Page 106 of No Longer Safe

I nodded. What else was there to say? She was right. I just didn’t allow myself to see it. I didn’t watch the tabloids and when she sent me screenshots I would barely glance at them. Now that I knew the truth, it was easier to see.

Epilogue

Audrey

Our home wasfull of laughter most nights of the week when Ace and Carina came to visit. I cooked dinner or we had takeout. It was only for special occasions that Georgie came to cook for us. We loved going over to Ace’s when she cooked but that was about as much indulging as we would allow ourselves.

With Alexei’s account and inheritance at zero, it made it harder for him to secure more business deals and leverage. He didn’t let it slow him down and he didn’t ask for any help.

When it came to Ace and Carina we never spoke about what happened after their wedding. I didn’t want to tarnish their anniversary with what happened to me, even if it wasn’t my fault. I knew that no matter what happened, Carina would have had my back and someday I would tell her the truth but I felt guilty for even thinking of telling her now. When they finally came home, I was completely healed and living with Alexei. I had a feeling that Ace knew but he never brought it up with me around and if he ever mentioned it around Alexei, I didn’t know about it. I didn’t mind. I preferred it that way so I could move on and heal emotionally.

I took kickboxing and self-defense classes three times a week at Axel’s gym. It gave me back my confidence and power. Wedidn’t see Mr. Cristof again and I was glad for that. We didn’t visit their upstate home and he didn’t come visit us when Emeline or the Grannies came. I preferred it that way though I didn’t know if I would say no if he actually wanted to pay us a visit.

The bookshelf behind our bed was full of all of my favorite novels and a few Alexei listened to while he worked out. My office was also beginning to fill up with all of the novels I edited at James & Evers. I’d been promoted after my first book but didn’t choose a big office with a view, I decided to stay at home and enjoy my view of my favorite park. James didn’t mind as long as I came in twice a week to have coffee, chat, and of course, pitch books. I was now in contact with more than ten agents who sent me work that looked promising. I kept Lu in the loop of that as I was still too new to know everything. It felt good and empowering.

Alexei’s brothers even came by a few nights a week to bullshit or eat dinner. Sometimes they would talk business, but it was nice. It felt like I had a real family again.

My parents drove their camper to Maine and were enjoying the slow beach life when it wasn’t snowing. They sent me pictures of the beach constantly and I even flew in a few times for good, tight hugs. I missed them but was thankful they were closer.

I was following one of Georgie’s many recipes she sent my way when Alexei wrapped his arms around my waist. It had almost been a year since the incident. He kissed the side of my neck and goosebumps erupted over my skin.

“I love you.” He whispered against my ear. “I love you so much.”

I laughed and bumped him with my shoulder but he wasn’t there. I turned around, ready to toss a dish towel at him but he was on one knee in our kitchen.

“You proposed to me in the hospital,” I said breathlessly.

“I didn’t get you a ring and I hadn’t exactly asked your father for permission either. We never spoke about it again. It wasn’t formal enough for me. I thought about all the ways I could do this. I wanted to at a nice restaurant but then I thought that was too much. I thought about doing it in the middle of sex.”

I raised my brows and he held up his hand to continue.

“I thought about doing this countless times and I just kept pushing it back over and over again.” He pulled a little velvet box out of his back pocket. “Why not now? Why continue to wait? I’ve loved you for what feels like a lifetime but I want a million more.”

Tears filled my eyes and I didn’t know what to say.

“I want every lifetime with you. I want every moment. Every kiss. I want all the sad times, bad times, and wonderful times. I want it all. Please, marry me?”

The ring didn’t matter, even though I knew he got me exactly what I wanted. It was a massive solitaire oval in a gold setting. I launched myself at him and we both fell to the kitchen floor. “Yes, a million times, yes.”

He kissed the tears on my face and picked me up off of the tile. He carried us right to the bedroom where we could hardly keep our hands off of each other. Dinner be damned.

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