“Do I have to decide now?”
“Nope.”
“Then me first.” I dip my head beneath the sheets.
Epilogue
Ace
We get back to Cologne late on a Sunday, the day before Shannon has to go back to work. We packed a lot into the last twelve days, though. Christmas with her mother, several days with my family, New Year’s with Chris and Aubrey, and then four days on a beach in Mexico having so much sex I’m willing to admit she wore me out.
I have a fantastic libido, but my girl, well, Shannon gave me a run for my money. Whether it’s because she went so long without sex, and never had any good sex before we got together, or because of how passionate things are between us, I don’t know and don’t care. I just know how good it is.
“I’m going to be exhausted tomorrow,” she says as we unpack, “but it’ll be worth it.”
“I’ll get the laundry done and pick up some groceries while you’re at work,” I tell her. “And hopefully we’ll both get some sleep.”
“For sure.” She gives me a happy grin as she disappears into the bathroom.
Things are pretty great between, and I haven’t thought about the CIA, Limaj or anything else related to being a spy since I quit.
We did a lot of talking and soul-searching the last two weeks. Shannon is still harboring some frustration with her mother, but is determined to work through it, for her father’s sake if nothing else. I want whatever she wants, and I felt like Samantha has been bending over backwards to make things right with her daughter.
We fall asleep early that night and when I wake up in the morning, Shannon is in the shower. I have a lot to do today, both to help us settle into our new routine and on a personal end for myself. I haven’t spoken to Erik in almost two weeks, and I owe Chains a phone call too. I didn’t tell either of them that I quit my job, and I have a lot of things to think about in that regard.
Shannon and I decided we’ll live here in Cologne until school is out for the year. She doesn’t want to leave her students, especially the seniors, in the middle of a school year, so she’ll stay until June and we’ll reassess at that time. I don’t mind since I like it here and I’m close enough to Limaj to get there quickly if something happens.
My loyalty to Erik and his family goes far beyond the CIA. We’re friends, very much like family, and I’ll be there for him in an instant if he needs me.
I’m going to take Shannon there this summer, for Prince Sandor’s wedding and to meet everyone, see how she feels about the place. I’d been thinking of settling there before she came back into my life, so I want to test the waters, see what she thinks about everything. But she deserves six months to wind down her life and career here.
That’s only fair.
I walk her to work, since I have to go out anyway, and then stop at the bakery and the grocery on the way home. Once I’m back at the apartment, I put everything away and call Chains. I know he’s up, since it’s only midnight in Las Vegas, and he answers cheerfully.
“There you are. Been wondering when you’d appear. Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year. How’s everything?”
“Right as rain. You?”
I tell him about leaving the agency and moving to Cologne with Shannon.
“Well, good for you. You were about done with them anyway.”
“For sure.”
“You looking for work?”
“Not full-time work. I just wanted to let you know if you need anything in this part of the world, I’m available.”
“You talk to Erik yet? Lot of changes happening over there as well.”
“He’s my next call.”
“Talk with him, think about what you want to do, but you’ve always got a job here if you want it.”
“Thank you.”
