Epilogue
Aspen
I t’s been six months since the night Connor Blake vanished from our lives. I don’t ask questions, I don’t seek answers, and life moves on as if he never existed.
But I know the truth.
Harvey ended it, stopping Connor’s reign of terror over my life. It’s an unspoken understanding between us, a silent bond that connects us through the darkness of that night.
I still wake up in a cold sweat some nights, my heart pounding as if Connor’s ghost is lurking in the shadows, ready to reach out and wrap his icy fingers around my neck. But Harvey is always there, enveloping me in his strong arms, whispering assurances that no one will ever hurt me again.
“Baby,” he nuzzles my neck, “it’s just a dream.” His soft breath comes in puffs against my sweaty skin. “I’m here; nobody can get you.”
He becomes my anchor in those moments—the rock that keeps me grounded when the nightmares threaten to pull me under.
“Just think about tomorrow. Just the two of us, far away from the city.”
I let out a soft sigh, the warmth of his arms around me reminding me that I’m safe, and within a few moments, I slip back beneath the waves of sleep as he continues to hold me.
Harvey and I walk along the winding trails of our favorite park, the summer evening air warm and sweet with the scent of blooming flowers. The sun is setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape, making everything look like it’s been touched by magic. I feel his hand squeeze mine gently, grounding me in this perfect moment.
We reach a secluded spot by the lake, a place we’ve visited countless times, but tonight it feels different, special. Harvey stops and turns to face me, his eyes reflecting the golden hues of the sunset. There’s a softness in his expression—an emotion I can’t quite place—but it tugs at my heart.
“Are you okay?”
“I am now,” he smiles, reaching his hand out to brush my hair away from my face. His palm settles against my cheek and I briefly nuzzle against it.
“Now?”
“Now that you’re safe.” He plants a tender kiss on the tip of my nose. “Now that you’re mine.”
Mine.
The word never fails to send a shiver of excitement through my body.
“I’ve been yours,” I whisper, both of us leaning in until our lips connect. The kiss is tender, soft, but within seconds, it turns, the heat that always stirs between us instantly igniting. I drag my hands down his chest, his tongue sliding past my lips to tangle with mine. He moves his hands down to my neck, his fingers clasping around it.
“Aspen,” he begins after pulling back, his voice soft but filled with a depth of emotion that makes my breath catch.
“Yes?” My eyes search his.
“I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. I don’t think I knew it at the time, but there was always something pulling me to you. And every day since then, that love has only grown stronger.”
I feel tears welling up in my eyes, my heart swelling with the overwhelming love I have for this man who has become my everything. My chin quivers and I clench my teeth to keep it still.
“I promised myself that I would protect you—that I would always be there for you, no matter what. And I intend to keep that promise for the rest of my life. That’s what that ring symbolizes on your finger but it’s also so much more.”
“I know,” I whisper softly as his forehead presses against mine.
“Do you believe me?” he murmurs into my hair, his breath warm against my skin. “That I’ll keep you safe?”
“Yes,” I nod enthusiastically, my throat thick with emotion. “Yes I do believe you.”
“Is there anything holding you back from us? From starting a family with me?” His eyes search mine frantically, like he needs reassurance.
“No, no baby nothing. I want it all with you. I’d marry today if I could.”
His eyes widen, “you would?”
“Of course,” I smile, reaching up to wrap my hands around his neck.
“I don’t want to rob you of anything Aspen, of having the big wedding and the bachelorette party with your friends…but I’d be lying if I said I could wait much longer.”
“But I don’t want a big wedding,” I say, pulling back to look into his eyes. “I want it to be just us. Let’s elope.” Maybe it was because I never had a dad who could walk me down the aisle, or the fact that my mom was gone before I could even think about love . . . but I’ve never imagined myself having a wedding. All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved in the way that I love, and I have that now.
He chuckles, a deep, comforting sound that rumbles through his chest. “I like that idea. Just you and me, baby.”
We stand there for a while, holding each other as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of pink and purple. It’s a moment of pure bliss, a promise of the life we’ll build together.
