Chapter 14
Monk
Thirteen months later…
“On the charges of blackmailing, we the jury find the defendant Raynor Sorent guilty. On the charge of harassment, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of fraud and corruption, we find the defendant guilty on all counts. And on the charge of illegal conspiracy to do harm, we find the defendant guilty.”
“Thank you,” the judge says, turning back to the arrogant defendant. “Mr. Raynor Sorent, you have been found guilty on all charges and will be sentenced to life behind bars without the right to parole.”
“You can’t fucking do that! That’s not how this works,” Sorent shouts, rising from his seat like he’s about to go after the judge.
“This is my courtroom, and I can do anything I damn well please,” Judge Wells states. “Officer, lock his ass up and send the piece of shit where he belongs.”
The chuckle comes barreling out of Hunter, and Sorent snaps his head in his son’s direction, trying to beat him down with his evil glare.
I shoot up from my seat getting within inches from his face.
“You better mind your eyes, Sorent. I have a lot of friends on the inside, and they can’t wait for your arrival. ”
He’s going to wish they’d given him the death penalty by the time Red and the others are done with him, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting to hear the stories of how the villain got a true taste of his own fears.
Hunter pushes his way between me and his dad, and my stomach suddenly tenses, worried he’s going to come to his defense. But when he grips onto the back of my head and tugs me toward him for a kiss, the fear subsides. “Damn, you make me so fucking hot when you get all growly. Fuck, I need you.”
I smirk against his mouth, knowing his father is probably pissing bricks as he’s watching this. I give extra tongue, making sure he gets a full show, and working my boy up in the process. Licking him deep. My hand rubbing over the front of his pants. He’s nice and hard for me.
“It’s time to go.” Hunter pulls back abruptly as I give him a squeeze, desperation clinging to his breathless voice. He turns to his father, pinning him with the same look that haunted me for years. “I hope you rot in hell, dad. Don’t ever make contact with me again. We’re done.”
He turns back around and wraps his arm around my shoulder, and then we both put an end to this chapter.
The monster has been slayed. And now, Hunter can live in peace.
His shackles have been unleashed and he’s free.
Free to be who he wants and live his life any way he fucking chooses. And thankfully, he’s chosen me.
* * *
When we enter his condo, I stop in my tracks.
The place is filled with red roses. The floor sprinkled with petals.
There’s even a bottle of champagne, chilled and ready to be popped, sitting on the coffee table.
It looks like something out of a cheesy rom-com, and it makes me fucking smile.
Hunter has pulled out all the stops over the last year.
He has tried every which way he knows how to win me over, wanting to earn my forgiveness.
What he doesn’t realize is he’s already got me.
I’m his. Been his since the day he tracked me down and demanded I keep him.
“Spencer.” I turn at the sound of his ragged voice and nearly tremble when I see him down on one knee, looking up with those gorgeous blue eyes. There’s a bit of uncertainty on his face. His nerves are showing through in the redness blushing his cheeks and creeping down his neck.
“I’ve been trying to hold off on doing this, wanting to give you time.
Knowing that I still have a lifetime to make up for, but I just can’t wait any longer.
When I was sitting in that courtroom today, it hit me.
My father held me back for so fucking long.
I feared his wrath and his rejection and allowed his poison to hold me back.
I let my fear ruin me.” His eyes drop down to the ground, the regret still weighing him down.
“I turned into a monster and lost everything that mattered, including the only thing I ever truly wanted.”
His eyes raise, meeting mine, and I’m struck hard in the chest. My vision blurring when I see the tear slipping down his cheek.
“You, Spencer. You’re the only thing in my life I’ve ever truly wanted, and I know it took me a long fucking time to admit that truth, but I finally have and I’m not letting you go.
Whatever it takes. However long it takes, I’ll be here fighting like hell to prove myself worthy.
” Fuck, my knees are weak. “This question I’m about to ask is me telling you that this is it for me.
For better or for fucking worse, you are the one I want. Will you marry me, Spencer Lawson?”
I once thought I’d never outlive my past. All the nightmares, all the darkness shrouding my every thought, I thought I’d always live in my pain.
But Hunter has proved that miracles can happen.
He’s erased the past with every touch, with every look.
Everything he says and does makes me feel like I’m something special.
Every day he begs me for forgiveness with his loving actions.
And over the last year, his love and devotion has released all the demons.
Now, my soul is healed. Not only healed, but full of happiness. And I’m never going back to hell.
“Yes, pet, the love of my life, the one I can’t fucking breathe without, I’ll marry you.”
Forgiveness may be the hardest thing one has to do, but loving this man has been the easiest.