Page 61 of Just One More Moment

Chapter Twenty-One

Raven woke upthe next morning in Remy’s bed, alone. She didn’t panic because he’d held her all night long. A glance at the nightstand told her it was after eleven a.m. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept so late. Normally, staying in bed was a luxury she didn’t afford herself.

But she’d gotten home late, then had to call Caleb and fill him in. His main concern had been for her but she worried about him and how his twin’s actions affected him.

She yawned, immediately feeling the pain in her face and back of her head, both reminding her of last night’s events. She stilled, letting the episode roll through her mind like a horror movie. Except the ending was anything but.

Raven was free.

Lance wouldn’t be bothering her again. No need to worry about what would happen years and years down the road. With any luck, he would screw up while in prison and get even more time added to what was destined to be a decades-long sentence.

Smiling, she stretched, enjoying the last few seconds of what to her, felt like decadence before sitting up and getting out of bed.

Once she was in the bathroom, she finished up her morning routine, and a thought struck. One she’d never considered because she’d never believed Lance would truly be out of her life. Being free meant she could go where she wanted. Do what she desired. Live wherever she chose. Tears filled her eyes at the thought. To Raven, that was real luxury.

The question remained, how did she want to define her new life?

Footsteps in the bedroom jarred her out of her thoughts. She wiped her eyes, opened the door, and joined Remy in the other room where he was setting his iPad on the charger.

“Morning,” she said.

He stood tall, facing her. “Morning. How are you feeling?”

Surprised by the urge but unable to control it, she grinned. “Like a million bucks.” For a woman on a bar manager’s salary, she couldn’t help but laugh at her words.

His lips curved upward. “Good. No residual pain or headache?”

She catalogued her minor injuries. Her knees were raw and bandaged, her palms hurt from where she’d hit the pavement, and sure, her face and head hurt.

She still felt amazing. “Nothing I can’t handle,” she assured him.

“Good.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pocket.

She walked to him and tipped her head, meeting his gaze. “How about you? How are you feeling?”

“Sometimes it feels like my adrenaline is still running strong. Looking for you and not being able to find you took twenty years off my life.”

She couldn’t imagine his fear. “I’m so sorry. I was searching for you when Lance found me.”

“Not your fault. Even I have to admit that bomb threat phone call was pretty smart.” His self-deprecating smile didn’t reach his eyes. “He outsmarted me. On the positive side, I called Garret this morning for an update since the hospital won’t give me any information.”

“And?” She held her breath.

“Some broken ribs, a fractured leg, but no internal injuries. The bastard’s been arrested for a host of charges, many of them federal. Let’s just say no matter who his mother hires to represent him, he’s screwed.”

She let out a long breath. “Good.” Though she’d figured as much, it helped to hear Remy assure her it was true.

His cell rang, interrupting them. He pulled it out of his pocket, glanced at the screen, then put the phone to his ear. “Hello?” He listened and said, “Send him up. Thanks.” He disconnected the call. “Caleb is here.”

She nodded. “He didn’t mention coming by but I know he was worried.”

“Can’t say I blame him,” Remy said. “I’d want to see you in person, too.”

They met him at the elevator and he stepped inside the apartment, immediately pulling her into a long hug. She returned the gesture. This was her family. Caleb and Owen. And she was damn lucky to have them both.

He released her and she stepped back, waiting as the two men in her life shook hands.

“I need to hear what happened last night,” he said.

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