Page 107 of Torment
“Good,” he smiles. “You know what the best part of all of this is?”
“What?” I whisper
“Now we get to build whatever the hell we want.”
I smile and he leans down to kiss me. Our lips lock, our steps pause, and his arms tighten around me.
The world outside the windows keeps moving–but here in his arms, everything finally feels safe and quiet.
And for the first time in my life, I know, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
EPILOGUE 2
Three monthsago Ashlynn burned her past to the ground.
Now she’s building something in its place.
The old building sits three miles south of Perdition. It used to be a run-down apartment complex that nobody cared enough to fix. Broken windows, peeling paint and a roof that leaked every time it rained.
Ashlynn bought it two weeks after we got married. Now it’s something entirely different.
Workers move in and out of the front entrance carrying lumber and paint cans. New windows reflect the morning sun, and a sign hangs above the door.
Second Chance House.
Ashlynn stands on the sidewalk in front with a clipboard tucked under her arm, talking to a contractor about the upstairsunits. Her hair is pulled back into a messy styled ponytail, and she’s wearing one of my hoodies that swallows her small frame with the sleeves rolled up. Parker joins them with a tray of coffee, and the three continue talking as I watch from the curb, perched against my Camaro.
She looks right at home.
Six months ago she was fighting to survive the people who stole her life. Now she’s building something for the kids who never got the chance that she did.
Kids who age out of foster care usually get dumped into the world with nothing but a trash bag of their belongings. No money. No place to go. No one watching their back.
I know exactly how that feels.
And so does she.
So now she’s fixing it. One kid at a time.
Their conversation ends, and Ashlynn joins me, leaning against the rear quarter panel of the car.
“How’s it looking?” I ask.
She tucks the clipboard under her arm and exhales slowly, glancing back at the building.
“Another couple of weeks,” she says. “Maybe three if the inspections take longer than expected.”
I nod, following her gaze to the fresh coat of paint on the front doors.
“You did good, doll.”
Her shoulder bumps mine lightly.
“We did.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “No, this is all you.”
Parker disappears inside with the empty coffee tray while a few contractors head toward their trucks. Ashlynn watches them for a moment before turning back to me.
