The desire to touch her and kiss her rose inside me. But my feelings went beyond the physical—further than I'd ever thought possible. Her matter-of-fact strength left me awestruck. She had endured so much for so long. I'd seen more blood and death and pain than any man should, and it had gouged dark trenches into my soul. But all of life's ugliness had barely scratched hers. And what few imperfections she had only made her more beautiful. Her scars spoke quietly, yet undeniably: I survived. I outlasted the enemy. And then I moved on to the next day's battle. How many soldiers could go on fighting with no end in sight, no glory or backup or even the promise of victory?
Suddenly it hit me. Something that had been staring me in the face for a long time. Standing there in that crappy hotel room, gaping at Finley like an idiot, both of us still trembling with leftover adrenaline...I realized just how deeply I'd fallen in love with her.
Fuck, I was in so much trouble. And I didn't even care.
“Wow. She’s out?” Finley asked, crossing the room over to the empty bed across from the one I was sitting on.
I nodded. “She went down without a peep.”
“She’s one resilient kid.”
“A lot like her mom in that regard.”
She made a noise of disagreement.
“I've got some more good news. Barton called and confirmed that Brant is in custody. He was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, assault, endangering a child, carrying a weapon without a permit, and a whole bunch of other things. He’ll be facing serious time.”
“Thank you.” Her hands trembled in her lap.
I nodded. “You’ll have to make a statement to the police when we get back into town.”
“That’s no problem.”
After what Brant had done, she’d have no problem making sure that he got the maximum punishment coming to him. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. There was so much more I wanted to ask her, things we needed to talk about, but I wouldn’t push her tonight. She was obviously tired and exhausted. Her eyes looked heavy and her breathing was shallow. She was laying on her side on the bed, watching me, and I mirrored her pose, laying across from her. The desire to touch her creamy skin, to kiss her mouth, to make sure every last inch of her was okay would have to wait.
“I need to know ... did he touch you?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. Thank God. He didn’t try anything like that. But if you hadn’t gotten there ...”
I nodded, utterly fucking relieved. I was sure that Brant would have tried something eventually. And just like he’d taken her against her will, the word no wouldn’t have mattered to him.
Finley pulled the covers around her and I flicked off the lamp. “Get some sleep,” I said. “We’ll figure everything out in the morning.” I hope.
* * *
After a pancake breakfast at a diner along the highway, we were finally back in town. I pulled into Finley’s apartment complex and took a moment to compose myself. I didn’t want this to end in a fight, but I had a feeling it might, and I was prepared to go to battle.
Once inside, we watched Maple run straight to her stuffed owl and squeal with delight. Finley’s eyes found mine and she smiled—for the first time since this whole ordeal began, I was willing to bet.
“It’s good to be home, isn’t it, baby?” Finley said.
If she thought this was home, she was kidding herself. “Get packed up, I’ll wait.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Her smile vanished, eyes narrowing. “Wait. What?”
“If you think after everything that’s happened, I’m letting you guys stay here ...” I shook my head, my stiff posture matching hers.
“And here I thought you were being so sweet and helpful.” She planted her hands on her hips. “But once again, you’re just trying to control the situation. How many times do I have to tell you I can fend for myself? Plus, Brant’s locked up. You said we don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
I growled out a curse under my breath. Her constant rejection didn’t just hurt, it fucking stung. I'd been pushed too far and I was ready to snap. With Maple playing across the room, I leaned in close to Finley; I didn’t want her daughter to hear the ugly venom in my voice. “I'm done. You pushed too far this time. I don't give a flying fuck what you want anymore. Do you know what I went through knowing you two were in danger? And it's become pretty damn obvious that this place isn't safe. So I'm not asking you again. I'm telling you. Pack your shit. Please. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”
We squared off, gazes locked together, neither of us willing to budge. But this was it. If she pushed me again, I might just walk out of her life for good. This moment meant everything.
Just as Finley angrily opened her mouth, a knock sounded at her door.
Her brow crinkled in confusion, she growled and whipped around to open up. It was a thin, jowly man with a bad comb-over and a handful of wrinkled papers. Based on the pieces of their hushed conversation I strung together, he was her landlord, and she was late on her rent. Very late—more than what she would've missed while being held prisoner.
Watching this train wreck of a conversation almost made me feel bad for Finley. None of this was her fault, and her dignity had already taken a beating lately. But it was time for her to realize that she wasn’t in this life alone. She didn't have to prove anything. She didn’t have to shoulder every burden like it was her own personal cross to bear. I wanted to help. I was here for her, and I always would be. Time and time again, I'd demonstrated that she could rely on me, and still she was fighting her way through life alone, one awful situation after another.