Only now...
I can’t see it.
The incisions he’d made weren’t as deep as she’d originally thought. They hadn’t required any stitches, but even after the skin had healed, the markings of a monster had remained.
The tattoo was Eric’s idea. A way for her to reclaim what Gregory Hayes had tried to take from her. From both of them.
Once she’d made the decision to do it, the picture she wanted formed instantly in her mind.
Riley studied the intricate artwork again. Instead of a killer’s carvings, she now saw Lady Justice.
It wasn’t her whole body, just her head, her right hand, and the upper part of her delicate bare shoulders. The woman was blindfolded, of course, but she was absolutely beautiful.
Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders in waves. Her chin was jutted ever-so-slightly, showing her strength and courage. Like she had taken a stance and was ready for any challenge.
The scales of justice were clutched in her hand. Upon Riley’s request, they were tilted, rather than equally level.
Because she’dtiltedthose scales when she killed Gregory Hayes. And there wasn’t a single part of her that regretted her decision to do so.
He’d been aiming that gun toward her. TowardEric.
Pulling that trigger was the easiest decision she’d ever made.
“So?” Rob, the man who’d done a phenomenal job bringing her imagination to life, grinned. “What do you think?
“I love it.”
“Yeah?” He took off his disposable gloves and nodded toward her other shoulder. “If you want, I can do something about that scar over there, too. Maybe a flower or some sort of symbol.
“No thanks.” Riley used the mirror to glance at the scar she’d gotten the day Adam died. “I’m gonna keep that one.”
It was a reminder. Of what she’d lost, and of everything she’d gained in the days that followed.
On the drive home, she thought of everything that had transpired over the last two months.
A killer had been caught. She and Eric had both healed. Cap had signed off on allowing them to still be partners, despite their romantic involvement.
And Eric had moved into her apartment.
That last part happened almost immediately following the events that took place in his own apartment. She’d woken up in the hospital that next day and he’d said he wanted them to live together.
They’d chosen her apartment, for obvious reasons. She’d never lived with anyone but her parents before, so the first few days had taken some getting used to. For them both.
Some parts, though...the very best parts...had been amazing from that very first day.
Falling asleep in his arms each night. Waking up to his gorgeous face every morning.
A small part of her had worried they were moving too fast, too soon. But then she remembered how fleeting life is.
How lucky she was.
What mattered most was their love for each other. The rest would figure itself out.
Riley pulled into her building’s parking lot, smiling when she saw Eric’s truck in the spot next to hers.
Excited to show him the tattoo, she hopped out of her car and made her way inside and upstairs as quickly as she could. With the key inserted in the lock, she turned the knob and stepped inside.
Her breath caught in her chest. Her heart leaping into her throat.
