Page 82 of Raven's Nest
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later…
“Where are you taking me?”
Zain grinned as he helped Saylor climb into his truck, a blindfold cinched around her head, all that blonde hair spilling across her shoulders, glowing like gold amidst the sunlight.
He buckled her in, rounding the truck before jumping in and clipping his seat belt. “If I told you that it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
She turned toward him, waving her hand in front of the swath of black cloth. “Do I really need a blindfold?”
“How else am I supposed to know you’re not peeking.”
“Trust?”
“I’ve seen you sneak a glance when you said you wouldn’t.” He leaned over, nuzzled her cheek before stealing a kiss. “You just can’t help yourself.”
She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine, but no crying foul when I put one on you tonight.” She flashed him a sly smile. “You promised you’d let me tie you up, next time.”
“I said I’d consider giving you a turn after mine was over. And mine isn’t close to being over, yet.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Relax. This is a good surprise. I promise.”
She mumbled something about him being a tease as she eased back in the seat, holding his hand as he started his truck and pulled onto the road.
The sun sat high in the sky, casting a warm hue across the towering pines. Fluffy white clouds floated amidst the brilliant blue, a flock of geese heading north in a long vee. What was shaping up to be one of the first nice days since that last epic storm. The one where he’d almost lost her.
Zain swallowed, pushing down the instant punch to his gut. The bruising from that night had only just faded, and he couldn’t quite shake the uneasy feeling prickling down his spine.
Saylor tugged his hand. “Stop.”
He glanced over, bouncing along the shoulder for a moment when he got caught up in the way her mouth quirked, giving her a sexy vibe that went straight to his groin. “Stop, what?”
“Worrying. I can feel the tension all the way over here. The way you clench your jaw and flex your muscles, like you’re preparing for some grudge match. I’m fine. Maddox is behind bars, or least that’s what they claim. Regardless, it’s over.”
“Nothing’s over until every last one of his disciples have been rounded up, and that damn sonar weapon’s buried under a few feet of concrete.”
“Fleming said he’s close. Will likely have them all in custody within the next few weeks. And theNexussank. Whatever’s left of that sonar is buried under a thousand feet of ocean.”
“Unless those assholes from the boat grabbed it.”
“Even if they did, they’ve lost their connections. And without Vasquez to piece it all together, it could take years for them to get even close to replicating it.” She shifted closer. “We could try some saturation diving if you wanted to, though. It’s been a while, but I’ve got the certification. So do you. And maybe we could entice Foster’s cousin and his gang out. I bet four ex-SEALs would jump at the chance to get in some fun. See if we can retrieve some of the wreckage.”
“Are you determined to give me an aneurism? Because I can picture it now, surfacing from some terror-induced dive with sharks and giant squid on our tails only to find pirates circling the boat.”
She laughed. “All you had to say was no,Captain Nemo. Though, the giant squids were a nice touch.”
“All I’m saying is that we can’t let our guard down, too soon.”
“Why do I have the feeling that we’ll be pushing ninety and you’ll still consider ittoo soon?”
He grinned. Damn, he loved that she talked about them spending the rest of their lives together as if it was no big deal. Normal.
It was huge to him. Knowing she accepted him,flaws and all. That she’d have his back. While he hadn’t quite gotten those night patrols down to one, like he’d promised, he’d eased up. Not too much with possible tangos still gunning for her, but she’d appreciated his effort. And having her permanently living with him meant he always had a partner.
Always had her. With him.
He leaned over once he’d parked the truck, giving her a long, hot kiss. “I promise I’ll get over it by the time we’re ninety-five, tops.”
“Deal.” She glanced around, huffed. “Are we here? Because it feels like we stopped moving and you kissed me…”
