Page 124 of Choked in Love

I raise a brow at her, letting her know she’ll pay for that later, and a sweet blush spreads across her cheeks.

“Come on.” Hazel guides the mother and son through the shop to the office behind the till. I let them go because my part in this comes later. I get out my phone and type a message to Carmen.

Flynn

Might have found another gift for you.

Carmen

Can’t wait. Let me know when and where to pick it up.

Half an hour later the woman and kid come back outside. Her cheeks are tear stained but she manages a shaky smile. She takes her son over to the children’s story time section of the store and I duck into Hazel’s office.

Hazel looks up, brushing the back of her hand across her eye.

“How bad?” I ask.

Hazel’s face twists. “Husband. He’s been beating Lara for years. Yesterday he hit her son.”

My fingers curl into a fist.

“She wants a fresh start,” Hazel says.

I round the desk and take Hazel’s hands, pulling her up to her feet. “Then that’s what we’ll give her,” I say.

Hazel nods, twisting her fingers through the hair at the back of my head. “Thank you for bringing me here, for giving me everything that I need.”

Alongside running the bookshop Hazel is slowly starting to explore her mother’s life, visiting the places she visited, meeting some of her old friends. It’s bittersweet at times but I can see the good it’s doing her.

“Seems only fair, seeing as you gave me everything I need.” I slip my hand around her throat. “I’ll be back soon.”

Hazel hums, her throat vibrating against my palm. “Be careful, Husband.”

A slow smile spreads across my face.

“I always am, Wife.” I kiss her deeply, drawing my hand around to her belly as we pull apart. “I like the kid,” I say as I walk to the door to join Lara and her boy. “We should have one.” I glance over my shoulder to see Hazel’s eyes widen, light dancing across their surface.

“Flynn, you can’t just say that and then leave!” she calls after me and I grin to myself.

Who says serial killers don’t get happy ever afters?

THE END