The Rain: The End by Marietta Standlee (good summer reads TXT) 📕

anguish. "Never put yourself between me and somebody pointing a gun at you again, do you hear me?"

I run my tongue over my lips, not knowing what to say. The situation warranted it, and I can't make a promise that I don't know I can keep.

"She still had one bullet left, Vivian!" he screams.

I'm not sure how to react to him. I know that whatever I say will probably enrage him more. I've never seen him so mad before. Angry, yes, but not furious like this, at least not at me. He grabs me by the shoulders, almost shaking me. There is so much hurt in his eyes that all I want to do is to hold him.

"I could have lost you, Viv. That little girl was unpredictable." He seethes, and his voice cracks slightly.

I do the only thing I can think of. I get up on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. With a moan, he pulls me closer and kisses me back with a passion I didn't believe possible. My knees go weak and threaten to give out on me just before he pulls me even closer, lifting me off the ground, holding me.

When we come up for air, and I open my eyes, I see tears in his crystal, icy blue eyes.

"Colin," I whisper and gently wipe the tears away. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to shoot the little girl."

"I would shoot a hundred little girls if that meant protecting you." He hisses with a vehemence that almost frightens me.

I smile halfheartedly. "You don't mean that."

The problem is, I know he doesmean it, and it makes me feel like…. I honestly don't know what it makes me feel like. All I know is that I love this man, his coldness, his intensity, his fierceness, his courage. I love him, despite his faults, maybe even for his faults, if that makes any sense.

"Just don't do that again, Viv. Ever! I mean it." His eyes lock with mine.

I snuggle my head into his chest, listen to the rapid beat of his heart and whisper, "We are what we are," I say quietly and feel him nodding against my head.

"True that," he acknowledges.

And after a moment of silence, he asks, "So what happened to the kids?"

I smile into his broad chest. "The Paton's took them. Instant family."

"You're kidding?" The surprise and pleasure in his voice is genuine.

"Nope, Doctor Paton saw the kids when I brought them in and fell instantly in love. He and his wife have been talking about adopting one of the many orphans, so…."

"Wow, fate can be pretty cool sometimes." He smiles.

I agree with that statement, for now, though, all I want is to be alone with him for a little while.

But even that doesn't work out. A knock on the door announces Joanne and Dimitrov, asking us to go to Alfredo's with them. A little sheepish Briggs admits, "I'm not sure if our names are on Alfredo's list, so without you guys, there is a pretty good chance we won't get a seat or maybe even have to stand in line."

Her growling stomach makes me laugh. "We can't have that. Let's go. I'm actually hungry too."

Together the four of us walk out of the hospital. It got even colder and the sleet from the previous night put a light film of ice on the ground. We have to watch our steps as we make our way down the almost deserted streets.

Suddenly I feel it again; the fine hairs on my neck and arms stand up. I stop and look around, but I don't see anything. My eyes search the dark corners of alleyways and entrances, but there is nothing.

"What is it?" Joanne stops and looks at me.

"You're white as a sheet," Colin says. "Are you cold?" He takes me under his arm, and I snuggle in.

"That feeling again, like somebody is watching me." I reply nervously.

"You had this before?" Dimitrov asks.

I nod, "This morning."

"Listen to your intuition; it's usually right." He advises.

Coming from a master spy, this statement makes me even edgier. And for the rest of the way, I keep looking over my shoulder. I'm not afraid of a confrontation, but when you can't see your enemy, what do you do?

I take a shuddering breath and feel Colin's calming presence next to me. I need to shake this off, even if somebody is watching me or us, there is nothing I can do at this point: at least not until they're willing to show themselves. I know I'll be able to deal with whatever is thrown at me, but this stalking has me really on edge.

I plaster a smile on my face, take another deep breath, and throw those feelings of impending doom off me. I want us to enjoy this evening. It's always a treat to go to Alfredo's.

Of course, there is a long line at the restaurant, and it looks like he even got himself a bouncer. A broad grin spreads over my face, when I recognize Alex; even with only one foot, he's still a formidable force to be reckoned with. I step over and hug him. "Hey, your day job not paying enough?"

He laughs and hugs me back. "They're not paying me at all. And Alfredo's currency is food… Thought a few hours at night is well worth it."

Colin and Alex man hug, and we introduce Dimitrov; he already knows Briggs.

"Hop on in guys, it's cold out here." He invites.

Loud protests accompany us skipping ahead of the line, but after a moment, we hear whispered words like Commander and our names. My smile deepens, fame does pay well.

Inside it's cozy and warm, and the smells assault my senses, making my mouth water. The place is packed again. We push people out of our way to make it over to our booth, which is already occupied by Blake, Maggie, Martin, and some of our other friends. Blake visibly stiffens when he sees us.

"Let's go somewhere else," Colin says loudly for