Chapter 21

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

The walk to the cave was long but uneventful. Heather knew these woods like the back of her hand. She’d spent nearly her entire life out here. Hunting was when she’d felt the most free. She didn’t have to watch what she did or what she said…even if she just talked to herself as she wandered around the forest.

The little girl never loosened her grip around Heather’s neck as they walked. She continued to talk to her as she headed for the cave. “Talon is going to be with us soon. He’ll figure out what happened and where I am, and he’ll come. He’s very protective. It feels really nice to have him look out for me. You’ll like him. And you’ll like our friends. It might be a little overwhelming at first, it was for me, but they’re such good people. Finley is pregnant and she practically glows. And wait until you taste her cookies and cinnamon rolls! They’re so good. Like, melt-in-your-mouth good.”

She went on to tell the girl in her arms a little about all of her other friends. When she was done bragging about her girlfriends, she went on to describe their men. “Don’t be afraid when you meet them. They’re all big and muscular and can be intimidating, but they won’t hurt you. You can trust them. They’re like giant teddy bears…standing in the way of anyone who might want to be mean, and yet snuggly and warm when you need them to be.”

She was laying it on a bit thick, but Heather didn’t care. The girl was very young—she didn’t know her exact age—and needed reassurance. “And the rest of the people in town are just as nice. Art, Otis, Silas, Tony, Whitney, old man Grogan, Harvey, Rory, Sandra…even Davis. He’s kind of smelly, but he has a huge heart.”

She was running out of things to talk about, and just when Heather was taking a breath to mention Boots again, the little girl in her arms spoke.

“Marissa.”

Heather smiled. The one word was whispered, and she didn’t elaborate, but it was a huge step forward.

“Marissa. That’s a beautiful name. Just like you. Much better than the one the mean man insisted on calling you.”

“Our hair matches,” Marissa said after another moment.

“It does,” Heather agreed with a grin. It was crazy how happy she felt right then. Her arms trembled with the unaccustomed weight of Marissa, and she felt a little shaky as the adrenaline that had gotten her through the confrontation with Cypress receded. But she was free of her past once and for all. Yes, there were still other men who’d lived in The Community who could come after her, but Heather doubted they would.

She did worry what Talon would say when he learned that she’d gotten into Cypress’s car after she promised she wouldn’t. But she hoped once he met Marissa, and understood what was at stake, he’d forgive her.

Marissa didn’t say much more as they walked, but she did eventually pick up her head and look around as they neared the cave. Heather approached cautiously; the last thing she wanted was to surprise a bear or some other animal that might’ve decided the cave was a perfect place to spend the remaining winter. But she didn’t see any sign of wildlife.

Seeing the place where she’d spent an entire year made Heather smile once more. She didn’t ever want to live here again, but seeing it brought back some pretty good memories. This was where she’d finally tasted freedom for the first time. She’d been able to survive on her own, and that felt amazing.

And this was where she’d met Talon.

Inside the cave, she leaned down and put little Marissa on her feet. The sweatshirt Heather had put over her head touched the ground. It was huge on her, and she couldn’t help but smile again. The first thing she did was go to the mound of supplies she and Talon had left, just in case. She pulled out the rabbit-fur slippers she’d once worn. Looking at them felt a little bittersweet.

She sat on the ground, and Marissa came over and plopped herself in her lap without hesitation. Heather picked up one of the knives that had been left in the cave and quickly cut the fur so the makeshift shoes would fit Marissa’s feet. Then she spread out the canvas so they wouldn’t have to sit in the dirt.

After telling Marissa to stay put, she gathered some sticks and a few dry logs and made a small fire using the flint left behind. She got out a small pot and one of the freeze-dried meals. There was even some water left in the bucket. It wasn’t fresh, but Heather didn’t think Marissa would mind.

