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“It is.” Shawn stroked my hair. “Now we know. We have everything we need to put him away for a long time. With his track record and arrest warrants, that's a given. You'll have nothing to worry about anymore.”
I pulled away to look up into Shawn's face. He watched me with tender eyes.
"I'll be free." I ran from my hometown. Left my career. Ended up in Cape Worth, holed up indoors, all to avoid Eric. Freedom was something I forgot existed for me. I had imagined I'd always have to look over my shoulder. Always be afraid. But now... I could do anything. Go anywhere.
“Yes.” Shawn's lip quirked up. “You will.”
"All because of you." Tears gathered in my eyes, and my chin trembled.
Shawn's brows knitted, and he palmed my cheek. "Don't cry."
He pulled me close, and I buried my face against his chest. "Thank you so much. I don't know what to say."
He probably couldn't make out my muffled words, but his arms comforted me. "It's alright, sweetheart. You'll be fine."
I pulled back, giggling and wiping at my eyes. “Sorry. I'm a mess. I can't believe it's over.”
“You've got nothing to apologize for.” He cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “You deserve to have your life back.”
I blinked slowly, enjoying the caress of his thumbs and those words. My life is mine again. "Gosh, I don't know what to do first." My eyes popped open. "Maybe go somewhere? I always wanted to visit that museum on..."
Something was wrong. Shawn wasn't happy. His lips quirked with amusement, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “It's nothing.”
He started to turn away, but I placed a hand on his arm, and he stilled. "Shawn, please talk to me."
His shoulders fell, and he faced me once more. This time, his eyes had no hint of anything other than anxiety. My heart squeezed. I thought he would be happy. What was the matter?
“Shawn...”
He exhaled. “I love that you're free, Violet. That you can do whatever you want. Go wherever, but I... Where does this leave us?”
I frowned. “What?”
"Eric's stalking is over, so you don't need to stay here anymore. You have that amazing new job at the academy. You don't need me anymore," he finished quietly.
“You think I'm with you because of Eric’s stalking?”
His silence was louder than a ‘yes’ would've been.
“Shawn!” I threw myself against his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He held me tightly like he would never let go. He had no idea I didn't want to, either.
"Shawn, you kept me safe from Eric, and I needed that, but that's not why I'm here." I pulled back to look into his eyes. “I love you so much, my heart is going to burst.”
Disbelief and hope warred in his eyes. How could he question what I felt? Did he really take on my problems without knowing of my affection for him? Hell, I fell in love with him a little more.
Rising on my tiptoes, I cupped the sides of his face, staring into his eyes. “I love you, Shawn. Eric or no Eric.” I cringed. “God, I don't even want to speak his name again.”
Shawn chuckled, light sparking in his eyes once more.
“I love you for you, Shawn. Not what you did for me or because of what was happening in my life." I closed my eyes and kissed him; he kissed me back softly, then deepened it.
Pulling away with a ragged breath, he whispered, “You have no idea how that makes me feel.” He guided my right hand to his pounding heart. "I love you so fucking much. And I meant what I said. I want to be with you."
