The Fiery Heart

I loved her for her beautiful soul and desired her for her beautiful body.

Was I willing to wait that long for Sydney? Studying her as I held her hand, I knew the answer immediately. Yes. Yes, I would.

She’s trained to make people believe things. And outsmart them. You didn’t have a chance.” She also was willing to trade her own life to save her friend’s, but no one had trained her to do that. It was just something within her.

“My brilliant girl,” he said. “You did it.”

“You think I’m so manipulative and scheming, Miss Sage? It’s all for them. For my loved ones first. My people second. And yes, I suppose I’m in the mix there too, but don’t think for an instant I wouldn’t sacrifice myself if it could save someone I love. And don’t think for an instant that I wouldn’t do terrible, unspeakable things if it could save someone I love.”

“Someday, Sage,” I told her. “Every morning in our apartment in Rome. Us in bed, breakfast together . . . I don’t know how we’ll make it work, but we will.”

IT WAS THE TEARS THAT BROKE ME.

With nothing to do but wait, Rose leaned against Dimitri and sighed

“It’s a great honor to meet you. Your heroics with Dimitri Belikov are legendary.”

people change. We grow up, we learn.