"Like a man who'd go to war to keep her safe.Like five kids who need both of you.Like a family worth protecting."
The possibility that Evangeline might choose to stay, might choose us despite everything, is almost too much to hope for.But it's the only thing keeping me sane right now.
"Alright," Ghost says, standing up."We know what we're doing.Let's get to work."
The others file out, already making plans, coordinating strategies.But Ghost stays behind, his expression thoughtful.
"You know this changes everything, right?"he says when we're alone."Once we eliminate Morrison, once Evangeline knows the truth about what you did for her, there's no going back to the way things were."
"I know."
"She'll either accept what you are, what we are, or she won't.But she'll know.There won't be any more pretending you're just the helpful uncle who fixes broken fences."
The weight of that truth is almost overwhelming.Right now, Evangeline sees me as safe, dependable, the man who helps with bedtime stories and homework.After this, she'll know I'm someone who kills to protect the people he loves.
"Will you be able to handle it if she can't?"Ghost asks."If she looks at you and sees a killer instead of a protector?"
"I'll have to."
"That's not an answer."
I think about Evangeline's face when she laughs at something one of the kids says.The way she looks at me when she thinks I'm not watching.The way she felt in my arms when I kissed her.
"If keeping her alive means losing her, then that's a price I'll pay," I say finally."Because her being safe and happy somewhere else is better than her being dead."
Ghost nods, like that's the answer he expected."Good.Because the next few days are going to test that conviction."
He heads for the door, then pauses."For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice.Morrison's a threat that needs eliminating, and you're the best man for the job.Just remember that family isn't just about blood.It's about choice.And she's already chosen to be part of this, whether she knows it or not."
After he leaves, I sit alone in the chapel, staring at the documents that will either save Evangeline's life or cost me everything I want with her.
Three days.That's how long Tempest estimates it'll take to set everything up, to coordinate the hit, to make Morrison disappear in a way that looks like business as usual in the criminal world.
Three days to keep her safe while lying to her face.
Three days before I have to tell the woman I love that I killed someone for her.
Three days before I find out if loving her means losing her forever.
I gather up the documents, lock them in Ghost's safe, and head back to my bike.Whatever happens next, whatever price I have to pay, I'll face it.
Because some things are worth fighting for.
Some things are worth killing for.
And some things are worth losing everything for.
Evangeline Peterson is all three.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
evangeline
I should have heardhim coming.I should have locked the door after Hades left with the kids for their Saturday afternoon bike ride lesson.But I was distracted, lost in thoughts about kisses and the way my body comes alive every time Hades is near.
The front door slams so hard it rattles the windows, and I know immediately that Ethan is past the point of civilized conversation.
"Evangeline!"His voice cuts through the house like a blade."We need to talk.Right now."
