I set her on the bench seat in the shower and cut off the water. She hums happily as I dry her off. It’s funny how her lids no longer seem heavy when I take the time to dry myself off. She even smirks as I toss the towel in the direction of the hamper.
I grab my phone and knife, and then scoop her up in my arms. Her head falls to my shoulder as I carry her to bed.
I can’t stop thinking that I’m actually happy for the first time in a long time. She curls up into my side, and I hold her tightly.
This is the first night of the rest of our lives. I want to spend every night this way, crawling into bed with her.
And waking up like I will tomorrow, with her still by my side.
I was stupid to think love doesn’t have a place in my world. That caring for someone means I’m weak.
Astra has quickly become my strength, my reason to fight.
I love her. And I have no regrets.
My phone lights up on the bedside table.
I check to make sure Astra is still sound asleep in my arms. Her chest rises and falls steadily.
Reaching over with my free arm, I grab my phone and unlock the screen.
Seeing the text there brings a smile to my face.
Recovered.
It’s only one word, but it tells me so much.
Rove has found Astra’s mother’s remains. I really do owe him a raise.
I put my phone back down, then place a kiss on the top of Astra’s head.
She’ll be able to lay her mother to rest properly now. I’m glad that worry will be taken off her shoulders.
Now I know for sure that any promise I make to her, I’ll be able to keep.
Epilogue
Astra
“You sure about this?” Donovan asks me as he pulls to a stop in front of the cabin I spent most of my life locked up in.
Sure, I didn’t know it at the time, but the memories are tainted nonetheless.
It’s been weeks since the death of my father and Sandra, and weeks before that since I was here last. I’ve been struggling with coming back.
It took me a long time to come to grips with everything, and I don’t think I’m still okay with it. It’s going to take a long time to untwist this brier patch of a life I’ve had.
It all comes down to how much I need answers. The only place to get them is here. I’m hoping the aunts will have them.
“I think so,” I answer him.
No, I’m not really sure. I don’t know if I want to hear what they have to tell me. I don’t think I want to know how much they were in on it. But I can’t keep running for the rest of my life.
I get out of the car, glancing quickly at the SUV that followed us up here. Torrin is already standing at the rear of Donovan’s car, ready to follow us. I know there are two more guys in the car who will probably watch our backs at a distance.
I walk up the path to the door, noticing how things seem a little overgrown. It’s hard to shrug off the strange feeling brewing in my gut.
Donovan must notice it too because he grabs my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. He steps in front of me, and heads for the door, and I can see it’s already cracked open. He pushes it, widening the gap. I rush past him, not even thinking about what kind of danger I could be throwing myself into.