She guessed it was late afternoon by the time they’d finished eating, and she had no idea how long she might be in the woods with Marissa. But Heather wasn’t worried. Talon would be here soon. With her belly full, Marissa closed her eyes and her head bobbed. Heather cradled her close as she leaned against the side of the cave. She stared out into the waning daylight and sighed.

She was safe, Marissa was safe, Cypress was dead or dying, and even though she’d been scared out of her mind, Heather was proud of how she’d handled things. She hadn’t panicked. Hadn’t fallen under Cypress’s control. She’d been worried about that. That a man would order her to do something and she’d revert back to her old self without thinking, just because it was how she’d been raised.

But because of Talon, his support and love, she’d been able to think past her panic and not only save herself, but this precious child in her lap. She kissed Marissa’s forehead and whispered, “You’re safe. You can trust me and Talon, and we won’t hurt you.”

The words had been her mantra, and while merely saying them didn’t automatically mean she’d trusted Talon, his reassurance had eventually seeped deep into her soul. She wanted the same for Marissa. She’d been through a horrific ordeal, but hopefully if she heard the words enough, she could learn to trust again too.

Heather didn’t know how much time had passed, but the sun had almost set when she heard footsteps approaching the cave.

She didn’t panic. It wasn’t Cypress, she’d made sure he wouldn’t be in any shape to follow them. Besides, he didn’t know where this cave was. There was only one person who did.

She couldn’t keep the smile off her face when she saw the beam of a powerful flashlight through the trees outside. Heather stayed where she was, letting Talon come to her.

When he appeared around the edge of the cave wall, Heather smiled even wider, despite his light nearly blinding her. She heard him swear, then he was there. Next to her, cradling her face with his large palm.

“I knew you’d come,” she told him. He wasn’t alone. Heather sensed someone behind Talon, but she didn’t take her gaze from his to see who it was.

“I’ll always come for you,” he said, kissing her. It wasn’t a chaste kiss, it was deep, passionate, and all too short. “You’re okay?” he asked quietly, so as not to wake the little girl in her arms.

Heather nodded even as Marissa stirred. She opened her eyes and looked up at Talon with fear in her eyes.

“Marissa, this is Talon. I told you about him on our way here,” Heather said softly. “He’s here to take us home.”

“I can trust him and he won’t hurt me,” Marissa said, her voice wobbling.

“You can trust me. I won’t hurt you,” Talon agreed. He looked at Heather, and she could see the tears in his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Then he helped her stand and led her out of the cave. Rocky and Ethan got to work putting the cave back the way she’d found it. They doused the fire, packed up the supplies she’d used, then the five of them slowly and carefully made their way toward home.

* * *

When they arrived back in Fallport, Simon wasn’t the only one waiting for them at Talon’s apartment. Every single one of their crew was too. Almost twenty people filled every nook and cranny of the small space. Marissa was frightened and overwhelmed, and as much as Heather appreciated everyone’s support, she just needed to be alone with Talon.

She’d gone into their bedroom shortly after arriving and removed the offensive brown dress Cypress had forced Marissa to wear, and had pulled another one of Talon’s huge sweatshirts over her head. The little girl seemed to like being swaddled in the oversized shirt…either that, or the scent of Talon that had permeated the fabric comforted her. Heather figured it was probably a little of both.

Talon seemed to know exactly what she needed. When she and Marissa had returned to the living room, before she’d even blinked, he had shooed everyone out the door—except for Simon, who wouldn’t budge.

Marissa had allowed Talon to carry her through the woods, but as soon as they got to the car, the little girl burrowed back into Heather’s lap and refused to let go. Ethan had called Simon during the drive and given him as much information as they knew about the child, so he could begin the search for her parents.

As soon as everyone cleared out of the apartment, after promises to bring by clothes for Marissa in the morning, food, and toys, Simon didn’t hesitate to speak.

“So far, we haven’t had any luck in finding where he took her from,” Simon said, gesturing to Marissa. “Could be anywhere from here to Florida.”

