Then somehow in this totally screwed-up world, when all was said and done, she’d taken him back. The happiness faded as doubts infiltrated his mind. If Claire left of her own free will, had any of the past four months been real? She’d accepted his ring. He told her every day how much he loved her. Had it all been a charade? Did she have her own agenda of revenge for his past sins? Tony didn’t want to think it was possible.
The pounding in his head brought moisture to his eyes. His words were barely audible. That was all right; they weren’t intended for anyone except the woman who wasn’t there. “I’m so sorry… for everything. Why? Why did you leave me?” As the tears coated his cheeks, he told himself, Anthony Rawlings doesn’t cry. He doesn’t apologize, and he doesn’t cry…
Epilogue
(WARNING*** SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ CONVICTED, REVEALED, and BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES)
Reunited—October 2013
(Convicted—Chapter 14)
Perhaps there were stars falling, volcanoes erupting, or epic winds blowing. Truthfully, at that moment, the entire world could’ve been lost and neither one would have known.
—Aleatha Romig, CONVICTED
The small plane circled the island, losing altitude with each pass, until it finally came to a rest upon the calm, crystal-blue waters of the lagoon. From the air, Tony had seen the main home sprawled on a hill above the beach, as well as multiple other dwellings partially hidden by vegetation. From the lagoon, Tony looked up and saw a large patio. All he could make out were people whom he didn’t recognize. The propellers slowed as the engine died. Following Roach’s lead, Tony removed the sound-muffling ear phones.
“Are you ready?” Roach asked.
Tony had better be ready; he’d eluded the FBI and traveled halfway around the world for this. He prayed it was worth it, that Claire would, at the very least, hear him out. After all, the last time they’d spoken, he’d allowed his own disbelief and hurt to distort the meaning of her words. She’d tried to clarify, and he’d stayed true to form and been an ass. Tony hadn’t even considered what she’d been through during the past month, and when she tried to explain, he hung up on her. Steeling his shoulders, Tony replied, “I am. Do you think she’s up at the house?”
“I’m sure she heard the plane,” Roach replied. “I’d expect her to come down to greet us.”
“Us?”
“Well, there’re two of us. She doesn’t know you’re coming, but no one except me knows her location. I’d assume she’s expecting me.”
Tony nodded, as Phil stepped from the now beached plane. The hot, humid breeze filled the cabin, while white sand and palm trees brought back memories of his and Claire’s honeymoon. He wondered if Claire ever thought about that—if she thought about him. Taking a deep breath of salty air, Tony exited the plane. His shoes sunk with each step as sand covered the leather loafers. Looking up toward the greenery and flowers, Tony’s world stopped.
Standing beneath a canopy of vegetation was his dream, his life, and the contents of his envelope. She was a vision in pink. Claire’s neck straightened as her shoulders went back. Her emerald gaze met his. It was their connection, a means of communication that no one else could ever have understood. Without a word, he called to her, told her he loved her, and begged for forgiveness. Was Roach speaking? Was there even anyone on the earth besides the two of them? Lost in her penetrating stare, Tony didn’t know or care.
He continued forward until her beautiful body was against his. Their baby had grown, making its presence known as he pulled Claire toward him. Tony had planned to explain, to apologize, to discuss, yet words didn’t form as he captured her neck and brought his mouth to hers, claiming what was his. She didn’t protest, as a matter of fact, she didn’t say a word. No, the sounds coming from Claire were the moans of pleasure and desire that he’d feared were forever gone. They were the sounds he heard in his dreams—but this wasn’t a dream, it was real. Peering once again into her shimmering eyes, he intertwined his fingers in her hair, and repositioned her head. Seconds before he returned his lips to hers, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Their tongues united and her radiating warmth pulled him closer. Breaking their seal, for only a second, Tony replied, “No, I’m sorry.”
The relief of her embrace and the parting of her lips, allowed him full access to what was his, overwhelming him, bursting their bubble and exposing them to the world. The ocean breeze returned, stinging his eyes, causing moisture to pool. He blinked it away before Claire could see, because… Anthony Rawlings didn’t apologize and he didn’t cry… that’s the truth.
THE END