Page 85 of Close Your Eyes
And then, I catch sight of her—standing by the back of an ambulance, a blanket draped around her shoulders. Relief floods through me when her eyes collide with mine.
I gravitate toward her, not even feeling myself taking the actual steps. “Posey,” I say once she’s in my arms. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
She gazes up at me. “Close your eyes,” she tells me, and I comply. She kisses my cheek. “Even if you can’t see me, I’m always with you. I’ll forever be with you, Ledger. You’re my home.”
I open my eyes, squeezing her tighter into a hug. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
She laughs at this. “I may just hold you to that.”
I kiss her gently, tenderly, not caring about the mayhem around us. Not caring about anything but having this woman safe at my side.
Where she belongs.
Epilogue
Posey
It’s been a few grueling weeks since the long arm of the law finally caught up with Mayor Thornberg and Bane Delgado. The city's newspapers have been buzzing with speculation, with whispers circulating about whether Bane would somehow slip through the cracks of justice once more. But this time, the evidence Ledger uncovered on his phone is enough to ensure that both men will be behind bars for the foreseeable future.
It's a peculiar turn of events—after their arrests, Lazarus Delgado, now the new Don of the Delgado family, surprisingly expressed his thanks to Ledger for exposing Bane's corruption. It seems even the most powerful families in Saint Pierce have their limits when it comes to tolerating criminal behavior.
In the wake of the arrests, the Delgado clan has swiftly turned against Bane, leaving him isolated and abandoned to face the consequences of his actions alone.
We’re sitting around Greer’s dining room table on a bright and sunny Sunday morning.
"Pass the biscuits, baby," Roman chimes, his voice filled with fondness and affection as he smiles at his fiancée, Greer.
With a tender gaze, Greer hands him the biscuits, planting a quick peck on his cheek that speaks volumes of their deep bond. "Our family is expanding," she announces with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with joy as she includes me in the conversation.
Ledger wraps a protective arm around me, a silent gesture of solidarity and support. "It warms my heart to see how welcoming you all have been to Posey," he remarks, his love for me evident in every word.
Chloe arches an eyebrow, her gaze softening with affection. "Well, of course. It's clear to everyone that the two of you are head over heels for each other."
Dev places a reassuring hand over Chloe's, his expression filled with unwavering devotion. "Just like you all welcomed Chloe when I fell in love. We believe in spreading happiness wherever we can."
Greer's smile widens as she nudges her friend, Eva, who sits at the table with a somber expression. "Including you, Eva," she says gently to her friend.
Eva exhales deeply, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "I don't think I'll ever be happy."
I meet Eva's gaze with a compassionate smile, my own journey to happiness still fresh in my mind. "I used to feel the same way," I confess softly. "I used to believe I didn't deserve happiness, that I was paying for my father’s past mistakes. But I was wrong." I lean into Ledger. "We all deserve happiness."
Greer tenderly rubs her pregnant belly, her eyes filled with hope. "You'll find your happiness, Eva," she reassures her.
Eva attempts to force a smile, her struggles evident. "I'd settle for just finding a job."
Both Ledger and Roman turn their attention to Devereaux. "I believe you can help with that, Dev," Ledger asserts confidently.
Devereaux nods in agreement. "Absolutely," he says. “I can definitely help with that.”
Greer's smile at her older brother fills the room with warmth, and I can't help but feel grateful to be among such welcoming company. The sound of the baby's cries drifts from the other room, prompting Chloe to start to rise, but Dev intervenes with a gentle touch on her arm.
"I'll get him," he offers, rising effortlessly to attend to their little one.
"Don't expect me to be much help when the baby comes," Roman quips to Greer, eliciting laughter from all of us. It's evident in the way Roman looks at Greer that he'll be a devoted and attentive father when their bundle of joy arrives.
"Do you know what you're having?" I ask.
"A boy. We're thinking of naming him Cross, although we're still considering options," Greer replies with a hint of excitement in her voice.