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I played a trailer for all the levels that we’d be showing at the International Game Convention.

“It’s amazing,” she said, browsing the levels. “I’m not a gamer, but this makes me want to play. There’s magic, suspense,and mystery. I like the hidden treasure boxes where you reference names and things in Providence and The Trogyn.”

I looked at her profile: beautiful and strong—a warrior who would help me defeat the villains.

“My friends and I have sprinkled evidence of all of The Trogyn’s crimes into the game. We’ve changed the names a bit, but the criminals who are part of that organization will know who we’re talking about.”

“That’s brilliant.” She shifted to look at me, and her ass made my cock hard.

“Grayson did it first, and the other guys went back to their demos and inserted the details.”

“The video game isn’t just a game.” She searched my face, and pride soared in me. I was fortunate to be with an intelligent woman who saw the plan.

“No, it isn’t.”

“Top secret billionaire stuff?” she asked.

“Exactly.” I kissed the side of her head.

She knew not to ask any more questions, and I loved her more for that. I wanted her to be safe, and part of that protection was keeping certain things secret.

I showedVanessa Level Seven, where a warrior goddess was a painter, and her weapon was a paintbrush. She could paint portals to escape dire situations. Her brush could also heal injuries, depending on the energy source.

“Wow,” she said. “Each color on the palette is a source of power.” She zoomed in on the warrior artist’s face. “That looks like me!”

“Itisyou.”

She whipped her head at me. “What? You made me a character in your game?”

“How can I not add the woman I love into a game that’s very important to me?”

She opened her mouth to say something but stopped. Emotion gleamed in her eyes.

Shifting, she straddled my hips to face me. “What did you say?” she asked nervously.

Taking her hands in mine, I lifted them to my chest. I hadn’t meant to say those words to her today. But after encountering so many deaths recently and not being able to locate Joseph, I realized that life was unpredictable.

What if something happened to us tomorrow? I wanted her to know how I felt now.

“I love you,” I said. “It all started with one painting that set me free.”

Her eyes teared up. “How do you know it’s love?”

“How does the sun know whento rise or set?” I skimmed her cheek with my fingers. “It just knows.”

She said nothing as tears slid down her cheeks.

I grabbed a tissue from my desk and dabbed her eyes. “How does a plant know how to grow?”

She smiled but didn’t say anything, probably waiting to see what I would say.

“It just does. Like you said, nature is intelligent.” I brushed my lips against hers. “It follows the natural rhythm of what it’s made of.” I swallowed, trying to calm my heart as raw emotions flowed out of me. I didn’t realize how thoroughly I’d prevented myself from expressing my feelings all these years. Vengeance had been my driving force, but it was also my crutch. “You’ve brought my heart back to life. It was dead before you appeared.”

She placed a hand on either side of my face and looked into my eyes. “I love you too.” She kissed me, lingered, and then drew back. “Your heart was never dead. It just took a nap.” She hugged me. “We all have moments when we need rest.” I felt her heartbeat against me as she rubbed circles on my back and muttered, “I’m going to protect you too.”

“What?”

She kissed my cheek. “Whenever you need to rest or take a nap, we’ll do it together, okay?”