where to start looking, so I stayed in Safe Harbor. I wanted to wait until Dante and his men came back so I could follow them and find you. I swear, Sophie.”
The tears keep falling, slipping down my cheeks with so much ease, it feels like I’m letting go of every drop of misery that ever consumed my body.
“I know, you don’t have to explain anymore. I was just upset. I thought you turned your back on me. I just couldn't understand at the time why you changed so suddenly. You were my best friend one day and then the next everything changed. I thought you wanted to get rid of me. You pushed me so hard to marry that man, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t follow through. I’d much rather have died.” Saying the words out loud sting a bit. It’s been a long time since I thought about dying the way that I did back when I lived at the compound or even in that cell before Roman came and got me.
“I shouldn’t have let any of it happen. But I didn’t know how to help you any other way. You’re my sister and it’s my job to protect you. Now that we’re free from his clutches I can insure that nothing like what happened to us, ever happens to anyone else.”
I pull away nodding. “What happened today? Is he dead?”
Luke blinks, then looks at Roman over my shoulder. I twist around to look at Roman. His eyes are dark, sinister and I know the answer without him even saying it.
“I made him pay, Sophie. Just know that for every single time he beat you, touched you, or made you cry, he paid for it and I don’t have any remorse for killing him. In fact, I wish I could bring him back to life and do it all over again.”
At his words, it feels like a mountain has been lifted off my shoulders. The paralyzing fear that crippled me for years is gone. I release Luke and rush over into Roman’s arms.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I repeat, whispering against his chest, as I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him as tightly as I can. I sob into his chest for a few minutes, and he wraps his arms around me, making me feel completely whole.
“Can Luke come with us?” I finally ask Roman, pulling away from his now soaked shirt.
“Of course. Xander wants him to work with Ivan. I’m thinking he can come and stay with us until we find him a place of his own.” I’m a little taken back why Xander would want Luke to work with Ivan but I’ll ask him later. All I care about right now is having Luke back in my life.
“Is that what you want?” I swing around to look at Luke, who is smiling.
“I want to be wherever you are Sophie. You’re my sister, my only family.”
I can’t believe how this day started out with so much pain and worry and somehow ended up with so much joy and happiness. My heart is so full right now.
“I love you baby and I promised you that I would make things right. I promised you that he would pay for what he did, and I trust me...he paid.”
I kiss him, knowing I don’t need all the gory details. Roman always has been my knight, my guardian, my savior.
Ivan enters the room a moment later, knocking against the French doors that lead into the living room. “You guys want a drink?” He lifts a thick brow, and Roman and Luke move their gazes to him.
“Of fucking course I do,” Roman answers.
Luke merely shrugs. “Sure. I’ll take a soda. I’m not much for liquor or beer.”
“I’ll miss you,” I tell Elyse while I hug her as tight as I can. “But I am so happy for you.”
“And I am happy for you, so happy you found Roman. I’ll come and visit you soon, I promise. Roman already told Hero that we are more than welcome to come and stay at your place.”
“Really? I’m surprised they get along so well now. Could have fooled me after that first night.” Elyse and I laugh. Oh, it feels good to just laugh with my sister. I give her one last squeeze before releasing her. We say our final goodbyes, thanking Xander and Ella for their hospitality, and walk up the small stairwell leading up to Xander’s private jet he insisted