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“Did it help?”
“Not really.” I laugh. “But I let him think it did.”
“How did you deal with it?”
“I started praying a lot. Back then, it was so my dad would come back. Even though he was a rough man, he was still my dad, and I wanted my mom to stop hurting. As I got older, though, I prayed for wisdom and understanding.”
“Did you ever get it?”
“Not in the way I’d hoped. But I did realize that God will use my testimony to help someone someday. I may never even know it happened, but the way I live my life matters, so I’ve done everything I can to choose Him in even the bleakest circumstances.”
“You’re an amazing woman, Dahlia Swanson.”
My cheeks heat, and even though my body aches, that warmth spreads through my body like a wildfire. “You’re an amazing man, Ryker Granger.”
Darkness creeps over his expression, though he tries his best to hide it. Before he can respond, his phone rings, so he answers it on speakerphone. “Granger.”
“Hey, Tank, we got Mrs. Marooney,” Sawyer says.
Relief floods my system. “Is she okay?”
“She’s golden.” He laughs.
“Any trouble?”
“A little. There’s a few security guards who are going to wake up with a nasty headache.”
“Can’t say I’m upset about that,” I reply. “Thanks, Sawyer.”
“Anytime. We’ll get her somewhere safe and catch up with you tomorrow.” The call ends, so Ryker sets his phone aside.
“Thank you, Ryker.” Tears burn in the corners of my eyes, and I lunge forward to wrap my arms around him. Mrs. Marooney is safe. And honestly? She’s probably having the time of her life after being rescued by Sawyer, Garrison, and Weston.
She’s okay.
And it’s all because of this man right here.
Ryker’s arms come around me, and he hugs me right back. “You’re welcome, Dahlia.”
Chapter 21
Ryker
Ikeep half-expecting Presley to show up again. To ride his motorcycle down my drive and remind me of all the mistakes I made. Not that I can blame him—he’s the one who tried to stand in front of me when the darkness came calling.
Something I haven’t quite figured out how to thank him for. Even if he does despise me for it. The scar on my chest aches like it does whenever this particular memory surfaces.
No matter how many years pass, the pain never goes away.
A cup of hot coffee in my hand, I stand on the back porch overlooking the woods behind my place. None of the proximity alarms I put in place have gone off, leading me to believe they haven’t found us…yet.
But as much as I hate to admit it, my brother is right.
With a quarter million dollars up for grabs? It’s only a matter of time.
Taking him up on his offer might be the only way to keep Dahlia safe in the long run. Especially now that Mrs. Marooney has been pulled out. They’re going to be scouring the country for her, and we’re the first two who’ll be on their list.
I stare down at the piece of paper I’d found tucked beneath a coffee cup on my kitchen counter, and the ten digits staring back at me. Pulling out my cell phone, I dial them, yet hesitate a moment before hitting call.
