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“You’ll be fine. Jack and I will be in my office. Christopher won’t be able to see us there, and we can be by your side in a flash. That bastard won’t have a chance to hurt you. I’ll beat him to death with a sheet pan before he harms a hair on your head,” Irene says with eerie calmness. Irene walks over to calm Jack.
Charlie stands as well. “I don’t like the thought of my bestie being in any danger, much less facing someone who almost killed you. Still, I support whatever you decide, and I’ll do anything you ask of me to help.” She gives my hand a squeeze.
I blink tears from my eyes and mouth a “Thank you” to her.
I turn my focus to Jack, my last holdout. “I want everyone on board. I want your support, too.”
Jack stares at me earnestly, and I think he can look straight into my soul. My steps are slow and steady as I walk over to him. I take both of his hands in mine and look into his eyes.
“Please,” I say softly.
He closes his eyes and drops his head. “Okay.” His voice is barely a whisper.
I pull him into a tight hug. “Thank you.” I swipe away my tears that fall.
Andrew clears his throat quickly before speaking. “I need to know the exact city you’re in. We need to decide when to do this so I can book a flight.”
I release Jack and walk over to pick it up. “I’m in Fraser, Colorado.” I pause. “And Andrew…don’t make me regret trusting you.”
“I won’t. I promise,” he replies.
I’m sure my words cut him deep, but he has to know where I truly stand with him. I trust Adalyn’s judgement, but I don’t completely trust him yet.
“Let me check flights and call you back. We can get a day hammered down then,” Andrew says, a hint of sadness in his voice that confirms my thoughts.
“Talk soon,” I say. “I love you… Both of you.”
“We love you,” Andrew says.
“Love you, sis,” Addy follows.
The call ends, and both Charlie and Irene stand before releasing simultaneous sighs like they’re long-lost twins. Everything is so heavy surrounding us. Looking at them, I’m unsure what’s left to say other than just thank you.
“I can’t thank you two enough,” I say.
Irene quickly shushes me, holding up her hand up in protest. She swallows hard before speaking. “No, child, you can thank us when that bastard is in cuffs and you have your life back. Not a moment before.”
Her eyes are misty, but she quickly restores her usual rough façade. She never lets her guard down for more than a moment.
I watch as Charlie swipes away a tear rolling down her cheek. “What she said.” She pulls me into a very Charlie-like bear hug. “Love you, bestie,” she whispers in my ear.
Tears threaten to fall from my eyes again. “Love you, too.”
Charlie steps back to pull herself together, and I follow suit.
“Call with an update,” Irene tells Jack. He gives her a quick nod, and she turns to me. “Charlie and I will see you tomorrow morning, bright and early. The customers have missed you.”
That makes me smile. Hearing that makes me feel even more at home in the life I’ve made, and I won’t give it up. Especially forChristopher.
After walking Irene and Charlie to the door and saying our goodbyes, only Jack and I are left. Silence surrounds us because neither of us knows what to say. He runs his hand through his hair and sighs as he looks over at me.
I walk over to him. “I’ll be okay, Jack.” I desperately want us both to believe it.
His strong arms pull me flush against him in a wonderful, crushing hug. His chin rests on my head for a moment before placing his lips against my forehead.
With his lips still touching me, he says, “I know you’ll be okay. I’ll be there, gun in hand.” He pulls back, looking me directly in the eyes before continuing. “I won’t hesitate to kill him if he touches you. I’ll pull the trigger, and I won’t think twice about it. Your safety is all that matters to me.”
I don’t respond. I know he means every word, and it makes my heart want to stop and beat faster all at once. I squeeze him tighter, knowing I’m safe and always will be in his arms. We stand here, holding each other for just another few moments. He pulls away first, but I’m never ready to let go.
