Page 87 of Jolt's Vengeance

I find myself lost in thought, memories of the past few days flashing through my mind like a technicolor nightmare.

The fear, the pain, the uncertainty... but also the unexpected moments of tenderness, of connection.

My hand absently traces the line of the cut from my neck to my sternum, hidden beneath my shirt but ever-present in my mind.

"Does it still hurt?" Jolt asks, his voice low.

I drop my hand, realizing what I've been doing. "Not really. It's more... a reminder, I guess."

His grip on the steering wheel tightens. "I should've killed that bastard."

"Jolt..." I start, but he cuts me off.

"No, Aggie. What he did to you... what he was going to do if you didn’t escape his crazy ass..." He trails off, his jaw clenching so hard I worry he might crack a tooth.

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I know. Believe me, I know. But we're here now, we're safe. That's what matters."

He doesn't look convinced, but he nods anyway. "You're right. I just... I can't stand the thought of anyone hurting you."

The intensity in his voice, the raw emotion behind his words, sends a shiver down my spine.

It's still new, this thing between us, but it feels as natural as breathing.

"I can take care of myself, you know," I remind him, a hint of my usual sass creeping into my tone.

Jolt chuckles, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Oh, I know. You're a force to be reckoned with, Aggie. But that doesn't mean you have to face everything alone. Not anymore."

His words wrap around me like a warm blanket, soothing fears I didn't even know I had.

"I'm not used to that," I admit softly. "Having someone to lean on."

"Well, get used to it," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

I smile, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go anywhere."

We share a look, one that speaks volumes without a single word uttered.

I guess it’s the first time we’ve established we’re in each other’s lives, and this isn’t some hormone fused fling anymore.

It's still hard for me to believe sometimes, how quickly and deeply I've fallen for this man.

How he's become such an integral part of my life in such a short time.

The familiar outskirts of Billings begin to come into view, and a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbles up inside me.

"We're almost there," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jolt nods, his expression a mix of determination and apprehension. "You ready for this?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. "As ready as I'll ever be."

The truth is, I'm not sure if I'm ready at all.

Ready to face my family, to explain everything that's happened.

Ready to introduce Jolt as my ol' man, to deal with the inevitable questions and concerns.

Ready to step back into a world I thought I'd left behind.

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