The Private Serials Box Set(109)

“I’ll let you know as soon as we nail down some plans.”

“Sounds good. Give your girl a hug for me.”

“Will do.”

We disconnected after our goodbyes and I took in a deep breath, trying to ready myself for one more phone call.

“Preston, I assume you’re calling me with good news.”

“Good news for you, perhaps, Edgar,” I responded.

“Did you do as I asked you?”

“It’s done. And I have your money for you.”

There was a pause from Edgar’s side of the line, then a booming laugh. “I knew you could do it.” He laughed, a big whooping laugh, then chuckled until he could speak again without interruption. “You’re a gem,” he finally said. “I’ll expect the money in my account by the end of the week.”

“Then both Lena and I are cut loose, right? This is it, Edgar. We don’t owe you anything ever again.”

“I believe those were the terms. You get me my money, kill Derrek, and you’re both off the hook. I’ll forget all about you as soon as the money is in my account.”

“You’ll have it ASAP.”

“It’s been nice dealing with you.” He paused and then asked one more question. “Was Derrek’s death at least a little painful?”

I swallowed hard, hoping I could lie well enough to fool him. “Don’t worry, he definitely suffered.”

The evil laugh which emanated from him nearly made me hurl. I was glad I’d never have to see him again.

“Thank you for your patronage,” he said, his evil laugh continuing. Then I heard the line go dead, and I relaxed against the railing, looking out to the picturesque Greek cityscape below me. I thought about everything that had happened in the last few weeks and suddenly I was overcome by so much tension leaving my body, I nearly collapsed. So much had been riding on this, so much of my life had been on the line, and it was finally over. I heard the French doors open and I smelled Lena before I felt her arms wrap around me from behind.

“Everything work out?”

My hand came up to smooth over hers and I sighed. “Yeah. Edgar bought it, really believes Derrek is dead. It’s over.” Before I knew what was happening she was in front of me, her dark eyes peering up into mine, her lips pulled up slightly at the corners.

“I know you did this for me.”

My hands slid up her arms, loving the feel of her skin under mine. I loved watching her eyelids flutter at the sensation of me touching her. I cupped her cheeks and looked right in her eyes.

“Everything I’ve done since the first day I saw you outside that bar has been for you. Everything I do until the day I die will be for you. You’re it for me, Lena. You’re the reason I wake up each morning, the reason I’m standing here breathing. Whatever you need, just tell me, and it’ll be my mission to get it for you.”

She smiled and moved forward slightly until our noses touched. “What if everything I’ve ever wanted is standing in front of me?”

The corners of my lips pulled into my first genuine smile in almost two days. “Then that makes my job pretty easy.” She laughed as I pressed my mouth against hers. I teased the seam of her lips with my tongue and, of course, she opened for me. She moaned against my lips and all I wanted was to pull her back to bed, to feel her beneath me and around me.

“Oh, wait,” she said, pulling back and bringing her hand to her mouth. “I need one more thing.” Her face was suddenly very serious, and she looked nervous. “I need you to look up how to say ‘pregnancy test’ in Greek so I don’t sound like a bumbling American at the pharmacy.”

I’d never experienced how truly empty and cavernous my stomach could feel before she’d said those words. My stomach dropped, my heart pumped ferociously, and my eyes blinked wildly.

“You think you’re… You need a… How late…” I couldn’t have completed a sentence in that moment if my life depended on it. I couldn’t find the right words as one million of them were crashing through my mind faster than the speed of sound. She started laughing at me and brought her hands to my cheeks.

“Breathe, Preston,” she said between giggles. “You’re turning purple.”

“You’re pregnant?” I was impressed not only with my inference skills, but also my ability to put two words together. Three technically if you count the contraction.

“I think so,” she said shyly. “Either that or I’m a week late for some other reason.”

I picked her up, my arms wrapping around her waist, and I spun her around while hugging her to me. We were both laughing, and she was crying happy tears, and I couldn’t think of another moment in my life where I’d been so ecstatic. When I finally put her down, I cradled her face and kissed her senseless.

“I think you’re the only woman on the planet who could take possibly the worst day I’ve ever lived through and make it the best day of my life.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re excited,” she said, smiling and wiping a few stray tears away. “But, Preston, I was totally serious. I need you to tell me how to say ‘pregnancy test’ in Greek.”

I laughed and pulled her closer to me, feeling her heartbeat through her chest pressed up against mine.