“I know it happened so fast but maybe that was good. I was so set against getting emotionally involved that maybe Cupid just had to shoot his arrow in my butt to get my attention. I knew the moment I saw you that I would not be able to resist you for long. You were like a sexy goddess standing there but I could see sadness and tiredness in your eyes and that’s when I knew you were dangerous to my heart,” he explained. “I know that I want to spend the rest of my life making sure I never see that in your eyes again.”
“You just gave me the confidence to get through this, Blake. I can do this. I want Santiago out of my life forever. I want us to start our life on a clean slate.”
Blake sighed, seeing her point of view. “Okay, but I’ll miss you and if you don’t come back I will hunt you down and kidnap you and tie you to my bed.”
Anna kissed his cheek. “Promise?”
“Yes.” It was a simple word but said as a vow and she believed him. That promise would get her through the upcoming days without him. They would be hard, lonely days without Blake but now she had a goal to work toward.
Once everything was set, they gave Anna a few extra minutes to say good-bye to Blake. He hugged her and she could feel the tremors go through his big hard body. She swallowed back her tears and gave him a shaky smile. “Don’t forget me, Blake.”
“Never,” he swore. They took her out of the office. She had no idea where she was going or what would happen but she now had hope for the future. Hope was amazing. It made her feel strong when you knew she was weak. As the elevator doors closed, she looked at Blake one last time with tears spilling down her cheek.
Chapter 15
Three months later
Anna hugged David outside the courthouse. They were both smiling happily. Finally it was over. She felt like a huge weight was off her shoulders. It had taken a lot longer than they had planned. Santiago had hired men to attack the safe house she was placed in and they had to move locations and delay the trial but finally it was done. Ben’s mother, Sarah and her husband had flown in just for the trial. Anna had apologized for involving Ben in her problems but Sarah had not harbored any bad feelings for Anna.
“Ben loved you. You were always his little sister,” the older dark-haired woman told her, giving Anna a hug. “I remember him telling me he was going to take care of you. He said he didn’t like how sad you looked. He was eight or nine years old.”
Anna laughed, remembering him with joy now. “I remember him taking my books at school and saying I was too little to carry them. I got offended and kicked him in the leg. I got detention and he was waiting for me after school saying he would walk me home so no bullies would bother me. I couldn’t get rid of him after that.”
Sarah laughed and leaned on her husband. She sniffed into a tissue. “I didn’t mind, Anna. I got two kids to care for after that.”
Anna burst into tears and Sarah hugged her. “Be happy, Anna. Ben would have wanted that for you.”
The jury hadn’t taken long to find Santiago guilty of many crimes, including Ben’s murder. He and his men would be gone for a long time. It wouldn’t bring Ben back, but it made her feel good knowing he got justice for his death.
David had talked to Blake weekly and kept him updated on what was going on. Anna had not been allowed to talk to him. She had spent many nights crying from missing him and wondering if he still felt the same or if he decided he liked being alone better.
“Now what?” she asked. Sarah and her husband had left for home. Anna had promised to keep in touch with them.
“Blake ordered me to bring you home,” David told her with amusement.
Anna beamed with happiness, all the clouds disappearing from her eyes. “Really?”
David chuckled. “He is one impatient bastard and he has missed you, Anna. He has had time to think all this over and he still wants you with him. I suggested he wait a few days so you could relax. I told him how tired and stressed out you were but I won’t repeat the words he used.”
“I do want to buy some new clothes,” she said, looking down at the jeans David had bought her. She had left all her clothes behind at the hotel but she didn’t mind. It was time for her to dress how she wanted. She looped her arm through David’s. They had become great friends over the months. “Let’s go shopping.”
David groaned but led her away to the mall. She spent the night at his house so they could fly to Shady Grove in the morning.
* * * *
“I’m nervous,” Anna admitted as they drove out to Blake’s place in his rental car. She looked down at her jeans and pink short-sleeved blouse. Even though it was autumn, it was still warm outside. She had left her hair loose and applied light make-up. When they pulled up to the garage, the doors were closed. Blake was waiting for them in the front. He smiled when he saw her in the car, and she let the breath she had been holding out. He looked happy to see her.
She jumped out of the car and ran into his open arms. He wrapped his strong arms around her and twirled her around in a circle, making her dizzy. She heard him laughing with joy and her heart felt as if it would burst from happiness.
He set her on her feet and caressed her cheek softly. “God, baby, I have gotten gray hair worrying about you. I don’t want you to leave my sight ever again.”
Anna smiled. “I don’t want to be apart from you either, Blake. I was so afraid you decided I was too much trouble.”
He squeezed her tightly. “Never.”
He kept his arm around her shoulder but turned toward David and shook his hand. “Thanks for taking care of her, David. I owe you.”
David smiled. “I’m glad you found someone as special as Anna. Take care of her, Blake. Victor has promised me a night on the town so I’ll be at his house.”