“Yeah,” she agrees, giving me everything I’ve ever needed.
“Fuck, sweetheart.” I shake my head. “Never thought I could ever be this happy.” I kiss her again, this time deepening the connection by sliding the tip of my tongue along her lips.
“Jesse! Hurry the hell up. I got news.” Jackson’s voice carries through the door this time.
“Come on, let’s see what the asshole wants.” I roll off her and stand before helping her to her feet. She doesn’t complain, just starts to get dressed next to me.
“I love you, Bell. You have no fucking idea how much.” I smile, looking at the woman who didn’t change my life, but showed me how to change it. She gave me the strength to admit I wasn’t living, only existing, giving the world a sorry excuse for surviving.
“And I love you, Jesse Carter.” She comes up on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck.
Peace .
I’ve finally found it. I’m no longer at the mercy of my past, at the mercy of my fears.
Because of her, I found it.
She gave me something I spent my whole life searching for, even if I didn’t realize I was searching for it. She gave it to me.
Peace.
BELL
“They found her.” Jackson’s voice registers but I fight through the fog to react.
Paige.
“She’s alive. They found her an hour ago just outside of Arizona.” He continues to tell me the words I’ve been longing to hear for five long years.
A sob leaves my throat as I fall into Jesse’s chest.
Paige is alive. They have her.
Jesse’s arms come around my body, encasing me in his hold as I continue to fall apart at Jackson’s words.
After Jesse asked me to move in, I couldn’t imagine the day getting any better. We dressed and headed out to meet Jackson in the kitchen. I knew as soon as we entered he had something serious to share, and as soon as I saw his face, I knew it was news about Paige.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Jesse’s voice rumbles from his chest. I slowly get myself back together while we sit in the kitchen chair, me in his lap. I don’t even remember him pulling me on to him.
Needing to know more, I nod against him, wipe my eyes and turn back to Jackson for more information.
“We have a team with her now, en route to the hospital.” His words ring in my head, but still I can’t process them. Paige is alive and is coming home.
“Oh, my God, I need to tell Mom and Dad.” I find my voice and scramble to find my feet, but am pulled back down by Jesse.
“You need to take a breath first, sweetheart.” Jesse tries to soothe me, not letting me escape.
“Your parents are in the process of being briefed right now. We’re going to get them on the next plane to Arizona. Jay’s team will meet with them there.” Jackson reaches out to hold my hand.
“Team?” I ask, not understanding. “Your brother, Jay?” I ask in confusion.
“He’s been undercover. He’s headed this whole thing the last few weeks. I thought you knew?” Jackson answers, looking to Jesse. Jesse knew?
I turn to Jesse seeking answers.
“Don’t be pissed. I didn’t want to tell you until we knew we could get her out.” He answers, shocking me.
“How did you?”
“Last month I paid a visit to T. He gave us the information we needed, spoke to a few contacts outside of town and got a lead. I called Jay. He called in some of his old buddies to see if they could help. Once he knew what they were dealing with, he wanted to help,” Jesse explains.
“You did this?” I ask, my world spinning out of control. “But the Warriors?” I question, knowing they wouldn’t help us two months ago.
“Don’t worry about them. Club now owes them, no big deal. And Jay and his team did this. I only called in a favor.” He brushes his involvement off. I don’t push it right now, still needing more information, but I won’t let him get off so easily, as if he didn’t have a hand in this.
“So what do we do now? Can we get on the next plane?” I ask, eager to go to her, needing to go to her.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Bell. Where she’s been…”
My heart sinks when he doesn’t finish. “Where has she been? What aren’t you telling me?” I ask outright, frightened to know what it is we are dealing with here.
“It’s not good, Bell. The condition…what she’s endured… It’s going to be a long road,” he answers, but I won’t allow myself to get lost in the details. Paige is alive and that’s all that matters.
“So what, we wait here for them to come back?” I ask, not liking the idea of that. “No, I can’t do that,” I start to fight, but Jackson’s shaking head stops me.
“I’m not saying no. But we don’t want to overwhelm her tonight. Let’s get your parents to her first and you can fly out tomorrow.”
I nod my agreement but don’t like it. I want to be with them, be there when they finally see her.
“I need to go call them.” I stand and start to move back to Jesse’s room. Stopping halfway, I turn back and walk to Jackson. “Thank you,” I whisper as I wrap my arms around him.
“I’m just glad we found her.” He returns my hug briefly before stepping back. Turning to Jesse, I throw my arms around him.
“I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done.” I cry into his neck, overwhelmed with the news of what he and everyone has done for my family.