Page 214 of Endgame

It doesn’t go unnoticed that by doing so, he’s shielding me. Him, this man who, not so long ago, wanted nothing more than to ruin me.

When I turn my head up, I marvel at the warmth in his eyes. A lot has changed since our wedding night.

Everything has.

“You’re safe.” His lips are on my temple, his fingers caressing my arm over my sweater. “He can’t hurt you anymore. For as long as I’m around, and even long after I’m gone, no one can. No one will.”

He’s repeated these promises to me over and over since yesterday. He only stopped saying them when sleep stole me away. But once I woke, he kept at it.

While he fed me breakfast.

While we sat with the two detectives who came to our home. While we laid out the evidence of old and new crimes.

All this time, Everett has been reassuring me that he’s got me. This is where my nightmares end and my real life can finally begin.

So I’m not surprised to hear the same vow again, here. In the back of his SUV, as we wait for the police force to join us.

As we wait for them to arrest Molly and Winston.

After the trial, there’s no doubt they’ll be locked up for years. Hopefully, for the rest of their miserable lives.

Until then, we’re alone for a few more minutes. Sure, Everett’s driver is sitting in the front, but he’s quiet, giving us all the privacy we might need.

“I know,” I whisper into his chest, inhaling his manly scent. I soak him in, trying to forget about every single bad memory that damn house evokes. “You gave me your word.”

“I did.” Another kiss. This one is at the top of my head. Everett trails his hand higher up my arm, to my shoulder, to my collar. “I’ll never let you down. Ever.”

His thumb rubs over the heated skin of my throat. His palm rests possessively on top of the leather.

I wish it had been enough.

But the memories are persistent. They’re assaulting me.

A part of me worries they’ll never go away.

When I came here to confront the Clarkes by myself, horror clutched my chest. I put on a brave face, sure. I was rude and sassy because I needed my armor. I needed this information for Everett.

At the present moment, adrenaline doesn’t shoot through my veins.

I’m forced to face my nightmares.

But I have to be brave, regardless of how much it hurts. To bear witness to the demise of these two people is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life. More so, now that I’ve learned that they had a hand in murdering my mom.

Because of him, her first and only days as my mom were a horrible experience. A deadly one. I don’t know how she died, but it has to be his fault. He’s definitely responsible for my grandparents’ deaths.

Judgment day is here.

My body still shivers.

“Princess, look.” Everett is as gentle as he’s ever been, gripping my chin and tilting my face toward the windshield. “Sirens. They’re coming. This part of our life will end tonight.”

“Yeah.” The lack of conviction in my voice reaches my ears.

Which means Everett definitely caught it too.

“They won’t stand a chance in court.” He tugs me onto his lap. The gold of his wedding band glimmers in the dim light, carrying promises. “The evidence and your testimony will be irrefutable,” he continues, stroking my cheek. “Their staff will be put on the stand too. They won’t risk committing perjury. We have an airtight case regarding your abuse. Every connection I have, they’re at work. They’re going to keep them locked up for life. Do you hear me?”

I hear him. I feel him.