“Will she have to go into foster care until her family can be found?” Talon asked. He was standing protectively next to Heather, with one hand around her waist and the other on Marissa’s lower back.

“Technically, yes. But I’ve already put in an emergency request to approve the two of you…if you’d be willing.”

“We’re willing,” Heather said immediately. She felt Talon squeeze her waist as he nodded his agreement.

“All right. And since it’s just the three of us…we’ll talk about this once and then never speak of it again,” Simon said.

Heather tensed, knowing what he wanted to talk about.

“Tell me what happened,” Simon said gently.

Looking down, Heather saw Marissa had fallen asleep. She was glad, she didn’t want the little girl to hear. As concisely as possible, Heather described the day’s events. How she’d planned to run in the opposite direction when she saw Cypress behind the wheel, but then she’d seen Marissa, who Cypress had threatened, and she couldn’t leave the child alone with him.

When she got to the part where she’d stabbed him, Heather’s voice faltered for the first time. She took a deep breath before starting again.

“I knew where to hit him, where it would do the most damage but wouldn’t kill him. Not right away. Gut, kidneys…leg so he couldn’t walk. I destroyed the tent so he wouldn’t be able to take shelter there, and locked the doors to his car and took the keys with me. Was he dead when you got there?”

“Not yet,” Simon said. “But it didn’t take long.”

Heather knew she should probably feel guilty for taking a life, but Cypress Goodson had already taken so much of hers.

“It was self-defense,” Simon said firmly. “Even if I’d called an ambulance before we’d arrived, it wouldn’t have mattered. You have nothing to worry about, Heather. With your past…what happened was self-defense. Period.”

“Simon, I—”

But the police chief didn’t let her finish her thought. “I took his fingerprints before the coroner transported him. Sent them in and got a hit before I even got back to town. His name is really Alfred Winterborne.”

“Was he…was he kidnapped as a child by Arrow? Brainwashed?”

Simon shook his head. “No. He was a peeping tom, someone who got off on looking through women and girls’ windows. He was caught and kicked out of his college when he was a freshman. That’s how his prints got into the system. And that’s apparently when he hooked up with The Community.”

“He wasn’t Arrow’s real son?” Talon asked.

“I’m guessing no. But since we don’t have DNA to compare, I don’t know for sure.”

Heather closed her eyes. Her entire life had been a lie. Even the identity of her last captor. She was stunned, and sadness threatened to overwhelm her.

But then Marissa moved against her shoulder. And she could feel Talon squeezing her waist…

After tonight, she was truly free. Cypress, or whatever his real name was, wouldn’t bother her again. She wasn’t going to go to jail for killing him, and she was reunited with the man she loved.

“You’re free,” Simon said, echoing her own thoughts. “I’m going to make sure you have a happy life from here on out. You need anything, I’ll do what I can to make sure you get it.”

“Sorry, Simon, but that’s my job,” Talon said.

Surprised at the growl in his tone, Heather turned to stare up at him. Talon’s gaze immediately met hers and gentled. She smiled at him, then turned to Simon. “He’s mine, and I’m not giving him back,” she blurted.

Simon’s lips turned up into a smile. “He’s a lucky man.”

“I am,” Talon agreed. “Now, are we done? I need to get my girls tucked in. It’s been a long day…and I have a feeling we’re going to be busy entertaining our friends tomorrow.”

“And probably half the town too,” Simon said with a chuckle. Then he nodded at them both and headed for the door. He turned around before opening it and said, “I’ll be in touch about Marissa.”

The thought of having to say goodbye to the precious bundle in her arms made Heather want to cry, but she nodded anyway. She must have parents who were beyond worried, wondering what had happened to their little girl. Maybe they’d let her have some sort of relationship with her once she returned home. Though it made her sad that Marissa was now a member of that club Lilac had mentioned…the I’ve-been-kidnapped club.

