EPILOGUE 1
ARIZONA
five months later
Weeks later,there's still no trace of Astrid or any of the women that my attacker claimed were taken by demons, which seems to be his final choice of words.
Talon won't tell me what happened to that man, only that he won't be a threat to me or anyone else ever again.
I learned early on that even though they aren't military anymore, there's still a lot about Talon's job that he can't share with me. That took some getting used to, but I've learned enough to know that what they do is kept secretive for the protection of the victims they work with, as well as their own safety, and that of the people close to them.
Which includes me, and soon, our children.
Talon and I have spent more time away from each other than either of us would like, but he's busy with this assignment, and I've been back home for the last couple of months, putting things in order so I can move back to Paradise Point to be with him permanently.
Fortunately, Talon found a cottage in town where we'll stay until his job is done and we can plan what comes next for us.
Letting myself in with the key he sent me, I explore the cute little two bedroom house that was obviously built when pink and mint green tile were in style the first time around.
It lacks the seclusion of the cabin safe house, and with the big picture window taking up most of the living room's front wall, it's certainly lacking the fortress-like security, but it's cuteas hell, with plenty of the late afternoon's lingering sunlight filtering through lacy curtains.
There's a bathtub, but it's a far cry from the luxurious double slipper tub at the cabin.
Still, it's ours for as long as Paradise Point remains home-- floral grandma furniture included.
The clock on the microwave says it's after four and I check my phone to make sure it's correct. I know Talon should be back soon because his boss promised me he'd send him home to me as soon as possible.
It turns out, Harlan Frost is a diehard romantic. Shh, he swore me to secrecy, said if I tell anyone, he wouldn't give me a ride-- in the fancy helicopter that he picked me up in so I could get back to Talon two days earlier than the series of commercial flights I'd had booked were going to get me here.
After helping me bring in my things from the truck-- the local police chief has made it very clear that Harlan's not allowed to land the chopper anywhere near town limits, so he leaves a truck at the airfield down in Waterford Plains-- Talon's boss winks at me and tells me to lock the door behind him.
"Just gotta get through debriefing," he says, walking back to his truck. "I'll make sure he gets back here like the place is on fire. Don't worry."
I don't know how he plans to do that without giving away the surprise of my early arrival, but even if he does, I've got more surprises for Talon than just showing up early.
After making sure Harlan has left the driveway, I open my suitcase and sift through for what I'm looking for.
By the time the headlights from Talon's SUV light up the windows of our little rental, I'm ready and oh so ready.
The front door unlocks and swings open, hitting the wall behind it with a loud thud. Lights flick on throughout the house and I picture Talon checking each one.
It takes a lot of self-control not to spring off of the bed and run to meet him but I have a plan.
"What the-- you are not a bear."
Talon's grin spreads as his posture eases once he gets to the master bedroom where I've been anxiously waiting for him with nothing but the little camisole and panty set I found in pink and lavender camouflage that made me think of him.
"Well, I was hoping I would be bare once you got home."
"Did Frost know you were here?" Talon secures the doors he'd left open and crawls onto the bed like a predator stalking prey. "Is that why he told me he got a report of a bear break in near my house?"
"He didn't say what he was going to tell you." I giggle, trying to scurry out of his grip and failing.
"Wait!"
I hold up my surprise, pushing it in front of his face before his face has a chance to get distracted by the tiny little thong I'm wearing and what's underneath it.
Not that I want to keep him from getting distracted for long.
