Redemption (Enigma Black Trilogy Book #3) Read Online Free

“She won’t stop fighting until she is.”
    They were right next to me. Their voices came through normally now. Ian’s hand, yes, it was his hand, brushed against my cheek. Each individual finger felt distinct against my skin. The feeling was returning to my body and I no longer felt numb. I felt alive, I felt cold, I felt—“Ah,” I groaned. Pain. I felt burning, searing, insatiable pain.
    “Celaine.” The excitement in Ian’s voice jolted me back into consciousness as though he’d single-handedly plucked me from its undertow.
    My eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the light in the room and Kara and Ian’s beaming faces standing over me. I was in a hospital bed. Its protective rails appeared in my peripheral vision. An IV was attached to my arm. We were at The Epicenter, in the recovery room next to the operating room.
    “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Kara greeted me, smiling. “How do you feel?”
    “Like I’ve been shot, for some reason,” I answered, trying to smirk, but finding even that too painful.
    “And she’s back, ladies and gentlemen,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “How’s your pain level, smart ass? Do you need something more for your pain?”
    “Yes, please. That would be fantastic,” I answered her, doing my best to stay as still as possible.
    “Okay, I’ll be right back,” she said, rubbing my hand before turning around to leave the room. “No hanky panky while I’m gone, you two,” she called back to us as the door closed shut behind her.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, my face growing warmer by the second.
    “I sort of,” Ian began, “I mean, well, you know, we had five days to talk, and—”
    “Say no more,” I interceded. “Well, I’m sure it didn’t shock her, considering the fine assortment of lacy undergarments she packed away in my suitcase.” Ian’s eyes grew wide, telling me that Kara hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with her own dirty deeds.
    “That sneaky—” Ian muttered. “I wondered what those condoms in my suitcase were for. I mean, I know what they’re for , but, oh god, I’m just going to stop talking now.”
    “No, don’t,” I said, a smile crossing my lips for the first time since awakening. “Your voice; I didn’t realize until you started talking how much I really missed hearing it.”
    “Celaine,” he whispered softly, kissing my forehead. “I thought I lost you. Actually, there were a few times when I actually did.”
    “I’m still here,” I answered him. “It’s going to take a lot more than a bullet to do me in.”
    “I’ll never let that happen again.” His fingers trailed down my cheek until they reached my chin, his eyes growing serious. “As long as I have life left in me, I won’t let anything happen to you.” His lips met mine, warm and gentle; and at that moment, a part of me believed that everything I could ever need was contained within their smooth exterior. He pulled his mouth away from mine slowly, resting his forehead on my own. “I love you,” he said softly without so much as batting an eyelash.
    In shock, I lay still against my pillow, unable to do anything but try to absorb the words that had just come from his mouth. He loves me? Ian Grant loves me? How? When? I struggled to remember the events of the last week, our time at the Park View, our dance, our kiss on the balcony. All great moments, but when did they culminate into ‘I love you?’
    “Ian, I—” I began, but before I could finish my thought, the door opened and Kara entered the room, accompanied by Victor.
    “I’m sorry,” she mouthed silently as she stood next to me.
    “Ms. Stevens.” Victor acknowledged me. His voice instantaneously made my blood run cold, as though ice water had replaced it. “Welcome back to the land of the living.” He paused at the foot of the bed, forcing us to look at each other face-to-face.
    “Victor,” I said directly, doing my best to sound as strong as possible in the