Page 70 of Fighting for Tawny

“And you’d probably win, too. I hear you can kick some serious ass.”

When everyone found a place to sit with their plates heaped high with food, Justice asked for their attention.

“As the holiday season approaches, I just want to say how grateful I am that we’re all together, even if it’s only for a short while. We’re safe, we’re happy, we’re healthy, and we have each other. Always.” He lifted his glass of wine. “To friendship!”

“Hear! Hear! To friendship!” Their glasses clinked.

“And to love and family,” Brielle added.

They toasted again and spent the rest of the night in fellowship.

The following day, Tawny and Finnigan signed the visitors’ log at CIFW and left their guns with the guard. They were led to the visitors’ area and waited for the inmate they’d come to see. When Jo caught a glimpse of Tawny, her eyes widened in surprise, and she burst into tears. She rushed toward her, intending to hug her, but a guard warned, “No touching!”

Finnigan stared him down. “Let them share a hug.”

They embraced, and Tawny held Jo at arm’s length. “You look well.”

Jo laughed. “Look at you in your uniform! I heard the rumors that you were a cop, but I didn’t think they were true.”

“Sergeant Tawny Westfall, Laguna Beach. This is my fiancé, Sergeant Marcus Finnigan, LA SWAT.”

“Wow! That’s so awesome. And so, well, you.” Her eyes twinkled at Finnigan. “Well, hello.”

He flashed her a grin. “Hi. Tawny has spoken a lot about you.”

“Guess what, Jo? Yolanda’s attending the police academy in LA.”

“No way! Really? I didn’t think anyone with a record could be a cop.”

“The governor pardoned her and expunged her record. And you know what else?”

“What?”

“Because you were a victim of Judge Cohen and Perry Jones, you’ve been pardoned, too. Get your stuff, Jo. You’re free.”

Jo let out a cry and fell to her knees. She covered her face with her hands and rocked back and forth. Tawny dropped to the floor and held her as she sobbed.

When the tempest passed, Jo lifted her head and sniffed. “But what will I do? I don’t have anywhere to live and no money.”

“Yes, you do. You’ll be rooming with Yolanda at her apartment in LA. We’ll set you up with a bank account and arrange a job for you. A friend is willing to train you to be a 911 operator if you’re interested.”

Her eyes lit up. “Yes! I’m interested!”

“All right, then. Finnigan and I will wait right here while you get your stuff.”

“I’ll hurry!”

Much later that night, as they lay entwined after making love, Tawny marveled at the ring on her finger. “I’m still in awe that we’re engaged.”

“I’m in awe that you said yes.”

“Finn, I thought I was going to die. And all I could think about was how I’d failed you. Failed everyone I swore to protect.”

He wrapped his arms tighter around her. “You made it, Red. You’re here. I’m here. Our hearts are beating in unison. And I’m so in love with you I can hardly breathe. Do you know what I want more than anything?”

She leaned up on one elbow. “A motorcycle? I saw you eying Brielle’s and Justice’s matching Harleys.”

He chuckled. A rich, deep sound that always thrilled her. “Yes. That, and a bigger house on the beach because I want a houseful of children with you.”

---