Page 106 of The Criminal's Cure

“Mr. Molanari, do you think the sentence was fair?”

“How are you feeling, Madison?”

They shout questions, but Roman leads us through the crowd confidently until we get to the truck. Once we’re inside, I feel like I can finally breathe. Moments ago, Bauer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. It’s the highest-level sentence he could receive, and it feels like a weight has been lifted off of my chest. He really is going away forever and will never be able to hurt anyone ever again.

It was tough to stomach at first. The man had been my mentor. I’d looked up to him and learned nearly everything I knew about being a doctor from him. Little did I know what was happening behind the scenes. It makes me nauseous that I was a part of it, but I know there’s no way I could have known what he was really up to, and Roman reminds me of that all the time.

Things between us are better and stronger than ever before. We’ve settled into a routine and life with Ty that feels so right and so seamless that I hardly remember what my life was like before. My parents have been out to visit a few times, which was really nice. While our relationship will never be quite what I imagined, they’re fully embracing being grandparents to Ty. Maybe this is some sort of second chance, but they dote on him and he loves them just as much.

Roman sets his hand on my knee as we drive away, swerving through the mass of people. “You doing okay?”

I nod. “I finally feel a sense of closure with him. He’s really not going to hurt us anymore.”

“That’s right, babe. And I’m pretty confident that he’ll get exactly what’s coming to him in prison.”

“How are you so sure of that?” I eye him suspiciously. Roman’s done an incredible job of trying to stay out of everything to do with Dr. Bauer, but I know he has his limits. Bauer went after nearly everyone that Roman loved, all because he was jealous of his success, and if I’m being honest, I can understand whereRoman’s coming from. Sometimes I crave a little retribution of my own.

Roman chuckles, refusing to look at me. “On the record, just a feeling. But off the record, I have friends in some pretty low places with nothing to lose. Bauer won’t last long on the inside.”

“Is it wrong that I’m glad to hear that?”

“Not at all.” He shakes his head.

“Where are we going?” I notice Roman turned off the highway and we aren’t headed toward home anymore.

“I just wanted a second to clear our minds after court this morning. And I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise?” I ask as he whips into a gravel parking lot.

“Relax. Come on.” He helps me out of the truck. I got my cast off a few weeks ago, but I still have some pain after I’ve been on my feet for a while.

I follow him down a pathway and into the park to where a small bench sits. When we get close, I can see it’s a bench put there in memory of Talia.

“This city holds a lot of memories for my family, and most of them are bad. I lost my wife, I almost lost my son, and I almost lost the love of my life,” Roman starts. “I used to love Las Vegas, especially when we first moved here, but now it just kind of feels suffocating, you know?” He keeps his eyes on the bench as he speaks. I grab his hand, stroking the back of it, and Roman lets out a heavy breath. He reaches into his pocket, and at first I think he’s about to pull out an engagement ring, but then I see a piece of paper. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and with me taking a back seat with the organization for a while, I think it might be time for a move.”

I arch my eyebrows at him in shock. This is the very last thing I expected. “A move?”

Roman nods, handing me a piece of paper. There are three one-way tickets to San Francisco printed on it. One for me, one for him, and one for Ty. “I know they said your position was safe for next year, but I think we should go now.”

“You’re serious?” I ask, trying to process all of it. “I thought you couldn’t leave Vegas. What about your work?”

“Well, San Francisco has some of the biggest ports in the world. I’ve been limited to land shipping mostly, but with access to ports…” He raises an eyebrow and then chuckles. “Let’s just say the move will be good for all of us.”

I let out a sharp laugh. It’s tough to wrap my mind around, but honestly, he’s right. The timing couldn’t be better with Ty about to be out of school for the summer. We’d have plenty of time to find a place to live and settle in before he had to go back. I’m also anxious about getting back to work. The break was nice for a bit, but I’m not really one to sit around; all the rest and relaxation has made me stir crazy.

“You’re sure about this?”

“I’m positive.” He takes my hand. “Like I said, I’m ready to move on from some of these memories and start making new ones with you. And our own family. So what do you say? How about it?”

I can’t help but smile. “I think it sounds incredible.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Roman’s smile is a mile wide. He sweeps me off of my feet, spinning me around as he kisses me.

A new start sounds incredible, and a new start for all three of us sounds even better.

A fresh start. A place where we can build our lives together, where we can raise our kids. A place that is full of adventure and opportunity and so many new things for us. It feels like we are closing the door on a really rough chapter in both of our lives and moving on together towards something much greater.

There is something kind of fun about the future being unknown. Neither of us have any idea what’s to come, but we know we have each other and we have Ty. And we’re ready for our next big adventure.