He dropped his head, and his shoulders began to shake as he crumpled. I edged over, pulling on his arm, and he crawled onto the bed beside me. He had never allowed me to see him so vulnerable. I held him as best I could with the wires and bandages, marveling that this man was mine. That there was so much goodness under the darkness I had first seen. That he was capable of such love.
I pressed a kiss to his head and let my own tears flow. We could weep tonight and share our demons.
I vowed tomorrow was a new day—one without fear.
One we could face together.
Epilogue
Evie
Laughter and high-pitched giggles floated up from the beach, the sound making me smile. I walked to the edge of the deck, peering down at the open expanse. Matteo was tossing Maia in the air, with our twins, Anthony and Leo, clinging to Vince’s legs as he crab-walked toward the water. Gianna came up beside me, her laughter quiet but happy.
“Look at them.”
“I know.” I sighed, contented. “They love having you here.”
She slipped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed me affectionately. “We love it here too.”
I watched my husband and daughter play in the sand. His head was bent over hers, the color of their hair so similar you couldn’t tell where his ended and hers began. She was born here on this private island far off the grid, safe and secure. Born in the sun and warmth of the place that restored both Matteo and me. She brought the joy back into our world.
Gianna walked down the steps to the beach, and I sat down with a weary sigh. I felt tired today.
My thoughts drifted to the past.
We never returned to the house. When I left the hospital a week after I woke up, we boarded a private plane that took us thousands of miles away from the blood and pain of Matteo’s past life.
The man the world knew as Matteo Campari and his wife Evie simply disappeared. His company was closed, the house sold, and rumors flew about their sudden departure. We didn’t care. New papers, last names, and identifications rewrote the past, and we set out to create a different future. All that came with us were the small boxes of personal items Marcus and Matteo had packed and removed from the house.
For weeks, we strolled the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean and healed together. It took Matteo a long time to relax, and I knew that, to some extent, he never would.
When Matteo found this group of islands, he knew we’d found our home. Large, private, and sprawling, it was still easy access to larger areas by boat or helicopter. It was a community of other people like us—those looking for a fresh start. No questions were asked, and we were welcomed graciously.
We settled into the villa, and not long after, Maia was born. I had never witnessed joy the way I did the day she arrived.
Matteo held her so carefully, the love spilling over from his eyes. He’d changed overnight. His smile was constant, his happiness contagious. Soon, the visitors started, and they became permanent residents. Vince and Gianna first, then Geo and Lila, and finally Alex and Roza. We all had our own villas and space—even our own lives, but the main beach was our shared playground.
Geo stayed busy, helping many people in the little area with medical issues, opening a small clinic on the main island. Lila helped him out there. Roza taught the younger children, and Alex and Vince ran a charter boat company. Gianna was still best in the safety of their home and continued to work behind the scenes on the monies the foundation issued. I helped her on occasion, but Matteo and my three children kept me occupied most of the time.
Marcus would be joining us soon. He had done his time heading up the team. He had finally found his own life and was ready to leave the old one behind. Matteo was certain once Julian decided to retire, he would head this way as well.
The team would have a new director and new members, still fighting against the underbelly of the world far too many became victim to, yet most people knew nothing about. It was, as Marcus often said, a never-ending battle.
After six years, Matteo proved to be true to his word. He was the fiercest of protectors, the most loving father, and the sexiest husband I could ask for. His eyes were clear and bright these days, the torment of his earlier life fading away with the years. He had his moments, but the sun and water always seem to wash them away.
And me. He said I was the brightest sunbeam in his life.
I startled as Matteo sat on the edge of my lounger, interrupting my musings. He smiled, the ends of his hair tinted gold from the sun, his skin darker than when I first met him. His brown eyes were warm as he leaned forward, pressing a lingering kiss to my mouth.