“I located your aunt Jillian, and I’ve spoken to her.”
Shock splays across her face as she gasps. “How did you find her?”
“It wasn’t actually that hard. I found several women named Jillian Roberts on Facebook, and I just reached out to all of them until I found the right Jillian. She didn’t know, Zeta. She didn’t know your mom was dead and that you were in here.”
“That bastard,” she spits out, her face instantly hardening. “Although I don’t know why I’m surprised. Of course, Bob wouldn’t tell my mother’s only other living relative that she had passed.”
“She was really upset,” I explain. “And horrified to hear what your stepdad did to you. She feels terrible for not keeping a closer eye on you. She’s been in Australia for years, but she’s coming home, Zeta. She’s coming home for you.”
Tears well in her eyes. “For real?”
I nod, and I can’t contain my grin. “She didn’t hesitate, baby. As soon as she heard you were in here, she dried her tears and said she would make arrangements to return to the US as soon as possible.”
“I can’t believe it.” She’s smiling through her tears.
“She told me she was planning on coming home within the next year, but this has just given her incentive to do it quicker.” I waggle my brows, grinning. “And there’s more. She’s already filed paperwork to be granted guardianship of you, and she’s lined up a meeting with a top attorney. She’s determined to get you out of here.”
Zeta sobs, her shoulders heaving as months of stress unload. I want to bundle her into my arms and comfort her, and I hate that I can’t.
“I’m in shock,” she says, half laughing, half crying. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“It’s happening, babe. You’re going to get out of here, and we’re going to be together.”
* * *
I’ve beenon a countdown the last couple of months, trying not to get frustrated at how long it’s taking Zeta’s new attorney to get her conviction quashed. I’ve met her aunt Jillian several times, and she’s also been in to visit her niece. She seems to care a great deal about Zeta, and she’s gone out of her way to set things up so Zeta has a loving home to return to now she’s been awarded guardianship of her niece. They are slowly getting to know one another, and while Jillian isn’t privy to all the facts of Zeta’s unhappy childhood, she’s smart enough to fill in the gaps. I can tell she feels tremendous guilt for abandoning her niece, and I think she’ll go out of her way to make it up to Zeta.
Zeta doesn’t turn eighteen for another four months, which means she won’t be able to live with me from the outset of her release, but I can wait. At least, I’ll be able to see her every day, and it’ll give me more time to save for a nicer place. I’ve managed to get extra shifts in the restaurant most weeks, and I’ve been busking every Saturday afternoon in the city center, gathering a loyal little following who are happy to throw some cash my way. Every cent counts, and I take very little for myself, putting as much as I can aside so that I have enough to look after my girlfriend when she gets out.
Jillian called me while I was on the bus en route here telling me the good news, and I’m so fucking excited to see my girl, knowing she’s going to be out soon. I have the goofiest grin on my lips as I sit down in front of the plexiglass screen, picking up the phone.
“You heard the news?” Zeta is smiling and staring at me with so much joy on her face.
“Two weeks, baby! You’re going to court in two weeks, and your aunt said the attorney is one hundred percent certain you’ll be granted release straightaway.”
“Thanks to you.” She places her palm on the glass, and my hand instantly lines up on this side.
“Fuck. I need to kiss you so badly. I’ve missed kissing you so much. I’ve just missed you. Period.”
“I’ve missed you too, and when I get out, I’m never going to stop kissing you.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I tease.
“Thank you, Ryder.” Her eyes well up. “I know you found Clive. I know you were the one who convinced him to tell the truth about what happened that night.”
I shrug. “I told you I’d do anything to get you out of here, and I meant it. Clive knows he’ll get control of Bob’s business once he’s locked up, so he didn’t take much convincing. He was outside the door long enough to hear exactly how it went down, and he saw what Bob did to your Mom. It’s open and shut now.”
Tears spill down her cheeks. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, Ryder Stone? There are no words in existence in the English language to adequately describe how full of love my heart is for you. I can never repay you for this.”
“Sure you can. You can agree to be my wife.” I wasn’t planning on proposing, but I’ve thought about it a lot. Her mouth hangs open and shock splashes across her gorgeous features. “I’m not saying I want us to get married straightaway,” I rush to assure her, “because I’m not in a position to provide for you yet, but as soon as I can give you the lifestyle you deserve, I’m putting a ring on it unless you tell me you don’t want that with me?” A sharp ache pierces my chest as I wait for her to respond.
“Of course, I want that with you! Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.”
I press my lips to the glass, and she does the same. Closing my eyes, I can almost pretend that I feel her mouth moving against mine. “I can’t wait to bury myself balls deep inside you,” I whisper into the phone. “I’m going to worship every inch of your body and make you scream my name all night long.”
She shudders and her pupils darken. “I want you so much I ache all the time.”
“Believe me, baby, I know. But we don’t have long left to wait.”
