“You’ll pay for this, Violet,” she whispers through coughs.
Travis spins on her, his eyes so intense it makes me flinch. He’s shaking with more fury than I’ve ever seen from him. “The very second you decided to put hands on my woman, Janice, was the exact moment you decided that you would pay for every scar you leave. Your payment is coming. I assure you.”
She stares at him, eyes wide. “Trav...”
Chief cuts her off by pressing the gun to her temple. “Open your mouth again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”
And, just like that...
It’s over.
It’s all finally over.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
I blink open my eyes to find Travis sitting beside me, making the bed dip just a little.
I have been sleeping since I got home. After a few stitches and a check of the baby, I was good to go.
I crashed as soon as I got here.
“Hey.” My voice is rough, the soreness in my body a sharp reminder of everything that’s happened.
“How are you feeling?” He reaches out, gently brushing hair off my forehead.
I shift, wincing as pain radiates through my muscles. “Just sore, like I’ve run a marathon.”
“Yeah, well, you fought a good fight back there, kid.”
I snort. “Where is Janice?”
His eyes harden, just a touch. “She’s in custody. Chief made a report. Not before he told her that if she gets out, and she ever comes anywhere near you again, he will bury her six feet under.”
I press my lips together. “Of course he did. So, do you think she will go away?”
“Attempted murder? Yeah, she’ll go away for a while.”
Thank God.
Maybe she might get the help she clearly needs.
He reaches around and pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket. “Here. You didn’t get to see it when we were at the hospital; you were so exhausted.”
I turn it over and see a black and white image. An ultrasound. A tiny bean in the center. “Our little one?”
“Our little one,” he confirms, a smile touching his lips. “Heartbeat strong. He or she’s already a fighter.”
I smile, hand on my abdomen. “I’m betting on a boy.”
Travis bumps my shoulder, amused. “Girls can be just as feisty. You know that better than anyone.”
I lean into him. “Thank you for coming for me.”
His gaze drops to mine, steady and unwavering. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust your instincts sooner.”
“It’s over now.”
He curls a hand around the back of my neck. “Next time, I’ll take your word before trusting anyone else. That’s what I should have done to begin with.”
