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Unsure what the next few minutes hold, I give Saint’s lips a quick peck before standing and dressing quickly. Now that I don’t have his warm body wrapped around mine, the cold takes my breath away.
“We can sleep inside from now on,” he says, slipping into a long-sleeved T-shirt.
“No, I’m okay out here. It reminds me of the island.”
Saint pauses from slipping into a black jacket. “And you associate fond memories with that place?”
His question catches me off guard, so I take my time zipping up my coat. When I think I can reply without my quivering voice betraying me, I nod. “It’s where I met Harriet Pot Pie,” I tease before falling serious. “Regardless of everything, I’ve never regretted a moment spent with you. Yes, I wish we could have met under entirely different circumstances, but in the end, it led to this.”
And by this, I mean being in love with Saint. And by growing into this person I am today.
Saint finishes dressing, then walks over to me. I stand still as he examines me closely as if he’s looking at a precious jewel. “Your ability to always find a positive in…everything, astounds me.”
I don’t have a chance to thank him because he presses his lips to mine, stealing my breath. The kiss is chaste compared to last night, but I’ve come to appreciate our kisses come in many different forms. And this soft, slow kiss is exactly what I need.
He breaks away, rubbing his nose against mine. “Let’s go.”
The weather has turned bitter, so we make a mad dash toward the house. No doubt snow will soon fall. When Saint leads me inside, the warmth of the fire is a welcomed embrace. When I see Zoey, however, that welcome is short-lived.
She’s still pissed off at her brother after yesterday’s altercation, but Saint doesn’t seem bothered. “Where is Alek?”
She gestures with her head toward the kitchen. It seems they’re not on speaking terms.
We make our way into the kitchen, and when I see Alek at the table, something inside me wilts. I don’t know what Saint has decided to do. Are we going with him? Or will we bow out? Both options have me averting my gaze when Alek gives us his attention.
Pavel sits beside him, scrolling through his phone, pen in hand. Ingrid barely touches her eggs. All in all, the mood is somber.
Saint doesn’t drag this out. “What have you decided to do?”
“With what?” Alek says, leaning back in his seat.
“Are you going to the meeting?”
Alek is taken aback. “Of course, I’m going. That isn’t even a question.”
When Saint releases my hand, I watch with bated breath. “Then we’re out.”
I blink once, absolutely stunned.
The silence can be cut with a knife.
“I see.” Alek finally speaks.
“If you’re set on going, then I can’t change your mind. But you know this is a suicide mission. If you go to that meeting, you will die.”
Even though Saint is right, I honestly didn’t believe he would do this. I thought his need for retribution would blind him to reason, but I thought wrong. I can’t hide my relief that he chose this way.
“How about you, Pavel?”
Zoey chooses this moment to join the discussion. I wonder where her loyalties lie.
Pavel sighs heavily, which is all the answer Alek needs. He too knows that going into this unprepared will result in our deaths.
“Holy shit, so this is it? Will you at least allow me to use your contacts?”
Pavel nods, but it’s clear that regardless of how many allies Alek can get on his side, it won’t be enough.
“If you choose to wait, if we can devise a smarter plan, then I will fight with you. If not, you’re on your own.”
