"Come on," he says. "Let's get back inside before they send a search party." Smiling at the irony, I follow him back into the house.
Riley's in the living room now with her mother and sister, all three of them talking at once, their voices overlapping in a chaotic way but it somehow works. Riley looks up when she sees us, and I see the relief in her expression.
"Everything okay?" she asks.
"Everything's fine," her father says. "We were just getting to know each other."
Her mother has a tray of drinks on the coffee table, which she repositions as she says, "Coffee for you, Rafe. And tea for everyone else. Now sit down, all of you. It's Christmas, and we're going to enjoy it."
We settle onto the couch, Riley beside me and her sister on the other side. Her parents take the chairs across from us. It feels very homey and festive, two things I don’t think I remember everfeeling before. But with my arm around Riley and my heart full, I think I'm beginning to see why Riley insisted I meet her family. And I know why she made those harsh comments about people caring about her weeks ago.
This feeling is something so fulfilling, I feel like I never want to leave. I sip the coffee and listen to them talk about the wedding plans for a few days from now, and I soak up every minute of the magic.
When Mrs. Maddox mentions opening some gifts, Riley leans into me and sighs softly. "You'll love this," she whispers. "My mom goes overboard with presents every year."
We gather around the Christmas tree, and Riley's mother starts pulling wrapped boxes from underneath, handing them out to the girls. I watch as Riley and her sister tear into their gifts, laughing and exclaiming over sweaters and books and little trinkets that clearly mean more than their monetary value.
Then Riley's mother hands me a small box wrapped in silver paper.
I stare at it. "This is for me?"
"Well, it has your name," she says. And she looks at Riley and Lila, who exchange a snicker and sideways glances.
I look at Riley, and she's smiling, nudging me. "Open it."
I tear away the paper slowly, revealing a small velvet box, which I open, and inside is a key. Not a house key or a car key. Just a simple brass key with a red ribbon tied around it.
I look up at Riley, confused. "What's this?"
She takes my hand and brings it to her lips where she kisses my knuckles. "It's a key to my heart. Because you're my locksmith, Rafe. You're the only one who's ever been able to get past all my defenses. And no one else is ever going to have that title. It's you or nothing."
I get a little choked up at that—me, a man who kills people without remorse. It's too much emotion for me. I set the gift aside and then I pull her into my arms and hold her tight.
"I love you," I say quietly, so only she can hear.
"I love you too."
Her family watches us with smiles on their faces, and I realize that this is what I've been missing my entire life. Not just Riley, but this. The warmth of a family. The feeling of belonging somewhere. The knowledge that no matter what happens, there are people who will stand by you.
I'm not letting this go. I'm not letting her go.
29
EPILOGUE
RILEY
The bridesmaid dress fits perfectly, the deep burgundy fabric flowing around my legs as I stand in the church vestibule waiting for my cue. Lila's ahead of me in her wedding gown, her hands trembling as she clutches her bouquet. My mother's fussing with the train, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles, and my father stands beside Lila looking equal parts proud and terrified.
The music shifts, and the doors open. The first bridesmaid starts down the aisle, followed by the second, and then it's my turn as maid of honor. I take a deep breath and step forward, my eyes scanning the rows of guests until I find him.
Rafe's sitting in the second row on the bride's side, dressed in a black tux that fits him so well it makes my breath catch. His eyes are on me, and when our gazes meet, I see the corner of his mouth lift in a small smile. He looks relaxed, even comfortable, despite the fact that half the people in this church are law enforcement or family friends who would lose their minds if they knew who he really was.
I walk down the aisle slowly, keeping my pace measured, and I can't stop looking at him. Not only is he the most handsome man in the room, but he actually showed up. When he promised me he'd come, I thought he was just saying that to make me happy, that later on, he'd make an excuse. But he's here, and he looks happy being here.
The ceremony is beautiful. Lila's vows make her cry, and the groom's voice breaks when he promises to love her for the rest of his life. I stand beside my sister holding her bouquet, and I feel my own throat tighten with emotion. This is what she's been planning for months, what she's been obsessing over, and it's finally happening.
When the officiant pronounces them married, the church erupts in applause. Lila and her new husband walk back down the aisle together, beaming, and the wedding party follows. I catch Rafe's eye as I pass, and he winks at me.
