Evie felt her eyes falling shut, and this time, there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to stop it. But as she gave herself over to the darkness, she sent up another silent prayer, begging God to let her live. To give her a chance at the future that had just been described.
Because spending forever with Beckett Stone…
I can’t imagine anything better than that.
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later…
“I sure hopethat smile has something to do with me.”
Evie’s smile grew even more as she looked up from the note she’d been reading to see her fiancé standing by the door.
Fiancé
Two weeks, and the title still felt exciting and new. And yet, in some ways—in the verybestof ways—it was as if he’d been there her entire life.
Protecting her.
Supporting her.
Loving me.
Life with the former Marine-turned-super soldier was like an amazing dream come true. Though he tended to be a bit overprotective, her fiancé was also incredibly attentive and sweet.
The days following her rescue had passed by in a whirlwind of doctors and official reports. Statements were made; evidence was shared, and in the end, Landy had paid the ultimate punishment for his crimes.
With so many high-level clients, it wasn’t long before news broke of the shocking story. Every secret Landy had hoped to carry with him to the grave was being exposed.
The lying. Stealing. His massive Ponzi scheme cost families millions. Even the truth about Phillip Mitchell not being Evie’s father—as well as his refusal to pay the Taliban’s ransom demands—was out there for the world to see.
By the time it was all said and done, both Phillip’s and Landy’s reputations had been destroyed. Both known only as a pair of greedy, selfless, untrustworthy, miserable men. And, despite Landy having once been like family to Evie, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of vindication, knowing he was already burning in hell.
She also refused to spend her days obsessing over what had happened. Refused to waste a second of her precious time lost in memories of the past.
Instead, Evie chose to focus on the future. One where she got to live out her dream with the man she loved.
Though he’d officially been given the last two weeks off from work, there had been a couple of days like today, when Beckett had run into the office for a quick meeting or to fill out a report for this or that. At Evie’s request, they had yet to share the news of their engagement with the team or anyone else.
Not even Lo.
Despite being over-the-moon ecstatic about marrying Beckett, she wanted to relish in their shared joy in private. Just the two of them.
Just for a little while.
As she’d explained to Beckett that day in her hospital room, so much of her life had been spent under a microscope. Every decision she’d made had been scrutinized by others. Every movement overshadowed by Phillip Mitchell’s smug, resentful eyes.
So as excited as she was knowing they’d soon be tied to one another in every way humanly possible, Evie had wanted to enjoy the moment as a couple in private before sharing the news with their friends.
“You know you always make me smile.” She went to Beckett, holding out the handwritten note for him to see.
He took the offered paper from her hand. But rather than read it, he pulled her body flush with his before giving her a proper—andverythorough—kiss.
“Hi.”
Evie’s heart swelled to the point of near bursting as she stared up into his heated gaze. “Hello, yourself.”
He stepped back to allow for enough room to read the note still held in his hand. “What do we have here?”