Chapter 45

Rory was embarrassed that she’d run away from everything and hidden under a tree on a running path. The guy who’d accosted her had brought back so many bad memories, and the running trail had seemed like the safest place to go.

Harry held her all night, and she felt safe in his arms. Harry and his buddies were working up a plan to keep her safe from Toovey. She agreed that staying home would be best until they figured out where Toovey was since no one had seen him since his escape.

Luckily, it was Saturday, and Harry didn’t have to get up and head to the base. After finishing in the bathroom, she stepped out into the kitchen and hesitated. Worry hit hard. Was she too messed up for him? Her life had gone off the rails when she’d been abducted. Before being taken, she’d thought she had it all together. She wanted the confidence back, but it seemed an impossible ask.

“Hey, Ava, Jessica, and Ingrid want to come over,” Harry called out.

“Oh God, I’m mortified that everyone knows. ”

“Don’t be. You went through something awful, and then that guy was a jerk.” Harry’s lips screwed up to the side. “By the way, Andy and Peach went by and picked up your car, your phone, and portfolio. They also gave that man a piece of their minds.”

“Oh shit. You’re kidding me?”

“No, he deserved it. If I’d shown up there, I probably would have done more than talk. Turns out he’s been abusing multiple women. Peach told the man that if he finds out that he has touched another woman, he’ll come back. Three of the women told Peach right then and there that the man was forcing them to have sex to keep their jobs. Peach has a lawyer friend he met playing basketball and called the guy that moment.”

“No way.”

“Yes. That man will probably lose his business.”

She blew out a breath and shook her head. “I didn’t mean for that to happen, but it’s probably best. Besides, I sat in that conference room for almost an hour and a half and no one ever came in to talk to me.”

“You’re joking. Shit, that’s terrible. I mean, being late for a meeting happens, but not like that.”

“I bet you’re never late for a meeting.”

Harry shook his head. “Heck no. I show up on time. I learned how to read a clock before I joined up.”

Rory chuckled as some of the pressure inside her popped. It felt good to be with Harry. She didn’t know why her mind had twisted everything together yesterday.

“So, I’ve been talking to a few of the guys, and I was wondering if you’d be willing to carry a tracker? Something like jewelry that you could wear so it wouldn’t be left behind.”

Rory shrugged. “You know, I would have had my phone with me, but I dropped it and didn’t go back for it. I should have grabbed it. Actually, when I heard that woman talking about sexual assault in the bathroom, I should have called Ava or one of the other women and told them what was happening. I didn’t want to cause a scene. But I guess I caused one, anyway.”

“You know, if you hadn’t caused such a big scene, none of those women would have come forward to complain about their boss. They would have stayed silent and never exposed what the man was forcing all of them to do.”

She grabbed a mug of coffee and poured up some. “I get that. I’m still embarrassed that I couldn’t even do a job interview.”

“I think you would have aced it if the person would have been halfway decent.”

She wasn’t sure. Maybe she wasn’t really ready to go back to work. Traveling would be tough. Even when she’d been with the Marines, men in hotels or at restaurants made inappropriate comments. On base, she’d been safe, but she knew that had been because of her uniform. Out in the real world, she would have to be prepared. She needed to work on her strength. Luckily, she had a man who liked fitness.

“I think having a ring or something that tracks my location would be good.”

“Good. I just want to know where you are.”

She nodded. “And I need to get in shape.”

Harry pulled the eggs from the refrigerator. “I’m good with you no matter what your size. But if you want to, we can start working out together.”

“That would be good. You’ll have to go easy on me at first.”

“Sure, but I know you are strong. It may take a bit of time.”

She nodded. “Yeah. But I’m ready to try. ”

“Good.”

Harry made eggs, and she toasted slices of bread and grabbed butter and jelly from the refrigerator. Having quiet mornings with Harry was nice. A part of her felt that if she had enough mornings with Harry, she would heal. Toovey being on the loose worried her. She never wanted to see him again but knew she would have to face him in court.

The food was delicious, and she was thinking about getting another slice of toast when there was a knock on his door.

“That’s odd,” Harry said as he stood and headed to the door.

“Wait, no one buzzed to come up.” Rory’s chair squealed as she abruptly stood.

Harry paused, a weird look crossing his face. “Yeah, you’re right. Who could this be?”

He glanced out the peephole and then dove to the floor. Rory watched in horror as the wood around the lock on the door exploded. She couldn’t move as panic set in.

The door swung open, and Harry kicked at it, but the door was being pushed open, and Harry had the disadvantage. Rory didn’t know whether to run to Harry or find something to defend herself with.

