Epilogue

Epilogue

Three months later

Ruby

Tonight’s not the first time I’ll be leaving the apartment, but it’s definitely the most nerve-wracking excursion for me so far. Since our first trip to the beach, we’ve gone to the Lake every weekend to walk around and get a Mexican popsicle. I’ve been to Layla’s apartment quite a few times to hang out with her, usually when Miguel had to go somewhere. Or she comes over to visit me. I’ve even been to visit Miguel’s grandmother, who is an absolute doll. She started crying when I gave her the little portrait I painted of Sugar, her tiny Chihuahua. I think she’s officially taken me under her wing.

But tonight’s different. Tonight is scary.

“We don’t have to go,” Miguel says for the third time today. “Don’t feel like you have to say yes, because I’m okay with missing it.”

Miguel and his friends have had this long-standing Friday night meet-up at a bar called Tanks, but since he started protecting me, he’s missed quite a few of these get-togethers. I feel bad that he’s been missing out on this tradition, but he insists it’s okay. That he doesn’t mind. But I mind. I mind being the reason he’s missing out on something that means a lot to him.

So tonight we’re going. It’s going to be crowded and noisy. There will be drinking, music, dancing, pool, and darts.

Lots of noise.

Lots of people.

I’m a nervous wreck. I feel queasy.

Right now I’m in the bathroom brushing my hair and putting on a bit of mascara and lip gloss.

“You look beautiful,” Miguel says. He’s leaning against the bathroom doorjamb looking edible in a pair of black jeans and a black T-shirt. He’s literally the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.

“So do you,” I say, grinning.

Miguel gets flustered when I tell him he’s beautiful.

He comes into the room and stands behind me, a full head taller than I am. I barely come up to his chin. When I stand beside him, I feel almost petite. My flaming red hair contrasts with his midnight black hair. I think we make a striking couple.

He gathers my hair in his hands and smiles when I shiver at the delicious electricity streaking down my spine. “We don’t have to go,” he says, leaning down to whisper in my ear. His breath ruffles my hair, and I shiver again. “I mean it. We can stay home tonight and watch a movie.”

I meet his gaze in the mirror. “You don’t think I can do this?”

He looks thoughtful, because he’s honest, which is one of the many things I love about this man. He’s honest, and he doesn’t bullshit me. “I think it’s going to be hard for you. It’s going to be loud and crowded. You haven’t been around that many people in such a small space in a really long time.”

I sigh. “I can do this.”

His hands slip around my waist, and he leans down to kiss my cheek. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know. Baby steps, remember?”

“Layla’s going to be there, as well as Charlie and Erin. I’ll be fine. Plus, I’ll have you. I’m not worried.”

He presses his lips against the back of my head. “Liar.”

“Okay, yes, I’m worried, but I want to do this. I don’t want you to keep missing out on things you like to do because of me. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“Sweetheart.” He turns me and lifts me up to sit on the counter. Then he steps between my knees. “You are my number one priority.” He drops a kiss on my nose. “Everything else is secondary, including hanging out with my friends.”

I reach up to cup his handsome face and stare deep into those obsidian eyes. “I want to do this, Miguel. I want to try.”

He frowns. “Fine. But if it gets to be too much, I want you to tell me. We’ll come right home, okay?”

“Deal.”

He holds out his little finger. “Pinky swear.”

I grin and hook my little finger around his. “I swear.”

“All right. Let’s go.”

As we head for the door, I stop to give Pumpkin a scratch. “Don’t worry. We won’t be out late.”

Miguel grabs his key fob and wallet. I grab my purse. We meet up by the door.

As I stand there watching Miguel unlock the deadbolt and release the chain, my pulse speeds up and I find it harder to breathe.

Here we go.

After he slides the chain lock free, he grasps the door knob and looks down at me. “Ready?”

I grab hold of his waist band and nod.

Miguel opens the door slowly and peers out into the hallway. “It’s empty. We’ll walk to the elevator, take it down to the parking garage, then walk to my car. Okay?”

“I nod. Okay.”

Miguel steps out into the hallway and holds out his hand. I lay mine in his, and he links our fingers. I stand in place for a good minute, trying to drum up the courage to step through the doorway. He stands there quietly, patiently, not rushing me. He never rushes me.

I glance left and right and left again. The hallway’s empty.

Miguel squeezes my hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

I nod. Intellectually, I know he won’t. But emotionally, it’s not so easy. I do feel better knowing he’s armed beneath his black leather jacket. If someone attacks us, we won’t be helpless.

I place one foot across the threshold, then the other. While I stand there acclimating to the idea of being outside our apartment, Miguel locks up behind me.

“Ready?” he asks. He slips his free arm around me and pulls me close. “Anytime you want to call this off, just say so.”

“I know you do, and I love you for it.” I square my shoulders. “But I’m doing this.” I want Miguel to spend time with his friends, doing the things they like to do. I don’t want to be the one who holds him back, who limits what he can and can’t do.

I want a normal life.

We walk slowly down the hallway to the elevator. Miguel reaches out and pushes the down button. The doors open to reveal two young women dressed to go out for the evening. They’re young, about my age. One blonde, and one with dark hair. I don’t miss their reactions when they get a look at Miguel.

