Where the Library Hides (Secrets of the Nile #2)

by Isabel Ibañez

“He tripped,” came a low voice from behind me. “Saw it clearly.” I froze, my lips parting in surprise. Every word of protest died on my tongue. A tremor shook my body, and I fought to keep my wits. That voice. I’d heard it whispered against my skin, murmured soothingly in the dark, yelled in exasperation. I’d know it anywhere, even below ground.

Whit

My wife would know me anywhere.

And in the second our eyes met, I could see everything she couldn’t say out loud. Fear for my life. Hope that we would survive the night. Trust that I’d stay by her side, no matter what happened. Love for me. My hands stopped shaking, my entire being focused on one thing: I would not let her die. I would burn the world twice over to save her life.

“I thought you understood.” “Inez—” “The money doesn’t matter to me,” I said. “The only thing that does is you, us, our family. You are the love of my life, and I will not lose you now.” He shut his eyes, his breath shuddering. When he opened them again, he stared at me intently, his hand coming to brush against the curve of my cheek. “I love you.” I gave him a watery smile. “You are the most precious thing in here, Whit.”

“Sweetheart, will you marry me?” I blinked at him in alarm. Perhaps something had struck his head, made him forget— “I know we’re already married,” he said. “But I’m asking you again, Inez, this time for real. I want to do it properly. I want you to have flowers.” “Roses?” I whispered. “In every color, if that’s what you want.”

“I have you,” he said. “I have you.”

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