AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Seeing Tabitha at so much risk made everything shockingly clear.
JK had been a fool. Tabitha was willing to fight for them. JK was a coward, not wanting to face the difficulties that would come with pursuing their relationship. Those difficulties would fall mostly on Tabitha, but if Tabitha said she could handle it, then that was her choice.
In the end, was JK really any better than these men, trying to take Tabitha’s choices away from her? She had been so busy trying to avoid feeling guilty for Tabitha losing her lifestyle that she’d failed to see what was really important.
“I love you too, J,” Tabitha sobbed.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I love you so much. I made an awful, awful mistake. I can’t leave you, Tab. I can’t bear to be away from you for a second. I want to fight for us, Tab, if you’ll give me a chance.”
Tabitha pulled back to look at her, so beautiful even when she was in tears. “You hurt me, J. I thought I could trust you, trust our love, and you crushed my heart.”
“I know, sweetheart. I can never truly make up for it, but if you let me, I want to spend the rest of my life trying. Please, will you forgive me?” JK felt her own tears flooding down her face.
Tabitha leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to JK’s lips. “I would forgive you anything, J. I love you so much. I know you were only trying to protect me. I know this isn’t going to be easy, but we can face it together.”
“Together,” JK agreed, pulling Tabitha back into her arms.
A moment later, Peter hurtled into the clearing. “What happened?” he demanded, staring at the bound men on the ground.
JK let go of Tabitha and stalked toward Peter. “I’ll tell you what happened. While you were off on your phone call, I disabled these kidnappers. If it was down to you, Tab would be taken by now. I think I can speak for both Tabitha and the Queen when I say that you’re fired!”
Peter paled but didn’t bother to try to defend himself. He knew that his actions were unforgiveable and nothing was going to save his job at this point.
“I’m taking Tab and Julie home. I suggest you call the police and see that these guys are taken into custody. It’s the least you can do.”
Peter nodded dismally. “I’ll see to it that it’s done.”
“Good. Tab, Julie. Come. We’re going home.”
Tabitha and JK held hands the whole way back down the hiking trail. Both she and Julie were jumpy and kept turning to look at things JK couldn’t see or hear.
“It’s okay,” she said steadily. “The threat has been neutralized for now. We’ll be back at the car soon, and I’ll get you home.”
“Thank you for saving us,” Julie said in a small voice. “How did you even find us?”
“I’ve been following Tab,” JK admitted. “Peter was doing a shit job of looking after her, and I wasn’t going to leave her unprotected.”
“You saved our lives—our hero!” Tabitha gave JK an adoring look that JK was sure was mirrored on her own face.
They made it to the car without incident and Jack wasted no time in getting them home. He didn’t question JK’s presence or Peter’s absence. JK supposed that as a driver, he must have gotten used to transporting clients without getting involved in their personal business.
When they got home, Tabitha and Julie hugged shakily. “Julie, can you call my mom? Tell her I need her here, in the U.S. The two of us need to talk.”
“Of course. One way or another, she’ll be here.”
“I know. You’re more resourceful than I ever gave you credit for and I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”
“I’m just glad everything has worked out—well, almost. You still need to sort things out with your mother, but I don’t think it’ll go as badly as you’re imagining. She may be set in her ways, but I think she loves you more than she loves tradition.”
“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Tabitha murmured. She turned to JK. “Take me to bed?”
“Your wish is my command, Princess.” JK smiled.
JK swept Tabitha off her feet and carried her through to the bedroom. Tabitha giggled the whole way and wriggled to be put down once they were inside, but JK didn’t let go, kicking the door closed and carrying Tabitha all the way to the bed.
“I just want to hold you. Is that ok? We have all the time in the world for everything else.” JK kissed Tabitha for a moment before pulling back to speak. “I have a lot to make up for. I want to show you exactly how much I love you. Will you let me, Tab?”
“Always, J.”
