eyes open. He blinks a few times, confused. But when he sees me, his face lights up. He smiles.

“Am I dead?”

“No,” I say, taking his massive hand in mine. “We made it, Roman. You did it.”

“Jimmy?”

Just hearing his name threatens to enrage me, but I push all that away. It’s not the time now.

“Dead.”

A look of satisfaction comes over him. He nods. “Where are we?”

“A crappy motel,” I say quietly. “Checked in under a fake name.”

He looks down at the bandage on his chest and touches it gently with his fingers.

“How…?”

“I did something I shouldn’t have done.” I smile. “I didn’t keep running until my legs stopped working. I came back and found you lying in the dirt. Dad and I stopped the bleeding, got you in the truck, and brought you here.”

I watch his face as he processes what I’m saying. This isn’t a position a man like him is used to being in. And from the way he’s holding my hand, it’s like he’s leaning on me for support. And that has me glowing inside.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he finally says, a smile in his eyes.

“Yeah, well, I saved your life,” I reply. “We’re even now.”

He shakes his head. “Three to one.”

“You jerk,” I giggle, going in for a kiss. Our lips meet, and I feel it. My forever. I knew Roman cared about me and was shocked at how we fit perfectly together. But seeing him in action and watching the way he put his life on the line for me took things to a whole new level.

“Chuck?” he asks. I nod to the door.

“He’s outside. Said he needed some air. I think he’s still pretty shook up from what happened.”

Roman nods. “Having a gun to your head will do that to you.”

I’m shocked as he pulls the blanket aside and swings his legs out of bed. He must be in so much pain, but it barely registers on his face as he gets to his feet. I rush to his side. I don’t know what I think I can do. If he falls over, there’s no way I can catch him.

“Are you sure you should be standing?” I ask. “You were just shot.”

Leaning down, he kisses me gently on the top of the head. “I’ll be all right. But I need to talk to your dad.”