THE SECRETS WE KEEP

somew

his voice steady. “We’re leavin

s

kly. “I wouldn’t be

chest as the tension reach

she refused to let fear take

ith unwavering

peless, a loud crash echoed thr

, distracted for just a mom

g Emma’s hand and pulling her

e

, the sound of gunfire and sho

protest, but she pushed on,

nd into the night, the cold air

close behind, their fa

the nearby woods, they collaps

in ragg

sa said, her voice

und Emma. “But this isn’t

art swelling with a mixture o

e Claudia and end this

ed with love and determinati

ight sky above them, Emma knew

her side, she felt ready

ps, the bond between them grew

d; they were a team, united by t

ging justice t

used in an old, seemingly abando

he air grew colder, and a sense

creeps,” Vanessa muttered

sion set in grim determination

en

sound of their footsteps echo

ne, but she pushed it aside,

hind a false wall in the basem

s familiarity with

g rows of filing cabinets and s

tle. “This is it. Everythin

ction of the vault to search. T

fingers brushed over countless

ng that could pro

called out. “I f

atching as she saw the stack o

i

at this.” Adrian handed her

with known criminals, along wit

d. “This is it. Th

he sound of footsteps echoed f

eath. “We ha

documents into a bag. “We n

y reached the exit, they were

ard, his expression

nclair mansion closed behind

ly lit foyer. Emma's heart po

ertwined, facing the woman who

r li

eyes flicking between them wit

Emma. I told yo

aw tight. "We don’t take orde

igh

ling in the vast, empty space.

iv

drawing strength from his p

audia. I

moment before she regained he

ou’re just scratc

narrowed. "The

er expression darkening. "Your

s in deep with some very dange

ey made sure he

mention of her father, but she

doesn’t justify

. "You have no idea what it’s l

ather ruined my family, an

ld. "So you decided t

"She’s just col

anger. "You’ve hurt so ma

omentarily, but the hardness qu

it s

elt the adrenaline drain from h

lled her into his arm

er," he whispered, pressi

st, tears of relief streaming d

ri

her chin so their eyes met. "I

. And I keep

ve and gratitude. "I don’t k

umb brushing away her tears. "

kiss, the world around them fad

d away, leaving only t

, Adrian rested his forehead a

eart full. "I love

nded by the aftermath of their

ld face them together. Their b

ity, and nothing co

ng a warm glow over the old

ace a new day, their hea

of the mansion, her defiant ey

r began to dissipate, Emma and

trength from their

expression a mix of relief an

, her voi

last of her tears. "Thanks to

. "We’re a team. And

nd tightened as he turned

t the now-empty foyer. "Claudia

ions she had. There’s stil

g the weight of their mission s

ever it

a knowing smile. "But for now

u’ve ear

filled with tenderness. "What

ve back into

eling lighter than it had

ing sun warming their faces as

with a comfortable silence, thei

ns

ma up to their room, his protect

y guided her to the b

?" he asked, his voi

hining with love. "Bett

kiss to her lips. "I meant what

yo

th emotion. "And I’ll a

rapped in each other’s arms, sh

room was filled with a sens

the chaos th

Adrian suggested they go out for

od," he said, helpi

streets, the cool breeze rufflin

f renewal that mirrored their

ching the sunset paint the s

n’s shoulder, feeling a deep

she m

f her head. "It is. I c

him, her eyes filled with love

nting t

pression open and attent

ing her courage. "I’ve been th

d something during all of this—I

partner in this fight.

and cupping her cheek. "Emma,

were special. And every day

, sealing their unspoken promis

s thumb brushing

more time. Life is too short, a

wing you’re min

yes locking with his. "Wh

that took her breath away. "I’

ways. Wi

e emerged from the shadows, int

them, her face

tion," she said breathlessly.

k to headquarte

kiss to Emma’s lips. "We’ll fi

mis

nd. "We’ll face this together

anessa, Emma felt a renewed

they would face them as a tea

hing they cou

the building buzzing with ac

of agents was already gather

idence of the

till out there," Vanessa ex

esting they’re plan

. "We need to stop the

r resolve firm.

ma felt Adrian’s hand slip into

, they would face whatever came

r each

ir spirits remained unbroken. W

over. But with love and deter

ace the darkness between