"Because the alternative is unacceptable," he said simply. "Because we both understand that some things are worth fighting for, and this"—he gestured between them again—"is worth fighting for."
Riley felt her smile deepen, something fierce and certain settling deep in a lake and catching hold. For the first time in her life, there was no shadow of uncertainty about what came next, no anxiety about gaining anyone’s approval, and no worries about what the future looked like.
The fire crackled between them, sending sparks spiraling up toward the stars. She wondered how many lives those heavenly bodies had witnessed. How many love stories, how many promises, and how many lives filled with love and happiness had they looked down on? The lake lapped gently against the shore, and she sighed, dropping her head against Talon’s shoulder. “At least one more.”
Talon glanced down at her. “What?”
“The heavens are witness to at least one more happy ending. Ours.”
EPILOGUE
Blake King sat beside the small fire he’d built next to his tent. Talon and his woman needed his cabin, and he needed to be out of touch, so he was tenting it. He could see the fire pit from across the lake. He smiled, truly glad that his cousin had found love. Talon had paid the price for being one of the oldest when all the boys were locked underground during the Siege.
Blake wasn’t intimately involved in the situation. He watched, though. It seemed like he was always just on the outside of things looking in. His dad had said he’d felt the same way growing up until he met his mom. They were high school sweethearts who’d lost touch but had found each other later in life.
Blake snapped a small branch in half anddropped it into his fire. Whoever was approaching his fire stepped on a twig again. There was a blade draped down his back, one was in his boot, and another in a scabbard at his waist. His rifle was on the ground next to the log he was sitting on, out of sight of the person coming in from the east. He wasn’t afraid of anyone walking up to his campsite. “I hear you. Might as well come in.”
Raven laughed and walked up to his fire. “You’re damn good, Havoc.”
“Better than good.” He wasn’t bragging. It was the truth. His father had trained him to be the best assassin on the face of the earth. Confidence in his case came from the absolute certainty that he was the best at what he did. “Why are you here?”
“We have an operation we’re gearing up for, and you were suggested to take the primary. Seems your unique skills would be beneficial.”
“Who said so?”
“Anubis and Lycos.” Her reply was immediate. “Your dad grunted. I think that meant he approved, but no one really knows with Fury.”
“And the rest of you? Do you agree?” Blake took out a piece of taffy and handed it to Raven.
Raven frowned and took the candy. “Yeah, why wouldn’t we? I mean, granted, you didn’t go throughthe training shit with us, but you grew up going through it every day, dude.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Blake wanted to make sure he wasn’t going into a situation where he’d have to watch his back. He didn’t trust people in general. Assassins should never be trusted, even the ones who worked in the same organization as you. These assassins trusted each other, which was unusual and definitely uncomfortable for him.
“Yeah, it totally does. Some of us actually had a childhood.” Raven popped the taffy into her mouth. “Sad you didn’t?”
Blake laughed. It was low and evil, just like his dad’s. “No. I’ve never been a kid. I don’t think I ever wanted to play with other kids. My focus has always been on other things.”
“Such as?”
Blake turned to her and narrowed his eyes. “Killing people who don’t deserve to live.”
Raven frowned. “Okay, weird, but you do you, boo.” She stood up. “Oh, here.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small case. “Your earpiece. Your father said you must have forgotten it.”
He took it from her and dropped it in his shirt pocket. “I didn’t forget it.”
“See, that’s what I told him. He just growled at me.”
Blake chuckled. “Sounds like him.”
“How was he as a father?” Raven asked as she looked across the lake.
“The best. The absolute best.” Blake couldn’t have wished for a better upbringing.
“Huh, well, that wasn’t what I was expecting either.” She glanced down at him. “See you in New York?”
“When?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
