Page 63 of Innocent Salvation

“He killed so many people. All my life he’s been killing, and I didn’t know.”

“You were a child, and an impressionable one, why would you?”

“I should’ve seen his evil.” Snow shivered and Sebastian held her tighter.

“He didn’t want you too. Now, let’s get you back to base and we can update you on everything we know. Interpol will want to know everything, but we can have Watchdog send them an anonymous packet with all the information. Either way, Henri and Dominique are done, and you can get back to your life.”

Snow glanced at Seb knowing they had a lot to talk about and decide on, but for now, she just wanted to hear Fleur’s voice and have a hot soak in the bath, before sleeping in her man’s arms.

Chapter 25

Sebastian never thought he’d be so pleased to be in a bunker, but this place felt like home to him and after everything that happened in France, he needed to hug his niece. His arm wrapped protectively around Snow, he was glad they’d let him leave the blindfold off for this descent into what was her home.

Bás had explained a lot about Shadow as Snow slept off the last vestiges of her attack and trauma. He knew she’d heal physically, but it was the emotional scars he was concerned about.

For two days all she’d done was sleep, her body cuddled up to him as if burrowing inside. Little did she know she was already so deep in his heart that he’d never be free and for the first time in his life, he didn’t want to be.

As the doors swept back his face broke into a wide grin at the sight of Fleur, her entire being humming with excitement. Snow rushed forward, sweeping the child into her arms, and spinning her around as she rained kisses on her face. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, but Val says I can be her ’prentis.”

“Wow, an apprentice already? You must be doing so well.”

Fleur nodded like a bobblehead, pride in herself evident and making him hope he was at least doing something right.

Seb made his way to them. “Hey, munchkin, you got some of that for me?”

Fleur reached her arms for him, and he took her as she wound her tiny limbs around his neck. “I missed you too, Uncy Seb.”

“Good, ’cos we missed you lots and lots like jelly tots.”

He leaned down putting her on the ground as she wriggled like a worm. She instantly took Snow’s hand and dragged her away. Seb watched them as Snow turned to him with a happy smile, happier than he’d seen her since everything went down.

He felt a presence beside him and turned to see Reaper beside him. The two had forged an unspoken peace since Snow’s rescue and them almost dying. Seb knew he didn’t have romantic feelings for Snow or vice versa. He loved her like a sister like he had Lucinda, and he was glad Snow had that in her life. God knew her blood family were a fucked-up bunch of dickwads.

“You gonna do right by her?”

He was still a nosey bastard though! “Not that it’s any of your business, but as soon as we can get a second to talk, I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

Reaper whistled. “Marriage. That’s a big commitment. You sure you’re ready for it?”

Seb continued to watch as Fleur pulled Snow into the apartment they were sharing there, and his chest tightened with that familiar ache. Ever since the attack, every moment he didn’t have eyes on her left him with a sick feeling in his belly. He knew it was some sort of post-traumatic stress. He’d come so close to losing her and now he couldn’t bear to be away from her. It was like an obsession, but right from day one, Snow had felt like a powerful force who’d spun into his life and claimed him despite his pathetic attempt to fight it.

“I love her, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be with her and keep her happy and safe. I don’t know if I’ll make a good husband, but I’ll spend every day trying to be the man she needs.”

Seb tilted his head to Reaper who lifted his chin. “Make sure you do, or it won’t just be me who’ll hunt you down, it will be the entire team.”

“Understood, but it won’t happen.”

“You tried her cooking yet?”

Seb winced, remembering her attempts at cooking. “I have.”

“And you still want to make her your wife? That there’s love.”

Seb chuckled as Reaper walked away, fingering the ring box in his pocket that had been there since the day before when he’d slipped out to the finest jeweller in Paris and picked it for her.

After a quiet dinner just the two of them, they sat in the living room in front of the couch, Snow cuddled into his chest as he wound strands of her hair around his fingers, loving the silky texture.