A month has flown by and things are starting to get back to normal. My parents have sent me care packages in the mail and even flew up for a couple of days. They’ve been really good to Hunter as well. Even though it hasn’t been discussed yet, I know he’s my forever. I can’t imagine a life without him.

The TV is on in my bedroom, and even though I say I’m not going to watch the news, I can’t help it. The majority of the people are shocked that a prestigious man like Chad Bates could do such horrific things. None of them know the half of it.

The media has been at my office non-stop trying to get an interview with me, but luckily for me, I’ve avoided them. I don’t want to be put on display. I’ll save my time in front of the camera when we all go to court.

“Babe, you about ready?” Hunter calls out.

I look at myself in the mirror, at the wounds that have already fully healed on my face. There’s only a slight scar where the wounds went deep. If only Jennifer was able to get away unscathed. Over the past month, she’s had surgeries left and right to restore her face and body by the top plastic surgeons in town. I can only imagine what that bastard did to her.

I never saw what she looked like before the surgeries. Makes me sick to think of the horror she went through. I’ve seen her a few times over the month, but I haven’t been able to talk to her until now. With her not having teeth and the damage to her jaw, it made it difficult for her to speak, but the best dentist in the area fixed that by giving her implants. It’ll be nice to actually hear her voice.

Her parents said she’s been asking for me so we can talk about the case against Chad. Personally, I think it’s too soon, but I don’t know what’s going through her head. I walk down the stairs and Hunter’s waiting for me by the door, his expression torn. He knows how hard it’s going to be for me to talk about the case with Jennifer.

“You sure you’re ready to do this?”

I nod. “It’s going to happen eventually. Besides, I need to see Jennifer and actually talk to her. I need to know how she feels so I can prepare her as much as possible for what’s ahead.”

We walk outside and he opens the passenger side door to his car. I still have headaches from the attack, but I was told they’d lessen over time. After what Hunter did to Chad, I hope he lives with a constant headache for the rest of his life. The bastard suffered a cracked skull and several broken ribs, but he’s pretty much fully recovered, spending his precious time in jail while he awaits trial. I’m a full believer that karma’s a bitch. He’ll get what he deserves. No amount of money is going to get him out of prison.

Hunter cranks his car and we start on our way to the hospital. The wind whips through my hair and I breathe it in, lowering the window further so I can feel more of it. “How’s the new case Chris put you on?” I ask, trying my best to think of something else for the time being.

Reaching over, he clasps my hand. “It’s going well. He says he doesn’t know what he’s done without me all these years.”

I roll my eyes and laugh. “If you were gay, he’d be all over you.”

Chuckling, he squeezes my hand. “You have nothing to worry about.”

My phone rings and I sigh, dreading the thought of answering it. I’ve had to relive that night with Chad over and over by answering questions about it. I just want it to be over. I pull out my phone and when I see it’s Van, I answer it immediately.

“Hey,” I say.

“How are you?” he asks.

“Nervous. I’m on my way to see Jennifer.”

The line goes silent but then I hear him breathe out. “I was just there. She’s looking good.”

“Why did you see her? Did something else happen?”

“Yes, which is why I’m calling. We found out where Mr. Bates got the bomb from. His cousin, Ray Tanner, made it. He’s being charged with murder and attempted murder along with Mr. Bates. We’re also charging the two women who gave him the alibis.”

I put him on speakerphone so Hunter can listen. “That’s crazy. Do you know how he was able to get the bomb past Christy?”

He releases a heavy sigh. “Apparently, he was sleeping with her. According to Tanner, Christy knew what was going on. Of course, she didn’t expect to be killed in the process.”

Hunter clenches the steering wheel and huffs. “What the fuck?” he hisses low. It has to be hard for him knowing a woman he worked with for so long was part of a plan to have him killed. I’d be livid if someone I trusted betrayed me like that.

“Is there anything else you found out?” I ask.

“Not at the moment. I just thought I’d give you all the information I had. When you go back to the office, I’ll bring copies of all the reports. It’s not like you’ll really need them to make a case against Mr. Bates, but I know it’ll be good to have.”

