Page 135 of You Saw the Best In Me

My adrenaline is pumping, and I finally feel like I’m doing something that can end Karina’s pain. Her panic attacks are rare nowadays, but they still have their way of returning, as do the nightmares.

I don’t plan on telling her about this visit, not right now, anyway. One day, I’ll let her know the truth when I feel like she’s ready for it.

I’ve told her I would kill to protect her, including having someone else do the deed if I’m unable to, like in this instance.

Old Man Tony knows a guard who works at the prison and frequents his cabin’s shooting range, so when we had an opportunity to finish this once and for all, we took it.

Paying off the guard wasn’t cheap, but they’re all a little corrupt in one way or another. Later today, he’ll be delivered what’s necessary to end his life, and Karina will finally be free. Living in a world where her abuser isn’t breathing.

It’s the closure she deserves after the hell that fuck-face put her through.

On my way home, I stop for a bottle of tequila and two bouquets.

My girls don’t know why, but we’re celebrating tonight. Harper has been doing great in high school, and her boyfriend, Alex, is coming for dinner.

I don’t like the little punk, but he’s good to Harper, and that’s all I care about.

Last weekend, he escorted her to the Homecoming dance and was a perfect gentleman. Harper looked all grown up in her lavender-colored dress. Karina took her shopping for weeks until they finally found the right one. They spent the entire day getting ready, doing hair and makeup.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when she came down the stairs, the dress trailing behind her. Karina ensured Harper wore something elegant and classy, and she looked amazing.

When I get home, Harper is cooking, and Karina is ordering products for the salon. Neither of them hear me come in the door, so I take a moment to watch them.

Karina’s hair is lazily tossed in a bun, pieces of hair falling around her face. She’s wearing one of my sweatshirts, two sizes too big for her, but she looks stunning as always.

Her legs are crossed on the barstool, and she’s planted at her laptop on the kitchen island.

Harper is stirring pasta and cooking chicken cutlets at the same time. Her recipe for chicken parm is to die for, and it’s her favorite to cook. She’s showing off for her boyfriend, but if her food is involved, I’m okay with it.

I clear my throat, and they both look up in unison, smiling at me.

I hand them each their flowers and ask about their day.

Karina kisses me on the cheek when I sit on the barstool beside her and tells me about her clients today.

I’m so proud of how hard she and Reilly have worked on their spa, and it’s becoming a success.

“How was your day, Angel?” she asks, closing her laptop and giving me her attention.

“Same as usual. The job is moving along slowly but surely,” I say, neglecting to mention my pitstop.

It’s been two years since I took the promotion to run the company alongside Hunter. I never pictured myself keeping a job and turning it into a career, but I love what I do.

Hunter and I are close, and we run a tight ship.

Currently, we’re working on a medical office building an hour outside of town, and even though the commute is a pain in the ass, the project has been successful and on track thus far.

“Why the tequila?” Karina asks, smirking.

“Celebrating something. I’m not sure what, but I was in a good mood on the ride home today,” I say, getting up to answer the doorbell.

I open the door for Alex, and he shakes my hand.

“Hi, Mr. Carter, thank you for having me tonight,” he says, uncomfortably shifting in my presence.

I may or may not have scared the life out of him before I allowed him to drive Harper to the dance.

He’s a year older than her, and Karina encouraged me to let them be together as long as we kept a strict eye on them.