Page 113 of Something Borrowed

Something I’ve been longing to do for far too long.

Lying down next to her on the hospital bed, she wraps her hands around my neck and holds for me a long time, cradled in my arms - where she belongs.

She smiles when she traces her fingers over my cheek and the ugly scar that stretches across it.

“I love it. It suits you. It’s like a battle scar - from when you saved me from the dragon.”

“It turns out I am the dragon.” I chuckle. “They’ve all started calling me the red dragon.”

Verity giggles. “I like that too.”

The hospital releases Verity the next day, but she is under strict instructions to rest.

The fourth day after her release one of the guards I’ve hired rushes into my living room. “Boss, Luca A’Vara is here. He wants to see you.”

“Alone?”

“He has two guards with him.”

“Let him in.”

I stand up to wait for my guest.

He walks in with a tight, angry expression on his face.

“Luca.” I say calmly. “What can I do for you?”

“I came to tell you face to face that I won’t be wanting my daughter back.”

“Is that so?”

“You can keep her. You’re fucking crazy. Both of you. Fucking psychopathic fucks.” He snarls.

“That’s not very polite, Luca. Watch your tone.”

His jaw muscles ripple and he clenches his fists at his side. After taking a moment to regain control, he takes a deep breath and tries again.

“The point is - it’s over. I won’t be coming after her or choosing revenge. I just wanted to hear it from your mouth - if I back away - will you back away as well.”

I smirk. He’s scared.

He realized he was messing with the wrong man.

“As long as you leave us alone - we will leave you alone, Luca.” I assure him.

He nods, not making eye contact. “That’s settled then. Bye.”

“Don’t you want to say goodbye to your daughter as well?”

“No. She’s your problem now.”

He spins on his heels and marches out of my home. The guards follow to escort him off the property.

Verity and I finally have the freedom to live our lives together. Everything we went through, everything we fought for - we have it.

When she is fully healed and back to her feisty, beautiful, spontaneous self, I will tell her about a surprise I have for her.

“We’re going to Hawaii?” She asks in excitement.

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