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The driver’s door opened and Marigold got out.
For a split second, I couldn’t move. The clouds broke behind her and a beam of light lit her up from behind. It was like that day at her salon when I’d been shocked. She was an angel, glowing with beauty.
“Zachary!”
I scrambled to my feet as she ran toward me. She landed in my arms and I held her tight. My heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest as waves of relief washed over me.
She was here. We’d found her. She was here.
“Are you okay?” I kissed her hair. “Baby, are you all right?”
“I’m okay.” Her voice was slightly breathless. “Are you?”
“I am now.”
Several cop cars sped onto the scene, blue and red lights flashing. I caught Garrett’s eyes and nodded to him. I’d never be able to repay him for what he’d done for Marigold today. I resolved never to do something so stupid that he might have to arrest me ever again. Probably not enough, but it was a start.
He set down his weapon and held up his hands, shouting that he was law enforcement. I let him handle that side of things while I held Marigold. I didn’t want to let her go.
Finally she pulled away and started to turn toward Preston. I touched her face and turned her to me. “You don’t have to look.”
“Oh my god, Brielle.”
“Brielle?”
She twisted around. “Brielle? Are you okay? It’s safe to come out.”
“Wait, wasn’t the missing girl from Tilikum named Brielle?”
Marigold nodded. “Preston had her.”
A blond woman came out from behind a stack of wooden crates. She ran to Marigold, eyes streaming with tears.
Marigold wrapped her arms around her. “It’s okay. We’re safe. It’s over now.”
I stared at my girl in absolute awe. I didn’t know the details of what had happened, but I had a feeling I could figure it out. Drew had brought them here to sell them off to human traffickers. And Marigold had been well on her way to escaping on her own. She must have broken out the windshield of Drew’s car. And when it counted, she’d done what she had to do.
She’d saved my life. And Preston couldn’t hurt anyone, ever again.
She let go of Brielle and I grabbed her, hauling her against me. I needed to feel her breathe. Feel the warmth of her body next to mine.
“I love you.” I kissed her forehead. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too. How did you find us?”
“It’s a long story.”
She smiled. “I knew you would. I knew you were looking for me.”
“Baby, I would have gone to the ends of the earth to find you.”
I leaned down and kissed her, savoring the softness of her lips. She was alive. And I was never, ever letting her go.
CHAPTER 40
Marigold
The sun had gone down by the time we got to Tilikum. I’d spent the drive cuddled up next to Zachary with Garrett on my other side. I’d dozed off and on, my body feeling the strain of everything I’d been through. Each time my eyes fluttered open, I’d been greeted by the warmth of Zachary next to me.
