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As we watch the detectives lead him away, I turn to Paige to make sure she’s okay. Her face is pale, eyes wide with shock. I pull her into a protective embrace, resting my chin on top of her head. She stiffens for a moment before relaxing against me, tucking her head under my chin. "Are you okay?" I ask.
"I'm okay," she whispers hoarsely, her voice shaking slightly, betraying her fear. Her arms tighten around my waist, as if holding onto me is the only thing keeping her grounded.
"Hey," I say softly, lifting her chin to meet my gaze. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears, brimming with terror and relief. "We're safe now."
She nods, her lips trembling as she fights to keep in the tears. I press my lips to her forehead, whispering assurances that everything will be fine. I can feel her body relax a little, the tension leaving her shoulders.
“Let’s get out of here,” I suggest, opening the car door for her again. She nods and climbs into the passenger seat.
As we drive away, I glance at her from time to time. She’s staring out of the window, lost in thought with a thoughtful look on her face. Her hand is resting on her lap, fingers curled into a small fist, holding onto some invisible form of security.
“So, should I take you home?” I ask.
I hope she says no. I want her with me, but now that the man threatening to kill her is locked up, she’s safe. She can go back to her old life. Why would she want to be shacked up with me?
She remains silent for a few seconds before turning to look at me. "No," she says, her voice small but firm. "Not yet. Unless you want to get rid of me.”
“I do not want to be rid of you.”
“Could we head to your place instead?” Her eyes don't meet mine and there's a vulnerability in her voice that resonates deep within me.
"Of course," I reply. “I’d like that.”
I know it’s just one night, but I’ll take it. Maybe we’ll need to have a conversation eventually, but for now, I just want to hold her.
“Do you really think it’s over?” she asks.
“I don’t know,” I reply. “You don’t think it is?”
“I don’t know," she admits in a whisper. “I’m afraid to let my guard down. What if he had a partner.”
“You can stay with me as long as you want,” I told her.
“I have a life to get back to,” she sighs.
“Yes, you do, but you can take some time. Don’t go back if you’re not sure.”
“I’ll call the detective tomorrow,” she nods. “I’ll see what he says. If he says Zach acted alone and the threat is over, then I’ll figure out next steps.”
"Good," I say, squeezing her hand gently. The rest of the drive back to my place is quiet. I don't know what's going through Paige's mind, but I find comfort in the silence.
When we get back to my apartment, there are a mountain of packages sitting outside the door. I turn to look at her with a smile. “More panties to tear off,” I laugh.
She throws her head back and lets out a sound I’ve never heard her make. She’s laughing. She sounds a bit crazy, but I understand it. She’s been under so much pressure for days and now it’s over.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her. The kiss is meant to reassure and calm her, but it sparks something else in both of us. She pulls me closer, deepening the kiss with a surprising passion. I respond enthusiastically, wrapping my arms around her waist to pull her closer.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathless. I quickly unlock the door and kick the boxes inside. They’ll wait. But my need for her won’t."
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Six Months Later
I use the boxcutter to open another box. I feel like I’ve been unpacking for days. I never realized how much stuff I had until I had to pack it all up. My apartment was relatively sparse—I thought.
I remove the bubble wrap from one of the decorative vases my mother gave me a couple of years ago. I carry it to one of the built-in shelves in the living room. I have no idea if it’s Travis’s style, but it’s pretty. I stare at the expensive vase and place a hand on my growing belly. Vases are probably not the best choice to have around a curious toddler. Granted, we had a year or two before we had to worry about our son getting into anything.