Talon went to the door and made sure it was locked behind the police chief, then he led Heather to their room. There was no discussion about having Marissa sleep anywhere but next to them tonight. After taking the quickest shower of her life, Heather returned to the bedroom to see Talon lying on his side, his head propped up on a hand as he stared at a sleeping Marissa.

As Heather climbed into bed on the other side of the girl, Talon rolled over and got up. “I’ll be right back.”

Then it was Heather’s turn to stare at Marissa. She was so innocent, so vulnerable. Thinking about how close she’d come to ending up under Cypress’s thumb made Heather tear up, lost in thoughts of her own past.

She jerked in surprise when the mattress dipped under Talon’s weight.

“Scoot over,” he ordered softly.

Heather moved closer to Marissa, and Talon climbed under the covers behind her. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. She was surrounded by his heat. His comfort. He sighed behind her, and she closed her eyes.

“I was so scared when you didn’t show up,” he said softly. “Duke tracked you to where you got in the car and for a moment, I panicked. I had no idea where to start the search for you.”

“I know I said I wouldn’t ever go with him, but I had no choice.”

“I know,” Talon said. “You saw Marissa and couldn’t leave her with him.”

Heather nodded. This man knew her better than anyone ever had…than anyone ever would.

“Once I figured that out, I knew exactly where he was taking you. Back to where he’d lost control of you. He wanted to reassert his dominance…but it didn’t work.”

“It didn’t work,” Heather agreed.

“I’m proud of you. So damn proud,” Talon said. “Arrow, Cypress, and all the other men in that bloody cult tried to make you reliant on men for everything. Tried to take away every scrap of independence. Tried to strip you of any choices regarding your life and your body. But in the end…you broke free. Not only that, you faced your demons, literally, and defeated them on your own. Without help from a man. You’re a warrior, and I’m so proud to be yours.”

Heather’s eyes filled with tears. Happy tears.

“I know that marriage is a tough thing for you to think about with any kind of positive feelings, but I’d like you to think about it nonetheless. I want to belong to you legally. I want to wear your ring, so the world knows who owns my heart.”

There were so many ways this man could’ve asked her to marry him, but he’d done so in a way that she would always remember. By emphasizing her hold on him, he’d effectively removed any reticence she might’ve had.

Turning her head, Heather said, “Yes.”

Talon looked shocked. “Yes?”

Heather nodded. “I can trust you, and you aren’t going to hurt me. So…yes. And I want to belong to you too. I know it won’t be in the way that The Community tried to own their wives.”

“No, it bloody well won’t,” Talon agreed. “I love you. So much. You don’t even know.”

“I do know,” she countered. “Because I love you the same way.”

Talon leaned down and their lips met in a kiss. She winced when her neck muscles protested the stretch, and she reluctantly pulled her lips from his and rested her head on his arm, which he’d put under her head when he’d pulled her close.

“She looks like what I imagine you would’ve looked like at her age,” Talon said quietly. “She’s got your red hair, and her eyes are even the same blue-green shade.”

“I’m sure that’s why he picked her,” Heather said.

Talon’s arm tightened around her waist for a moment. He nuzzled the hair by her ear.

“What if they can’t find her parents?” Heather whispered.

“Then we’ll see about keeping her,” Talon said matter-of-factly.

Heather’s head whipped around to look at him again. “Really?”

“Really. We won’t stop looking for her parents. I can’t imagine having a child disappear and not knowing what happened to him or her. But we can be her foster parents for as long as she needs a home.”

Heather beamed. “I love you so much!”

Talon lifted a hand and brushed her hair off her face, smiling back.

Heather turned over and sighed in contentment. And just like that, she was suddenly exhausted. The day had finally caught up to her, and she fully relaxed for the first time.

As she reclined against him, Talon simply gathered her closer. “Sleep, sweetheart. I’ll keep watch over you both.”

And with his words echoing in her head, Heather fell into a deep sleep, devoid of bad dreams, content in the embrace of the man she loved.