I gave the kids each a kiss on the cheek and then lingered my lips on Bane’s. “You’re amazing. Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you too, angel.”
Sitting quickly, Bane handed the children to me who latched on. He knelt in front of me and watched his children. The quiet suckling noise filled the air. “Are you happy?”
Without hesitation, I responded, “More than I ever dreamed I could be. Are you?” I looked into Bane’s eyes and saw true happiness emanating from them.
“Yes. This, right here, is my dream come true.”
As we treasured another morning together, I thought about all the two of us had been through.
Meeting at Discrete Encounters.
Running from the Black Division.
Falling in love.
Becoming pregnant.
Committing ourselves to each other.
Finding our happily ever after.
Bane had emerged, from the depths of the fiery darkness that had nearly consumed him, and embraced the light… with me. I had found the strength to claim my life … with him.
We were the real deal—for better or worse, our love would last forever.
Enjoy an excerpt from
Entire Series Available Now
Meet Damien and Allison Wales from BANE
I’m rushing around my apartment, trying to do some last-minute packing before my trip, when my phone rings. It’s my best friend, Sam. We’ve been best friends since we were in diapers, and our parents had been friends since they were in school. Neither of us has any siblings, so Sam and I have basically been sisters all these years.
We live in Waleska, Georgia. It has that wonderful Mayberry aura about it. I think the population sign says around six-hundred people reside here. S
am and I will both be seniors this fall at Reinhardt University. My true love is photography, but I’ve always been scared that I wouldn’t succeed at it.
Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I answer, “Hey, Sam. Are you on your way?”
“Yes. Are you sure you want to do this? Alone? For a week? I’m just not sure if that’s the best idea.”
Since my parents died, Sam’s been my rock. She’s afraid I’m using this trip to withdraw from life again.
I zip up my bag. With as much sincerity in my voice as possible, I respond, “I need to do this. I have to do this. It’s long overdue. It’s been planned since spring break. I know you don’t want me to go off the radar for an entire week, but it will be fine.”
“I know. It’s just that I worry about you. If I didn’t have my presentation this week for the sorority, I’d insist on going with you. Just promise me that you will call if it gets to be too much for you to handle. I’m here for you. I know you’re strong, but this is going to be a tough week.”
Smiling to myself, I can picture her animatedly talking with one of her hands while she’s driving. “I know, and I appreciate it. You just have to trust me on this. Everything will be okay.”
“Okay, Allison. I don’t like it, but I support you.”
“You’re the best. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out. I’ll be there in five, girl.”
And that’s why she will be my best friend for life. “Okay, honk when you pull up, and I’ll be right down.”