Witness in the Dark (Love Under Fire #1)(85)

“Oh.”

She tried not to be sad that he’d been so close by but didn’t stop in to say hello, just stalked her from afar. But she was sad. She hated how badly she still missed him and longed to see him.

Shouldn’t she be over him by now? It hadn’t taken her this long to get over Lance.

“Are you all right?” her father asked when she’d gone silent.

She snapped out of it and smiled. “Yeah. Sure. I’m fine.”

Or she would be. Someday.

That night before she went to bed, she stood by the window, gathered her courage, and called Garrett. It rang, but he didn’t answer.

“Are you out there?” she whispered when the voicemail picked up. “I think you were wrong about moving on. All this time has passed, and I still miss you. I found out where I’m going. Am I allowed to tell you? I still can’t believe this is really happening, you know? I’m scared,” she admitted.

She hung up before she said any more. It wouldn’t make any difference to him, anyway.

They were over. She had to accept that.





Chapter Sixty-Nine


Garrett listened to Sam’s voicemail twice as he watched her crying on her bed.

His heart was breaking.

Only the fact that Justin wouldn’t let him get anywhere near her kept Garrett from bursting into the Bird Cage so he could gather her into his arms and hold her close.

He should be over her by now. She should be over him. What was wrong with them?

They’d both known what they were signing up for. They’d gone into their relationship with open eyes and sealed up hearts. Yet, somewhere along the line, they’d both let their guards down.

And fallen in love.

It was high time he did something about it. Watching her from the next building didn’t count. It wasn’t helping either of them.

Seeing her but not being able to talk to her or touch her was hell.

No more.

This had to end.

Now.





Chapter Seventy


The next two days were much like the last two for Sam.

The defense asking her moronic questions. The district attorney objecting. The judge trying to keep things civil and on track.

Finally, the opposition announced they were done with her. Howe’s lawyer even went so far as to wave her away as though dismissing a lowly servant.

Whatever. She didn’t even bother to glare at him, she was so relieved to be finished. This nightmare was finally over.

She should have felt happier.

But all she felt was hollow, like she was starving to death.

The answer was obvious.

Garrett.

Her father had told her Garrett was taking some time off. He was probably sitting on a beach somewhere on a warm island with six beautiful, bikini-clad women feeding him grapes and fanning him with palm leaves.

She winced at the image as she was escorted out of the courtroom and into an adjoining office by Angel and Justin. The marshals were quick and efficient, and she wasn’t even sure if her feet had touched the ground.

“We’ll wait here until we’re sure it’s safe, then we’ll move you out the back to the van,” Justin explained.

She nodded. “Okay.”

“You did good. It’s all over now.” He gave her a wink as he took a seat by the door.

“Yeah.” She perched on the edge of the table to wait for her new life to begin. She would be flying to Utah later that evening.

Oh, joy.

There was a knock at the door just as Justin’s cellphone rang.

“Yes?” he said. “Who?” He glanced at her. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

Angel looked at him and mouthed, “What?”

“It has to be now?” He held out his hand in irritation. “Transpo’s ready. We’re just waiting for things to settle down.” He rolled his eyes as he stood up. “Fine.”

“What is it?” Sam asked.

“You have a visitor.” He pulled his gun from its holster.

Sam tried to muster a smile. Her father; this could be the last time she saw him for a while. She should at least try to be cheerful.

Justin opened the door, his weapon aimed at the unseen person. “Come in. Hands on the wall,” he ordered.

Okay, so not her father. But Justin was so large she couldn’t see around him as he patted the person down.

“Back off, lover boy,” the other man joked.

She would know that voice anywhere. “Garrett!”

He turned to her and smiled. “Hey, sweetheart.”





Chapter Seventy-One


Sam didn’t know what to do. Or what to think.

Was he really there?

He strode straight to her and pulled her against him.

Justin muttered, “Jesus, get a room,” and slipped out the door with Angel right behind him. She heard it lock behind them.

Tears came to her eyes and she tried to make them stop, but she was just so happy to see Garrett.

“Sorry,” she said as she wiped her cheeks. “I know you hate crybabies.”

“It’s okay.” He helped wipe them away, but more fell. “Free pass.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Did Justin try anything?” Garrett joked. “I have to say, he’s got some good moves.” He waggled his eyebrows, trying to make her laugh.