Chapter 34
Aubree
I’m sitting on a stiff hospital bed, an ice pack resting gingerly on my sprained wrist, and I can’t stop staring at Boone. He’s perched on the narrow chair in the corner, arms folded across his broad chest, gaze fixed protectively on me. Every so often, a nurse passes by the open door, and Boone’s head swivels, as if expecting a threat to jump out of the hallway. It makes me smile, even though the day’s terror still clings to my nerves.
“Does it hurt too much?” he asks, nodding at the bandage wrapped around my wrist.
I shrug, biting back a wince at the movement. “A little. The doctor said it’s not broken, just a bad sprain from when Earl knocked me down.” My throat catches at the memory—how helpless I felt, how certain I was that no one would find me.
Boone leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “He’s in custody now. And from what Dean said, the cops have more than enough evidence to put him away for a long time. Turns out Earl hid his tracks very well, but they were able to uncover some very damning evidence.”
I nod, relief a warm glow in my chest. “I heard. They found all those files, drafts of the creepy letters he sent me. Even pictures from my shop. It’s so… it’s so surreal that he was behind everything. Not just the threats, but the break-in too. I thought I was finally safe, and then…”
My words trail off. Boone stands and crosses to my bed, placing a reassuring hand on my uninjured arm. “I know,” he says softly, his brown eyes filled with empathy. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”
I blink back a sting of tears. “Don’t say that. You saved me.”
“But I should’ve been here,” he insists, voice low and earnest. He squeezes my shoulder. “I was planning on surprising you. In fact, that’s exactly why I came to the shop tonight.”
I tilt my head, curiosity piqued. “Surprising me?” My heart flutters at the thought—when I was trapped in that cabin, I could only dream that he’d come for me. And now it turns out he was on his way anyway?
He nods, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Dean offered me a new position—he’s expanding Maddox Security into the Midwest. Nashville specifically. And… he asked me to head up the new branch.”
My jaw drops, a rush of happiness flooding me. “You’re moving to Nashville?” I whisper, hardly believing it.
“Yeah,” he says, slipping his hand into mine, careful not to jostle my injured wrist. “My cabin is the perfect place to live while running the new location. I was hoping to tell you in person.” He exhales, laughter mingling with relief. “Didn’t think I’d be rescuing you on the same night, but I guess life had other plans.”
Tears prick my eyes—this time, tears of joy, relief, and a dozen other emotions I can’t name. “Boone,” I manage, “that’s… that’s amazing. You don’t have to leave me again?”
He shakes his head, and I see the old worry etched on his features easing. “Nope,” he murmurs, giving my fingers a gentle squeeze. “You’re stuck with me.”
Before I can respond, the door to my little hospital room bursts open, and my mother rushes in, eyes brimming with concern. “Aubree!” she cries, flinging her arms around me in a careful hug. “Oh my God, are you all right? The nurses wouldn’t let me back here for ages.”
I let out a choked laugh, burying my face in her shoulder. “I’m fine, Mom. I promise.”
She steps back, scanning my wrist and the bruises forming on my arms. Her eyes fill with worried tears. “Honey, I was so terrified. Boone called me, told me everything. I came as fast as I could.”
Boone clears his throat softly, a polite gesture to remind us he’s here. My mother spins toward him, reaching out to pat his arm in gratitude. “Thank you for saving my daughter. Again.”
He ducks his head, looking slightly bashful. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”
She glances between us, her expression shifting from relief to something more pleased. “Well, I’m glad you’ll be living here full time so you can watch over my Aubree-dear.”
I can’t help but grin at how she zeroes in on that detail. Boone laughs under his breath. “Yes, ma’am. Dean asked me to run a new branch of Maddox Security. I’m moving up here permanently.”
My mother’s face lights up, and she casts me a knowing glance. “I’m as happy as I was the first time you told me.” She laughs. Then, as if unable to contain herself, she throws her arms around Boone, hugging him tight. He stiffens for half a second before relaxing, patting her back awkwardly. I can’t help but giggle; I’m used to my mom’s big displays of affection, but Boone clearly isn’t.
When she pulls away, she gives him a teary smile. “You have no idea how grateful I am,” she says, dabbing at her eyes. “Between Charles’ mess and then this psychopath Earl… I just want Aubree to be safe.”
