“Like what it means to be alive.” A shuddering release of breath. “What do you think it means?” She rubbed her cheek against his arm, hiding most of her face from him again. “I’m not sure, yet. But I think I get a little closer, every moment I spend with you.”
“Flattery can be true, if you mean it. Doesn’t hurt to tell a girl something you admire about her. You should try it sometime. Maybe you—” “Everything.” “What?” Lara’s throat was suddenly dry. “Everything I’ve come to know about you, I admire.”
“Missed,” he finally said. “That’s a good term. It was like I was missing a part of myself.” He pushed off the wall to stand up straight, and reached into his pants pocket. “There’s one more thing I found.”
“Let this ring be my vow. To protect you. To provide for you. To give you all you need that’s within my power, and find a way to give you whatever’s not.” The air fled her lungs. “Did you…did you just kind of…marry me?” “I’ve given you my vow.”
“Oh, really? Well, then, I think I might be too worn out for it by then, anyway.” She walked past him. “I thought you already are, with the way you’ve been talking.” “Smart ass.” “My ass is, at best, of average intelligence.”
It had only been eighty-two days since Ronin met Lara, since his existence was irrevocably altered, but it felt like an eternity had passed. Now, this part of it would be done. Warlord would be no more.
