Gathering her courage, she bent her knees and did it. His grip had relaxed enough, and she knew he wasn’t expecting it.
Her ass hit the floor, and she scrambled on all fours behind Justin.
Justin’s aim remained strong, pointed directly at Max’s forehead. “Looks like you lost your shield. Though, I could’ve taken you out just as easily before.”
Never taking his eyes off the schmuck in front of him, Justin took another step to the side, completely shielding Blythe. “Are you alright, sugar?”
“Yes, I’m fine now.” She turned her shoulders around to see Chris and two other men entering the building—now four guns pointed at Max.
She heard her uncle’s voice reverberate off the metal walls. “Are you the sick fuck who took my little girl?”
Max shifted, then started to run, getting only a few yards from the aircraft. Chris was quick, the first one to catch him. Max landed on his face, then all three men had their knees in his back. He cursed, spewing profanities and trying to break free. But within seconds, they had him handcuffed, standing on his feet, and dragged out of the hangar.
Local police units were smothering the tarmac. One had taken Max away and booked him into the county jail without bond. One of the officers was explaining to Blythe what would happen to him, how they would need a full statement from her and possibly a testimony in court.
Justin stood next to Chris and his men, who were also former Special Forces, while the medical team examined Blythe to make sure there weren’t injuries that needed immediate attention.
They had, indeed, been taking care of the two toadies watching the hanger before they were able to enter and help Justin take down Max. One of the men put a hand on his shoulder and told him how glad he was that they could help. Another told the group how badass it was to watch Justin in action.
“Too bad we can’t have you as part of the contract team. You’d be a great asset.”
Justin nodded and thanked them for their help.
He went to check on Blythe after she was done giving her full statement to the officer and was cleared to go home. Max waslocked up with both of the idiots who grabbed her. The pilot, who was sleeping with ear protection on, was allowed to gas up and fly the plane back to Chicago. He was cleared as a third party with no knowledge or involvement in the crime. He was simply hired to fly the plane. He knew nothing else.
Justin carried Blythe upstairs once they got home and waited while she showered and cleaned up. When she came out, he tucked her into bed and slid under the covers to hold her. She cried on his chest, and let out all of the feelings she couldn’t put into words.
“I was on my way to pick up some things to surprise you when I told you I was pregnant. I’d just found out, and I wanted to do something special. I know it’s soon, and I mean, I didn’t know it would happen this fast…but I’m not mad about it. Are you?”
Justin kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tighter to him.
“Not at all, sugar. When Chris pulled that pink stick out of your purse, I wanted to cry, I was so happy. We both knew it could happen, and I think it’s beautiful that our love created a baby. It’s pretty damn magical, if you ask me. Not that it already wasn’t without the baby, but you know what I mean.”
Justin tilted her chin up so her eyes could meet his. He wiped away her tears with his thumb, and the rest of his fingers weaved through her wavy hair. “I know you were scared, but you were so fucking brave. The way you dropped to the ground, the way you fought until I got there. I’m so damn proud of you, Blythe.”
She gave him a sad smile before she spoke. “He called me awful names. Then when he had me pinned between his thighs, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get away. I was fighting, but his strength still outweighed mine by a ton. If you hadn’t come when you did, my nightmares after this incident mayhave haunted me for eternity. Just thinking about what could’ve happened, what he would’ve done to me…it makes me sick.”
Justin gripped her face in both hands. “I’m glad we got to you in time, too, baby. But you listen to me right now—if I hadn’t gotten to you in time, trust me, you would’ve done it. You’re smart and so strong. You would’ve held him off somehow. That sick prick wouldn’t have been able to hurt you like that. So, don’t even think about it. It’s over, and he’s going to prison for a very long time. You and me, we’re going to live happily ever after, and he’s going to rot in a cell. Karma is a bitch. He better hold on tight to the soap. Don’t ever think of him or what he tried to do again, okay?”
“Easier said than done,” she scoffed.
Justin lifted his face to meet hers, and his lips couldn’t help but devour her in the most desperate and passionate kiss he’d ever given. He pulled away and whispered for her to wait just a minute. He threw back the sheet and padded to his dresser, opening the top drawer. He took what he was looking for and moved back to kneel at the bedside. Blythe sat up. With one hand, he reached for hers. With the other, he gently slipped his grandmother’s ring onto her finger.
“I know I said this was just a technicality, and I meant it. A piece of paper doesn’t solidify what I feel for you. It doesn’t change my devotion to you or our baby. But, Blythe, I want to marry you… I want you to wear my ring on your finger, and I want everyone in the world to know you're mine. This one is ancient. It was my nan’s. We can go pick you out a newer, fancier one if you’d like—but for now, will you wear this one?”
Tears were streaming down her face like Niagara Falls. He gazed at her hand lovingly as she used her thumb to caress the band on the underside of her finger.
“I don’t want a new, fancy ring. I want this one. It fits like it was made for me. It’s beautiful. I would be proud to wearsomething of your grandmother’s. You know how I love old things… This ring has a story, and now we can add to it.”
Justin pulled her to him, her legs wrapping around his middle as he knelt before her.
“Yes, Justin Forge—my cowboy, the man I love, the father of my child—please, officially, make me your wife!”
He could taste her tears as she kissed him desperately. He pulled her in, and for a second he thought she might swallow him whole.
When she finally broke their kiss, her eyes bore into his with intent. “I don’t want a big wedding, either. I just want you, me, Chris and the girls on the porch at Silo Springs. I want Chris to perform the ceremony, and I want us all to have dinner together. Then you can bring me home and make love to me all night long. That's what I want.”
Justin chuckled in his chest and lovingly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
