I swallowed hard, then reached out and grabbed hold of the lapels of his jacket. “You told me to stay away from you over and over again. You said you weren’t worth my life, but you were wrong. You are my life. If I hadn’t met you, I’d still be a zombie.”

His forehead fell against mine, and he cupped my face before kissing me hard. “I’m sorry. So f**king sorry. I love you so much. I need to keep you safe, for you and for me. Even if that means keeping things from you.” His thumbs caressed my cheek. “I don’t want you to worry. It’s my responsibility to protect you.”

I stared into his eyes as I shook my head. “That’s not protecting me—that’s leaving me vulnerable. Noah noticed it as well and that’s why he got the phones. And I do nothing but worry, because I see how everything bothers you. You can’t hide from me. Not me.” I leaned forward and rested my head against his chest, my arms wrapping around his waist. “Remember what we said, what we promised? We’ll never be free, never have a baby, if we continue on this path.”

He flinched at my words. “There isn’t going to ever be a baby if we stay here, if I don’t get you away.”

I pulled back. “Where are we going to go? They’ll find us.”

He shook his head. “I’ve been getting emails, pictures of us, for a few weeks.”

“I know.”

His attention snapped back to me. “You know?”

I nodded. “I saw you looking at them when you were on the phone with Tom. After that, I downloaded your email app to my phone and have been checking it.”

He stared at me in stunned silence for a moment before turning and kicking a half-packed bag. “Jesus f**king Christ! Who the f**k are we?”

I sat back down on the edge of the bed and let out a sigh. “We’re two people in a shit situation, and all we want to do is protect each other.”

He turned, hands on his hips. “Fuck lot of good that’s done us.” He ripped off his jacket and threw it on the ground. He stared off, his face relaxed, almost as if an idea struck him. “Once I take you somewhere you’ll be safe, then I need to hunt him down and end this once and for all.”

“What? That’s crazy! He’ll have a dozen guys with him all carrying guns.”

“Then I’ll get a grenade and we’ll all go down.”

My jaw dropped open as I stared at him and the determination setting into his features. I got back on my feet and slammed my hands against his chest with all my might. “No! Don’t even f**king say anything like that.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tight. “If it’s the only way to end this…”

My eyes watered, and I swiped away the unshed tears. It was sinking in that there might not be a tomorrow.

Our last night on earth.

The thought hit me like a punch to the gut. My whole body began to shake.

I pulled his head down and bowed up to press my lips to his. The surprise, followed by reluctance, threatened to crush me, and he almost did when his hands wrapped around my wrists. He pushed me back, head shaking.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. “I need you. Please, please.” Nothing could be more true. I needed him, our connection. It felt like I would rip apart without it, the torturous fate ahead of us burying me in crippling grief.

“We have to go.” My own agony reflected in his features.

“If tonight is all we have, give me one last moment with you.”

It hit him as well—understanding flashed across his face. His lips met mine again, fierce and desperate, as he reached down and lifted me up by my ass. I moaned into his mouth, a gasp leaving me soon after as we fell onto the bed.

Harsh hands ripped open my shirt as he bit down on my bra-covered breast. He sat up and pushed my skirt up, grabbing my hips and pulling my pu**y against his cock. His mouth was parted, lids heavy as he looked down at me.

“Tell me.” The lust in his eyes faltered, exposing the fear and sadness beneath.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against his chest. “I love you…more than my own life.”

His fingers deftly worked his belt, then moved to his zipper. “More.”

“I’m yours for this life and the next.” His fingers pushed my panties aside, then he rubbed the head of his c**k against my pu**y, making me burn and melt around him. “I will always be yours.”

He thrust forward, and I convulsed. My eyes rolled back as my nails dug into his forearm. Everything centered around the connection created from his c**k being inside me. He leaned over me and wrapped his fingers with mine as he pinned my arms against the bed. Desperation fueled his kisses as my hips met his.

“I would die for you,” he whispered against my lips. My heart fluttered in my chest. “I would kill for you.” His voice was airy, and he grunted as I clamped around him. “My life is yours.” His thrusts picked up, harder, deeper. He stared into my eyes, burning with so many emotions my chest clenched. “My body is yours.”

I whimpered, every muscle tense, my body bowing toward his. His name tumbled from my lips in a mantra.

“Forever. In this life and the next, you are mine.”

I crumbled, the world exploding around me as I came. White nothingness washed over me, my body pulsing as each wave of pleasure ripped through me. Nathan let out a roar above me, his hips slamming against me. His c**k jerked inside me, and I writhed beneath him, knowing he was filling me.

His breath was harsh above me, and he leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. Unshed tears sparkled in his eyes.

“I love you, my beautiful wife.”

A tear slipped from my eye, my bottom lip began trembling. “I love you, so much, my husband.”

We stayed like that for a few minutes, hoping the danger would disappear and we could remain lost in each other. It couldn’t last, and we got up, moving to the bathroom to clean up the mess.

Sex helped to relax Nathan enough to slow down and think a little more rationally, but we still got ready to leave. Silence remained over us as we changed our clothing. He made a noise, drawing my attention.

“I can’t believe we’ve been walking around unprotected all this time when we should have had your gun on us.”

I pulled up my jeans and buttoned them. “That’s not entirely true.”

His stared at me for a moment, stunned, before his gaze became angry, nostrils flared. “What?”