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I don’t make him wait long. Three hours later, I’m back home and find him in the kitchen whipping up omelets.
“Everything okay?” He returns my kiss. “Is Charlie okay?”
“She is now.”
I don’t like it. Now I have to keep two deadly secrets from Redix. What Charlie Ravenel did to keep her family safe. And what I did, what my family did, so that we can be free and others on this island can be safe.
One isn’t my secret to tell—I’ll go to my grave backing up a woman like Charlie.
The other, it terrifies me if Redix ever finds out. He said he wanted peace and my deal delivered. Just not how he’d approve of it.
But now the secret scratches at my soul like a rat in a cage.
I know I did the right thing; the only thing left to do since courts were built by men and laws weren’t written for women.
Still, death is the greatest burden—no matter the reason.
Redix is so strong now. I’ve never seen him shine this bright. I’ve never heard him talk this much or square his broad shoulders even taller.
I’ll carry the secret now. We have too much hope; our future together is too bright.
“Glad she’s okay.” His lips peck mine. “Now eat up. I’ve made breakfast and plans.”
His plans involve a surprise in the garage because he’s spent the last two days there forbidding me to enter. When I’m finally allowed in, he takes his hands off my eyes, to my surprise, and I gasp before I laugh.
“Two red bikes!” They’re perfect. “You got us two red Schwinns?”
“I painted them to match. I’m going down the list of everything we want together.” His lips nuzzle my neck. “Tonight, we burn pizzas again.”
But this afternoon, we’re riding. Everywhere. The November first day is mild, perfect for exploring the wide sidewalks we used to roam as kids.
Redix tells me to lead the way. “So I can watch your ass,” he informed me before pinching it.
For a moment, winding down the black paved sidewalks, I think of Pamela. How she’s somewhere out there. I’ve been looking for her. The trail to her is cold, but I won’t let up. I’ll never stop searching for her or Cam Le.
The other victims, they’re safe. I couldn’t give them details or a day in court, but when I called them, I tried to let it sound true from my voice—no one is after them anymore.
“Hey.” Redix pulls up alongside me at the crosswalk. “Let’s get some ice cream.”
The joy on his face, it’s like we’re ten again. Like fun and friendship are all we know.
But then I glance down at his bare sculpted chest and abs under the white linen shirt he’s left unbuttoned… and we share much more together. He is very much a man—the only man I’ll love.
I lead the way to our spot, the one where we had our first kiss and where our nightmare began.
But that’s all in the past.
I can feel it as his lemon sherbet-coated lips slide over mine now, kissing me through his murmurs, “I love you, Candy Cade.”
We don’t care about tourists feet away with their phones up. Nothing comes between our love anymore.
“I love you too, Redix Dean.”
He pulls his lips away and nuzzles his nose to mine.
“If I get on one knee again for you, what will you say?”
“If?”
