Page 66 of Finding Her Strength

“I’m going to be honest, I’m super pissed at you right now. You could’ve trusted me with your story, and it hurts that you didn’t. I can understand being scared after everything you’ve been through, but I thought I’d proven myself to be your safe place, Hope.”

“I was going to tell you tonight. I swear. But I’m sorry I didn’t trust you earlier. I was scared. I’ve lived almost my whole life in fear of saying the wrong thing or sharing too much of myself that will be used against me. It’s a hard habit to break. I wouldn’t be in your arms right now if I didn’t trust you, Levi. It’s going to take time for me to get used to being able to trust you all the time, no matter what.”

Another kiss to the top of my head has me relaxingfurther into his arms. “I’m also pissed you didn’t tell me you think Antony is here. You’ve been living in fear these last few days all alone. I could’ve helped you. We need to call Cooper. Tell him what’s going on.”

“Fear makes you do a lot of things you wouldn’t have thought you’d be capable of doing. I was afraid he’d hurt you or the others. I know he’s got eyes everywhere, so he knows who to threaten to get me to do what he wants. I actually feel selfish. If I were stronger, I would’ve left so Antony couldn’t hurt any of you.”

“Absolutely not. You’re not leaving, and we are telling Cooper whether you want to or not.”

I sigh, happy Levi isn’t running for the hills, even though he has every right to. “Okay, Levi. We can tell Cooper. Just know, there’s nothing he can do. Antony has every right to be here whether we like it or not. I don’t have a restraining order on him, and he’s out free and clear. He can do whatever he wants.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

37

ANTONY

That little bitch. She was the reason I went to prison?

I throw the headphones off my head, unable to stomach listening to anything else she has to say. I knew the bug Dominic put in her house last week would prove fruitful, but I had no idea exactly what I would learn from it. It’s been all too easy inserting myself into her life without her knowing. Breaking into her house was simple. Having Dominic pose as a regular customer was seamless.

She’s become complacent in her life here. I’m happy to remind her of my lessons in expecting the unexpected.

Apparently, I need to learn that lesson, as well. I truly believed the little snitch of a cop was the reason I was put away. I never would’ve guessed my little mouse would have had the balls to do it herself. I underestimated her, believing she was the meek little girl who wouldn’t cause any trouble. I won’t make the same mistake again.

I’ve righted a lot of the wrongs done to me since I’ve been out.

The rat cop who infiltrated my organization.Dead.

The bitch lawyer who couldn’t keep me out of prison.Dead.

The men who allowed Rosemary to escape after I was sentenced.Dead.

And now, it’shisturn.

He thought he could take what’s mine. Taint the good girl she was, undoing all the work I put into making her the woman I wanted.

I’ll take care of him. I already have the perfect plan in place. He’ll have no idea what’s coming, and when he figures it out, it’ll be too late.

Fuck, I love revenge.

I’m saving Rosemary for last. With the information I’ve learned tonight, she’ll be the sweetest revenge I’ve ever taken. I’ll make sure she remembers exactly who she belongs to. She won’t make the same mistake again. Neither will I. She’ll be so broken, she’ll have no choice but to be mine forever.

38

HOPE

With my heart in my throat, I step into the police station. Memories from my past threaten to overtake me as we walk down the sterile, white hallways to Cooper’s office. When I did this two years ago, I never thought I’d have to do it again. I thought I was finally free from the terror of my life.

At this point, I don’t think I’ll ever be free of it. It will always be a part of me. The broken pieces of my soul may fuse back together over time, but the cracks will never go away. They are my story, making up the pieces of who I am. I do not have to be defined by those cracks, but I will carry them with me, knowing I survived.

Finally sharing my whole truth with Levi last night allowed me to lay down all my burdens, giving me a chance to accept the kind of love I deserve after all these years. It’s finally time for me to accept who I am now, and who I want to be in the future.

Cooper is sitting behind his desk, a stack of papers on one side, a computer monitor on the other. He’s bent over a folder, immersed in whatever is on the paper in front of him.

Levi lightly knocks on his door, signaling our arrival.

“Hey, guys,” Cooper says, a small smile at the corner of his mouth. He stands from his chair to give Levi a hug, then steps to me and wraps his arms around my shoulders. I know my body is stiff throughout the hug, but I’m genuinely happy he hasn’t started treating me differently despite knowing my history.

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