Let Me (O'Brien Family, #2)(82)

I had kids―some little, some big―calling me their hero. I had emails pouring in from all over the world where fans called me an inspiration and a true champ. But it was hearing from people who told me I gave them courage and hope that really hit home.

The head of Victim Services from the D.A.’s office, someone I’m pretty damn sure Declan is hot for, arranged for me to speak at schools, shelters, and conferences, once it became clear no one was letting the news of my past go. At first, I didn’t want to do it until I saw the impact. A kid came up to me following the first school I visited, telling me he was being hurt at home. He lives with his aunt now. It’s been a hard adjustment. But the last time I talked to him (yeah, we keep in touch) he told me for the first time in his life, he’s not afraid to close his eyes at night.

I always considered myself a fighter, but I never thought I’d actually have a cause―not one like this. Not one that matters so much. It’s good. Who am I kidding? It’s pretty damn awesome. I’m still working on me. Still seeing Mason. Are the bad moments still there? Sometimes. But they aren’t as bad, and the good times . . . yeah, they’ve never been so sweet.

Curran opens the door and pokes his head in from the hall, causing the roar of the distant crowd to fill the locker room. “Finnie, it’s time,” he says.

Jesus, he looks nervous. I tug on my Reebok sponsored T-shirt as Killian’s eyes cut to me.

“You ready?” he asks.

“Yup,” I answer, shaking out my arms, but doing little to shake off the energy bouncing me in place.

“I’m serious,” he says.

“So am I,” I tell him.

His stern demeanor vanishes at the sight of my grin, flashing me one of his own. “Yeah, you are, aren’t you?”

I snag Sol as she hurries up to me, meeting her with a kiss. Hell, I’m not going into my championship bout without a kiss from the best woman I know, and the only one who’ll hold my heart, forever.

“Love you,” she whispers against my ear as she clutches me.

“Cool,” I respond because it damn well is, and because one day soon, I’m going to give her a ring.

She laughs, before racing ahead with my family to find their seats. I march out, Curran and Killian flanking me. A camera is shoved in my face. I keep my head down the entire length of the hall until I step into the arena and the capacity crowd loses their shit.

That’s when I raise my chin, focusing on the octagon and thanking God Almighty that my time has come.

The cage door slams shut behind me as I jog into the octagon minutes later. Killian asked me if I was ready. I told him I was because it’s true. In standing up to fears, taking back my life, and grasping the happiness that for too long has dodged out of my reach, I’ve already won the fight of my life.

But as I look out and face the champ as he enters across from me, and I hear Sol scream, “Go, baby!” from the stands, I have to say, I can’t stop my grin despite the seriousness of this moment.

Yeah. I already won the fight of my life. Now, it’s time to win the next . . .





DEDICATION





To Jamie and Nic for always believing in me.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


There are many people to thank, including as always my wonderful agent and dear friend, Nicole Resciniti, and my best friend and husband, Jamie. Thank you for putting up with all the crazy and often hilarious. What would I do without you?

To my babies, thank you for your smiles, but most of all for your love and patience. Mommy loves you.

To my fellow authors, Kate SeRine and Amanda Flower, who always have kind words, and even kinder souls, thank you. I treasure our friendship now and always.

To the bloggers and the fans who have stood by me, you’re the reason I bleed my soul into every story. Thank you for your loyalty and your wonderful shout-outs. You’ll never know the extent of my gratitude.

To those who can relate to Finn or Sol, don’t be afraid to find your happiness. You need and deserve it. Take the first steps toward healing and enjoy life to the fullest.



For more information, contact RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (www.rainn.org).

Or

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline





By Cecy Robson



The Shattered Past Series



Once Perfect

Once Loved

Once Pure



The O’Brien Family Novels

Once Kissed

Let Me

Crave Me (coming soon)

Feel Me (coming soon)



The Carolina Beach Novels

Inseverable (coming soon)

Eternal (coming soon)

Infinite (coming soon)





The Weird Girls

A Curse Awakened (novella)

The Weird Girls (novella)

Sealed with a Curse

A Cursed Embrace

Of Flame and Promise

A Cursed Moon (novella)

Cursed by Destiny

A Cursed Bloodline

A Curse Unbroken

Of Flame and Light (coming soon)





Photo by Kate Gledhill of Kate Gledhill Photography