Page 119 of Pervade Montego Bay

“I would do it all over again.”

He mulled that over. “Last night, you accused me of seeking revenge in London.”

“It was two in the morning.”

He snatched off his sunglasses and squinted at me. “What I do is not just about revenge for Victoria. It’s about me fulfilling what I believe I’ve been put here to do.”

“And you do it so well.”

“I’m serious.”

“Me too. No one could replace you. You would never be content with taking a back seat and letting someone else rule. It’s who you are.”

“I want to change the world, Xavier. I haven’t given up on it. I want to continue to strive to make it a better place.”

Which was why I admired him so damn much.

James shoved his glasses onto his forehead. “Which means I will constantly be in a place of danger. Nothing changes.”

“You don’t have to face it alone.”

“You’re brilliant and kind and patient and everything that is good with this world…”

I braced myself for his final blow—the words that would deliver the ultimate ending for us.

He reached into the pocket of his pajamas. “Until you forgive me for what I said to you at Dunn’s River Falls—” He opened his palm to show me the ring.

The same one I’d given him. The same one I’d secretly caught him wearing this morning when he’d been sleeping.

I smiled to break the tension. “The bit where you told me you usually wear comfortable shoes when you go hiking?”

“No, the bit where I told you…” He shook his head as though shaking off an unpleasant thought. “I’mthe abomination, Xavier. Not you. We both know this. Until you forgive me for saying those words—” His eyes were glassy. “I can’t wear this.” He stared at the ring.

“Nothing to forgive,” I whispered, hope crystalizing.

“I spoke out of anger. It’s not how I feel about you.”

“And how do you really feel?”

“Every time I think of you leaving—” He stared at me with an intensity I’d seldom seen. “You bring meaning to my life, Xavier.”

“Thank you for sharing this.”

His jaw trembled. “I’m letting you down by not being strong enough to let you go.”

“You know I don’t want you to.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“I could say the same.”

“You’re not the one who did all those things.”

“I stood beside you as you did what had to be done. Wars are not won by men who shy away from doing what is right. You tackle evil with a bravery few men have.”

He gave a nod of resignation. “How do we make sure Emily can have her dream fulfilled and be kept safe?”

I tapped my head. “Got it all figured out.”