Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Despite what had happened there, it hadn’t made me afraid of the place. In fact, I felt like Ramsay’s island had protected us. And I’d protected us.
It cost me more than any one person should have to pay, but I couldn’t feel anything but right in what I’d done to protect Ramsay.
I couldn’t lose him.
I’d lost too much already.
What happened on Stòr would remain a carefully guarded secret. Ramsay’s old boss didn’t want anyone finding out one of his agents went rogue. The rest of the world would believe Ian Kingston died in service to his country. That didn’t seem fair, really, but life wasn’t always fair.
And I guess I didn’t care too much, as long as I had Ramsay.
The last few weeks hadn’t been the easiest.
Yet I’d always gotten through my darker emotions by focusing on others. I focused on Ramsay and our relationship, and I focused on London.
Nick was facing federal charges, so we hadn’t heard a peep from him.
His best buddy, Hugh, wasn’t faring well either when evidence of his involvement in Michelle’s death mysteriously ended up in the hands of the New York Chronicle. There was no covering it up now that it was public. New York society was currently in an uproar that their two golden boys were facing serious prison time.
My case against Shawn and Halston were both going to court, and I had that to look forward to in my future. With Ramsay at my side, though, and after everything we’d been through, I felt strong enough to bear it. To see my parents, Rahman, and Ben finally find justice. I had hope that they would get justice.
I had more hope now than ever.
“Do you like it?” I asked.
“You know I love it.” London looked away, and I saw her lips tremble as she struggled to hold back her emotions.
“Why don’t you show London the view?” Ramsay read the room, as always, and pressed a kissed to my temple.
I gave him a grateful smile and he gave me a sexy wink before I ushered my friend out of the room.
Taking her hand, I led her through our beautiful dining room and out the patio doors. It was a freezing cold day, but for once, the low winter sun hung in the sky, casting beautiful dapples of light across the water beyond Leth Sholas.
London sniffled at my side as she stared out at the view.
I moved to her, sliding my arm around her shoulders. “Hey, hey, are these good tears? Because you know you don’t have to stay here if—”
“No, no.” London relaxed against me. “I’m grateful. Three months ago, I honestly thought that bastard had me trapped. I let him make me believe it. I could never have imagined then that I’d be standing next to my best friend in this beautiful place that has brought me so much peace.”
“Spoon,” I whispered, my throat thick.
“Thank you.” She turned to me. “Thank you for being the only person who ever really gave a shit. For bringing me here. For everything.”
“You don’t need to thank me for that. My life isn’t complete without you in it. This”—I gestured between us and out to the harbor—“this is a totally selfish move on my part. Plus, I get an awesome chef out of it.”
London laughed, wiping at her cheeks. “You’re so full of shit.”
We chuckled at that before I hugged her to me, holding her tight.
Her parents had once again cut her off when they found out she’d left Nick.
They didn’t seem to care that he’d been abusing her.
Bastards.
My parents would’ve found a way to destroy Nick if they’d been alive.
Thankfully, he’d done that to himself, anyway.
“I’m going to head inside to start the dinner.” London gave me one last squeeze and strolled back into the B and B. That was our purpose for coming this afternoon on Christmas Eve Eve. Not only to tour the completed space but to cook for Quinn, Cammie, and Ramsay as a thank-you. Or for London to cook and me to host.
Wanting one last look before the sun dipped behind the horizon, I wrapped my arms around myself, burying my chin in the much-needed woolly scarf tied around my neck.
A year ago, I’d stood right here and imagined a quiet life.
I hadn’t gotten that yet.
But I’d gotten so much more than I could ever have wanted. I’d go through all the hard stuff again to end up right here.
As if hearing my thoughts, Akiva was the first to appear at my side. I reached down to scratch behind her ears.
Then I sensed him before I felt him. Ramsay’s chest pressed to my back as he slid his arms around my waist, pulling me into him.
I covered his arms with mine and snuggled against this strong, resilient Scot who had given me everything I never knew I needed.