Then Toovey was in their den, staring down at Harry. Fear filled her as Toovey raised his gun, pointing it directly at Harry.

“No!” Rory screamed.

Toovey flinched before turning toward her. His lips spread into a broad smile. “There you are. Imagine my surprise when I learned you were fucking this idiot. Now I have you. It’s time to pay for the damage you caused.”

Rory feared that Toovey would kill Harry. She needed to get the asshole out of there before he hurt Harry .

“I’ll go with you, but don’t hurt Harry.”

Toovey threw back his head, and laughter spilled out. “You have nothing to bargain with.”

As Toovey turned back to Harry, Rory raced forward and moved between Toovey and Harry.

“Don’t shoot him,” she begged. She had to make Toovey understand that Harry had to live.

“You ruined everything!” Toovey yelled.

“No, you did that. You used the military to hide your illegal activities. You messed this up.”

Toovey lifted his hand like he intended on hitting her. She flinched and noticed that Harry had moved. She wanted to keep the asshole busy while Harry got away. That was the least she could do.

Without much thought, she decided that getting Toovey into the hall would be best. She moved closer to him, and he backed up a few steps. Did he think she could steal his gun? Before being abducted, she probably could have. Right now, he would have to drop the gun for her to get control.

“You’re going to be sent overseas again, and this time, you won’t ever escape. Your life will be hell,” Toovey said. “And your man will be dead.”

Anger surged through her. She couldn’t allow this jerk to hurt Harry. She rushed forward and shoved Toovey. He stumbled, and the gun went off.

The sound stunned Rory, and she jerked back just as Harry moved past her, punching Toovey in the face so hard the man fell to the ground. She stared down at Toovey as Harry took the gun and emptied the clip and the one in the chamber before tossing it behind them.

Harry grabbed something, which turned out to be the lamp cord, broke it off the lamp, and then tied Toovey’s hands. By the time he had Toovey’s hands tied, she heard sirens. Someone must have called the cops.

Toovey was starting to come around as the police arrived. Of course, the asshole lied, but Harry pulled out his phone and showed them the article about Toovey escaping during transport.

Ava, Jessica, and Ingrid arrived as the police were leaving. Shock shone on their faces as they took in Harry’s damaged door and wall and the broken lamp.

“Gosh, you started the party without us,” Ava said.

Rory burst into laughter as she clung to Harry. “I can’t believe he came here.”

“He must have heard that you were living with Harry,” Ava said as she hugged her.

“God, I hope this is the end of it,” Rory said.

“Whatever benefits and favors he received because he was a commander will be gone now,” Harry said. “By the way, I texted the guys, and they know Toovey was just here but is now in custody. They’re all coming over to help fix the door.”

“Well, that’s going to change our morning with you,” Ava said.

Rory hugged them tight. Having these women as friends made everything better. “It’s all good. I enjoy your kids. We’ll order pizza and have a fun family day.”

“Are you sure?” Ingrid asked.

“Honestly, it will do me good to hang out with everyone. You all have given me so much support. Besides, I know I’m safe with all of you.”

Having her friends around made her feel safe. The day was good, and her mind was more at ease by the time she said goodbye to everyone. Alone in their condo, Harry pulled her to him, and she rested her head against his shoulder. The new door had a camera that connected to an application instead of a peephole, and it had two deadbolts. They’d reinforced the lock, and they both felt safer.

“I want to make this official,” Harry said.

She leaned back and stared into his eyes. She knew exactly what he was talking about, and she couldn’t e happier. “I want that, too.”

“Do you want a big ceremony?”

She shook her head. “We can go down to city hall and take care of it. All I need is you.”

His lips spread into a wide grin before he lowered to claim her mouth. She kissed him with all her passion, knowing that Harry really loved her. He’d seen the good and the bad. He knew her life was complicated, and yet he still loved her.

She ended the kiss and leaned back, meeting his gaze. “You know, before everything that happened, I really didn’t think I would ever be for this marriage thing. But with you, I want to have the connection.”

“I’m glad I’m the one for you.”

“Oh, for sure you are.” She slid her hands down his back and grabbed both globes of his ass. “Your body may be hot, and your butt is perfect, but Harry, it’s your heart and your mind that I fell for. I’ll love you like none other.”

He picked her up, and she let go of a shriek. “And you’re mine, forever,” Harry said as he carried her to the bed, where they let their passion flow.

She’d been right to trust Harry. He would keep her safe and love her deeply. This man was the best, and she had lucked out. Now she just had to show him how much she loved him in return.

The End