“Like Vegas?” I scrunched my nose. I’d spent a lot of time working in bars and smoky spaces over the years. Plus, I was not the type to gamble away my hard-earned dollars.
He groaned. “Not my scene. I was thinking more along the lines of Hawaii.”
“I’ve never been to Hawaii,” I breathed, awe in my tone.
“You in a sundress, me in a linen shirt and khakis. The beach, flowers in your hair, the sun at our backs. Nothing but you and me and a man of the cloth.”
I traced my fingers down his chest. “Sounds beautiful but I think my sisters, mother, and your parents would be pretty disappointed if they didn’t get to participate. I have another idea?”
“Yeah?” he murmured, sounding tired.
“What about here? We have a small service and reception in the backyard. Then Hawaii for the honeymoon.”
“Now you’re talking.” He cupped my head and kissed me slow and sweet. “So, when I ask you to marry me really soon, pretend to be surprised okay?” He yawned.
I grinned and put my head back over his chest. “Okay. Just give it some time. We need to set up our house first and I need a little more time at my job before I tell them I need a couple weeks off for a wedding and honeymoon.”
Jonah wrapped his arms around me and tucked me close. “Deal.”
I waited a few minutes, and as sleep started to take me, I pressed my hand over Jonah’s heart and asked him the same question he’d asked me. “You happy, baby?”
He hugged me close and kissed the top of my head before he answered. “I’ve never been happier than I am lying in our bed, in our house, beside you, our dog safe in her bed, with a bright future ahead of us.”
I sighed and snuggled into the man I knew in my heart I’d spend the rest of my life loving.
And for the first time in a month, I slept the entire night through, held in the safety of my man’s arms, without a single nightmare marring the happiness in my life.
The End
If you want to read more in the world of the Kerrighan foster sisters, check out Addison’s book in Wild Beauty. Each book will be a complete but interconnected standalone novel. I may write three total books of select sisters or one for each. It all depends on the muse and the readership.
Read a sneak peek of Addy’s book on the next pages.
WILD BEAUTY (A SOUL SISTER NOVEL)—SNEAK PEEK
Click. The camera flashed and I was back there.
In that chair.
That dark, freezing cold basement, with rats and other vermin scurrying around my feet.
My chest was tied with thick, uncompromising ropes. My arms zip tied, forearms up so he could continue with his torture.
I glanced down at the blistered, ravaged tissue of my forearms with a detached, vacant assessment. Seeing the torn, bleeding, black wounds on my arms in the only way I could—as if they weren’t mine. The scent of burnt flesh seared my nostrils. I desperately held back my need to vomit as my mouth watered around the cloth gag. It was tied so tight it dug into the edges of my mouth, abrading the sensitive tissue every time I attempted to free myself.
Another camera flash.
“Addison…” A somewhat familiar voice reverberated in the cavernous space around me. My mind swirled as I tried to focus on that tone. It was kind. Compassionate. Connected to someone I loved.
Blessing.
Click.
I shuddered at the sound and shook where I stood, skyrocketing back into that dreaded chair.
The masked attacker was coming back.
He would continue hurting me.
He was going to kill me just like all those other women.
My only hope was they’d find him before they got to my sister Simone. If she were spared, my soul would be free. I could die knowing she was safe.
I had no idea when I got off that plane and met the driver out front of the airport holding a sign with my name on it that I was willingly walking straight into my own personal Hell. He looked the part. Wore all black. Had a Town Car. Knew my name, when I was to arrive. Everything.
Smart girls knew better.
And I was a smart girl. Mama Kerri made sure all of her foster daughters got the appropriate education, graduating high school with good grades. I had a dream and worked toward making that dream a reality. She told us there was