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I turn in his arms. "Odin just told me both my tormentors are dead."
"Yes, he told me that as soon as he arrived."
I look at him carefully, and I think he understands my unspoken question.
"I didn’t do anything to William," he says. "It’s likely your friend’s protector got to him first."
"But would you have done it, if you’d found him first?"
"Yes. I would have. He wasn’t my father anymore. He became an enemy. A bastard who turned a blind eye to a rapist . . .He was a pervert himself. The man who stole you from me. There’s no forgiveness for someone like that."
* * *
"I imagine William must have lost his mind not coming with you today," Jackie says, holding my hand as we walk up to the grave where my parents are buried side by side.
"Not so much. He’s changed, you know. Of course, he’ll never lose that arrogant side, but he’s been giving me room to grow."
"The fear of losing someone does that," she says with a sad smile.
When I said I wanted to visit my parents’ graves in my hometown—this time remembering my past—she said she’d bring me.
Obviously, that “giving me room to grow” was figurative.
At eight months pregnant, I can barely walk, I’m so round. And every day, William grows more obsessed with my safety.
"Here we are," she says. "Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis, it’s good to see you again."
"Did you see the new headstone?"
"Yes, your fiancé told me he had it replaced."
William and Jackie have developed a unique friendship. They’re complete opposites: she’s outspoken and spontaneous; he’s polite and formal. Still, even though they butt heads now and then, I know they respect each other. I’d even say they admire one another.
"Fiancé. It’s funny to hear you say that when I already feel like his wife."
"And you are. A piece of paper doesn’t make you someone’s wife."
"Will you be okay without me?" I ask, meaning what will happen after I get married. Even though I’ve been living at William’s house for months, every now and then I spend a night with Jackie so we can catch up. But once the baby arrives, that’ll be impossible.
"Girl, I’ve pretty much been on my own most of my life. I knew I wouldn’t have you as my roommate for much longer. Since your arrogant, protective, madly-in-love doctor first laid eyes on you again at that fundraiser dinner, it was obvious he wasn’t letting you get away again."
"I’m serious. I worry about you."
"So am I, Taylor. Don’t worry. I’m never in danger. I’ve got someone watching out for me."
"‘L’?" I ask, not touching on the possibility that he might have killed William’s father, as my fiancé hinted. In truth, I don’t really care.
"Yes, ‘L.’"
"You two never...?"
"No. He thinks of me as a sister."
"I doubt that. If there’s no blood relation, a man would have to be a eunuch not to want you."
She throws her head back, laughing. "I said something very similar to William about you a while ago."
"Yes, we’re hot. Or rather, you are. Right now, I’m just a little fluff ball."