Epilogue
AINSLEY
Two months later
“Why are we doing this?”
“Because you made me a promise.”
“When did I do that?”
“Two months ago.” Since it doesn’t seem like Talon is going to follow me into the shelter, I turn to him with my hands on my hips. “Remember? When you said I could get another cat?”
“I said that?”
“If I remember correctly…” I step up to him until the toes of our shoes touch. “You said something about me getting all the cats I want if it makes me happy.”
His eyes narrow when he scowls. “That doesn’t sound like me.”
“I know it’s been a whole eight weeks, but believe me, you said it. And Klaus wants a sister.”
“Oh? He told you that?” He can pretend all he wants to be stern and against the idea, but I know better. I see it in the way his lips twitch at the corners.
“Sure, he did. He gets lonely now that we’re always spending time together. It’s been a lot for him to adjust to, having you living with us.”
“Right, of course.” He nods slowly. “And the two of you are a package deal.”
“We always have been.”
He eyes the shelter door. “I rarely go through a day without a scratch from that cat. This is going to make it better?”
“You’ll see. It’ll be great.”
Finally, he drops the act. “Okay. Let’s see if she’s still here, waiting for you.”
“I swear. If somebody came in and swooped her up while we were out here having this pointless argument…”
“You think anybody else would be as crazy over a hairless cat as you are?” I have to bite my tongue since I know he wouldn’t love knowing I’ve overheard him having whispered conversations with Klaus, the same way he has with Bob and Marley when he thinks I can’t hear him.
He has a soft heart, no matter what he wants anybody to believe. No matter what he does for a living.
I try not to think about that. It’s something we keep between ourselves, and I don’t ask questions.
When he’s deep in research for a new job, I stay out of his way and let him do his thing.
There’s only one rule I insist on: he will never use a girl again to get to his target.
I don’t want him falling for another girl like he did for me.
Sometimes, I take a step back and think about that. I’m more worried about him falling for someone else than I am about the fact that when he goes out, he may or may not be on his way to murder somebody. It’s the sort of thing I can’t help thinking about. Who could?
But at the end of the day, he’s never treated me any differently than he did that first day.
When he picked me up for the wedding and changed my world, and the way I looked at myself.
He changed everything. He was who he is now, nothing about him has changed.
The version of Talon I started falling in love with that night is the same man who follows me into the animal shelter, who made breakfast this morning, who picks me up from the library every night to make sure I get home safe.
He’s also the man who got into an argument with the landlord when he had new locks installed on the door. I wouldn’t have wanted to be on the losing end of that fight. I was just grateful I didn’t end up evicted.
In the end, doesn’t everybody want to feel safe and protected?
I’ve never felt that way before, not even in my own family.
I’ve never felt like my happiness and my preferences were anybody’s priority.
Even now, after a couple of months, I catch myself putting myself last. He always calls me out on it, too.
Not today, though. Today I know what I want: the sweet little cat who needs a forever home with us. “I have a good feeling about this,” I whisper while we wait at the front desk. “She spoke to me.”
“The cat.”
“Yes.”
“Spoke to you?”
“Didn’t I just say that?”
“Through the computer.”
“The moment I saw her on the shelter’s Facebook page, our souls connected.” He doesn’t get it, or he pretends not to. God forbid the hardened hitman admits he has a thing for animals. Even animals who scratch him every day out of jealousy.
“You know, if you keep adopting animals like this, we’ll need a bigger apartment.” He slides his arms around me from behind, leaning down to murmur in my ear. “Maybe one with a second bedroom we could devote to playing.”
Even now, out in public, my pussy tingles at the idea. “If we had a second bedroom, I’d want to turn it into a library to fit all my books.”
“Why not both? Bookshelves on the walls for you, a spanking bench, and a swing in the middle of the room for both of us.”
“We’ll talk about it.” One of the volunteers waves us back, and waiting for us is Cleo, cowering in a crate. My heart melts at the sight of her big green eyes. She’s mine. End of story.
Talon approaches the crate while I ask all the pertinent questions to confirm she’s fixed and has had her shots.
“Her owners had to move across the country, and their new place doesn’t allow animals,” the girl explains.
“But Cleo was loved. She’s in great health and came from a household with other animals. ”
I’m listening to her but watching Talon.
I’m almost afraid to breathe, it might break the spell.
He’s crouching beside the crate, studying the cat while she studies him.
Eventually, he pokes a finger through the plastic bars, and she takes an experimental lick before purring loudly enough to surprise the volunteer into silence.
“She likes you. You’re the first person she’s paid any attention to since she got here.”
Talon can pretend all he wants, but this pleases him. He stands, one hand wrapped around the crate’s handle. “We’re ready to go. What else do we need to do?”
Just like that. I bite my lip to hide a smile before signing the paperwork. It’s only when we’re outside that I clear my throat. “So. You’re suddenly a fan of the idea?”
“She needs us.” He’s so sure of himself, the way he is when it comes to just about everything. “We came to an understanding in there.”
“What? You mean the cat spoke to you?” I tease. “Because the last time I checked, you were giving me a raft of crap about that.”
“Laugh all you want.” He finally cracks a grin. “Come on. Let’s go home and introduce her to the family.”
Yes, because that’s what we are. I’ve stopped trying to make sense of it.
All that matters is how I feel. The fact is, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
Happier than I ever imagined being. For once, I have the family I want, the family that warms my heart and makes me feel like I have a home.
When you find something like that, you can’t overthink it. All you can do is hold on tight.
And that’s exactly what I’m going to do for the rest of my life.
* * *
Thank you for reading Rent a Hitman.