by Amy McKinley
“I can understand your fears.” He really could. With Mateo and Juan Carlos breathing down her neck, threatening to take her away, and controlling her life, he understood the helplessness that drove her and her worry that he would change into someone who would take advantage of her, or even turn her over to them, as they were the ruling power in the region.
Mari reached across the round table and clasped his forearm. “Everything I told you about running, about my fears of the military and cartels, and about you… It was real. I didn’t lie about what you mean to me.”
“Come here.”
Mari moved around the table and faced him, fear clouding her eyes. He pulled her close, seated her on his uninjured leg, and wrapped his arms around her. Her small frame fit against him, and he rested his chin on her head. This woman. He’d come to care for her and to love her—he needed her too. There wasn’t a single bone in his body that doubted her words. “Come home with me.”
She pushed against his chest and sat up so she could see his face. Easing his hold on her, he dropped his grip to her waist and played with the long strands of hair that cascaded down her back.
“You’ll still take me away from Colombia? And…”
“Yes, I will. Even if you don’t want to stay with me or be in a relationship with me, I’ll help you get on your feet in the States. You have a choice, Mari. Your life is your own.”
Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over in rapid succession. Joy spread over her face, and the smile she gave him was blinding. “I want nothing more than to be with you.”
Epilogue
Mari
Mari smoothed her hand over her sweater and turned to the side in the full-length mirror. Her curves had filled out since they’d been out of the jungle for so many months. A small smile played along the edges of her mouth, and her eyes sparkled back at her. Her hair hung down her back in long, loose curls. With a final look at her appearance, she turned and slipped on the new boots, which she’d bought the last time she and Chris had visited Liv and Liam.
Liv and Liam’s home in Maine was beautiful. While she wasn’t entirely used to the climate, she could picture herself living there with Chris.
They were going on a date. Chris was picking her up in five minutes. Heat flushed her cheeks, and butterflies fluttered in abandon in her stomach at the mere thought of him. I love that man.
They’d been in California for the past few months. Chris had set her up in his place, deciding to bunk with his brother so she could have some space to decide what she wanted. He’d made it clear he wanted her. That’s what I want, too. Even after she’d confessed how much she wanted to be with him, he insisted that she take some time to decompress and that they slowly get to know each other better.
She glanced around the very masculine apartment, noticing the few feminine touches she’d added and how their styles complemented each other. They did, too—they fit together. She’d tried to tell him that she didn’t want to be without him, because she’d grown so used to having him around twenty-four-seven, but he insisted. It was a good thing. He’d courted her, taking her out a few times a week to dinner, to see the museums, to an art fair, and on more than one weekend trip to visit Liam and Liv.
While in Maine they even ran into Jack and Hannah. That’d been interesting. Not one of them—her, Liv, or Hannah—had a typical, or simple, beginning relationship with their guys. Complicated. It seemed as though they excelled at it. But Liv… In no time at all, she and Liv had grown close. They had something in common, the Ramirez brothers and the hell that family put them through.
The doorbell rang, and she rolled her eyes. It’s his place. Ringing the doorbell was sweet but unnecessary. Opening the door, she grinned as every nerve ending in her body seemed to come alive at the sight of him. He flashed a crooked grin before he bent down to brush a too-short kiss across her lips. After she stepped outside, he shut and locked the door behind her.
The drive to her new favorite restaurant was short, and before she knew it they were seated. The experience was in tune with nature and delivered a retreat-like atmosphere. The laid-back waterfront patio boasted soft lighting and breathtaking views of the lake. They could watch the boats go by, and at night they sat underneath strands of twinkling lights strung around the outdoor dining area. It was quaint and romantic.
Heads had turned as they’d walked by the other diners, and her heart swelled with the knowledge that he didn’t even notice the women lusting after him with their eyes. He only had eyes for her.
Chris held out her chair for her. As he pushed her closer to the table, he leaned down and whispered, “I have a surprise for you.”
Craning her neck around to see him, she grinned. “What?”
The waiter came over right away, and they placed their drink order. As soon as they were alone again, he pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. Spreading it out between them, she gasped. In the flickering light of the candle, she fixed her gaze on the small-scale blueprint.
Tearing her gaze from the plans, she searched his face. “Is this…?”
“They’re the tentative plans for our house on the property adjacent to Liv’s.”
When Liv had decided to stay in Maine, by Liam, rather than return to New York, she’d bought property that neighbored his. She didn’t live there anymore—her home was with Liam on his property. There was a small cottage, which the guys sometimes used when they were there and where she and Chris had stayed. He’s building us a home. Tears welled in her eyes and threatened to overflow.
“Hey.” He leaned across the table, cupped her cheek, and brushed away a rogue tear. “If this isn’t what you want, we can make changes.”
She chocked back a sob with laughter. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would end up with someone like Chris. He was someone who made her heart race and butterflies erupt in her stomach from a simple look or touch.
“No.” She caressed the back of his hand, which still rested along her cheek. “It’s perfect. It’s everything we’d talked and dreamed about. I’m just so happy.”
He picked up his chair and moved it to her side of the table. Draping an arm around her, he drew her close. They sipped the drinks that the waiter quietly dropped off. With the alluring view of the boats sailing along the water, they planned their future.
It lay ahead of them as fate had intended—wild, untamed, and filled with promise.
If you enjoyed reading EYE OF THE STORM as much as I did writing it, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review.
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The Gray Ghost series will continue with Book 3, Beneath the Surface. Join Amy’s Newsletter if you don’t want to miss it!
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks to everyone who played a part in this incredible journey.
To my husband, two daughters, and two sons for their encouragement, support, and belief in me.
To Kristin Kisska, who was instrumental in the process with her mystery writing background and assistance with the tagline.
Emily Albright, Victoria Van Tiem, and Kristin Kisska—fantastic writers whose friendship, brainstorming, and support I cherish. I’m lucky to be involved with such an amazing group of authors.
Maryellen Newton, my incredibly talented friend, who provides unwavering support and beta reads every one of my books. Love our weekly coffee times!
Maria Vickers, for her phenomenal brainstorming in figuring out the story’s setting.
Jackie V Booknerd—my incredible assistant. Jackie, Natasha, Lynn, Amanda, and Cassie, my c
razy-fun street team, whose encouragement and help with promoting this series are seriously appreciated.
Taylor Anhalt, my brilliant and talented editor. To the Red Adept team, Sara, Kate, and Irene, for making the task of editing so easy.
T.E. Black Designs, who did the cover design and formatting, you are a dream to work with and each projects’ end results exceed my expectations. Carol Eastman, for your wonderful blurb assistance.
Special thanks to all the bloggers who have encouraged and helped me along the way, Itsy Bitsy Book Promotions, Lip Services, and my readers—who continue to make my dream a reality.
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Thank you.
About the Author
Amy McKinley is the author of the Five Fates Series and Gray Ghost Novels. Her romance books have strong heroines, sexy alphas, and just the right amount of heat, danger, and always an HEA. She lives in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, two sons, and three mischievous cats.
You can find her at www.amymckinley.com
Also by Amy McKinley
Gray Ghost Novels
Broken Circle
Eye of the Storm
Beneath the Surface
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The Five Fates Series
HIDDEN
TAKEN
Stand-Alone
The Deep, coming summer 2018!
