Page 146 of Enthrall Shadows
Looking back at the clearing, I saw Michael and Reese grow smaller with every passing second.
“You should have told me this was the plan.” Lotte’s voice was in my headset. “I’m good with secrets.”
“Need-to-know basis.” I grinned.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Tell me we’re not leaving because of me?”
“I did consider leaving your pretty ass behind.”
She smirked at that. “Wait. What about the car?”
“I’ll have it collected.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“We did good,” I said. “You really shone out there.”
“You did, too,” she said warmly.
“Well, as far as missions go, I’d say it was successful.”
This wasn’t the way I’d imagined my reunion would go. I still had mixed emotions about seeing Reese again. She’d lived a full life without me. The kind we could have shared but that hope had been dashed on the rocks of a selfish decision. Yet despite this once roiling pain, Reese had given me a remarkable gift.
Precious time with Lotte.
Reaching for her hand, I drew it to my mouth and kissed it.
“Will you be able to help save this place?” Her voice sounded soft in my headphones, her authentic concern tugging at my conscience.
Even now, after all the complications of our experience in the preserve, Lotte saw through the disarray and set her sights on what was important.
I gave a nod. “Reese might not like my methods.”
The view of the preserve shrank as we ascended toward the fading sky.
At one time, nothing could have soothed this void inside me. Now, the way forward was brilliantly transparent.
Our helicopter made it to the airport in Naples in less than thirty minutes.
Cameron and Shay were on the jet, which was no surprise. Shay would want to talk about our experience and Cameron would be here for brotherly support. He knew well enough to keep his analysis to a minimum.
Our plane had been fueled and was ready for take-off.
Lotte and I cleared our pockets of the contents from the kit, and she settled in the private cabin where she could get some sleep. She looked exhausted.
Gently, I brought the blanket up to cover her. Pausing in the doorway of the cabin, I watched her sleep, entranced by her beauty.
I’ve fallen hard.
For the first time in my life, a relationship wasn’t cause for apprehension—because it was her.
Closing the door, I took a few seconds to gather my thoughts. Both of us had lowered our defenses and trusted in the other. That night we spent sleeping under the stars would become a cherished moment.
I made my way down the aisle and took the seat opposite Cameron and Shay.
“This is a nice surprise,” I said.
Cameron met my gaze. “You’re a stubborn bastard.”
