VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(102)

“That’s not the only thing that matters. You matter, too.”

“This can’t touch me if I don’t let it, Flynn. What does it matter to me if my father lost his mind and killed David? He hasn’t been my father in any way except biologically since the night he dragged my mother out of the ER after his friend savagely attacked me. When he left me there, he drew a line in the sand that can never again be crossed.”

“I was going to ask if you wanted me to see about getting him a lawyer.”

“No. He’s on his own. He’s made his choices, and now he can live with them. I don’t want anything to do with him or what he did.”

“Whatever you want, sweetheart. I’m following your lead. What about your mom?”

“What about her?”

“I wondered if you might want to see her now that you’re back in touch with your sisters.”

“I’ve thought about that, about her, and I have to admit that it hurt me all over again to hear she’d finally left my dad when she couldn’t bring herself to do that when I needed her most. Since I’m back in touch with the girls and I intend to be fully present in their lives, I suppose I’ll run into her at some point, but I can’t imagine ever having a close relationship with her.”

“I can totally see where you’re coming from. She had her chance to step up for you and she didn’t.”

“No, she didn’t, and there’s no way she can ever truly fix that as far as I’m concerned.” I link my fingers with his. “I want you to know… If something like this, my dad killing David, had happened before this, before us, it would’ve set me back again to day one, but I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been, and it’s because of you.”

“No, baby, it’s because of you. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.”

“Our love has made me stronger than I was alone. And it’s made me happier than I ever could’ve imagined being.”

“Me, too.”

“Thank you for chasing after me the day Fluff bit you.”

“Thanks for turning around, for giving me a chance.”

I smile at him, madly in love and free from the past. “As if I ever had a choice.”

“The choice has always been yours, sweetheart.”

“I choose you. I choose us.”

He wraps his arms around me and kisses me. “I’ll always choose you, too.”

Safe and secure in his arms, I feel like I can take on the world and win every time.





Epilogue





It’s been a very good night for Quantum Productions. Jasper has just won the Academy Award for cinematography for his work on Camouflage, and now we’re waiting for the Best Director award to be announced.

Hayden brought Addie as his date, a development Flynn and I have been whispering about all night. Addie told Flynn it was so she could be here for his big night, but don’t think that’s the only reason.

My husband leans in to whisper in my ear. “I think she’s holding his hand over there.”

“I’m more excited about that than I am about the awards.”

He smiles at me and drops something into my hand.

I look down to see the red ribbon we played with in Mexico, and my entire body ignites at the memory of it wrapped around my wrists as he had his wicked way with me. I’ve become more comfortable with being bound and I hope one day to be able to play in the room in the basement. But Flynn says it will be a while before I’m ready for that kind of bondage. That’s okay. We’ve got all the time in the world to get there together.

“It matches your dress.”

I’ve worn a red Givenchy gown for his big night because he loves me in red. “What am I to do with this?” I ask, full of mock innocence.

He winks at me. “Keep it handy for later.”

The epiphany I had in Mexico about the kind of sex I have with Flynn being nothing at all like what my attacker did to me has helped to free me from the shackles of the past.

I don’t worry anymore about triggers or flashbacks. I’ve battled through and found my way to the other side. I’m able to separate everything that happens with my beloved husband from what happened long ago to the girl I once was.

I’m a woman now, a woman in love with the most extraordinary man, and he has shown me the limitless possibilities of our love. I want to soar to the heavens with him as my guide and companion. I want to fully experience everything this life has to offer us. I’ve been to hell and back, and I survived. I’m not afraid anymore.