Page 67 of Twisted Tate

Free.

Tate drops the knife and crosses the distance between us in three strides. His hands are covered in blood, but I don’t care. I pull away from Ivy and Fox and throw myself into his arms.

“I love you too.” The words come out through tears and gasping breaths. “Tate, I love you so much.”

He holds me like he’s never going to let go. His face is buried in my hair, his body shaking against mine as he comes down from the rage. We don’t say anything, just cling to each other and let everyone else fade away.

It’s fucked up. Everything about this is fucked up.

But I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.

“It’s over.” Tate’s voice is rough. “He’s gone, baby girl. He can never hurt you again.”

I pull back just enough to look at him. His green eyes are fixed on mine and all I see in them is love.

“Take me home.” I cup his face in my hands. “Please. I just want to go home with you.”

“Anywhere you want.” He presses his forehead against mine. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

“Go.” Dane steps closer and clasps Tate’s shoulder. “Take care of her. We’ll handle the rest. But meet at the chosen spot tomorrow, so we can stage her rescue. Don’t let anyone see her until then.”

Ivy steps forward and pulls me into a hug. It’s brief but fierce.

“Welcome to the family.” She whispers it against my ear. “I’m going to like having you as a sister.”

When she pulls back, her eyes are wet, but she’s smiling. Fox wraps an arm around her waist and nods at me. Thorne has already started cleaning things up, but he gives me a warm grin.

Tate takes my hand and leads me toward the door. I don’t look back at my father’s body. I don’t need to. That chapter of my life is over.

We get outside and I can’t help but look up. The stars are out, bright against the black sky.

Tate pulls me close, and I focus on him, hoping he knows just how much I love him since the words just don’t seem to do it justice.

“I don’t want to wait to marry you, baby girl.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “I don’t want to wait either.”

“I’ll talk to my father.” He kisses along my jaw until his lips brush my ear. “And you are going to pick your dream house and whatever else you want. I’m going to give you all of it.”

“I just want you, Tate. Wherever you are, that’s where I need to be.”

He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. “I fucking love you so much. I should have kidnapped you years ago. That’s what’s going to haunt my nightmares.”

I bury my face in his neck. “We’re only moving forward.”

I close my eyes and let Tate carry me toward the car, toward whatever comes next. I’ll face it in his arms.

For the first time in ten years, I’m not afraid of what tomorrow holds.

Chapter 11

REESE: One week later

Tate and I speak our vows, and I’m officially Mrs. Reese Sinclair.

His hand is tight around mine as the officiant closes his book and steps away from us. The collection of Ravens in attendance applaud politely, the sound echoing through the ceremonial hall. These couple hundred people just watched me walk down that aisle and pledge myself to a man who has killed for me and will kill again.

I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes back.