She would not be a coward.
“I do.”
“Okay,” Damien nodded repeatedly as if trying to soothe himself, raising the gun. “Have it your way. Hate me. Hate me all you want, but I’ll continue to love you. I’ll love you until your hatred is overcome by it. I won’t apologize for loving you. And I admit, I did bring the cords and tape in case I needed to persuade you. I knew you’d probably fight me on that, so I came prepared. But even that would’ve been out of love, Emmy. I was going to make you feel good—happy. Isn’t that enough?”
Emily’s throat fought with the need to throw up.
Her mind had gone there before at its darkest point, but this felt far worse. Hearing it out loudfrom himfelt like a goddamn nightmare.
Nicolas blocked her completely again.
Emily heard Damien’s sinister voice before the chaos broke. “Oh great, cover her. Was aiming at you anyway.”
Her breath caught at the words.
Then everything happened fast.
A boot shifted before a single shot rang through the air and echoed off the concrete walls.
Emily screamed as Nicolas whirled around, covering her. She clawed at his back, her hands checking for any signs of injury.
Oh god. Oh god. Oh god!
Had he gotten shot? She couldn’t help the bile that rose inside her stomach as her eyes frantically assessed him.
“I’m fine,” Nicolas assured her. “It’s not me. I’m fine.”
Her entire body slumped in relief.
Her eyes looked between the space of his arm to see Damien stagger, shock flashing across his face before he crumpled to the ground, weapon clattering beside him. The bullet had hit him right in the forehead.
Emily gagged, her hands clinging to Nicolas’s suit.
Her ears rang as Cameron walked over to Damien’s body, smoke curling faintly from the weapon he clutched.
Cameron kicked at it, checking for movements.
There was none.
Nicolas wrapped his arms around her tighter. “It’s over,” he whispered, eyes staying locked onto hers.
She was still staring at the lifeless figure.
“Baby, look at me,” Nicolas urged. Her eyes flickered to him, tears escaping them. “You’re okay. You’re safe now.”
He kissed the side of her hairline and her tears doubled.
Emily sobbed in her husband’s arms.
You’re safe now. You’re safe now. You’re safe now.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
They had agreed on a friends-and-family-only wedding. Everyone apart of that circle was gathered on a spring day beneath white tents. Trees swayed in the Hawaiian breeze and sunlight poured down.
Emily’s wedding dress looked fit for royalty. The custom-made white gown accentuated her curves. Lace embroidered the bodice and flowed into a flare at the hem, joining her bridal train. From the very first fitting with her designer, Jamie, she knew: this was the one. A dreamy dress for an even dreamier man waiting down the aisle.
