The engine of the boat was loud. It made the whole thing shake. Eva felt it in her bones as they sped across the Atlantic Ocean at midnight. The island they left behind was a dark shape against the sky. In front of them the ocean seemed to go on. It was cold. Did not care if they lived or died.
Kevin was lying on the deck with his head in Evas lap. His shirt was covered in blood. It was getting worse by the minute. He was breathing hard. It sounded like it hurt. Evas heart was beating fast as she held his shoulder. She could feel his blood slipping through her fingers.
"Stay with me Kevin " Eva said softly. Her voice was shaking. "You have to stay with me. I need you to stay with me."
Kevins eyes opened a little. He looked up at Eva. He tried to smile. It hurt too much. "You are always telling me what to do " he said. His voice was weak. He put his hand on Evas wrist. "Are you okay?"
Eva held his hand tight. "I am alive because of you " she said. Her voice was trembling. "If you die I do not want to live. I need you to stay with me."
Kevins fingers dug into Evas wrist. "Do not say that " he said. "You have to keep going no matter what. You are strong Eva. I am a man who is hurt."
The Alchemy of Pain
Miguel was driving the boat fast. It was bouncing on the waves. Kevin was crying out in pain. Eva was trying to shield him from the bumps. She was getting wet from the spray of the water.
Here Kevin was not a rich man or a powerful man. He was a hurt person. Eva was not a fighter. She was a woman who cared about Kevin. She had let herself hate him before. That was gone now. All that was left was her love for him.
Eva bent down close to Kevins ear. "I figured out what was going on " she said. "I know what all the secrets were.. It does not matter now. All I want is for the sun to come up and for you to see it."
Kevin closed his eyes. A tear ran down his face. "I have loved you since the time I met you Eva " he said. "You are the person who never gave up on me."
The Midnight Surgery
They found a boat ten miles off the coast of Morocco. Some men in a boat came up to them and helped Kevin onto a stretcher.
The world was a blur as they rushed to save Kevins life. Eva was told to leave. She would not go. She held Kevins hand as the doctor worked on him. The doctor was trying to remove the bullet from Kevins body.
Eva did not breathe. She just held Kevins hand. Hoped that he would be okay. The doctor finally removed the bullet and Kevin was stable.
The Shadow War Begins
Three days later they were in a hidden cove near Tangier. Kevin was awake. He was still hurt. They watched the sun set over the water.
Miguel came over to them with a tablet. "The plan worked " he said. "The people we were fighting are gone. You are safe now Kevin."
Kevin smiled a little at Eva. "We are free now " he said. "We can. Start over."
Eva leaned her head on Kevins shoulder. "We have nothing " she said. "No money, no identity. Just us."
Kevin pulled out a coin from his boot. "We have this " he said. "We can use it to start over."
He looked out at the horizon. His eyes got sharp again. ". Before we disappear we have one last thing to do."
Eva felt a thrill inside her. She was not the person she used to be. She was with Kevin now. She would do anything for him.
The Final Vow
The boat pulled into the harbor as the stars were coming out. Kevin turned to Eva. Kissed her. It was an deep kiss.
"I gave you a bracelet once " he said. "I told you that you were mine."
Eva smiled. "And I told you that I was not " she said.
Kevin shook his head. "I was wrong " he said. "I do not own you. I belong to you every part of me."
Eva pulled him close. Her heart was racing. The ocean was behind them. The city was in front of them. For the time the darkness did not seem so scary.
"It is not yet Kevin " she said.
Kevin looked at her. His eyes were wild again. "No it is not " he said. "It is just beginning."
They walked off the boat hand, in hand into the city. They were ready to face whatever came next together.