Chapter 62

"Nick."

"Yes, my love."

"Jake was fucking me when he cut me."

"No. Jake was raping you when he cut you. He told me. He even told me why he raped you."

"Why?"

"Blake paid him ten thousand to rape you and cut you. Blake wanted to hurt me and he used you."

"I didn't know. Blake paid the hospital bills in Vegas."

"I know. They won't hurt us ever again, Honey. You're home now and you're staying."

"Jake said he'd be back if I came back."

"Jake has a new address and so does Blake."

"Where?"

"Forest Lawn. Seems they were in a freak car accident out in the desert. They both bled out slowly. It took hours."

"You?"

"An accident, the coroners report says. I believe him. Your home. Stay."

"I promise I won't leave, but I need to go in the house. OK?"

"I believe you. Go."

She got out and I watched her go into the house. A light went on in the bathroom. I heard her cry out and in a flash I was in the house.

I found her standing in the bathroom holding my wallet, open to her picture. It was of her face and neck and didn't hide the scar. I stepped up behind her and held her.

"I love you. My body and face have never been perfect and you found some way to love me. Your body and face are still the ones I love. Your heart is the one I love. Your liver, spleen, appendix, and that mole on your ass are the ones I love. I ask only one thing."

"What?"

"If you stay, you stay for the rest of our lives. If you can't do that, then leave."

"Leave?"

"Jake and Blake took you from me once. They are dead. The only one who will take you from me now is you. It won't be the scar. I've seen it and lived with it ever since you were in Vegas. You have to choose. If you walk away now I won't ever be here again. My heart couldn't take it if you left my love again."

I had been talking to the back of her head. She put my wallet on the counter and slowly turned to face me. I drew her close and kissed the top of the scar, kissing my way along it to below her collarbone. Along the way I detoured a time or two to her lips and her neck away from the scar.

"Can we get a bigger place than your apartment?"

"How about I boot Jan and Pete out of this place and we move back in here?"

"What a great idea."

"I couldn't live here without you."

"I'll be here every day from now on."

"Tired?"

"Is that an invitation for bed?"

"Yes."

"Yes."