“Thanks, Van. I’m ready for all this to end.” We hang up just as Hunter pulls us into the hospital parking lot.

He shuts off his car and runs a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe this shit. We knew she let the fuckhead in without checking his belongings, but damn. I never expected her to want to fucking kill me.”

“Karma definitely paid her an overdue visit. At least she was the only one who got killed.”

“Thank God for that.” I’m surprised there weren’t any more major casualties, but it’s a good thing everyone else was on the other side of the club. Sighing, Hunter nods toward the hospital. “Ready to go in there?”

Yes and no. I open my door and we walk hand in hand inside the hospital. The flowers in the gift shop catch my attention so I buy her a bouquet of sunflowers. Not because she’s in the hospital, but because she’s about to be let out into the world after her tragedy. For the first time since the incident, she’ll come face-to-face with the media.

We ride the elevator up to her floor and when I get to her room, I stop outside. Hunter gently grabs my elbow and turns me to face him. “You can do this. Remember, it’s not your fault. You did everything you could to help her. Nobody knew her bastard of a husband was going to try to kill her.”

But we all knew what he was capable of. After the explosion at the club, I should’ve made her leave town or get the detective to put her in protective custody. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t have been possible because no one believed us when we said it was Chad who planted the bomb.

Hunter kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll be in the waiting room, okay?”

I nod and whisper, “Okay.”

He walks down the hall and I watch him disappear inside the waiting room. Taking a deep breath, I open the door slowly and peek inside. The TV is on and there’s light filtering in through the open windows. There’s a curtain blocking her from view but when I step around it, that’s when I get a good look at her. I can see part of her scalp that’s slowly growing in more hair, but the majority of her face is covered in white gauze. What really catches me by surprise are her eyes; she’s looking straight at me, her gaze full of fire.

“Kennedy,” she whispers. As I set her sunflowers down, she smiles. “They’re beautiful.”

She holds out her hand and I grasp it before sitting in the chair beside her. “How are you holding up?” I ask.

Tears fill her eyes and she sucks in a breath. “I’m getting there. Detective Bryant came by today. He told me about the girl at the club. I swear, I’m starting to wonder if there’s a woman in this city Chad hasn’t screwed. I hope his dick rots off in jail. Sometimes I wish Hunter would’ve just killed him.” Me too, but it would’ve devastated his career. “But every day is another step ahead. Plus, I’m trying to get used to my new teeth. It feels strange having them.”

“They look great, though,” I say, looking at her brand new mouth.

Moving closer, I wipe the wetness from my cheeks. “You have no idea how worried I’ve been. After what you’ve been through, I never …”

“Shh, it’s okay. I’m here and I’m ready to fight. You’ve spent the last month apologizing to me and none of it’s been your fault. I’m the one who married a monster.” She averts her gaze, lips trembling. “It’s my fault he attacked you. I would never wish what he did to me on anyone.”

“Are you still seeing your therapist?” I ask.

She nods. “A couple times a week. She’s been a big help. But I know what’s going to be the turning point.”

“And what is that?”

She sits up in bed and stares straight at me with nothing but determination in her eyes. “When I face Chad in the courtroom fully intact. I want him to see he didn’t break me. I may not ever be fully ready, but I’m going in there with my head held high. We both will.”

I hug her tight. “Yes, we will. It’s going to be hard at first with the media stalking your every move, but it’ll pass. Hunter and I will be with you every step of the way.”

“I know,” she murmurs, letting me go. “You haven’t let me down yet.”

I say my good-byes and find Hunter in the waiting room. His eyes widen when he sees me. “Well … how did it go?”

“Pretty good, actually. She’s in good spirits, which is kind of shocking since she just found out about Christy. She’s fully ready to go after Chad.”

Lifting his fingers to my face, he brushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “What about you? Are you ready?”

I lean into his touch. “More than ready.” Now that I know Jennifer’s prepared, it gives me the hope I need. We’re going to make Chad suffer like he’s never suffered before. Looking into his eyes, I bite my lip and smile. “But first, there’s something I want more.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” he teases.

“Take me home and you’ll find out.”