Page 70 of The Eraser

"I'm getting better," I tell him. "Soon, the scars are all that's going to remain. He's gone, I'm safe, and we've got our entire lives ahead of us."

He presses a kiss to my lips. "That's right, baby, we fucking do. What are you wanting to do?"

"I don't know," I admit. "I never really thought about the future and what it could be for me. Right now, I'm happy to be here with you and be your wife. I love that I'm Mrs. Maguire."

His eyes darken. "You're not the only one. You're so fucking beautiful, baby, so damn smart and precious. I'm the luckiest man alive."

He's delusional, that’s what he is. I'm far from blind or stupid. I know there are women out there who are gorgeous and perfect, who would jump at the chance to be in my position. But thankfully for me, he wanted me. He's always wanted me, and that makes me feel so fucking special. He thinks he's a lucky guy, but I'm one of the luckiest women in the world. I have a man who would kill for me, who would do anything in his power to protect me.

If the tables were turned and Stephen was in trouble, I'd do everything I could to protect him. I may not be able to kill or be able to hurt someone the way he does, but I know plenty of people who can and I have no issues with using them if need be. I finally understand what Callie spoke about when I was growing up.

Aunt Nicola and Uncle Eric met when they were young. They have both said that the moment they saw one another they just knew they had met their one—the person they were going to marry. They never spent a day apart and have been happily married for thirty odd years.

I was too young to understand what I felt when I met Stephen. I just felt safe. It was that feeling that made me trust him. Being in a home where there's no safety, I clung to Stephen as I felt safe with him. I wondered if it was a crutch, if I was using him for that feeling, but as the years went on I knew it was more than that. It was a whole lot more than just safety. It was a man who would become my everything.

Stephen's hands massaging my scalp are enough to lull me to sleep, and I fall asleep with a smile on my face, feeling happy and content lying next to my husband.

* * *

"You look better," Callie comments as she takes a seat opposite me. Denis and Stephen are sitting in the kitchen, giving us some space.

Callie has been visiting me every couple of days while I was in the hospital. She said it was because she wanted me to see someone other than Stephen, but I have a feeling it's so she can see for herself that I'm okay. Whatever the reason, I'm glad she has been, as it gives me the chance to ensure that she's healing okay from what happened.

"So do you," I reply softly, giving her a smile. "You're finally sleeping."

Her eyes widen slightly. "How did you know?"

"Because I've been the same. Stephen's finally started to ease up now that I am. He was worried I wouldn't be able to sleep through the night again."

She wrings her hands together. "It's hard. Sometimes I can go months without a nightmare, then it'll hit me out of nowhere and I feel as though I'm back in my house and I'm scared."

"I hate that you had to see what Dad did to me," I say, tears springing to my eyes. "But I'm glad you're okay."

She gets up from her seat and moves to sit beside me. I can feel Stephen's gaze on us and I know he's worried in case I'm hurt, but he needn't be. Callie wouldn't harm me. She's probably one of the gentlest souls in the world.

"I'm sorry," she says, reaching for my hands. "I'm so sorry that I was so wrapped up in my own life that I didn't think about you. I should have known better. Your dad wasn't the nicest of men. I should have checked on you, Jess. I'm so, so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault, Callie. It wasn't anyone's but Dad's. He's the person who did this, not anyone else. Yes, it hurt that no one noticed what was happening to me, but in retrospect, Dad would have lost his mind had anyone tried to intervene. I wouldn't have been able to handle someone else being hurt."

"It should never have happened," she fumes. "I just wish we'd all done more for you. We all let you down, Mam especially. Aunt Patty would be really disappointed."

"How is your mam?" I ask, hoping to change the subject. I hate speaking about the past. It's not going to do anything. It can't change it and all it'll do is bring everyone down.

"She's had her ass handed to her by Stephen and Jer. They were both very angry with her. I think it was because she was always talking about how much she loves her family and it's all that matters, but whenever someone's in trouble she's never around, or she buries her head in the sand. Neither Stephen nor Jer would allow her to do it this time. So she's in her feelings right now."

I smile. That sounds like Auntie Nicola. "I know Stephen let loose because he was frustrated. He also had pent-up anger from what happened with you five years ago and the way your mam treated you."

She grins. "Yeah. Dad was pissed back then, as was Denis, but no one said anything. I was hurt and emotional, and Dad and Denis were focused on me. Then it was just swept under the rug. I had thought everyone had forgotten about it. Obviously, I was wrong."

I smile. "Stephen's very protective and you're his sister, Callie. He's not going to let anyone get away with treating you like shit. He probably would have kept it to himself had I not been taken by Dad. But he does care a lot about you."

"I know," she says. "Stephen is my brother, just as Mav is. I would do anything for either of them. I want you to know that I'm very happy for you both. I know that’s exactly what we should have said when we found out you were married, but I am truly so very happy for you. The love you have is clear for everyone to see. I wish you both every ounce of happiness."

My heart fills with so much warmth. "Thank you," I whisper. It means so much coming from her. It's his family's approval and that means the world to me.

"Chloe would like to see you whenever you're up for it. She's dying to see you, and Denis and I are respecting Stephen's boundary of not having too many people see you while you're still healing. Especially as Chloe is around so many children in the clubhouse. She's more susceptible to getting colds and the flu, and that's not something we want you to catch while you're recovering." There's no anger or resentment in her voice, just genuine care and worry.

"I'll video call her tonight," I promise her. "It's probably the best way right now."

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