Windward knight

Epilogue

Seven months later,

Jardins du Trocadéro, Paris.

"Well, it took some time, but I finally gave you Paris."

Evie grinned down at her husband and stroked his hair. He lay with his head in her lap as she took in the towering Eiffel Tower and marveled at her good fortune. They sat beside the Warsaw Fountains, which lined up perfectly with the Eiffel Tower directly across the Seine.

"For the second time," she reminded him.

"Our last trip to France doesn't count. It was too cold. This is perfect."

Evie pinched his cheek. "Our wedding so does count! And I loved the early snow."

The Rodin Garden was the location for their quiet and intimate wedding near the dome of Invalides. It had been a spur of the moment decision on their first Parisian trip. And Scout and Jagger had even flown over for the ceremony. Although the weather hadn't behaved, the museum added a lovely backdrop, and the beautiful flower beds overflowing with roses and tinged with the first snow had made for incredible photographs.

Chuckling, Hyde reached up and stroked her cheek. "It was the best day of my life. But, you've gotta admit, this warm spring day comes in as a close second."

"This is pretty perfect." Evie leaned down and kissed his beautiful mouth. How did she get so lucky? Evie had moved to Fort Bragg to be with Hyde, and so far, they'd been fortunate—his deployments lasted for a few weeks here and there. She'd started teaching in Fayetteville, and loved the close-knit military community. Now, they'd both taken their leave and could spend two whole weeks together traveling through Europe. That dangerous night in the desert still haunted her dreams. And she had never told Hyde that she'd reached out once to check on Fiona while he was on a training exercise. Evie had wanted to understand the motivation behind the woman's greed. Was she really that heartless and psychotic?

Evie had traveled to the Dubai Female Prison in Al Awir, just days before she finished her teaching contract in the UAE. The prison conditions were better than she expected, but still, she couldn't imagine serving thirty years.

Compared to Liam's death sentence, Fiona's lengthy incarceration looked like a picnic. Liam would be executed by firing squad for the murder of Riaz. Fiona had seemed almost pleased to see Evie—an unsettling predicament. And then she'd played the martyr card, claiming that Liam had duped her into a life of crime.

Evie had walked away saddened and knowing she'd never understand the wicked and twisted girl. Fiona had chosen a violent path and would've participated in the killing of innocent hostages.

Evie looked up at the Eiffel Tower and then to the sky beyond. She wondered if her mother had ever sat in this same grassy spot and enjoyed the fountains. Thanks for watching over me, and for bringing Austin "Hyde" West into my life. I know you somehow had a hand in my happiness. I love you, Mom.

"Hey... angel. Is everything okay?" Hyde sat up and twisted to face her. Evie swiped at a tear.

"My heart is full." Evie gripped her pendant and held it against her chest. She didn't know how to explain the overwhelming feeling of love and light that had flooded her being.

Hyde's gaze went to her fisted hand and then back to her face. His unblinking stare had her stilling.

"I won't let her down."

"Who?"

"You mom. I think about her all the time. I always ask if I'm doing the best job possible to protect and care for her daughter."

"Hyde..." Evie's throat tightened, and she let go of the pendant to grab his hand.

"Evie, you are so loved. You are my day and my night. My everything."

Shifting close, Evie slipped her arms around his waist and held on. She kissed his neck and smiled.

"So... I have Hyde on my side."

Wrapping her tight, Hyde rolled them onto the grass. She lay beneath him, and he drew back. "On your side... on your front... on your back." He grinned. "And later you'll have Hyde in your—"

"Stop." Evie giggled. "Now, that's all I'll be thinking about."

"That comfy hotel room is calling our name." Hyde stroked a thumb over her bottom lip.

"Then why are we waiting? Lead the way, soldier; you have a mission to complete."

The End

Hope you enjoyed this novella. 

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- Louise Dawn xxx