Page 71 of Traitor

Epilogue

Ford

Three Months Later

“I knew it,”Peyton says, her voice ringing out over the shouts of children and the sounds of splashing water. “You’re trying to kill me. This whole time I thought you were trying to help me, but nooo.”

I glance down at her and hold back a laugh. Her blonde hair is matted against her head and draped over her shoulders like tentacles. Her blood-shot eyes shoot daggers as I say, “If I wanted to kill you, I could have saved myself the trouble and let you drown the first time.”

Her fingers dig into my biceps, even though I’ve got her securely by the waist. “I think it’s your long game. You lulled me into a false sense of security, and now that I’m not expecting it, you’re going to go for the throat.”

Pulling her closer to me, I bring her ear to my lips. “I could think of other ways I could torture you that would be much more pleasurable.”

Peyton slaps my arm, but I don’t miss the way her eyes darken and a smile teases her mouth. “Stop playing. I’m trying to concentrate.”

“It’s not rocket science, sunshine.”

“So says you.”

“So says the five-year-old behind you, who is literally swimming laps around you.”

Her head whips around and she flushes prettily. “Clearly that child is a prodigy. Notify the U.S. Olympic team. We’ve found the next Phelps.”

“Stop worrying about it. I’ve got you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She eyes the water with blatant mistrust. “It’s not you I’m worrying about. It’s what lurks beneath the murky depths that scares me.”

“Nothing down there but fish and frogs wondering what the hell you’re doing on dry land.”

“If you must know, I’m currently deciding whether or not I should risk dunking your head underwater. The thought terrifies me, but it would give me immense satisfaction.”

I step in front of her, blocking her view of the lake and guide her gaze up to mine. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll be here the whole time. All you have to do is hold onto me.”

Her body softens and her grip eases on my arms. “Okay, okay, fine.” She grimaces, then takes a step forward. Guided by my hold, I ease her a couple feet into the water, going slowly so she can acclimate.

“Thank you for not throwing me in,” she says as we pause.

My grin is slow in response. “I don’t mind at all, baby. I’ve got the best view in the place. You in that swimsuit is all the motivation I need, and you can take all the time you want.”

“You’re terrible.”

“And you’re stuck with me.”

As we wade deeper into the water, her movements turn jerky and the color bleaches from her face. “That fact has never been more evident, considering you’ve got my life in your hands.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” But it is the first where the thought doesn’t send me running scared. Instead, I want to hold her closer. I want to let her know she can always count on me to be there for her, that she can trust me to stick when shit gets slippery. “So tell me,” I say to distract her, “how is it you never learned how to swim?”

She squints into the sunlight, diamonds of water dripping off all her delectable curves. “I was one of those girly girls who stuck to the beach and worked on my tan.”

“Damn shame,” I say.

“Why’s that?”

“’Cause you sure as hell look good all wet.”

“Don’t get me all worked up.”

I chuckle. “We’ll save that for after you swim.”