Time to Strike
*ROSEA*
My head is spinning.
It has been ever since yesterday, when Martin and Rory called us to a meeting and told us everything… All the things Martin found out during his last night out. And all the dark secrets Rory was holding onto.
Now, a day later, my mind is still struggling with accepting it all.
Forest’s hand touches my stomach as I lie nestled against him. He keeps his warm hand on me, never letting me go. His touch is so grounding and comforting. “How are you feeling, my love?”
“I don’t know,” I admit honestly. “It was a lot. The last couple of days. Having Clemmens try to abduct me, finding Rory…”
“Then Martin’s new discoveries.”
“I can’t believe Jordan would sink that low,” I say before letting out a deep sigh. “No, you know what, Icanbelieve it. It makes it so much worse.” I pause. “And then the other thing Rory told me.”
He turns over now, pulling me into his arms. “I am so sorry, Rose.”
“I shouldn’t even be surprised; actually, again, Iamnot surprised. Still…” I pause. My throat feels dry from just thinking about the what-ifs. What if I had seen through Jordan sooner? What if Dad had seen through him sooner? What if any of us had listened to Rory? What if Clemmens hadn’t double-crossed us?
What if…?
I feel tears trickling down my cheeks. Forest just keeps holding me, his warm hands brushing over my back.
Rationally, I know it’s not that simple. Jordan would have never accepted my rejection. He would have tormented me and my family in other ways. Maybe the outcome would have been equally bad, maybe not so bad, or maybe a lot worse. I don’t know. I can’t turn back time.
Yet sometimes, I still think of how life could have been. My parents could still be alive. Rory wouldn’t have lost years of his life. He was such a sunny guy once, and now he is distanced and distrustful and traumatized.
And I could have been happy with them all.
But then, I wouldn’t have met Forest.
“The only good thing is that I met you,” I whisper.
“It’s the same for me,” he says quietly. “You are everything, Rose. And I mean it when I say that I would have completely drowned without you. Everything that’s happened during the last couple of weeks, all the things we’ve changed, are thanks to you. I was only able to break out of my chains because of you. You are not just a consolation prize to me. You are a gift from the goddess.”
I look up, resting my chin on his chest. I must look ridiculous. Puffy-eyed and tired, yet he looks at me so fondly. Reaching out his hand, he brushes his fingers through my hair. “I consider myself lucky to have met you. I still can’t believe I received a second chance in love.”
He smiles at me. “Honestly, considering the shit we went through, we deserve each other.”
“I like that thought,” I say, reaching out my hand to touch his cheek. Forest pulls me into a kiss, a gentle, warm kiss that makes something in my chest flutter. If we weren’t needed at breakfast, I am sure we would have spent the day here in bed.
But, unfortunately, we still have Harry and Jordan to deal with.
Forest must have similar thoughts because he groans in annoyance. “I hate that we need to get up.”
“I know.” I stretch slightly. “But we can’t leave the guys hanging.”
“To imagine that Martin outsmarted Jordan. That recording is priceless. I wish we could have heard more of his ass-kissing,” Forest chuckles. “Seriously, he did so well.”
“I can’t believe he convinced Jordan that Clemmens had the hots for me,” I say, chuckling as well.
“Yeah, that was funny. Martin really handled Jordan well.”
“He played into his ego,” I say. “He said exactly what Jordan wanted to hear. I think a couple of years ago, Jordan would have been more cautious, but all the money and power have gone to his head. I truly believe he thinks he is invincible. Martin’s admiration feels natural to him because he can’t imagine anyonenotadmiring him.”
“He seems to have a particular hatred towards me.”
