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“I hope…”
“What? Do you have a Christmas wish you haven’t shared with me?”
Ava nodded. “I know it’s impossible,
but I wish Striker could be here tomorrow.”
“Me too.” Razor wouldn’t admit it to anyone, especially on Christmas, but there was no trace of either Striker or Mantis anywhere in Somalia.
“You’re worried,” she said, looking into his eyes.
“More than I want you to know.”
Ava’s eyes filled with tears.
“See,” he said, brushing them away. “This is why I didn’t want to say anything. I didn’t want to upset you more.”
“Why did Striker have to take this assignment? And before you answer, I know it isn’t that simple.”
“Even less simple given he mentored the two men who were kidnapped.”
“He didn’t have a choice,” she murmured.
“No, he didn’t. Just like I didn’t have a choice when you were in danger.”
“Can we talk about something else?”
“Of course.”
“What kind of dog would we get, you know, if we got one?”
“I’d prefer to rescue one from a shelter.”
“I like that idea very much.” Ava rested her head on his chest. “Merry Christmas, Tabon.”
“Merry Christmas, Avarie.”
—:—
When Ava opened her eyes, Tabon wasn’t in bed with her. When she looked out the window, she saw it had snowed the night before. The sun was shining, and everything looked as though it were covered in a blanket of diamonds.
Aine poked her head in the door. “Hey, sleepyhead. Are you ever gonna get up?”
“I’m up. What time is it?”
“A little after ten.”
“Why didn’t someone wake me earlier?”
“We thought it would be a good idea to let the two preggos sleep. Zary isn’t awake yet either.”
“In that case, come sit for a minute.”
“Ava…”
“You can pretend all you want with everyone else, but you have to be honest with me. How are you holding up?”
“Honestly, I’m okay.”
