We’ve done a lot of talking in the last couple of days. There wasn’t much else to do at the hospital since Daniil had us moved to a private suite and made sure they left us alone beyond medical attention and meals.
It was good to be able to just be together. Talk. Rest. Watch TV. Almost like a regular couple. Except in the hospital. After a kidnapping, a skull fracture, and a shootout.
The good news is that we still feel the same way about each other.
The not-so-good news is that we’re going to take a little time to find our footing both together and individually. She’s moving back to her condo in Oceanside, and I’m going to sleep in Daniil and Courtney’s guest room for now.
Allora’s going to find a therapist right away and go back to work as soon as she’s able.
I’m going to do the same thing.
It’s time for me to deal with my own demons. They don’t impact my daily life, but I think I’ll be a better man—and husband—if I work on the things that linger in the back of my mind. Like my reluctance to set down roots. The hesitation to become a part owner of Shadow Security. There are too many little things that could add up to something big, and I don’t want that for her.
Because I’m not going anywhere.
The plan is to take two months to heal, both inside and out, while still spending time together—just with some distance between us so we can slow down and start over to some degree. She’s too important to me to leave anything to chance, so if a little time to find ourselves is what it takes, that’s what I’m going to do.
Then we’ll regroup and decide if we want to live in her condo or put it on the market and buy something together. It’ll also give me time to look at my finances.
And by then I should have made a decision about whether or not I’m going to buy into Shadow Security.
“I need another new phone,” she mumbles.
“Luna has new phones for both of you,” Daniil says. “They’re waiting for you at the house.”
“I have so many things to do,” Allora says. “But I think I’m going to just rest. I do have to call Alexa and Lacy, but then I’m going to go radio silent for a few weeks. Not from you guys,” she adds quickly. “Just in general.”
“Same.” I look at her and she smiles before leaning up to press her lips to mine.
I run my knuckles along her cheek, hating that there are more bruises. Not as many as last time but even one is too many.
“I love you,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to hers.
“I love you too.”
“So, meeting with the cops this afternoon, family dinner tonight, and we stay in bed tomorrow?”
“That sounds like a plan.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulders and hold her tight against me, a little overwhelmed that I got her back safe. That we both made it out alive. That I’m going to live to fight another day.
For her.
For myself.
For us.
Epilogue
Allora
Six weeks later
We didn’t last two months living apart.
After two weeks, Landon started sleeping over most nights. We didn’t make anything official but we’re together every day. We’re both still in therapy and I’m flying to New York next week to do the photo shoot that Alexa refused to do until I was on my feet again.
My friends have been amazingly supportive.
