Mine To Protect (Mine #6) (19 page)

Elizabeth was her family. The baby that Elizabeth carried—a little girl—she would be Zoe’s niece.

I’m not alone.

The pain she’d felt for days had finally faded. Her heart was beating so fast, and a smile wouldn’t leave her face. She knew life wasn’t going to be perfect. Nothing was ever perfect. But…things were better.

For the first time since her mother had died, Zoe thought about the days that would come with hope.

Footsteps shuffled behind her. She didn’t look over her shoulder. She knew Victor was there. Silent, strong Victor.

Victor…who said that he loved her.

“You shouldn’t overdo,” he told her carefully. “Your doctor said that you had to rest and recover.”

Her hand curled around the wooden balcony. “I’m not overdoing.”

“You’re not thinking about jumping over that balcony and running, are you?” He moved closer to her. His words only sounded as if he were half-kidding.

She considered the idea of running and found…no, she didn’t want to run. She wanted to stay exactly where she was. “Will I be getting a new home here in Hawaii?”

“Yes. As soon as you’re feeling stronger, I’ll take you out and we’ll find the perfect place.”

The perfect place for her…or them? “Where will you be?” She turned to look at him. “Heading off on another case?”

Victor shook his head. Night had fallen, and a thousand stars glittered over them. “I’m done with the FBI. I’m starting my own business, and I can run it from any location I want.”

“So where do you want to be?”

His hand lifted and his fingers skimmed down her cheek. “I want to be where you are.”

Her heartbeat drummed even faster.

“I would trade everything I have to take away the pain I caused you,” he whispered as he stared down at her. “I want to make you happy. I want to prove myself to you. I want you to love me again.”

To love him again? “Victor…” She shook her head.

His hand fell away. He stepped back. She could
feel
his pain in that instant. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “So fucking sorry.” He turned away.

She grabbed his arm. “I never stopped loving you. That isn’t how it works.”

He looked back. “Zoe?”

“I love you.
I love you
, but if you ever keep another secret from me again, I will totally make your life an utter living hell, do you understand me?”

“You love me?”

“Do you understand me?” Zoe jabbed his chest. “Because you don’t keep secrets from the people you love. You share everything. Good. Bad. The stuff in the middle. That’s what you do when you make a life with someone.”

“I want to make a life with you.” His words fired out in a rush. “I want everything…with you.”

She smiled up at him. During her time on the island, she’d been able to do a whole lot of thinking. And she’d realized…

I want Victor with me.

“I love you,” he told her, voice so rough and dark. “I always will.”

She stopped jabbing his chest and instead, her fingers curled around his shoulder. “And I will always love you.” She rose onto her toes and kissed him. Not a wild and passionate kiss.

Softer. Sweeter.

A kiss that made her whole body feel warm. Feel safe. Feel…

Loved.

Victor Monroe. Ex-FBI bad-ass. Ex-street fighter. All around trouble.

And he was hers.

That hope in her heart blossomed even more. Yes, she really couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring…what would happen in the days ahead.

Because the new life that was waiting? It was hers. Her life with Victor. Her life free of Luther’s dark influence.

Her life.

And she would protect it…protect that chance at happiness…at all costs.

Victor wrapped her in his arms and held her close.

Just where she wanted to be.

***

“Zoe…”

Her name was soft. Husky.

“Zoe, baby, I have a present for you.”

Her eyes fluttered open. She found Victor sitting on the bed, holding a very large box in his hands. A familiar box.

“I just wanted to give you something,” he whispered, “to make you happy.”

She sat up in bed, holding the sheet close. She lifted the lid off the big, white box. Saw the feathers.

Her costume. He’d actually brought the costume? Her fingers slid over the feathers. “It’s really nice,” she told him, swallowing the lump in her throat. “But there’s something else that makes me happy…”

“What?”

Her hand left the feathers and touched the rough stubble of his cheek. “You.”

And she saw the love blazing in his eyes.

Victor leaned down and kissed her.

You.

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