Page 114 of The Chosen
She nodded slowly. “I want a fresh start. Don’t want to be reminded of my past every time I look at my body. Don’t want you to be reminded of my past every time you look at my body.”
“Don’t do it for me, Ariana. Do it for you.”
“I am.”
“Good.” I managed to squeeze her hand.
“Speaking of fresh starts…” She cleared her throat, pulling her hand from mine. “The police found a rental car registered to Victor a few miles north of your property line in Georgia, near the head of a hiking trail.”
This didn’t surprise me. After all, I was the one who’d abandoned it there.
“They believe he’d hoped to access your property on foot in order to get to me.”
“What did you tell them about us? How we met? Why you were with me?”
A sly smile curved on her lips. “The truth, more or less. That we met at a charity gala and, after you learned Victor had been abusing me for years, you vowed to keep me safe. What else is there?”
I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips, feathering a light kiss to her skin. “What else is there, indeed?”
“Investigators also found torn pieces of clothing with Victor’s DNA near an area populated by black bears. They believe he got lost in the mountains and encountered wildlife. The rest, I suppose, is karma.”
She flashed a smirk, fully aware I was the one to dispose of Victor’s body in those mountains, since the wildlife would destroy any evidence of what really happened to him.
“He definitely got what he deserved,” I remarked.
“He certainly did. Authorities also uncovered his trafficking operation. Raided his casinos, hotels, and nightclubs. Found dozens of women he’d abducted and forced into prostitution for wealthy guests and clients. The world is finally learning about the real Victor Kane. I doubt Kane Hotel Group survives to the end of the year, even with the board naming an interim CEO.”
“How do you feel about that?”
She peered into the distance for a minute, collecting her thoughts. “Relieved it’s finally over.”
I gently squeezed her hand. “So am I.”
A mischievous smile tugged at her mouth, a break in the tension. “Although I’m not sure what I’ll do without all of this excitement.”
“I have a few ideas to keep you busy.” I waggled my brows.
“Oh?” She curved toward me. “And what exactly do those ideas involve?”
“Spending the next several weeks in bed with you. Clothing optional.” I tried to move closer toward her before pain seared through me so sharply I groaned. “Once I stop feeling like I got shot by a crazed religious zealot.”
Ariana giggled, inching toward me so I didn’t have to move. “It’s a date.”
“Good.”
She leaned down and kissed me softly, and I sighed into her, relishing the feel of her kiss, especially after fearing I’d never be able to kiss her again.
I lifted my hand, tangling my fingers through her hair, but a knock at the door pulled her away.
Sarah peeked her head inside. “I’m going to go grab some lunch with my parents,” she started, then hitched a breath, noticing my eyes were open. “Oh, my god. You’re awake.”
“I am.”
She stepped fully into the room. “How are… How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot.”
She laughed, the sound so damn similar to Amber it was uncanny.
