Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
As soon as I’ve got Hagen hogtied, I go to Whitley and start cutting the rope at her hands and feet. The moment she’s free, she leaps into my arms and sobs against my neck. There’s more shooting in the distance, and I know we’re not safe like this.
Reaching over, I grab the guns the guards threw down and pull her against the wall. It’s blocked enough that we can see who is coming, but they won’t see us.
“Are you okay?” she asks quietly as she looks over my face and body. “I was so scared.”
Her hands are shaking, and I hold her against me and kiss her forehead. “I’m okay. I’ve got you in my arms, so nothing else matters.”
“Mack, I—”
“I love you.” I cut her off, and she smiles as tears fall down her cheeks.
“That’s what I was going to say.”
Wiping away the tears, I lean forward and kiss the wet trails. “I know, but I couldn’t wait. Seeing you like that was the worst moment of my life. I thought about how I’ve spent every moment before now without you, and I couldn’t do that again. Not now that I’ve tasted heaven. There’s no going back for me, Whitley. I love you, and you’re my everything. As soon as we’re out of here, I’m taking you to be my wife. Don’t argue with me.”
“Maybe I could shower first?” She says it like a question, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I smile.
“We’ll see,” I hedge, not wanting to waste any time.
The shots have gone quiet for a long time, and I wonder if something’s happened. Just then, the front door slowly opens, and I see a few guys dressed in all black creeping in. I hold my gun in front of us, but just as I aim, Whitley places her hand on my wrist to stop me.
“Those are my father’s men.”
Trusting her with both of our lives, I lower the weapon, and then I see Roy Baxter practically running into the house with a stricken look on his face.
“Whitley!” he calls, and I can see the devastated expression as he searches.
“I’m here, Dad.”
Everyone turns in our direction, and the relief he obviously feels is so great, he falls to his knees. “My princess.”
I release my hold on Whitley to help her up so she can go to her father. She’s wobbly on her feet, and as soon as I walk her over, she goes down on her knees next to him. The two of them embrace, and although he doesn’t shed a tear, I can see every emotion possible cross his eyes. Fear, gratitude, and then resentment. I follow his eyes and see him glaring daggers at Hagen.
“So I was betrayed,” Roy says, and I nod. “Thank you for finding my princess and for saving her.”
“I love her, it’s my job,” I tell him, and to my surprise he reaches for my shoulder and squeezes it.
“We’ve got a lot to discuss,” he says to me and then to Whitley, “Right?”
“Yeah, I think we do,” she answers.
Epilogue
WHITLEY
Many years later…
“I don’t deserve this honor.” My father stares down at me in my white wedding dress. His eyes are soft, and there’s no coldness in them anymore. He’s let himself open up more over time, and I think Sophia, who we named after my mom, is a big part of that.
The first time I watched him hold her, I cried. This side of my dad, locked away since he lost my mother, finally broke free. Without my freedom, there would be no Sophia or two little boys growing inside of me now. I’m only a few months along, but the bump is already showing. Thankfully, my fluffy dress hides it.
I’ve been married for over five years, but today, we’re renewing our vows. Mack was quick to get me down the aisle the first time, but this wedding was more planned out, and now my dad can be with us.
Hagen wasn’t lying when he said my father was trying to retire and disappear. Turns out, Hagen disappeared quicker than anyone else. I didn’t ask what happened to him; that’s between my father and Hagen. His old life is finally behind him. It took some time for him to make it happen, but he went back home and promised he’d return. He managed to make it in time to see Sophia enter this world.
He had already started an exit plan when I ran away. He said it put so many things into perspective for him. He finally saw that locking me away from the world, even for my own safety, was making him lose me either way. After that, he finally set me free.
“I’m just happy you’re here, Dad.” I smile up at him, loving how much our relationship has changed. He’s not my father anymore; he's my dad.