Only then did I hear the crying. I stood, taking it off of speakerphone and bringing it up to my ear. “Calm, baby, I’m okay.”
“You’re in so much trouble, Gaige. You have no idea.”
The edge of my mouth pulled back into a grin. “Tell me you’re close.”
A hatch overhead of one of the men flew open and he scattered to the side. An agent I didn’t recognize came down the small ladder, followed by Mr. Viceroy. I moved more to the opening, looking for Elle.
“Where is she? Elle?” I brought the phone back to my ear but it was dead.
“She’s in the car,” my boss said. “Good work, Sullivan.”
No, it wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to argue. I climbed up the ladder, spinning around in a circle. The field I was in had my lips parting. For as far as I could see, there was nothing but chunks of dirt. It looked to be where crops used to be planted, but were long neglected. I shook my head, watching a cloud of dust swirl around with the increasing wind. The clouds were dark and it looked like it was about to rain.
“Gaige!”
I turned around, seeing Elle race toward me. The impact she made sent me stepping back against the pain that was starting to grow more intense by the moment, but I held her closer. As tight as I knew she could take.
“God, I thought he killed you. I thought when I heard the shot—”
“Shh.” My hand buried into her light brown hair and I let myself become lost in her smell, her touch, as she dug her fingers into my back. “I’m right here. You never have to be scared again. It’s over, baby.”
Her head lifted and she looked at me. “I’m never scared when I’m with you.”
“No?” I leaned down, pressing my lips into hers. “You should be,” I whispered against her. “After what I just experienced, I don’t think I’m ever going to let you out of my sight again. I sure as hell know we’re not leaving our special room for a very long time.”
Epilogue
Elle
The cheers and clapping roared so loud, yet so far away, as I stared into the air. The black caps soared high, raining down around all of us who had graduated from Berkeley Law. A dream come true. One, I thought years ago, would never happen. If life had taught me anything, it was to cherish every day like it was my last.
Since Gaige’s last mission, when I thought I’d lost another person I loved, I didn’t waste a minute of appreciating everything that I’d been given. Second chances sometimes never came. I’d seen plenty of people die around me that proved that fact.
When Gaige had rescued me from Marco, I received not only a second chance at life, but at love. I clung to both with a passion that was insatiable. Everything I did in both exceeded a hundred percent. Nothing got in the way, whether it was an argument, a disagreement, or someone telling me that I couldn’t achieve a goal that I had set. I was out to prove a point. To give hope to every slave who ever thought themselves not good enough, or had given up because of the cards they were dealt. Years of volunteer work had shown me sides of the life I hadn’t had a clue about. My agenda was to stop it all. It wouldn’t come easy, but all I had was time. If I could make even the smallest difference, it was worth it.
The crowd was thick around me. Parents, loved ones, they all came over, giving celebratory hugs. It didn’t take long for me to spot the two people who meant the most to me weaving through the crowd.
“You did it! Congratulations.” Gaige pulled me into his side, hugging me tight, as Carson leaned down in his father’s arms, kissing my nose. At one and a half, his curly blond hair now reached just above his bright blue eyes. He was a spitting image of Gaige’s brother and I’d never been happier than the day he was born.
“Give momma another kiss.”
His lips brushed against mine and he went back to burying his face in Gaige’s suit jacket.
“Sorry I was late. I had the sirens going trying to make it through the traffic. Don’t worry, I didn’t speed with Carson in the car. Just made everyone get out of my way.” He winked and I laughed, shaking my head.
The FBI gladly took Gaige when he stepped down from being a secret agent. Most of his work still revolved around terrorism, but not undercover work in other countries. That, I could live with. Although there were times he had to leave, it wasn’t for long, and he was back within a matter of days.
Our lives had become somewhat routine. Carson was at the center of both of our worlds and there wasn’t a moment we didn’t count our blessings. He had been our light, our surprise that had come shortly after our hometown wedding. Perfection had taken its place in our planning and I couldn’t help but feel there was someone looking down on us. Someone whose namesake had brought everyone back together. Even Gaige’s mom and dad. Healing had taken time, but we were all stronger than ever. And our love would continue to make us so. I’d fought this hard for happiness and with Gaige by my side, I knew what we had would last forever. He was mine…and I was now his. Always.
The End.
About the Author
Alaska is an erotic BDSM author who also goes by the pen names Jennifer Salaiz and Jenny May. She lives in the SF Bay area...for now. She's a dreamer, and longs for the day when her husband and kids can load up in the car and drive until their hearts’ content. Adventure and discovering new places play a huge role in Alaska's life. It drives her, and feeds the creativity of coming up with new locations for her stories.
Within the last two years, Alaska and her family have drove across the country twice, and also drove the distance from Texas to California three times. Asked, if she could choose one place to permanently settle down, where it would be, Alaska laughed. "Montana, today. Tomorrow, it may be Alaska, again. I go back and forth."
When Alaska’s not dreaming of spontaneously hitting the road to find a new place to write about, she's being a mother and wife. If you're looking to connect with her to learn more, feel free to email her at [email protected], or find her on Facebook. You can also stop by her website jennymayauthor.com.
Want more Captive to the Dark?
Coming soon!
Also look out for…
Devlin Black book 1: Dom Up
Gaige Page 22
