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This is real. He found me. My nightmare is over.
A wave of emotion crashes over me, my eyes water and my heart flutters all at the same time.
“I must admit, Sergei’s men are loyal and mostly dead now.” His eyes are so fierce, changing in front of me at the mention of his name.
They’re dead. But what about…
“And him?” I hold my breath.
“Gone. I told you. You never have to worry about him hurting you again.”
I can’t stop it; the relief is instant and so are the tears. Sobs. Not for his death, but to finally have my freedom again. Freedom from being scared, from pain, all of it. I don’t remember how I got here, or what happened after I passed out. But I don’t care. He found me.
Ren never gave up.
“I will never let anyone hurt you ever again.” His voice full of conviction and I believe it.
He saved me.
He came for me.
“I love you.” His three words instantly stop my tears. “So much.”
He leans down and kisses me, softly, gently and with so much love that I begin to feel my body come back to life.
“I love you, too,” I say as the tears still stream down my face.
I will never forget this moment, regardless of the dull pain I feel and the weakened ability to move, this moment will go down as the most blissful moment of my life. Our lips find each other again, the kiss taking away all the darkness inside me.
“I didn’t think I was going to see you again.” I smile, I actually smile, still in shock. “When I saw my dad and realised what was happening, I thought it was all over.”
He stiffens when I mention my dad. When I move my hands to wipe the tears from my face, I see a white bandage around my wrists. The memories flood back, the cuffs, the ship, Sergei.
“How did I get here? How did you find me?” I ask.
“When everything came up empty, I remembered what you said about your dad’s health and put it together. Everything you said led me to him.”
He listens. He trusts me just as much as I him. Maybe the final moments I stopped believing, but I shouldn’t have. I should have known better.
“He won’t have to be part of your life either, if you don’t want him to be.”
“Never. Never again.” If I see my father before he dies, it will be too soon. “He’s not my dad. Not anymore. I don’t even think he ever really was.”
He’s nothing. Dead space from my past. Then, I remember how this all started.
“Amari?” My eyes go wide. “Is she okay?”
He sighs, and an unreadable expression flashes across his face. “Yeah. She is okay. Says he didn’t touch her. Dad is happy she is home. Doubt she will be leaving the house again anytime soon.”
I smile, and it fills me with joy she’s okay, and that Ren’s father doesn’t have to live with any more pain.
“As long as she’s safe.” This all wasn’t for nothing. “I couldn’t stand seeing you and your dad fight. And then, what he said he was going to do to her. I had to go. Are you mad at me?” I bite my lip, waiting.
He looks deep into my eyes, taking so much time my heart starts to race.
“No.” The intensity in his stare turns soft, loving, and unbelievably gorgeous. “How could I be mad after I read your note.”
Heat creeps up from my neck and I smile coyly.
