142

Cleo heard him and slowly moved her hands away from her face. She saw him looking directly into her eyes.

She gathered all her courage and asked,

"Ryker, do you love me this much? Will we always stay together like this?"

He glanced at her hands and reached out to touch one. He held her hand and gazed at her.

"I will always be beside you. But..."

Cleo was startled.

"But?"

His eyes darkened,