Evan

“Don’t look at me like you knew it was all going to work out,” I say to Shep.

He whines.

It’s cold as I take him outside my Manhattan apartment building.

I stick my free hand in my pocket, trying to keep warm. “Hurry up,” I tell the dog, waiting for him to do his business so I can return to the warmth of my bed with Bella in it.

It’s been too long since she’s been in my arms, and let me tell you something, I fucking missed her every single day.

It wasn’t easy watching her sidle up next to Alex. Watching her play that role. Watching him stare at her.

And honestly, it must have been the humidity down in Florida, because I can’t believe I ever even agreed to letting her become my informant. My confidential informant. And let her go undercover.

Had I known it would have ended with her engaged to that man, I’d never have agreed to it. Never.

Levinthal asked me many times over the years who my informant was, but I’d never tell him. I’d never tell anyone. I kept her identity as secret and safe as I could. Because you can never trust anyone. And although I trust Levinthal, there’s a ton of motherfuckers in that department I didn’t. So, she was... mine.

I’d die before I gave her name up.

And we never thought she’d get in as deep as she did.

She was never supposed to date him, just work with him, get tidbits on his life, maybe follow him around a bit.

Never in a million years did I think he’d ask her out. But, then again, she’s fucking gorgeous, so I see the appeal.

Honestly, when he asked her out, I thought he had made us. I thought he knew. And I did not want her anywhere around the fucker.

But one thing I’ve learned about Bella over the years, there’s no taming the wild. There’s no telling her what to do when she has her mind set.

You just need to set her free.

Now that she’s back with me, I’ll never let her go again.

I tug on Shep’s leash, bringing him back into the warmth of the lobby.

“Sir, a package arrived for you,” the doorman says.

I sign for the little box, and head back upstairs.

“Good morning,” Bella calls from the kitchen.

Shep runs to her, waiting for his treat as she pats him on the head.

“What are you doing awake?”

“I thought I’d make breakfast.” She fiddles with some pans in the kitchen, and I set the package on the counter.

“What’s that?” she asks.

I shrug. “Don’t know.” I wrap my arms around her, and kiss her soft, warm neck. “You smell good.” Damn, I forgot how much I missed the smell of coconuts.

She parks a hand on her hip, glancing at the package again. “Are you going to open it?” she asks.

“Nope.” I pop up onto the counter, sitting there with the knowledge that she’ll have to open the box.

“Well….” I push it closer to her. “I’ll just see what it is really quick.”

I smile. “You do that.”

She sets down the spatula, and I watch her as she opens the package with curious eyes.

“Oh my God,” she says.

I hop down, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I thought you could use your own set.”

She turns to face me in my arms. “I love it.” The hand carved, wooden box of tarot cards is engraved with her name: Bella Lacuna. She wraps her arms around my neck. “I love you.”

“And I love you. I love you. I love you,” I say in threes.