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“Just after five p.m.”

My eyes lock on Annie’s face, and I notice how pale she is. “How long was I out for?”

“You slept on and off for about twenty hours, sir,” Javier answers.

I glance at him and nod. “You can bring my wife whatever the chef feels like preparing. I’ll make sure she eats.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Javier quickly leaves, looking relieved that I’m finally awake.

My attention turns back to Annie. “Why aren’t you eating?”

Her bottom lip juts out, and her chin begins to quiver. “How was I supposed to get anything down with you lying here unconscious?”

She was so worried about me that she couldn’t stomach food.

Annie really loves me.

The corner of my mouth lifts, then I look down at my chest, which is covered in cuts.

I’ve gone close to two decades keeping my injuries minimal, but yesterday tested me in ways I’ve never been tested before.

Right after I was sure Annie was safe, my adrenaline crashed.

When I look at her again, it sinks in that we made it.

“It’s over,” I whisper, half in disbelief.

Her lips curve up in a soft smile. “It is.” Reaching for my face, she cups my jaw. “All you have to do now is rest and heal.”

“I’m fine, my light. I just crashed because of the drop in adrenaline.”

Her gaze keeps caressing my face, as if she can’t get enough of looking at me. “You were unbelievable yesterday, but why didn’t you just use the guns and shoot them?”

“It’s a matter of honor.” I can’t tear my eyes away from her. “Also, word will spread, and it will make fuckers like Grigori fear me. It’s the most valuable commodity in my world.”

“Our world,” she corrects me as she leans forward to give me a gentle kiss. Pulling back, her gaze softens with love. “Thank you for fighting so hard to protect me and for arranging all of this.” She waves around the room. “I know you could’ve flown straight to Peru, but had to take this route because of me.”

“I will always fight for you, Annie.” Curious, I ask, “How did you know?”

“The names on the ID and Visa card match, which tells me this is your final identity, one that’ll pass as legit so you can move around without setting off alarms.”

I nod. “We’ll get yours made in Cartagena. Have you thought of a name?”

She shakes her head. “I was a little busy being taken on a wild tour through Panama City and getting impromptu shooting lessons.”

I begin to chuckle, but it makes my side ache, so I stop, then I give her a proud look. “I’m so fucking proud of you.” I stare into her eyes again. “Thank you for cheering me on. It helped.”

A grin spreads over her face. “I’ll always cheer for you.”

Getting serious, I ask, “How are you doing after shooting Grigori?”

She thinks for a moment, then shakes her head. “It was either him or us. I chose us.” Her expression turns serious. “But after all of that, I now understand how you’re able to kill. When you went down, I had to do something. If I had better aim, I would’ve killed all three of them to stop them from hurting you.”

Taking hold of the side of her neck, I brush my thumb over her soft skin. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”