A few days later, we find ourselves standing in front of a justice of the peace, saying our vows in a simple yet intimate ceremony. There are no guests, no elaborate decorations—just the two of us pledging our lives to each other: me in a simple white linen dress I found at a boutique, and Harvey in a matching linen shirt and khakis.
“You look uncomfortable,” I smile, smoothing down his shirt as we wait our turn outside the courtroom, “sexy, but uncomfortable.”
“I’m not, baby.” His hands settle on my hips, his long hair tied up in a knot on his head. “It’s not my usual attire, but then again, this isn’t just any old day. This,” he says, lowering his voice just before our names are called, “is the first day of the rest of our lives.”
The drive home from our spontaneous road trip through upstate New York is peaceful, the countryside rolling by in a blur of green and gold. Harvey and I have shared so much laughter and love these past few days, and I feel lighter than I have in years. As we approach the outskirts of our town, Harvey takes a sudden turn, veering off the familiar route.
“Where are we going?” I ask, curiosity piqued.
Harvey glances at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I have one more stop,” he says mysteriously.
After several more miles and a few unrecognized turns, my heart clenches as I realize where we are. My breath catches in my chest when he makes the final turn into a small, secluded cemetery.
Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death, a day that usually fills me with a heavy sadness.
Harvey parks the car and takes my hand. “I know it’s the anniversary of your mother’s death,” he says softly. “You never told me the date, but I found out. I wanted to bring you here. I hope that’s okay?”
Tears fill my eyes, the words stuck in my throat, so I just nod. He takes my hand, leading me through the rows of headstones to my mother’s grave.
The sight of it brings a lump to my throat, but there’s a sense of peace here, too. I know that if my mom could see me now—happy, protected and in love—that’s all she would want. As we approach, I notice a single white rose lying on her grave. It’s delicate and pure, standing out against the gray stone. My heart swells with emotion, and I can’t help but smile through my tears. There’s no note, but I know who it’s from.
“Who left it?” Harvey asks softly, his hand gently squeezing mine.
“Jaxson,” I whisper, my voice choked with gratitude. Harvey doesn’t question how I know, and I don’t offer an explanation. Some things are understood without words. He doesn’t press for details. Instead, he pulls me close, and we stand there together, honoring my mother’s memory.
“You’re safe with me, Aspen,” he says. “Nothing will ever get to you again. I promise.”
We stand there for a while, the silence between us filled with an unspoken sense of closure. Harvey’s arm around me provides the strength I need to face this moment. I kneel down and touch the white rose, my fingers brushing against the soft petals.
“Thank you,” I whisper to the memory of my mother and to Jaxson, wherever he may be. The rose is a reminder that love endures, even through loss and time. Even hatred and pure evil couldn’t destroy it, even though they tried.
Eventually, we turn to leave, and as we walk back to the car, I feel a profound sense of closure. The weight of the past seems to lift, replaced by a hopeful anticipation for the future.
As we drive home, I turn to Harvey, my heart brimming with love for the man who has brought so much light into my life. “Harvey,” I begin, my voice steady and sure, “I’m ready—ready to let go of my past. Ready to close that chapter. I don’t want our future tainted by these bitter memories.”
Harvey’s eyes flicker with emotion, and he reaches over to take my hand, his grip warm and reassuring. “I’m so glad to hear that, Aspen,” he says softly. “I promise you, our future will be filled with love and happiness. We’ll build a beautiful life together.”
I nod, feeling the truth of his words deep in my soul. With Harvey by my side, I know that I can face anything. The road ahead is bright, and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes our way.
As we pull into our building’s garage, it feels like a symbol of the new beginning we’re about to embark on.
“Most importantly,” he says, his hand reaching for mine, “is that nobody,” his eyes grow dark, his grip tightening, “and I mean nobody will ever tear you from me.”
Hand in hand, we walk inside, leaving the shadows of the past behind us.
Curious where it all started? Read Jameson and Blaire’s delicious enemies to lovers story in The Protector.
I’ve been to hell and back during my time in the Special Forces.
But only one woman has brought me to my knees, and I was just hired to protect her.