Page 5 of The Relentless Hero

Julian let out a low moan as the backpack slipped from his arm.

In a quick motion, Mena tugged at his left arm and slipped the box from his grasp, then rushed across the living room, cackling with laughter.

Panic struck Julian as he lunged for her, stumbling over the ottoman and falling to the ground.

“Mena, wait, don’t— “

“What’s this?” Mena asked, holding the Tiffany’s box tied neatly with a white ribbon.

Julian slumped onto the couch, staring back at her. “Open it and see.”

“We said we weren’t exchanging Christmas gifts. We agreed that we would give each other the gift of togetherness, nothing more,” Mena said, a challenge in her tone.

“It’s not a Christmas gift …” Julian said.

“Then what is it?” Mena asked.

“Open it.”

“Not until you tell me what’s inside,” Mena said, her voice hitting a higher octave.

“Calm down,” Julian said, a wave of sadness washing over him. “It’s not an engagement ring.”

Not this time.

Mena plopped down onto the couch next to him, a hint of excitement glinting in her eyes as she peeled the ribbon off the box slowly then opened the lid.

Gasping, her hand flew to her mouth as she looked inside the box.

He couldn’t have dreamed of a better reaction. The emotion etched across her face was pure elation and unconditional love.

Julian wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling his lips against her neck. “It’s a charm bracelet. Each year, I’ll give you a new charm to add to it. Something to remind you of me … of us.”

Mena fingered the single heart-shaped charm attached to the rose gold thick chain. “It’s engraved. J & M. Julian and Mena.”

“I could have done something cheesy and put 4ever underneath,” Julian said, lifting up four fingers. “But thought I might lose you if I did.”

Turning to face him, Mena said, “You could never lose me. This is stunning. I can’t believe you got this for me. It’s so beautiful.”

“Just like you. May I?”

“Please,” Mena said, holding out her wrist.

Julian secured it onto her arm. “Now, every time you look at this bracelet, it will be a reminder of how I feel about you.”

“I love this, and I love you, Julian.”

Julian pressed his lips against hers, his heart about to burst.

“And I love you, Mena.”

Chapter Two

Thunder rumbled as Julian glanced up at the ominous storm clouds. Shadows from The Hub, a massive, open-air shopping mecca in Karen, an affluent suburb of Nairobi, loomed behind him. The overcast sky cast an eerie darkness onto the street. Stepping closer to the crosswalk, Julian pressed the button to cross then glanced at his watch.

Ten a.m.

Mena’s first lecture at the Tribal Museum started in one hour.