Page 64 of Alex

Epilogue

Evelyn’s handfelt like it was trying to crush his as they pulled up outside the small, two-bedroom, single story home with the whitewashed façade and bright yellow shutters. It had been a month since Evelyn’s kidnapping, and she was almost completely healed. She had the occasional nightmare but other than that she was fine. They talked about it very little now. Evelyn seemed determined to put that part of her life behind her.

Alex was not fairing so well. He still woke up in sweats of fear, his hands finding her in the dark as he tried to convince himself she was safe. She was as safe as he could make her, but Osiris was still a threat.

He had met with Roz a week after the attack and Roz had told him that the mistake was hers and she would be the one to find him and personally take him down. One of her girls getting hurt was not something she handled well. Despite his anger at her he knew she had done what she had with the best intentions.

He had received a text that morning from her with two words.

Target Eliminated.

It had brought with it an immense amount of relief and he would tell Evelyn later that night when they were alone but right now, they were sitting in the car outside her childhood home. Evelyn looked beautiful in a vibrant yellow dress with orange and blue flowers that fell to her knees. The cap sleeves and sweetheart neckline showed off her curves but still made her look like the young girl he had fallen in love with.

“Ready, mi nena?” He brought their clasped hands to his lips and kissed her hand.

Her eyes that had been glued to the house turned to him and they glistened with emotion. “I’m scared. What if they don’t want to know me?”

“They want to know you, Evelyn. They never stopped missing you. Look!”

He pointed to the door as it slowly opened to reveal her mama and papa. They were older and greyer, but they looked the same. Evelyn’s hand flew to her mouth as a noise escaped her. Alex nudged her and then exited the car and came around to help her out as she seemed to have forgotten how to move.

“Mama, Papa,” she whispered her voice full of unshed tears.

“My baby.”

He could see her mother mouthing the words and then Evelyn was running, and she was in her mother’s arms, her father holding the two women he loved as they wept and talked over each other. He stood back and watched the reunion, not wanting to intrude knowing what this meant to them all.

“Alex,” Evelyn called and ushered him over as she swiped at the tears on her cheeks.

“Alejandro, come.” Her father shook Alex’s hand clasping it in both of his and shaking. “Thank you for bringing our girl back to us.” He was watching as his daughter and wife walked into their home with a massive smile on his face. They followed behind and both men stopped in the living room to give the two women a moment alone as mother and daughter made their way to the kitchen.

“It wasn’t me. Evelyn fought her way back to us. Your daughter is strong and fierce.” He smiled as they entered the small colourful home, the walls a bright terracotta the tile to match.

“Like her mama.”

“Yes.” She was. They looked alike and both a had a formidable spirit which he thanked God for.

“You will wed now?” Evelyn’s father asked as he looked at Alex before nodding. “You will wed now.” He hadn’t waited for Alex to reply but grinned as he clapped him on the back. Apparently reading Alex’s expression was all he needed.

“Do I have your blessing?” Alex wanted to be sure and respected these people enough to want their blessing.

“You had my blessing fifteen years ago, Alejandro.”

Alex felt his eyes go wide before he chuckled. You never could get one over on a Cuban parent. They stayed for the rest of the afternoon as they caught up, his mother joining them which prompted more tears from the women. It was the perfect day, although he couldn’t wait to get her alone that night and have her all to himself.

* * *

HEREFORD, THE UNITED KINGDOM

He slipped awayfrom the people at the bar and headed around the corner to make the call. The text had come in five minutes ago and he knew not to keep them waiting. Bile and self-loathing crept through him as he thought of what he had done and what he still had to do before he could find a way out of the mess he found himself in.

The burner phone rang as he waited in the rain.

“You took too long,” was the greeting.

“I couldn’t get away.” He hated defending himself but knew if he didn’t, people he cared about would die.

“Do you have what I need?”