Arms wrap around me and jerk me up from the sand as Tag scoops me to his chest.
“Let me go! Tag, Trip’s under her! He’s dead!” I sob wildly.
“No, baby. Trip’s at home with Wren and the others. He’s safe, baby.”
I gasp, worried this is all a dream as the detective pulls free the lifeless baby doll that fooled me.
My sobs grow louder, deafening as I press my head into Tag’s chest, and he coos in my ear as he rocks me against him.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s okay.”
“I should have noticed her in the pictures,” the detective says, shaking his head. “Dyllan Mathews had several pictures of Ash with a blond woman following close behind. I never even noticed it, and it’s my fucking job.”
“You were looking for Rene,” Tag sighs.
“How did you find me?” I croak.
“Russell caved. I knew he was part of it when he didn’t set the alarm. I called the detective right away after I found Troy and two others dead. He killed them, and he planned to dispose of the bodies before we found out you were missing. He confessed to everything. Apparently he killed his wife and her lover when he caught them cheating years ago, and this bitch helped him get away with it. She used it to get him to help her out. I think he was just ready for it to be over.”
My tears stream feverishly, thankful to be alive and in Tag’s arms.
“Let’s get out of here,” Tag murmurs against my forehead.
Chapter Eighteen
Butterflies and I Dos
Tag
“You nervous?” Wren asks.
“Not at all. Just eager,” I say with a smile that refuses wipe from my face.
Everyone gets quiet as the music begins to play, and I smile when I see Bity take his place as Ash’s best man.
He’s all smiles because he finally gets to be the best man at a wedding, just not the groom’s.
My heart stops as she starts down the aisle to the sweet music playing gently. She smiles, her eyes burning into mine, and then she reaches me. Her dad reluctantly releases her while giving her a kiss on the cheek, and she takes her place in front of me, stealing my breath.
Her white dress flows to the ground, just the way a princess’s dress should. Her perfect breasts are pushed to the top, making my cock harden in my pants.
Damn it.
She smirks, noticing my arousal, and slips her lip between her teeth to taunt and tease me as the minister speaks of our unity.
I narrow my eyes, and she only makes me harder when she deliberately bites down on her lower lip the way she often does when she's about to scream my name.
Shit.
“Ashiara, would you like to read your vows?” asks the minister, and she releases me from her teasing hold while picking up her sheet of paper.
Her eyes fall completely sincere, as they find mine, and she never glances down at her writing as she says, “In all my life, I never thought it possible to love someone the way I love you. I didn’t think this sort of happiness existed outside of fantasy. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t fall more in love with you. I promise to spend the rest of my life completely and utterly… Tagged.”
She smiles, and I let out a small snicker while holding back my tears. Taking a deep breath, I get ready to say my own promise.
“You’re the only girl in this world I’ve ever felt was meant for me. You’re strong, honest, sweet, and incredible. I’ve been in love quite possibly since I met you. You opened me up in a way so many others had failed, and you made my life better than I ever thought possible. I love you, Ash, and I always, always will. I promise to remain Ashed from now until the end of time.”
She giggles a little as her tears drip free, and the minister smiles as she picks up my ring to place on my finger. An adorable grin appears, and I glance down just before she puts it on.