Page 139 of The Marine

I’m free from the marriage—from him—from the abuse and the pain and the manipulation.

Free.

I don’t have to run.

I don’t have to hide.

I don’t have to be scared anymore.

“He can’t hurt me?” I say, interrupting Aidan, who is telling me more details about what happened at the wedding.

“No.” His big hand lands on my thigh. “He’s behind bars and he won’t be getting out anytime soon.”

I place my hand over his and he flips it, connecting our fingers. When I glance up, love is pouring from his big dark eyes.

“You saved me. Again.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“I’ll always save you, Briar. The question is, will you save me?”

I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out.

This man.

The day he never came for me at the park, I thought he had given up on us. I thought he didn’t love me.

It didn’t matter that I wasn’t sure how to be with him. I felt rejected and torn by my mother’s manipulation.

Can I save him?

My heart cracks open and I burst into tears again as Aidan pulls me to my feet and into his arms. We stand there holding one another as I sob for what feels like ages.

I’m not certain he isn’t crying either.

“Maybe we can save one another.” I say against his solid chest, and I don’t miss the irony of that.

He’s always been the solid and secure option.

This time I’m choosing him.

No matter the cost.

---