Page 88 of Accidentally Mine
“I can’t believe it,” she said, her voice breaking.“I’m free.”
The relief that filled me had me blinking back tears.The nightmare was fully behind us.
Grinning, Claudia said, “So what are you going to do now, since you don’t have to worry about sticking around Boston?”
I suggested maybe going on a vacation or even just a long drive, but we didn’t talk seriously about it because Rebecca was led away to speak with her lawyer.Once the paperwork was finished, she’d have the ankle monitor removed.
An hour later, Rebecca emerged from the courthouse next to me, a free woman.There were a few members of the press there, and she answered their questions cautiously and graciously, smiling for the cameras.
But she was quiet as we got into the car and I started to drive home.“What’s bothering you?”I asked her, reaching for her hand, which was warm and clammy.
“I should just be happy, but I’m thinking about the Markins.Do you think they’ll ever get out?”
“No,” I said, squeezing her hand tight.“They’re in a world of trouble, and even the police or judges they bought can’t help them now.Kyle says they’ll never get out.”
“But if they do?If by some crazy stroke of luck, they’re freed, and they come after me?Because you know they will.They hate me.More than ever now.”
“If they did, which they won’t, I’ll keep you safe.And if we have to run, Rebecca, we’ll run together.”
She smiled at me.“I want to run, right now.”She pointed at her ankle, for the first time in weeks, free of the monitor.“Just for a little while.Have an adventure.Do you realize we’ve never been outside the city limits together?”
“An adventure, huh?”I thought for a minute, then navigated to the middle lane and took a U-turn.“I have an idea.”
It was a half-hour drive outside of the city.Maybe not a relaxing island vacation, but a good start.We could take baby steps, and this would work for our first foray out of the city together.I got a little lost, trying to remember which highway led north—my fucked-up brain still called the shots sometimes—but as usual, Rebecca was there to gently help me find the way until I knew where I was.There could be no better copilot.She was always patient when it came to my TBI.Even if I did forget things, now and then, it wasn’t the end of the world.The future was what mattered.And everything there looked bright.
As I drove into the parking lot of what looked from the outside like a giant warehouse, she raised her eyebrows.“What is this place?”
“Combat archery,” I said, pulling into a spot and cutting the engine.“An adventure, as you requested, Rebel.Have you ever shot a bow?”
She shook her head.“Never.Have you?”
I shrugged.“A few times.”
“Wait.”Realization dawned, lighting her eyes.“Liar.You went to MIT on an archery scholarship.Didn’t you?”
I smiled at her.“I might have.Possibly.”
“You did!”She smacked me on the shoulder, then gave me a doubtful look.“So…we’re going to celebrate my not going to prison by shooting each other with arrows?”
I shook my head.“First of all, the arrows are soft-tipped, so you won’t get hurt.Secondly, we’re not going to shoot each other.I want you on my team.Because all I’m ever going to do for the rest of your life is protect you.I don’t need to flip a coin.You come first, Rebecca.Always, every day.Got it?”
She was sitting riveted, her eyes misting over with tears.Then she smiled, nodded, and reached for the door.“Then all right.Let’s kick some ass.”
I came around the front of the car, took her hand, and we went inside together.
It felt damn good to be free, with just the adventure of an ordinary life waiting for us.In my mind, nothing in this world could be better.
Epilogue
Rebecca
Two months later…
Astring quartet played Pachelbel’s Canon as I slowly walked up the aisle of the small church in Southie, rose bouquet in hand.I couldn’t keep tears from spilling over as I set eyes on the man standing in front of the altar, waiting for me in his dark tuxedo.
And his gorgeous dark eyes were only on me.Strong.Steadfast.Unwavering.
It was a beautiful cool autumn day, and the clouds had parted this morning to reveal luxurious blue skies that made it perfect for a wedding.
