Blayze groaned low in his chest as he moved in for a kiss. Long, slow, and strong. “Say that again,” he pled against her lips.
“I love you too,” she crooned.
“Now, say the other part.”
She moved her hands up his chest, wrapped them around the back of his neck. “Mi amado?”
He groaned again. “Yes. Again.”
“Te amo, mi amor.” Sophia barely got the words out before Blayze pressed his lips to hers once more.
And as Sophia melted into the rapture of his kiss, she assured herself, once again, that the frightening event was over, once and for all. Now she was free to live life, free of fear. Looked like she might just do that with this wonderful warrior by her side.
Epilogue
“Welcome to the Joan & Larry Show, Ms. Vasco.”
“Thank you,” Sophia said with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”
Joan Brantly tented her fingers and leaned toward Sophia. “Now, you’ve worn a lot of hats in your young lifetime. Author of books on immigration, dedicated advisor at your local Immigration Services Center, incredible campaign guru who sings her father’s praises. Did I miss anything?”
“Gee,” Larry Pollard said. “I don’t think that’s quite enough.” The cohost, known for offering comedic relief, scratched at his head. “Couldn’t you sort of step up your game?”
Sophia laughed, scanning the audience members until she saw her father in the mix. He grinned wide and gave her a thumbs-up. Smiling beside him, hand slipped easily in his, sat his former campaign manager and current girlfriend, Isabella.
“Before we get started, do you mind if I give my father a shout-out?” Sophia asked. “District Attorney, Nicolas Vasco, recently pushed through a long-awaited, much needed change in our judicial system by eliminating cash bail for low level, non-violent crimes, everyone!”
Her father’s face gleamed as the cameras focused in on him, giving the audience, along with the folks at home, a wave and a nod.
“That’s incredible,” Joan said.
“Sure is,” Larry agreed.
“Well, tell us a little something about your new book why don’t you? Let’s see, we’ve got it right here.” Joan held a hardback copy of the book facing the camera.Don’t Forget About the Loved Ones; How Not to Let Family Members of Imprisoned People Slip Through the Cracks.
Larry spoke up next, his eyes fierce. “Now, I didn’t even realize this was such a problem, but as I researched for this segment, guys, I wasblown.Away.”
“Yes, sadly, there are several thousands of children in this country who lose a parent due to a prison sentencing. For some it’s temporary. For others it runs beyond the span of their childhood. But forallof these children it’s devastating. Our purpose in writing this was to create awareness about these individuals. Even spouses and kids left with the other parent suffer emotional trauma, severe depression, financial ruin… the list goes on.”
“Heavens,” Joan shook her head.
“Now, you saidus,” Larry said. “Does that mean you co-wrote the book?”
“Yes, silly,” Joan said. “That’s why there are two names on the book and two chairs beside us.”
The live audience chuckled.
“Tell us who you wrote the book with so we can get them out here,” Larry said with a nod.
“The gentleman I wrote this with is my fiancée, Blayze Brockton.”
The crowd gave out a real cheer, escalating to whistles as Blayze stepped across the studio stage. When he neared, catching her gaze before taking a seat, Blayze shot Sophia a wink.
Her heart responded every time, that sweet thrill he gave with each gesture.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Brockton,” Joan said, shaking his hand.
“Well, I wish I could say the same thing,” Larry joked. “But for some reason, I can’t exactly pinpoint why, I suddenly feel like sliced liver.”
