Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“It’s fine. It tingles a little, but it’s fine.”
Elias stroked her cheek. He killed Bozo way too easily and now as he looked at his wife, he wished he’d taken his time. That son of a bitch had sent an amateur to shoot his wife. He should have died even more painfully.
“There’s actually something I want to talk to you about,” Winnie said.
“What is it?”
“I want to help.”
“Help?”
“I was talking to Dr. Mansell and I want to help you bring Bozo out,” she said. “If there is anything I can do—”
“Stop, Winnie. You don’t need to worry.”
“But I—”
“Bozo is dead,” Elias said. “He’s not going to hurt anyone. I found out where he was hiding and I took care of it.”
“Oh,” Winnie said.
“He was never a threat to you.”
“He wasn’t?”
“No, Winnie. I promised you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, and this is me keeping that promise.”
He looked into her brown eyes. What had started out as him simply protecting this woman had turned into something so much more. Elias knew he should let her go. Let her find a man her own age, who didn’t have enemies waiting to take him out. But he also knew there was no one else out there that would be able to keep her safe. Only he was able to do that.
Also, he wasn’t exactly a nice man, and had a reputation for being a bastard. When it came to Winnie, he tended to be selfish. Whatever she wanted, she could have.
“I love you,” Winnie said.
Elias stood frozen. “What?”
“I … I just wanted to tell you I love you, and I love being your wife, and one day, I hope we can have kids and perhaps a dog,” she said, pressing her lips together.
“You want a dog?”
“Maybe a couple of dogs. Perhaps some cats, but you know, bunnies as well. They’re cute.”
“You love me?” Elias said.
“Yeah, I love you, and I’m kind of crazy about you. I don’t … I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you, Elias. I know you married me out of convenience and felt sorry for me.”
He silenced her with a kiss. His wife loved him. His wife fucking loved him. He was on cloud fucking nine.
“That was then, baby,” Elias said. He cupped her face. “Look into my eyes. I love you, Winnie. I have never loved anyone or anything the way I love you. Nothing can ever happen to you. My whole day rides on seeing you, on being near you. Whether it is seeing your sweet smile, or just being with you. I love you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do. I want to have kids with you, and I have a couple of dogs I think you’re going to like.” He took hold of her hand and led her out toward the main corridor. “I didn’t know if you would be happy that they’re fully grown.”
He let out the two dogs from the back of the garage, and they had been starving. He fed them, watered them, let them have a good run, and then allowed them in the back of his car. They were good Doberman dogs, and he never thought he would love them, but he did.
“Wow,” Winnie said.
The two dogs stood to attention and moved toward him. He stroked behind their ears, and Winnie sunk to her knees and fussed over both dogs. “They’re amazing,” she said, and that laughter was sweet music to his ears.
There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his woman.
Whatever she wanted would be hers.
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
“Tell me again why I have to wear this thing?” Elias asked, looking down at the garish Christmas sweater his wife insisted he wear. His had a reindeer on the center, with pom-poms of white balls all around it. There was no way anyone in the world would take him seriously.
He should have known this was coming. Ten years ago, his wife had started this tradition. Each year, she purchased sweaters for him, as well as their children, and they would have to wear them and get their picture taken. The sweaters always had a garish design on them, but his wife loved to do it.
“Come on, Dad, you look hot,” his son Elliot said. Ten years old with a smart mouth and way too much wit about him.
“I like it. I look like a princess, don’t I, Daddy?” That was his little girl, Bernice.
And then, he looked toward his youngest son, Simon, who kept pulling at the sweater with a sneer on his face.
“It looks ugly,” Simon said.
Elliot laughed.
Elias looked at his kids.
Their four dogs were snuggled together at the fireplace. Along with their very old Dobermans, they had a Jack Russell and a cocker spaniel. Again, he didn’t know how he ended up with four dogs.
Winnie came out of the kitchen with her camera and a big smile on her face. Also, she was a little red-faced, and one of her hands went to her swollen stomach.