Page 183 of In Death, Love Survives
I let out a long breath of air.
“Don’t say it, Wolfe. You know I need to be here.”
I sigh.
“Yeah, baby. I do.”
“It’s not goodbye.”
“Not in the slightest.”
“I’ll come to you. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out a silver lighter.
“For me?” she asks.
“My lucky lighter for you to use. I have a different one.”
“Thank you for giving this to me.”
“I need you to be safe. I’ll take any luck I can to help accomplish this.”
“We’ve got this.”
I kiss her on the cheek.
“I know we do. Still nervous you’re here.”
“Hunny, I need this. Sam has been after me in one way or another my entire life. I need to be here, in the action, to know I took my power back once and for all.”
“I may disagree with it, but I understand. I want you to feel whole, and if this is what you need to do, then let’s fucking do it.”
She grins, knowing that I understand her completely.
TWENTY-FOUR
Nova
The soundof motorcycles parking pulls me out of my fog.
I want to be here. I need Sam to see me here and know that it was me who finally stood up to him after everything we’ve been through together. Once and for all, I’m taking my life back.
The Nova Fletcher I was died that night with my parents. Then I lived a life of fear for way too long. I’m being reborn tonight into the woman I’ve always wanted to be. The one I could have been if Sam hadn’t stripped me bare that fateful night.
My life is mine, and I’m going to own it.
I’m glad that Wolfe seems to understand where I’m coming from with it all. I know he’s reluctant to have me here, but I need this.
It’s as if tonight is the ending of my past life. I know this means so much more for the SCRR and Wolfe, but it is personal for me too.
The shouting from the dirt lot gets closer. I can’t make out what exactly they’re saying.
Some people are clearly trying to whisper, while others sound angry. I can’t identify anyone’s distinct voice to know for sure if any of them are Toby and Sam. I just have to assume they are.
How many people are with them?
