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“Yes!” she cried out. Discord and chaos spun within. A wildfire of rapture shattered her. Pressure built until it crested. He rocked her hard and fast. His sinewy muscles were taut, curling and bunching over her as he pounded deep inside her. His blue eyes locked on her, as their bodies danced. She quaked. She cried out with whimpers and wanton words as he drove her towards the light. Warmth flooded her body as every nerve ending tingled with awareness just before another orgasm blasted through her. He’d taken her pain and replaced it with euphoria. He’d taken her darkness and given her glimmering, sparkling, blinding light.
“I love you,” he said, over and over. He grunted, sweat beading on his forehead. His eyes locked on to hers as he charged his own release.
Bently pressed his cheek to hers. Their tears melded together as one. Her pulse raced. Breaths came in gasps. And a small piece of her heart fluttered back to life.
***
Bently held her hand. She was tucked against the side of his body, warding out some of the chill as they stood on a ledge overlooking the gray-green ocean as waves pounded against the black cliffs. The March wind whipped and whistled through the evergreens. She shivered and tucked her chin against Bently’s chest. He swept his lips across hers before she lifted her head to the sunshine. Warm rays caressed her face. TJ.
Today was the day she’d say goodbye. She looked around at the small group of familiar faces. Bently’s friends and family. Katy was there. TJ’s friend Mark and the girl he’d liked, Cam. Everyone who cared about her brother.
They’d all taken turns saying something about him, and now it was her turn. “My brother was the best human on this earth. He was kind, and smart. He was the bravest person I know. He wanted to devote his life to helping people. He was going to become a doctor to save lives . . . but he saved mine when I was seven years old and he was born. He’d rescued me every day since. He’ll always be with me. I’ll carry him in my heart. And I’ll honor his life by not wasting mine.”
She opened up the jar of ashes, spilling the contents as the waves crashed against the rocks below. The wind blew, carrying his remains out to sea where he’d be forever immortalized in nature.
Her knees buckled and her chest squeezed as she let the last of him go. Bently’s arm steadied her. She looked up at him, offering him a watery smile. They’d been through so much together in the eight months of knowing each other. Highs and lows. Mountains and valleys. He’d taken her to the tallest of heights, and held her hand as they navigated the lowest pits of grief and despair. Some days she needed to lean on him, and others he borrowed her strength. Together, they’d get through this. Together, they would build a future that was brighter and better. Together, they were unstoppable.
Chapter 49
Eighteen Months Later
Bently
Bently replayed the body cam footage over and over in his head as the wooden bench bit into his back in the packed courtroom. Parsons had peeked in the window, seeing TJ moving around in the kitchen. He’d assumed it was a break-in and decided that was probable cause. He’d opened the front door, announcing his presence. TJ’s back had been to him, bobbing his head up and down, obviously lost to the music flowing through his earbuds. Five seconds. That was all it had taken for Parsons to open the door and open fire into the back of an unarmed teenager.
“All rise,” the bailiff said.
Bently stood as Belle’s trembling hand wove into his. He gave her a squeeze. Today was the day they would find out if TJ received justice.
“Please be seated,” old judge Robertson said, after taking his seat.
Bently’s ears rang, drowning out everything as his heart pounded in his chest. He wrapped his arm around Belle, holding her close as he’d done every day since the shooting. They’d had such a long road of working through their grief. But each day got a little easier.
One of the jurors passed a piece of paper to the bailiff and then it went to the judge. This was it. The moment they’d waited twenty months, three days, and seven hours for.
“On the count of murder in the second degree, how do you find the defendant?” Judge Robertson asked the juror.
“We find the defendant, Luke Parsons, not guilty.”
An audible collective gasp sounded throughout the courtroom. Belle’s hand tightened around his. His heart lurched in his chest.
Come on.
“And on the count of manslaughter, how do you find the defendant?” Mathews asked.
“We find the defendant, guilty.”
Bently let out the breath he’d been holding. TJ would get some justice, though nothing would make up for his precious life that had been stolen.
Luke Parsons sat stone-faced. He’d never even offered them an apology. He’d sworn he was just doing his job, that he’d feared for his life.
Bently glanced at Belle. She was so brave in the face of adversity. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of tissues before handing them to her.
She smiled and took one from the packet before wiping her eyes. Her silver wedding band glinted in the light. He pulled her against him and kissed her head. His angel, sent from heaven. She’d endured hell and still managed to hold on to her goodness and light.
***
They burst through the doors of the courthouse as cameras clicked and flashed. A crowd of reporters thrust their microphones towards Belle.
