Page 110 of The Bonventi Hitman

"Agent Bennett, this, this is great work. Are you sure maybe a vacation would do you some good? Clearly you're talented," Agent Harris says.

"No, I've made up my mind."

I stand to leave. "I suppose that's everything."

Harris stands and extends his arm. "Take care, Anna."

I shake his hand, and Agent Greens stands to shake mine, yet when I grab it, his grip goes firm and doesn't let my hand go.

"Remember, this all works. You leaving, us letting you go, if we capture Ivan and all your little intel is true."

I yank my hand away. "It will be. Just be where I said, when I said, and enjoy the rewards. Goodbye, gentlemen."

When I leave, I'm thrilled and excited. So much so that I drive a little faster than I should back to Gabriel's mansion.

As I step through the door, my heart is rattling in my chest with a mixture of relief and anticipation at telling him the news.

There's a newfound lightness in my steps. I feel free. I've made my choice, finally.

Gabriel emerges from around the corner as soon as he hears me enter. His look is both oddly nervous and confident.

"It's done," I say, excited. "I told them everything you gave me. If we deliver Ivan as promised, they'll never come looking for me," I say and take a deep breath. "It's over."

A slow smile spreads across Gabriel's face. He closes the gap between us with long strides instantly. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against him.

"That's a good girl, Bella," he says, kissing the top of my head. "You did it."

I tilt my head back to look at him. "So as long as the intel pans out, I'm free."

Gabriel's eyes turn fierce. "Oh, it will. Trust me."

He lowers his head, capturing my lips with his. I melt into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. The kiss fills me with promise, with hope, with a sense that this is all finally over.

"Now it's my turn," Gabriel says, his voice husky. "I need to set things in motion on my end."

I nod, understanding we're both at play here. "Do you need anything else from me?"

"Just stay here. I'll be late tonight."

"Gabriel," I start, worry creeping into my voice.

He silences me with another quick kiss. "Everything's going to be fine, Anna. We're almost there. Just a little longer."

I watch as he grabs his keys and heads for the door. Before he leaves, he turns back to me one last time.

"We do all this for us," he says, his eyes intense and sincere.

I smile and feel the tingles all over me just as he's been able to do countless times before. "I know."

And then he's gone, a sudden fear creeping in, and I get a quick thought that this won't end well.

I place a hand on my stomach, thinking of our unborn child, and pray that everything goes according to plan and my fears are wrong.

GABRIEL - 42

When I open my eyes, it's almost 7:45 a.m.

Anna is still asleep next to me. I look at her for a moment and think to myself how beautiful she is. Everything I've done or would do for her — I'd burn cities if anyone so much as caused her pain.