Chapter 38 Aurora
AURORA
Acold drop of sweat trickles down my spine as I stare at the gates of my childhood home.
A chill courses through me.
My husband wraps an arm around my shoulders, supporting me even when he’s silent, tucking me even closer to his side.
It doesn’t go unnoticed that by doing so, he’s shielding me. Him, this man who, not so long ago, wanted nothing more than to ruin me.
When I turn my head up, I marvel at the warmth in his eyes. A lot has changed since our wedding night.
Everything has.
“You’re safe.” His lips are on my temple, his fingers caressing my arm over my sweater. “He can’t hurt you anymore. For as long as I’m around, and even long after I’m gone, no one can. No one will.”
He’s repeated these promises to me over and over since yesterday. He only stopped saying them when sleep stole me away. But once I woke, he kept at it.
While he fed me breakfast.
While we sat with the two detectives who came to our home. While we laid out the evidence of old and new crimes.
All this time, Everett has been reassuring me that he’s got me. This is where my nightmares end and my real life can finally begin.
So I’m not surprised to hear the same vow again, here. In the back of his SUV, as we wait for the police force to join us.
As we wait for them to arrest Molly and Winston.
After the trial, there’s no doubt they’ll be locked up for years. Hopefully, for the rest of their miserable lives.
Until then, we’re alone for a few more minutes. Sure, Everett’s driver is sitting in the front, but he’s quiet, giving us all the privacy we might need.
“I know,” I whisper into his chest, inhaling his manly scent. I soak him in, trying to forget about every single bad memory that damn house evokes. “You gave me your word.”
“I did.” Another kiss. This one is at the top of my head. Everett trails his hand higher up my arm, to my shoulder, to my collar. “I’ll never let you down. Ever.”
His thumb rubs over the heated skin of my throat. His palm rests possessively on top of the leather.
I wish it had been enough.
But the memories are persistent. They’re assaulting me.
A part of me worries they’ll never go away.
When I came here to confront the Clarkes by myself, horror clutched my chest. I put on a brave face, sure. I was rude and sassy because I needed my armor. I needed this information for Everett.
At the present moment, adrenaline doesn’t shoot through my veins.
I’m forced to face my nightmares.
But I have to be brave, regardless of how much it hurts. To bear witness to the demise of these two people is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life. More so, now that I’ve learned that they had a hand in murdering my mom.
Because of him, her first and only days as my mom were a horrible experience. A deadly one. I don’t know how she died, but it has to be his fault. He’s definitely responsible for my grandparents’ deaths.
Judgment day is here.
My body still shivers.
“Princess, look.” Everett is as gentle as he’s ever been, gripping my chin and tilting my face toward the windshield. “Sirens. They’re coming. This part of our life will end tonight.”
“Yeah.” The lack of conviction in my voice reaches my ears.
Which means Everett definitely caught it too.
“They won’t stand a chance in court.” He tugs me onto his lap.
The gold of his wedding band glimmers in the dim light, carrying promises.
“The evidence and your testimony will be irrefutable,” he continues, stroking my cheek.
“Their staff will be put on the stand too. They won’t risk committing perjury.
We have an airtight case regarding your abuse.
Every connection I have, they’re at work.
They’re going to keep them locked up for life. Do you hear me?”
I hear him. I feel him.
I should find comfort in our revenge. One day, I will.
Today, I’m struggling to catch my next breath.
“The jury will have no choice but to convict them.”
While my mind registers what he’s saying. My thoughts turn darker, more morbid.
Maybe it would’ve been for the best if I’d died with Mom. That I’d never had to suffer knowing the truth of what was done to her.
“Aurora.” A shake of my head brings me back to the present. Everett’s jaw is clenched tight, his nostrils flaring. “Enough of that.”
“What did I do?” I fake innocence. I try to put on a smile.
“You’re really asking me that?” He barely suppresses the aggressive energy vibrating from him. “I see you, in case you’ve forgotten that little fact. I see you’re suffering. Your thoughts, they’re as mine as the rest of you are. Talk to me.”
“He could’ve left me there to die.” My voice is small, my words rushed. “He could’ve let me stay there, next to her, wherever that was. Next to my mom. He should’ve.”
“No.” Everett kisses me like a man possessed. He crushes his mouth to mine as if he’s in a war. His lips, his tongue, his teeth, they mark me. Reassure me. “No.”
Every swipe of his tongue, every nip to my bottom lip, he’s being violent about it. He’s taking away some of my pain, replacing it with him.
“You weren’t meant to die there.” He swallows hard. “She wouldn’t… Fuck.”
There’s no sound of sirens as the police cars pull up to the gates.
The arrest will come as a complete surprise to Winston and Molly. Everett’s power and pull made one thing very clear—the Clarkes weren’t getting a heads-up.
“Your mother would’ve wanted you to live.
” When he presses his lips to mine this time, he unleashes his feral growl.
I taste it on my lips. The desperation from it seeps into my body.
“And live well. Don’t you ever forget that.
We’re so close to the finish line, so no.
You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to stop being my brat.
My beautiful fighter. You just—wherever your soul goes, I’ll find it.
Every fucking time. I’ll drag you back to me, no matter what.
But please, believe in me. Believe in us. Just stay, dammit.”
I’m grasping his cheeks. Clinging onto this wonderful man I never want to let go of. “Everett…”
A knock on the window cuts me off. “Mr. Alder, sir. Good evening.”
“Give us a second,” he barks. His driver nods, leaving the SUV to handle the cops. Then to me, Everett whispers, “Talk to me.”
“Maybe if I knew why I got to live and she didn’t…” I search Everett’s eyes for anger, for hurt. “I should’ve died there with her.”
“Don’t you ever say that. Don’t even think it.” His gaze holds nothing but strength. Nothing but love. He’s breaking inside, but he’s always my rock. “What you need is closure. To put this nightmare behind you. And I swear on my life, Aurora, you’ll have it.”