With that, she and Killion left him alone with Riley. The steady beeping of her strong, courageous heart the only sound in the room.
Now that everyone had come and gone, Eric was finally able to really process everything that had happened. While he did, he stared at her gorgeous, sleeping face.
The way her dark lashes fell on her soft cheeks. The reassuring rise and fall of her chest beneath the white covers.
Jesus, she’s incredible.
Sure, her strength and tenacity amazed him. Her mouthwatering body drew him in unlike any other woman he’d ever known.
But it was her beautiful, unbreakable soul that made him want to wrap her in his arms and forever keep her safe.
Eric leaned up over the railing. He pressed his lips to her forehead before resting his there. His tears dropped down onto her warm skin as he thanked God for the millionth time that she’d been spared.
“Rest now, baby.” He kissed her lips softly. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Tomorrow. The next day. And, if he had anything to say about it, every day for the rest of his life.
Epilogue
Two months later...
“It’s all done.”
Riley looked up at the man holding the needle. “Really?”
The guy smiled. “Yep. Here.” He gave her a hand-held mirror. “There’s a full-length over there. Why don’t you go take a look? If you don’t like something, or want to add to it, we can.”
Excitement stirred inside her belly as she pushed herself off the leather table and walked to the aforementioned mirror.
Turning around, Riley held the smaller one up to give her a good view of the fresh artwork on her back.
She smiled.
It’s perfect.
The skin on her left shoulder blade had been completely transformed. Hayes’ mark was still there. It wouldalwaysbe there.
