CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Three months later …
BROCK
The past few months have done wonders for all of us. My mum has blossomed now she’s no longer living under my father’s thumb and our relationship has come along in leaps and bounds. For the first time in years, Josh, mum and I feel like a real family again. I’m still haunted by my father’s death, but I’ve come to terms with it. I know it wasn’t my fault. It was just unfortunate that his aneurysm chose to rupture moments after our heated altercation.
Rupert seems like a new man as well. Lighter. His daughter’s funeral was hard on him. The following day, he decided he needed some time away. Jade tried her best to talk him out of leaving, but in the end it was to no avail. We never asked where he went, but when he arrived back a few weeks later, he was a different person. Wherever he went had done him the world of good.
Rupert has become family to us, especially Jade. So when I finally talked her into selling her apartment and moving in with me, he came along too; my house is plenty big enough for the three of us. We set him up in one of the bedrooms on the ground level, so Jade and I still have our own space and privacy. I gave him a job in my company: he’s my chief liaison officer. Although he’s old enough to retire, he was keen to get back to work and I was thrilled to have him join my company. With his integrity, he’ll be an asset.
The coroner and his team have now identified eight of the nine bodies. Along with Sasha, the seven other women went missing while working for M. One of them was only seventeen. The ninth body is male, and they’re yet to figure out who he is. He wasn’t an employee, so they think he may have been either an ex-lover, a client, or just someone who pissed M off.
M has yet to go to trial, but there’s no doubt in my mind she’ll get life. The detectives have a mountain of evidence against her and assure us they have an ironclad case. Her assets were seized by the police department, as profits of crime. So, even if she was to ever walk free, which she won’t, she’ll be homeless and broke. Jade’s apartment was safe because it was in her name and paid for out of her earnings. Rocco’s charges were downgraded to an accessory to murder when he sang like a bird and became a crown witness. He’ll still be facing a hefty sentence, but might get to see the light of day in years to come.
Today, I’m excited and a bit anxious on my drive home from work. I have a surprise planned for Jade and I’m not sure what she’s going to think of it. She told me a few weeks ago that her time with me has been the best of her life. I feel exactly the same. I’m totally besotted by her. The love I feel for her only seems to grow stronger with each passing day. I never believed life could be this good. I couldn’t imagine life without her in it. She’s my happy place—my best friend, my lover and the reason I look forward to waking up every morning.
As I pull into the driveway, something she said to me last week when we were lying in bed, plays over in my mind. I’m looking forward to making a lifetime of beautiful memories with you. It’s ironic that her words didn’t freak me out in the slightest. The bachelor life I once led is long forgotten. Thanks to Jade, I’m a new man. A lifetime with her by my side is exactly what I want. Hence my surprise. If my girl wants beautiful memories, then that’s exactly what she’s going to get.
I told Rupert of my plans for tonight, so he organised to go out for a few drinks with some of the guys from work. I have her all to myself for the next few hours.
When I enter the house, I head straight to the kitchen; I have no doubt that’s where she’ll be. She’s still keen to open her own restaurant, and has been taking part-time classes at the local TAFE. She’s already an exceptional cook, so in my opinion the classes aren’t needed. In saying that though, when I see her face light up as she talks about the things she’s learnt that day, I’m glad she’s doing something she loves. Seeing her happy is all I want.
‘Hey, sweetheart,’ I say, snaking my arms around her waist and burying my face in the crook of her neck. ‘Something smells delicious.’ And I’m not just referring to the food. Her scent is my drug.
‘Hey,’ she replies turning in my arms and sliding her hands around my neck. My heartbeat accelerates when she looks into my eyes. I’ll never tire of her beautiful face. ‘How was work?’
‘It was good, but I missed you,’ I say, brushing my lips against hers. I always miss her when she’s not around.
‘I missed you too.’ She laces her hands through my hair before pulling my lips down to hers.