Chapter 151

Ari’s words hung in the air, heavy and laced with a raw emotion that left Elodie breathless. He finally met her gaze, his dark brown eyes holding a depth she hadn’t seen before. They were bottomless pools reflecting something stormy and hidden. Nodding slowly, unable to tear her eyes away, she asked, ‘So where did you go?’ ‘Left the city, led my pursuers on a wild goose chase, eventually got rid of them.’ ‘Got rid of them, as in, dead, or they gave up?’ Elodie pressed, her voice devoid of judgment. ‘A bit of both.’ ‘Wow,’ she breathed, a mixture of awe and something akin to admiration flickering in her eyes. ‘Very... Jason Bourne-like.’ A hint of a smile played on his lips. ‘Maybe, but without the CIA pursuers, and hopefully with a better ending.’ The playful banter took a serious turn as Elodie leaned closer. ‘But seriously, Ari, how bad is it? Are you hurt anywhere else?’ ‘No. Just this. And it’s a flesh wound. Doc says I’ll live, plus a cool scar story.’ ‘Well, I guess you already h