Flawless Prize

I take a deep breath, trying not to let her words rile me up. Caleb will find a way, I tell myself. And until then?

I need to figure out what my plan is.

I wander outside, and head to the end of the dock. Sitting, I dip my toes in the cool, warm water, letting the sunshine and sound of the water lapping bring my blood pressure down back to normal again. For a moment, I can almost pretend I’m on a relaxing vacation, and not fleeing the city to escape all kinds of threats to our lives.

When did my life get so complicated?

When I signed up to be Olivia’s pawn, I think ruefully. When I met Caleb, and knew that nothing would be the same again.

Maybe I should be scared of what waits for us back in the city. But instead, I find myself smiling. Because regardless of what’s happening, we’re in this together now.

A team.

Caleb has let me into his life, but more than that, he’s shown up for me in mine. Supporting me with my mom, looking out for me in hospital. Even when he was pushing me away, it was with my safety in mind.

And when it came down to it, when I put everything on the line and told him how I feel, he stepped up. He chose me.

We chose each other.

I hear footsteps behind me, and turn to find Caleb strolling out to meet me, two steaming cups in his hands.

“If that’s coffee, I’ll love you forever,” I joke, and he smiles.

“Then I’m a lucky man.”

He settles beside me on the dock. “Settling in OK?”

“Can’t you tell from my stylish outfit?” I strike a silly pose. He chuckles.

“I forgot, I don’t exactly keep this place stocked.”

“It’s OK. It’s so peaceful here,” I say, looking around at the placid lakeshore. “It feels like there’s nobody around for miles.”

“There isn’t. No one will find us here.”

There’s something to his tone that makes me turn. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just…” He drags a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. That you have to hide out. That you have to worry about your safety all over again.”

“I know how it goes. I signed on for this, remember? Besides,” I say, sinking against him, “I know I’ll be safe with you.”

Caleb pulls me tight against him, claiming my mouth in a slow, deep kiss. I melt into his arms. How could being here, with him, be a burden?

“When was the last time you were here?” I ask, when we finally come up for air.

Caleb pauses. “Not in a while,” he admits. “I spent a ton of time here when I was a kid though.”

“I saw,” I say with a smirk. “Those photos are really something.”

He laughs. “No comment.”

“You mean this isn’t your secret nudist retreat?” I tease.

“Why, do you want it to be?” Caleb gets a wicked look in his eyes.

“That depends—”

I barely finish the word before he’s up, hauling me over his shoulder.