Boone’s jaw tightens, his protective streak flaring. “She will be,” he says firmly. “And the police are all over this now. Dean told me they traced every single threatening email to Earl’s computer. He’d used a VPN to mask his IP address and that’s why it took a while. He’d been acting alone, feeding off the chaos Charles created.”
My mother sighs, relief and exhaustion weighing her shoulders. “I can’t believe all this… it’s finally over.” Her gaze drifts to me, and she gives a watery smile. “You should rest, sweetie. Let the doctors make sure your wrist is going to heal right.”
I nod, sinking back against the pillows. “I will, Mom. Thank you.” Then I hesitate. “Are you… did you want to stay?”
She glances at Boone, then back at me, understanding lighting her eyes. “I think I’ll just step outside and talk to the nurse about the discharge papers,” she says. “Let you two have a moment.”
I bite my lip, a fresh wave of gratitude washing over me for my mother’s thoughtfulness. “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
She smiles, patting my leg gently. “I love you too, honey.” With that, she slips out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Now it’s just me and Boone again, the quiet hum of hospital machinery filling the space. He pulls the chair closer to my bedside, resting one hand on the rail. “So,” he says, letting out a shaky breath, “here we are.”
“Here we are,” I echo, my heart twisting. Despite the bandages and bruises, I feel lighter than I have in weeks. “I can’t believe you’re really moving here.”
He grins, warmth flooding his features. “I was hoping to take you out on a proper date, you know. Maybe show up at your shop unannounced with flowers, something romantic.” He gestures vaguely. “But fate had other ideas.”
I let out a short laugh, reaching over to thread my fingers through his. My wrist twinges, but I ignore it. “You saved my life. That’s pretty romantic in its own way.”
He brushes his thumb over my knuckles, his gaze gentle. “I promise I’m done with the big rescues, though. I’d like to just… live normally. With you, if you’ll have me.”
Emotion wells in my chest. “Boone, that’s all I’ve wanted since this whole thing started. I mean, ever since you showed up, telling me to close my shop and stay with you in that cabin, I’ve felt safe around you. I trust you with my life.”
His expression softens. “I won’t let you down. I’m here for good. Dean’s expansion deal is real—he’ll have me hiring a new team, which is half of the guys who helped rescue you tonight. We’ll set up an office downtown. I’ll still get to protect people, but… I’ll also get to have a real life with you.” He glances away, suddenly shy. “If that’s what you want.”
My throat grows tight as I watch him fumble. This big, strong ex-military man who’s saved me from multiple threats now, looking so earnest and a bit unsure. “Of course that’s what I want,” I manage, my voice thick. “I— I want you, Boone.”
He exhales, relief washing over his face, and I lean forward, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. It’s short, but sweet, and I taste the salt of my own tears. He cups the side of my face, stroking his thumb along my cheek in a gesture that feels like home.
When we pull apart, a knock sounds at the door. A nurse peeks in, offering a polite smile. “Hi there, just need to check that wrist for a moment, make sure everything’s all good, then we’ll get you out of here.”
Boone stands, giving me room as the nurse comes over. She gently unwraps the bandage, prodding the area with delicate hands. I wince, but she assures me it’s just a sprain, nothing broken. “We’ll give you a brace to wear for a week or so,” she says. “Ice it, take anti-inflammatories, and rest as much as you can.”
I nod, thanking her through a wince. Boone watches intently, like he’s memorizing every instruction. Once she’s done, she leaves the room, promising to grab my discharge papers.
Boone clears his throat, the hint of a smile on his face. “You’re going to be okay.”
I let out a shuddering breath. “Yeah,” I say softly, finally starting to believe it myself. “I am. Everything’s going to be okay now.”
A moment later, my mother reenters, a packet of paperwork in hand. “They said you can leave in a little bit. We just have to finalize these forms.” She sets them on the small rolling table. “You’ll be home tonight. We can order some takeout, maybe watch one of those cheesy reality shows you like.”
I arch an amused eyebrow. “Mom, you hate those shows.”
She laughs, leaning in to squeeze my shoulder. “I’ll do anything to see you smile right now.”
Boone, standing at my other side, dips his head. “I might join you if that’s okay.”
My mother’s eyes sparkle knowingly. “Oh, I’d be insulted if you didn’t.”
