Page 71 of Payback
Chapter Seventeen
Loran had a restless night sleep, holding Bella in his arms, wishing he could protect her from the day ahead. Feeling her curled up next to him, seeking comfort from him, felt incredible, but knowing she’d have to face her attacker again made his blood boil. He didn’t know how he was supposed to sit in the same room with the man who’d tried to kill the woman he loved and not lunge across the barrier and go for his jugular.
But then he thought of Bella and all she’d been through and realized it wasn’t about him seeking revenge. It was about him being there for her. To hold her hand. To reassure her. To lend his strength and support to a woman facing the devil and showing him he hadn’t won.
When he was led into the room, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and shackles, Bella squeezed Loran’s hand. He could hear her sharp intake of breath when his dark, soulless eyes landed on her before shifting to Loran.
Loran saw a flash of recognition and surprise when Bella’s ex looked at him. Must have a lot of time to watch sports behind bars.
The proceedings passed quickly, with each side stating their case in favour of and in opposition to the prisoner being granted parole before Bella was asked to speak.
She gave Loran a reassuring smile and nod before she stood, tugging on her fitted white sweater before she made her way to the front of the room. Facing half a dozen well-dressed men and women seated behind a long table, she set a rumpled piece of paper on the pedestal in front of her and cleared her throat.
“The night this man tried to take my life,” she said, pointing at her ex. “He taught me a valuable lesson about survival. He taught me that I was stronger than I thought I was and my life was worth fighting for. Others may see me as a victim, but I see myself as a survivor. I’ll never be grateful for what happened to me that night, but I’ve let go of the fear and hatred I felt towards him. I’ve forgiven him. Not for his sake, but for my own. I deserve to be free. He doesn’t.”
She looked him in the eye and Loran felt more proud of her than he’d ever been of anyone. The admiration he felt for his teammates after they’d persevered after a grueling series to take the championship was nothing compared to his respect for Bella.
“The man who almost beat me to death was soulless. He showed no remorse.” Her voice was strong and steady, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with each person behind the desk. “I begged and pleaded for my life and he continued to beat me.”
Loran swallowed his rage and curled his hands into fists, wishing for just five minutes alone with the guy who’d hurt her.
“He was like a vicious animal. I pleaded for mercy. He showed me none.” She stared at him, narrowing her eyes. “Today he’s the one asking for mercy. I’m asking, for the sake of every woman out there he might victimize in the future, show him no mercy. He doesn’t deserve it.” She inclined her head in the direction of the parole board. “Thank you for your time.”
Loran put his arm around Bella when she sat down, brushing his lips over her temple. Her ex turned to watch them but Loran’s savage look prompted him to turn quickly, facing the front of the room while he awaited his fate.
The judgement came swiftly. Parole denied.
Loran could finally breathe a sigh of relief as they led him away. Back to the living hell he’d created for himself, where he’d have plenty of time to think about the woman who’d put him there. And if ever tried to come after Bella again Loran would be there waiting for him.
“Let’s go,” she whispered. “I need to get out of here.”
As soon as they were outside the building she took a deep breath and looked up at the cloudless sky. “I’m so glad that’s over.”
“You were amazing.”
She smiled. “I’m really glad I came. Facing him again was liberating. Letting him know that he may have hurt me once, but he’d never get the chance again.” She held Loran’s hands and turned to face him. “I’m not afraid anymore. And you’re a big part of the reason. You make me feel safe. Secure.”
He would spend the rest of his life protecting her from anyone and anything that tried to hurt her. He not only considered it his job. It was his privilege. “You have nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart. Not anymore.”
She nodded as she reached into her purse for her keys. “Will you drive?”
“Of course.”
He threaded his hand through hers as they walked to her car. They’d stowed their suitcases in the trunk before they left the hotel, planning to leave right after the hearing. She told him she’d like to bring him back to her college town someday, to share her good memories of those years with him, but this didn’t feel like the right time for reminiscing.
As soon as they were in the car and strapped in he turned the radio to a soft rock station. “Why don’t you take a nap, babe? I’ll wake you when it’s time to stop for lunch.” Like him, she’d had a fitful night’s sleep.
Her smile was soft, appreciative, as her eyes drifted over him. “How’d I get so lucky?”
“I’m the lucky one.” He leaned in to kiss her. “And I promise I’ll never forget it.”
***
After a couple of pit stops for food and washroom breaks they were finally rolling into town just before midnight.
Bella had slept most of the way, so she wasn’t tired, but she knew Loran must have been after the thirteen-hour drive. “You must be exhausted,” she whispered. “I’m gonna head home so you can get a good night’s sleep.”
“Don’t leave me tonight.”
