Page 54 of Save Me

We come together, moaning, panting, and writhing in ecstasy. My heart pounds like a war drum against my breastbone, every single centimeter of it stamped with his name, his possession.

"I love you," he groans when he catches his breath. "If I have a reason for existing, it's this. It's you." He tips my head back until my eyes meet his. "I already spoke my vows, but I have another one for you, just for you." His lip slides along my bottom lip. "I might not always remember that I'm worth it. You may have to remind me of that shit a thousand times while I work on undoing all the shit he did. But I will never forget that you're worth it, Isla. I'll never forget that we're worth it."

"Brantley," I sob, tears spilling down my cheeks.

"I mean it, little bird. You pulled me back from the brink yesterday because I fucking knew that, even if I was willing to destroy myself, I'd be destroying you too. And I won't ever do that," he murmurs. "I wanted you more than I wanted that drink. I'll always want you more. I'll always need you more. I'll always love you more. Choosing you wasn't something I had to think about. When it came right down to it, choosing you was automatic."

I throw myself against his chest, clinging to him as my shoulders shake. "I love you so damn much, Brantley Hill," I cry. "I'll never regret you. Not for a single second."

He pulls me close, brushing his lips across my crown. "I know you won't, baby. Once you love someone, it's forever. That's how you were built."

"It's how you were built too," I whisper. "You love with your whole heart. And that's part of why you've been hurting for so long. You loved him. Part of you still does."

"Yeah." He swallows, closing his eyes. "I guess part of me does."

"It's okay to love him," I whisper, pressing my lips to his heart. "And it's okay to forgive yourself for feeling that way."

"Jesus," he groans, rolling us to the side and wrapping his arms around me. He buries his face in my throat, his body shuddering as he clings to me. He doesn't cry, but I think, for the first time in a long time, he lets himself feel it.

And then he lets it go.

I'm nervous as hell when we go to meet my dad. He isn't. He's…calm at my side, the picture of strength. It's like he knows what he's fighting for now and he's found a hidden vein of unlimited perseverance. Of courage. It's pretty incredible to witness.

The Brantley who steps out of the truck at my dad's isn't the same man I met in his office. He isn't even the same man he was two days ago. This one came face to face with rock bottom…and somewhere in the muck, he found peace. He hauled himself out of the pit stronger than he went in, more at peace than he's ever been.

I know he'll face obstacles a thousand times in the future. It's inevitable after everything he's been through. It's part of addiction. But I don't think he'll ever land at the bottom again. And that gives me so much damn hope.

I think my parents were waiting for me because we're not even halfway to the door before my dad throw it open and storms out. He takes one look at me and Brantley striding toward him, hand in hand, and a shudder goes through him.

I expect him to be angry.

Instead, he barrels off the porch like a desperate man, yanking me into his arms. "Don't you ever do that again," he growls, his voice shaking. "You scared the shit out of me, Isla."

"I'm sorry," I whisper, guilt pricking at me. "I left you a note so you wouldn't worry."

He tips my head back, his gaze firm. "You think a note is going to keep me from worrying about you? You're mydaughter. You left in the middle of the night." He exhales a ragged breath. "Jesus Christ, kid. I was afraid you'd been kidnapped."

"Shit," Brantley mutters from beside me.

My dad whips his head in his direction, narrowing his eyes on him. "And you should have fucking called me when she showed up at your place," he growls. "You damn sure should have called me before I had half the state looking for her this morning."

"Mac," my mom says from behind him, her voice gentle. "You can't blame him for her choices. You know she's just as stubborn as you are."

"He's right, Mrs. Sterling," Brantley says, his voice full of apology. "I should have called. And it should have happened days ago." He meets my father's gaze, unflinching. "I apologize, Mac. You deserved to know she was safe, and I fucked up. But I promise you, she will always be safe with me. She's been safe with me from the beginning."

"You don't know that, son," my dad says, sighing wearily. "Her sister was just attacked in Texas."

I gasp, my eyes flying open wide. "What? They found her?"

My dad's jaw pulses where he clenches it. "They set Cormac's house on fire."

I choke on a whimper, too terrified to ask but desperate to know. "Is…is…?"

Brantley slips his arm around my waist, silently offering me strength.

"She's safe," my father sighs. "One of the two who attacked her is dead. Cormac's cousin was injured. But she's safe."

"How did they find her?"

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