Pulling my lips from hers, Diem holds my face in her hands. “Did you see him today?” I shake my head, and she offers me an encouraging smile. “Maybe tomorrow then.”
My mind drifts back to our first night here. We’d chose Barbados for a reason that neither of us could determine. No sooner did we walk into the real-estate agent’s office, than we were ushered out the door to see a new property that went on the market that morning.
Because I’d never been to the beach, Diem insisted we find a place on it. The small villa was perfect for the two of us. The location was great. But it was the scent of citrus that sold me. I ignored it at first, but then shit started getting weird.
We stayed in a hotel for two days while the paperwork was being processed. On the day we moved in, a welcome home present was waiting for us on the bedside table. A bouquet of fresh flowers, a bottle of champagne and . . . Skittles.
That night, I laid down, and on the ceiling above our bed was a scripture. I have found the one whom my soul loves. And at the end, where there should have been a chapter and verse number, there was something else.
D&S
By the time I got Diem’s attention, the words had disappeared.
I snap back to reality, and give Diem a shrug. “Maybe it’s all in my head. I mean the supernatural? I think I’m losing my shit.”
“You’re not losing your shit,” she says, pulling my hair and forcing me to look up at her. “We all have to believe in something.”
Smirking, I ask, “What do you believe in, pretty girl?”
“You.”
Damn, she’s perfect. Maybe not in anyone else’s eyes, but in mine, she’s the ideal mixture of everything I’ve ever wanted.
“Okay.” Grabbing my shoulders, she pushes herself off my lap. “I’m going to get a drink. You want one?”
What kind of question is that? Three months with me all to herself and she’s still asking? Then again, the fact that she’s actually asking is progress. I’d better not fuck this up. “Yeah, babe.”
“Don’t call me babe,” she snaps.
Picking up her cup, she turns to leave but her eyes focus on something down the beach. Lowering her shades, I watch her squint in the sun. “I’m so jealous.”
I roll my eyes. “Let me guess. Her ass is bigger than yours? Her tits are nicer? When are you going to stop worrying about what everyone else looks like and start appreciating me a little more for loving you the way you are?”
“It isn’t always about you, Shady.” She spits my name. Great. Now I’ve pissed her off. “And I wasn’t talking about her body, you perv. I was talking about her hair.”
She stomps off, mumbling to herself. I just shake my head. Turning to see this fabulous hair, my heart stops and my breath catches at the sight.
And there they are.
Walking hand in hand.
I can’t see their faces, but there’s no mistaking who they are. Saylor’s hair is just as wild and untamed as ever. Dirk’s big body looms huge beside her. Even if I wasn’t able to identify him from behind, I know it’s him. He’s the only motherfucker on the beach in jeans.
There appears to be a halo of light surrounding them. I blink a couple of times to make sure I’m not just imagining them. But when I open my eyes, they’re still there. No one else is paying attention to them, and a part of me knows that it’s because only I can see them.
I watch Dirk as his arm wraps around Saylor’s shoulders—pulling her in to kiss her hair. Then, with a glimpse that only lasts a second, his dark eyes narrow on me. They’re not filled with hate or pain or pride. There’s no steel or distance or coldness in them either. He’s Dirk like I’ve never seen him. For the first time ever, he’s happy. And even death couldn’t stop him from getting the one thing he’s always wanted—love.
I look back over my shoulder for Diem, but she’s already inside. When I turn back to Dirk and Saylor, they’ve disappeared. I wait for my heart to plummet. For my hopes to die. But all I can do is smile. I saw him. He lives. And finally, he is at peace.
My heart swells with joy for my brother.
With pride for knowing him.
With honor for serving with him.
With serenity . . . the one feeling he finally has.
We were two brothers born into a life full of nothing. It was a long, hard, uphill battle, but we’d finally found something worth living for. Our lives were measured in miles. Our paths determined by our next mission. But somewhere along the way, God had decided to shed a little mercy on two of the darkest souls he’d ever created. And today, I witnessed what I’ve really known all along.