Heat warms my cheeks. I mumble something like “Thank you,” and inside I’m touched by her acceptance. After the nightmare of Charles and Earl, I think we all just want a quiet, safe place to land.
The door swings open again, and this time it’s a man packed with just about as many muscles as Boone, phone in hand, his tie slightly askew like he’s been running. He gives me a quick nod. “Aubree, I’m glad to see you’re up. How’re you feeling?”
“Tired, bruised, but good,” I say with a small smile. “Thank you.”
Boone clasps the man on the shoulder. “This is Dean. Without him we’d never have found you.” Boone turns his attention on Dean. “You got here quick.”
Dean chuckles lightly. “Flew private as soon as I knew she’d been kidnapped. I wanted to be here.”
Boone shakes his hand and they do that bro hug men do. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
Dean winks at me with a smile. “Besides, I had to meet the woman who could bring Boone to his knees.”
I laugh as Boone blushes deep red. “Thank you again, Dean.”
Dean waves me off. “Hey, I just pointed Boone in the right direction. He did the hard part.”
I glance at Boone, who offers a modest shrug. I know better—Dean’s remote surveillance and coordination made all the difference. “So,” I ask, curiosity prickling, “any more news?”
Dean slides his phone into his pocket. “Police have Earl in custody, and they’re building a case with all the evidence we uncovered—his computer, the footage, the break-in logs. It’s airtight. No way he’s slipping through. And with Charles still locked up for his separate crimes, I’d say you’re officially free of psychos.”
An enormous weight lifts from my shoulders, and I feel like I can finally breathe. “That’s… thank God,” I murmur. “I can’t wait to get back to Slice Slice Baby without fearing someone’s going to snatch me off the street.”
My mother’s face brightens. “And with Boone moving here, you’ll have some extra backup, right?”
My gaze flickers to Boone, who gives me a gentle, reassuring grin. “Absolutely,” he says. “Although I’ll try not to hover too much. I have an office to run, after all.”
I smile, warmth flooding my chest. I can see our future in that grin—quiet mornings at my pizza shop, stolen kisses behind the counter, maybe even a routine jog along the Tennessee trails. Real life, not just a crisis.
Dean clears his throat, nodding at Boone. “Whenever you’re ready, let me know. We’ll lock down the Nashville location. I’ve already got half the paperwork done. Should be operational in a couple of weeks.”
Boone nods. “I’ll be in touch first thing tomorrow, once I know Aubree’s settled.”
“Good,” Dean says, then pats my shoulder. “Take care, all right? You’ve been through the wringer.”
I nod gratefully. “I will.”
He waves and steps out, presumably to finalize more details. My mother flips through the paperwork, humming in relief that there’s not much to sign. Then the nurse returns with my new wrist brace, and Boone carefully helps me slide it on, his touch gentle but sure.
I fight back tears again—this time, tears of overwhelming gratitude. So many people rallied to protect me, and Boone, my savior in more ways than one, is staying. Really staying.
Once the brace is in place, my mother finishes signing the discharge forms. “All done,” she says, gathering them up. “We can go.”
Boone offers me his arm, and we walk out of the hospital room. The hallway is bright and smells of antiseptic, but I don’t mind. It’s just another step away from the darkness Earl trapped me in. Another step toward freedom.
In the parking lot, under the glow of street lamps, Boone opens the passenger door of his truck. I climb in, feeling the dull ache in my limbs. He buckles me in, and I let out a sigh as he circles around to the driver’s side. My mother slides into her car, promising to meet us back at my place.
As Boone starts the engine, he glances my way. “So,” he says, a hint of a smile on his face, “how about tomorrow, after you rest, we head to your shop? I can help you open up. Maybe we can even make a special pizza to celebrate the end of all this.”
My chest tightens with affection. “I’d love that,” I say softly. I reach over, placing my good hand on his. “Thank you, Boone. For saving me, for everything… for choosing to stay.”
He threads his fingers through mine, eyes warm. “I’d choose you a hundred times over, Aubree,” he murmurs, squeezing gently. “No matter what.”
I curl my fingers around his, letting the sweet promise of those words settle into my heart. The truck rumbles forward, and we drive off into the Nashville night, heading to a future that finally feels bright and free of fear. And in this moment, even with my wrist throbbing and my body sore, I feel more at peace than I have in a long, long time.
Because I’m not alone—and I never will be again.