“Yes, you have.” Levi reached for her hand and spoke from the heart. “I know you may not believe this, but I meant what I said in your father’s apartment. I do love you.”

“I love you too.”

Levi’s eyes widened. “You do?”

“Finding out you hadn’t been completely honest with me hurt more than I can possibly describe, but I’ve never been so scared as when I thought you were going to fall off that cliff.”

“You risked yourself to save me.”

“I never want to be that terrified again.”

“Neither do I.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “What happens now?”

“I don’t know, but since both of us need time to recover from our injuries, maybe we can find out who we are now that I know the truth.”

Hope soared inside him. “I can’t think of anything I would like more.”

His eyes met hers. A thousand words passed between them in the single look, and Levi couldn’t resist leaning forward. His lips met hers, and a sense of rightness fell over him.

The secrets between them were gone, and so were the doubts. Love swelled within him, bringing with it a new determination. Cassie was the woman he loved. Now he had to find a way to make sure he never had to let her go.

* * *

Cassie hung up the phone and let out a sigh of relief. Darius was going to make it. He had undergone a second surgery this morning, but Dr. Marois assured her he was now stable and on the road to recovery. That recovery would likely take at least six months, but his prognosis was good. Cassie couldn’t describe the relief that flowed through her at the knowledge that all of the guards injured during the last shooting would recover fully.

She stood and tested her weight on her injured ankle. After three days of using crutches, she had graduated to walking on her own. She supposed it would take another few days for the limp to disappear completely.

She glanced at her watch. Almost lunchtime. Her stomach fluttered in anticipation. Since her father had canceled all royal engagements to give her family and their security force time to recover from the recent shooting, her days had been her own. Mostly. She rarely went more than a few hours without a conversation with someone regarding the upcoming drilling project, but at least she didn’t have to worry about in-person meetings.

The past few days reminded her of when she and Levi had first started working together in Meridia. They did their work during the day and met for meals to spend time together. She had to admit, things were quickly returning to where they had been before her father told her the truth.

Already looking forward to seeing Levi, Cassie picked up the phone and dialed the kitchen. “Norman, has Mr. Marin already ordered lunch?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Could you please send something up to his room for both of us?”