Page 97 of Reaper’s Wrath

Andreas and Pavlos meet us at the front when we exit, their frustrated expressions telling us all we need to know.

“They had a car waiting,” Pavlos explains.

“Glad we came prepared.” I nod to Drake. “Let’s get back to the boat. You take the others. Michael and I will catch up with you.”

“Elio!”

I whirl at the sound of Isa’s voice calling my name. She’s running toward me and doesn’t stop until she’s wrapped around my middle.

“Shit, Ees. What are you doing here?” I hold her against my chest, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.

“I had to come tell you how I felt before you went in, but then the taxi took forever, and I knew you wouldn’t want me putting myself in danger, so I waited, but I was so worried—you left your knife on the boat, and I know you have others, but that’s your favorite.” Her words are water tumbling over river rocks, free flowing.

“It’s okay, buttercup. I didn’t forget my knife. I have multiple karambits. I’m here, and everything’s fine,” I assure her softly.

She pulls away to peer up at me, tears in her eyes. “It’s not okay. I need you to know that I don’t need the letters to know how I feel about you. Memories or not, something about you calls to me. I feel more myself around you than I ever have. I think that’s because my heart knew all along. Knew that you were what was missing in my life. Being with you brings me peace. You make me whole.”

I know this is the worst time possible, but the same as her, I can’t help myself. We’re on the street, dangerously exposed, and I’m certain if I don’t kiss her right this instant, my heart might stop beating.

My hand at the back of her neck positions her to receive me just in time for my lips to press against hers in a fervent, passionate expression of what this radiant woman means to me. She is the sun that warms and guides me. Her gravitational pull keeps me in her orbit no matter how far I stray. She is the center of my universe, and I will never lose sight of that again.

Sucking her bottom lip between mine, I draw the kiss to a close, then rest my forehead against hers.

“Fuck, I missed you.”

My earnest confession is followed up with a hushed warning from Michael.

“Hate to break this up, but we need to get out of here.”

Shit, he’s right.

I scan the area and realize the others are already in a car pulling away from the curb. “Let’s get back to the boat, and the two of us can talk alone.” I keep Isa’s hand securely in mine and guide her to the other car. Michael takes it upon himself to get in the back and let Isa sit up front with me.

I breathe a little easier once the car is in motion. The day has turned out better than expected—the mission was successful on a couple of fronts, and I’m feeling more hopeful than ever that Isa and I will find a way to be together. It may not be easy, but if we’re both willing to fight for it, we’ll find a way.

“How did you get ashore without the tender boat?” I ask.

Her guilty smile is too damn adorable. “I memorized the number from the water taxi we used to go to Evie’s birthday dinner. It was on the side of the boat.”

I shake my head with a huff of laughter. “I should have known. I suppose it’s time we get your phone from your dad.”

“Does that mean I’m officially not a prisoner anymore?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I say—half teasing and half serious. She’s not so much a captive as I’m scared to let her go. I don’t want her family to convince her our relationship is a mistake. We’re too newly reunited. And without her memories…

“I see,” she returns coyly. “So I might still have to wear the cuffs on occasion?”

Fuck me sideways.

Playful Isa is hot as hell, and I’m so goddamn grateful for her patience with me. I’m about to tell her so when a speeding car runs a red light and clips the back end of our car, spinning us in a full circle until we slam into a light pole. Her shrieks and crunching metal fill my ears before everything goes silent.

CHAPTER 50

ISA

Airbags burst open from all directions. The world seems to explode, then screech to a halt.

My ears ring.