Miguel glances down at me. “Ready?”

I step into the elevator, and he follows me. The doors close behind us, and we turn to face them, leaving the other two girls behind us. I hear them whispering, and one of them snickers quietly. I imagine they’re crushing on Miguel.

Miguel presses the button for the parking garage. The elevator car descends smoothly. We don’t talk. He just tightens his grip on my hand and holds me against him.

The doors open in the main lobby, and the two girls step around us and exit the car. The blonde glances back at Miguel and gives him a blatant come-hither smile. I want to smack her.

Miguel chuckles as the elevator doors close once more, and we continue down to the garage.

The next time the doors open, we’re in the parking garage. At the sight of the expansive, rather dark space—the lines of parked cars—it sends my pulse pounding.

A parking garage. Why does it have to be a parking garage?

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” Miguel says. “I should have moved the car to a spot closer to the elevator.”

“No, this is okay. I have to get used to parking garages.”

When I nod to him, Miguel steps out into the cool parking garage. I follow him. When the elevator doors behind us close, I flinch.

“It’s okay,” he says. He nods to our right. “I’m parked over there.” He points to a long row of parked cars. “It’s not that far.”

I’m shaking, but he doesn’t say anything. We walk in silence. I’m hypervigilant, my gaze scanning the rows of cars, looking for someone threatening. Being in this garage is bringing back so many bad memories. Mentally, I shake myself and try to focus on the positive. We’re going to see our friends. This is a big step for me—I’m out and about, doing normal couples things.

Miguel tightens his hold on me. “Take a deep breath.” He demonstrates, taking a slow and deep breath, then letting it out. He nods just ahead of us. “Here we are.”

I stand shaking while Miguel opens the front passenger door. I slide into the seat, staring straight ahead. I grip the seat with both hands while he grabs the seatbelt and pulls it across me. He’s crouching next to me, looking me in the eye. “You’re doing great.”

I nod, but don’t say anything. I don’t trust myself to speak. If I do, I might burst into tears, and I don’t want to do that.

Miguel stands and closes my door. He walks around the back of the car to the driver’s side and slides behind the wheel. A moment later, we’re backing out of the parking spot.

I sit perfectly still, a death grip on my seat, and close my eyes until we’re out of the garage.

Once we’re on the road, I lean my head back in my seat and try to control my breathing. The last thing I need is to have a panic attack. If I did, I know Miguel would turn around and take me back to the apartment. I don’t want to be that girl. I don’t want to be a liability for him.

It’s a twenty-minute drive through Friday evening traffic. When I feel the car come to a stop, I open my eyes and see that we’re parked along the curb under a large tree. It’s still light outside. We’re parked in front of a thrift shop with vintage clothes and purses displayed in the shop windows.

Miguel shuts off the engine and walks around to open my door. I have to force myself to release my grip on my seat so I can step out of the vehicle.

We’re in a commercial district filled with shops and restaurants, so the sidewalks are crowded. The traffic is bumper to bumper, moving slowly.

Miguel puts his arm around me and steers me straight ahead. “It’s just two blocks,” he says.

We walk arm in arm to the bar. There’s a bit of a line forming at the door, so we have to wait a few minutes to get inside.

It’s loud in the bar as TVs compete with a juke box and people conversing. It’s somewhat dark in here, not quite what I expected.

Miguel leads me to a long table where I spot several familiar faces—Layla and Jason, of course. And Charlie. Philip—I remember him from the time he came to my old apartment to install a security system. I recognize Liam McIntyre from the YouTube videos we watched one evening of him fighting in a boxing ring. His girlfriend, Jasmine, is here. And another couple I’ve met before—Erin and Mack.

Layla stands and gives me a hug. Charlie scoots out of the booth and hugs me as well.

Layla had saved two seats next to her. I take the one right beside her, and Miguel sits on my other side.

Once I’m seated, Layla hands us menus.

Miguel puts an arm across my shoulder and leans in close. “Doing okay?”

I nod. “Fine. I’m fine.” But the truth is, my heart is pounding. I glance around the wide open space at a huge crowd of people. Some are seated, eating and drinking and talking. Others are on the dance floor. Some are playing pool. Every seat at the bar is taken, and behind the bar are at least four staff members scurrying all over the place to serve their customers.

So many people. It’s overwhelming.

I feel so open and exposed. So vulnerable.

Miguel reaches for my hand under the table. He strokes the back of my hand, the movement calm and comforting. His lips brush my hair. “Everything’s fine,” he says quietly. He squeezes my hand and chuckles. “You’re sitting at a table filled with professional bodyguards. Trust me when I say you couldn’t be in safer hands.”

I manage a smile and nod.

We order food and drinks. And while we’re waiting for our food to arrive, one of the couples—Liam and Jasmine—go out onto the dance floor.

Our drinks come. Miguel and I both ordered Cokes. As I take a sip of my cold drink, my pulse continues to race. When my chest tightens, I take a deep breath.

Layla leans toward me and says, “Ruby, I’m so proud of you.”

I look her way and find her smiling at me.

