Page 198 of Enthrall Ecstasy
I’d carried this burden for so long. Clearing these dark corners of my mind meant I had room to let others in.
And maybe, just maybe, enough space for love to enter, too.
There will be pain before there is rest.
Truth can sometimes hide in the shadows, but mostly it finds its way out into the light. My cruel truth had finally risen into view. My mind had once hidden agonizing memories to protect itself.
This was the only reason I had been keeping everyone at arm’s length.
Mypersonal crucible of combat had been fought and won.
Facing what had held me back in all areas of my life felt cathartic. I felt ready for what lay ahead.
Standing barefoot in the sand, I drew in a deep refreshing breath while taking in the view. This place was fucking amazing.
The sun was taking a bow, getting ready to sink below the horizon.
The air felt cool and cleansing on my face. Finally, I felt like I was home.
Enduring hours of therapy with Cameron had resulted in the equivalent of acid draining from my heart. I was no longer afraid to seek help.
Cameron had fulfilled his promise to wait until I was ready to talk—just as all my friends had. They had endured my closed-off nature, my stubbornness.
I’d entered the shadows and faced my biggest fear—that when my friends discovered what I’d done while serving abroad in the name of war, they would hate me for it. Or at least look at me differently.
My fears had never been realized. If anything, revealing what I saw as weakness made them love me more deeply because they’d seen my authentic side. My real side didn’t scare them. What worried them was me trying to hide my trauma.
I’d made mistakes, but never with malice.
Refusing love was a punishment that was testimony of my humanity. I had carried the weight of my actions and that alone proved I was aware of the value of life.
Learning to forgive myself was all that was left. Stepping out of the darkness.
Letting it fall away.
My friends had refused to give up on me.
I choose happiness.
And I chose to be the best person I can be forthem.
I’d never been one to pinch myself—until now.
It felt like I had always been destined to consult for Cole Tea. I looked forward to working with Henry again. I suppose we’d always been destined for this. Two brothers-in-arms bonded for life.
I turned and looked toward wherethey’dgathered on the ridge overlooking the ocean—Cameron, Henry, Richard, Mia, Penny, Lotte, Scarlet and Jake.
And my sweet Rue.
They all gestured for me to join them.
They’d brought champagne for us to celebrate. Tomorrow I would start building my new home. Cole had told me I could stay at his beach house for now.
My friends always made me feel like I was family.
I marveled at how that sacred earth would soon become the foundation for my future. I was no longer shielding my eyes at what was to come.
Rue descended the bank and then pulled off her shoes, heading my way.
