“Brings back memories, huh? Almost the whole family back together with the red and blue lights. Ah, childhood.”
23
Michelle
There hadto be a special place in hell for daughters who smiled when their fathers were shoved into the back of a police car, but I couldn’t stop the satisfaction from curling in my chest. His lethal glare didn’t shake me the way it used to. He could still try to scare me, still think he had power over me, but he had nothing.
Not anymore.
This time, I was ready.
Sure, he’d probably find a way to come after me again when he got out, but that wouldn’t be for a long time. And when that day came, I wouldn’t be caught off guard. I’d memorize every court date, every appeal, every parole hearing. He wouldn’t sneak up on me again.
Victor, though…
I wasn’t happy to see him cuffed, but I wasn’t sad either. A part of me still wished he’d get clean, get his life together, and if he ever did—maybe, just maybe, I’d be willing to speak to him again. But he’d made his choices, and I had made mine.
I glanced across the lot, where Brooks was talking to the cops, his hands gesturing wildly as he explained what happened. My stomach twisted as I watched him, as I thought about what I had almost lost, what I had convinced myself I didn’t deserve.
He turned slightly, and his gaze found mine, locking onto me like he had been looking for me this whole time. For a second, I forgot about everything—the cops, the flashing lights, the fact that my past had tried to steal away the only good thing in my life.
There was love in his eyes. Love, guilt, warmth, and something new—something like understanding.
And for the first time in my life, I let myself hope.
Hope that I could have this.
Hope that I could have him.
Hope that I deserved to be loved and to love in return.
“You’re not mad at me, are you?” Brigham’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He came up beside me, throwing an arm over my shoulders. “I had to tell him. He was a mess. Worse than you, actually.”
A mess? Worse than me? I bit my lip, trying not to smile. It was a relief to know I hadn’t been the only one struggling.
I let him stew in the silence for a moment before rolling my eyes. “Surprisingly… no. I should be mad at you, but look how it turned out.”
“I couldn’t stand by while you were miserable and he was being a dumbass.”
I laughed softly, running my hands up and down my arms. My adrenaline was crashing hard, the exhaustion settling in my bones. The shivers started, and Brigham, being annoyingly observant, rubbed my arm.
“You’re a decent human being, Brigham,” I admitted. “I’ll give you that.”
“Wow, that’s practically an I love you coming from you.” He grinned. “I’ll take it.”
I snorted and slipped out from under his arm, already moving toward Brooks.
Tall, broad, kind. The man who made my toes curl when he kissed me and turned my world upside down when he looked at me like I was his entire universe.
I had known it two years ago. I knew it now.
Brooks was dangerous for my heart. But this time, I was ready for it.
He was thanking the officer when his eyes landed on me. In two large strides, he was on me, wrapping me up in his arms, lifting me off the ground like he needed to feel all of me at once.
“Uh, hi?” I mumbled into his chest, my voice muffled against his shirt.
“Jesus,” he breathed, his grip tightening, his nose running along my neck like he had to breathe me in. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I’m so glad you’re safe, and they are going to jail.”