“You did it,” she says. “You’re here.”

Earlier in the week, I told her we might come tonight, but that I wasn’t absolutely sure. I promised I’d try, though. When she raises her glass of water in my direction, I raise my glass, and we toast.

I feel anxiety’s grip on my chest loosen a little bit, and I can breathe better.

I notice Miguel watching us with a satisfied grin on his face. He leans close and kisses my temple. “I’m proud of you, too.”

And suddenly, I find myself smiling. I did it! I’m here. It’s a small step, sure, but it’s a huge step for me. Hopefully one of many more to come.

Our food arrives, and we eat. When we’re done, Miguel asks our server for our check.

“Ready to go?” he asks me after he’s paid our bill.

I nod, relieved. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Layla hugs me goodbye, as does Charlie.

It’s just starting to get dark out when we walk hand-in-hand back to Miguel’s car.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

“Terrified.” I laugh. “But also proud of myself. I did it.”

He pulls me close and slips his arm around me. “Yes, you did. When you feel up for a really big challenge, we can join my family for a Sunday dinner. You can meet my family, my grandparents, and lots of aunts, uncles and cousins.”

“Oh, my.” That does sound like a challenge.

When we reach the Mustang, Miguel opens the door for me, and I slide into the car. On the drive back to our building, I’m mesmerized by the streetlights and the strings of fairy lights hanging in front of storefronts. “I forgot how pretty downtown Chicago is at night.”

“You think this is pretty?” Miguel asks. “Let’s drive down North Michigan Avenue, past the bridge, so you can see the restaurants along Chicago River. That’s really a sight.”

“Okay.”

He looks at me in surprise. “Really? You want to?”

“Sure, let’s do it.”

Miguel chuckles. “Next thing you know, you’ll let me take you to Navy Pier.”

“I remember Mom and Edward taking me to Navy Pier once when I was little. I think I’d like that. Maybe we can take Edward with us.”

Miguel reaches for my hand. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”

When we arrive back at our building, Miguel parks near the elevators in the underground garage. He whisks me out of the car, sweeping me up into his arms, and carries me to the elevator. I squeal out of a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.

When the elevator doors open, a small crowd of teenagers emerges, all of them staring at us.

Miguel carries me into the elevator, and when the doors close, leaving us alone, he kisses me breathless.

The elevator lets us out on our floor, and Miguel continues carrying me.

I laugh. “Put me down, silly. I can walk.”

He sets me on my feet outside our door and fishes in his pocket for his keys. “How does it feel to be home?” he asks as he opens our door.

“Wonderful,” I say as I step inside.

Pumpkin runs up to greet us, and I bend down to pet him.

This is our home now. After discussing it, Miguel and I have decided we want to stay here permanently. I love the view of the lake, but more importantly, I love being close to our friends. Layla and I, especially, have become quite close. We’re constantly running back and forth between each other’s apartment.

* * *

That night, as we’re lying in Miguel’s bed—we’ve started sleeping in his bed as it’s bigger than mine—with Pumpkin curled up at our feet, Miguel reaches into the top drawer of his nightstand and retrieves a small black velvet jewelry box. He opens it, revealing a slender gold band set with a gorgeous, sparkling red ruby. “I realize this might be too soon,” he says.

I’m sure my eyes are as wide as saucers when I shake my head. “It’s not.”

He smiles. “I love you more each day, and I don’t ever want to live a single day without you.” When my eyes tear up, he kisses me gently. “I’ll be your knight, your protector, for the rest of your life if you’ll have me.”

My throat tightens, and I think this can’t possibly be happening. “You know how I am. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I know you, and I love all of you,” he says. “I’m sure.”

Pumpkin chooses that moment to walk across me to get between us. He head-butts Miguel’s hand that holds the ring box.

“It’s a package deal,” I say. “If you want me, you get Pumpkin, too.”

He chuckles. “I accept.” He takes the ring from the box and slips it onto my ring finger on my left-hand. He kisses me, and then he says, “Eres mi vida para siempre.”

His voice and the words are lovely. “What does that mean?”

“It means, ‘You are my life forever.’”

* * *

Thank you for reading Freeing Ruby. I hope you enjoyed Ruby and Miguel’s story. Stay tuned for more books in the McIntyre Security Protectors series.

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Books by April Wilson

McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series:

Vulnerable

Fearless

Shane – a novella

Broken

Shattered

Imperfect

Ruined

Hostage

Redeemed

Marry Me – a novella

Snowbound – a novella

Regret

With This Ring – a novella

Collateral Damage

Special Delivery

Vanished

McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series Box Sets:

Box Set 1

Box Set 2

Box Set 3

Box Set 4

McIntyre Security Protectors:

Finding Layla

Damaged Goods

Freeing Ruby

McIntyre Search and Rescue:

Search and Rescue

Lost and Found

Tattered and Torn

Tyler Jamison Novels:

Somebody to Love

Somebody to Hold

Somebody to Cherish

The British Billionaires Romance Series:

Charmed

Captivated

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Audiobooks by April Wilson

Here you will find links to my audiobooks:

http://www.aprilwilsonauthor.com/audiobooks