Page 76 of The Fighter who Needed Me
As they rode further away from London, Persephone grew more calm.
As if with each passing mile she was finally getting away from the cloud of pain and hurt that she lived under and had finally found the sun.
She smiled more, laughed more and Brooks did as well.
He felt the anger and hurt he had known also slip away and felt the man he had once been slowly return.
As they drove, her eyes started to close, and he knew he had to be exhausted.
That after the constant stress of the last few days and months that her body had finally collapsed and was just done.
He understood that. His body had gone from strung tight to feeling as if he could barely lift his hands.
His eye lids grew heavy and he put his head back against the seat and slept for a few hours of blissful sleep.
When he awoke, they were almost to the house and Brooks grinned.
Just knowing that they were finally out of Bruce and Kitty’s grasp. That they were free.
He woke Persephone and she stretched and yawned. “Are we here?”
He nodded and when they pulled up to the large house, the windows were lit with candlelight and bright in the dark of night.
The coach pulled to a stop and he jumped from the door, and pulled the steps down, and helped her down as well.
The front door opened, and Aidan came down the steps and grinned at them.
He hugged Brooks hard and then hugged her. He kissed her cheek and then looked them over, “How does my sister fare? We got a note from Cole saying that as soon as she got to London she was taken, and we haven’t heard anything back.”
“She is alive and well. As is Cabe. Their story is one for them to tell.”
Aidan gave a small sigh, “Are you here to stay?”
Brooks nodded, “In the cottage. If we are still able.”
Aidan laughed, “Of course. I have had my housekeeper over there keeping it clean and stocked. Just in case.”
Brooks shook Aidan’s hand. “Thank you, Aidan. That means the world to us.”
Aidan smiled, “However, Rhia will beg you to stay with us.”
Brooks threw his head back and laughed, “Possibly for the night. If that is all right?”
Aidan nodded and led them inside the house and to a sitting room on the first floor.
When he opened the door, Rhia struggled to stand and he rushed to her side, but she was fine.
Her eyes lit up and she walked to them as quickly as she was able.
Her limp was not as noticeable as it had been in the past and when she reached out to hug Persephone, he grinned.
Her stomach had grown large and she could not hug like she once had.
Aidan was grinning and it pulled the scars on his face a little, but Brooks never noticed.
Scars were nothing in their life. He had a lot. Just ones that weren’t as noticeable.
Rhia pulled back from hugging Persephone. “Oh Brooks. I am so happy to see you both. I know you haven’t had it easy the last few months. Either of you.”
