Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“River,” he starts. “Can I… talk to you for a sec?”
I glance up, surprised. “Sure.”
“I’m fired. I’m here just tying up loose ends.” He hesitates. “I, uh, just wanted to say I’m sorry. For not believing you. For not protecting you when I should’ve. I got caught up in politics and perception and—hell, I knew something felt off, but I ignored it. I was weak.”
His voice cracks. Just slightly.
“I can’t fix what I did,” he says. “But I can tell you I’ve recommended you for my position. The team would be lucky to have you leading them.”
My heart twists.
I should feel validated.
But I don’t.
Because I already know what I’m going to say.
“Thank you,” I say. “But I’m going to have to pass.”
His brow furrows. “Why?”
“Because if I take that job, I’ll be reporting directly to the board. And one of their conditions is no dating within senior leadership.” I smile softly. “And I’m not giving up Gage.”
Andrew’s eyes widen. “You’re together?”
I nod. “Really together.”
He exhales, almost like he’s jealous. But also… relieved. “Then I hope you’re happy, River. Truly. You deserve that much.”
I watch him walk away. And for the first time since starting at NovaPlay, I don’t feel like the quiet outsider. I feel like me.
Strong. Clear. Seen.
Later that evening, we’re at my apartment. Gage’s chopping vegetables in the kitchen, bare feet on the tile, sleeves rolled to his elbows. There’s music playing low on the speakers—some mellow indie band he’s trying to get me into.
I sneak up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist.
He leans back into me instantly.
“How was work?” he asks.
“Wild. Emotional. Surreal.”
“You see the Tasha thing?”
“Oh yeah,” I whisper. “Front row.”
He chuckles. “I bet that was satisfying.”
“More than it should’ve been.”
He turns, eyes searching mine. “You okay?”
“Better than okay.” I rest my hands on his chest. “I got offered Andrew’s job.”
He stills. “And?”
“I said no.”
He blinks. “You what?”
“I said no,” I repeat, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Because it would mean not being able to date you. And I’m not giving you up. Not for a job. Not for anything.”
For a moment, he just stares.
“Do you want the job?”
I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t think I even want NovaPlay anymore. The board doesn’t care about me. About their employees.”
Gage nods. “I’ve been thinking about that too, and well…”
“What?” I ask.
“Dean offered us both positions. Says he could use our computer skills on his team.”
I’m shocked.
Like really shocked.
“What did you say?”
His eyes meet mine and he inches closer. “Said I’d have to talk to you first.”
“I think I like that idea.” I wrap my arms around his neck and tug him closer.
Then he kisses me.
Hard. Deep. Like I just gave him the world.
“Damn it, Riv,” he whispers against my lips. “You’re gonna wreck me.”
“You already wrecked me,” I say, kissing him back. “Let’s call it even.”
He laughs, and it’s the most beautiful sound in the world.
We eat dinner curled together on the couch, sharing bites off each other’s plates, watching trash TV and pretending we don’t both want to carry each other to bed the second the credits roll. But tonight isn’t about urgency.
It’s about peace.
It’s about healing.
And it’s about us.
As we lay in bed, the moonlight spilling across the sheets, Gage pulls me close and whispers against my temple.
“I used to think I’d never deserve this,” he says. “You. Love. Something real.”
I tilt my face up to meet his gaze. “And I used to think I’d never have a voice.”
“You do now,” he murmurs. “And it’s beautiful.”
So we fall asleep wrapped around each other, our bodies tangled, our futures wide open.
No more secrets.
No more shadows.
Just love.
Real, honest, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.
And for the first time in my life…
I believe I’ve won.
EPILOGUE
GAGE
I always thought war rooms were supposed to feel colder. Sterile. Quiet.
But Maddox HQ?
This place hums.
Even this early in the morning, the building feels alive. Sleek glass, exposed concrete, metal accents—it’s part high-tech fortress, part industrial dream. The large digital wall near the elevator flashes with a rotating security feed, while the Maddox Security emblem glows with understated dominance above reception.
River’s hand is in mine as we step off the elevator, our matching clearance badges clipped to our collars.
BRAVO TEAM.
“Still surreal?” I ask.
She grins. “Beyond. I feel like we’re about to enter some top-level video game DLC we never unlocked before.”
We follow the corridor past the training bay and gym, then through the glass double doors marked OPERATIONS. This floor’s known as “the tank.”
Sawyer is already there, standing at the head of the long table with his arms crossed. Dark hair. Sharp eyes. Military posture that never quite fades. His expression softens when he sees us.
“You’re early,” he says.
“We like to make a good impression,” River chirps, earning a proud grin from me.
“Good. Maddox doesn’t bring people on lightly. You impressed him.”
River flushes. I squeeze her hand. Sawyer smiles and tosses a pack of Misfit chewing gum onto the table.