by Remi Grey
This is something right out of a live-action police flick, what the hell have I gotten myself into?
"On the count of three, we make a run for it towards the garden. There I can get what I need, and we can make our way to the car," he said. "Ready?"
"Yes."
"Go!"
My heart is in my throat as we make a run for the garden. The sound of gunshots being fired between Darren and the gunman while we move is deafening. We make it inside unharmed but rattled; this guy obviously knows what he's doing.
"Move with me, Snappy," he directed, staying in front while he goes towards where he keeps his secret stash. Then like the wind, I feel someone wrap an arm around me, holding me painfully tight with something cold and hard against my temple.
"I can shoot her anytime I like. Why don't you stop interfering? It's useless. She's going to die no matter what," he told Darren who eyes are alert and dilated.
"Let her go," Darren ordered.
"Ha Ha, that's a joke, right? He snickered. "You can't be serious; do you really think by telling me to let her go means anything to me?"
"If you were smart, it would, but I doubt that you are," he said, never taking his eyes off him or me for one second.
"I could blow her brains out and shoot you before you could even pull the trigger.”
"You hired mercenaries are all the same. You think you're the first one I've ever had to take down. I could shoot right you right between the eyes right now, but I'm sure the lady couldn't handle such a sight."
The shooter was holding me so close that I could feel his heartbeat as it raced against the back of my shoulder. He was excited and pumped up on the inside but remained visually cool, calm, and collected on the outside.
My gut told me that this man wouldn't react well to the unexpected, so I did what I know how to do best, improvise, and adapt to my surroundings. I must throw him off, so I start to cry just like I’ve seen in the movies.
Irritated and entirely thrown off balance by my reaction, his focus becomes less than perfect long enough for giving Darren a clean shot, and he takes it. Just like that, it's over, the bad guy down and me in Darren's arms safe and sound.
"Are you okay, honey?" he looked me over, holding me tightly in his arms.
"I'm shaken, but I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for saving me. You're an amazing shooter, by the way," I congratulate.
"Don't worry about me. He wasn't my first rodeo, smart thinking, by the way."
"I guess you're rubbing off on me," I laughed.
"Let's get you out of here, you've got criminals to put away."
"Yes, sir Officer Phillips," I salute. "Let's get out of here." I turned to kiss Darren on the cheek, thanking him again before we made our exit.
~~~
We, the jury, find the defendant Kevin Clark guilty on all counts of fraud and embezzlement. That was the most beautiful statement that I've heard since the divorce.
I still can't believe I almost single-handedly took down the infamous Clark family in one foul swoop. I almost lost my life because of it, but it was totally worth it.
I lost all my money in the final settlement of the divorce. I lost my home due to the fraud and government siege, but I got to keep my job, and I met a handsome, sexy, and loving red-headed cop who will stop at nothing to protect me. He would lay down his life in order to keep me safe, so as far as I'm concerned, I won.
"You ready, Snappy?" Darren asks, hugging me from behind, giving me a little smooch on the cheek.
"Let's get out of here, Ginger," I respond returning his embrace lovingly and with all of my heart.
"Where to?" he asked, waiting for me to choose which restaurant we'd be going to celebrate our victory over the Clark’s.
I take his hands in mine, making sure to look him straight in the eyes.
"Anywhere we want to Officer Phillips, anywhere we want."
Epilogue
Darren
2 YEARS LATER
"Get your butt in gear, Snappy. Our reservation is in less than an hour,” I yell, running my hands through my hair, pacing patiently.
“I’m coming Ginger, hold your horses, where’s the fire? “she screams from the other room. That woman is still the love of my life and the biggest pain in my ass. She's feisty and stubborn, just like my mother was, and I can't help but think that she sent Haley to me so that I could grow a pair emotionally.
I have always been a man’s man like my mother raised me to be, but I always felt like I was missing the tender parts needed to be truly in love with someone. Haley has brought me those tender moments.
"Are your panties still in a bunch, or do you forgive me for taking so long since I look this hot?" she flirted.
She was wearing the new red dress I bought her that hugged all of her curves just right. I don't know what was more powerful. The way she looked in that dress or the way she stared at me. Either way, it was powerful what I was feeling.
“You look amazing,” I stare, drooling over what’s mine hopefully for forever after tonight.
"Why, thank you, baby, you don't look half bad yourself," She cooed. "I'll make sure to show you how great I think you look later tonight after dinner."
"I look forward to it," I kiss her, putting my hand on the small of her back, guiding her out our front door.
I made a reservation at the restaurant we went to after the whole Clark family sentencing went down, it's our favorite place because it reminds us of how lucky we are to have found each other.
Haley is my life, and just like I said to myself when I made that silent promise two years ago, I will lay down my life for her no matter what. We arrive at the restaurant, and my palms begin to sweat because I know that tonight will be one of the biggest nights of our life.
I have everything in place and ready to go, all of our friends and family are there waiting for us and I feel like I’m going to explode in every direction.
“What’s the matter Ginger, is my big strong Captain Phillips a little nervous?” She teased looking totally gorgeous and equally as clueless about what was about to happen.
“Not at all, come on do I look like the nervous type,” I lie.
"Well, not usually, but right now, you look like one." She was right. I probably looked like a deer in headlights to her. I was a wreak.
“Nope, all good baby.” I lied again. She shook her head, smiling at me. I was literally about to jump right out of my skin. I couldn't even drive straight or obey the speed limit, and I'm a cop.
Once we finally arrive at the restaurant, I told her to wait near the entrance while I gave the valet the keys. It was all part of the plan so that everyone would know that we'd arrive.
The valet was in on everything and signaled the host from outside to let everyone know inside that it was time for the surprise. I took her hand in mine as the valet drove off in the car and held it tight sweaty palms and all.
"You're a little moist Darren, what's going on?" She questioned, looking very confused by my unusual behavior.
“It’s warm tonight, that's all." I lie once again, hoping that she can't see right through my awful story.
“Whatever you say,” she shrugged. "Really, Darren, there's no need to be nervous, you know I love coming to this place on our anniversary." I know you do baby, but tonight is going to be a whole different ball game.
“Really babe, I’m fine,” I shush her with a kiss leading her into the restaurant hand in hand. The host leads us to the open room towards the back, which is different from where we usually sit, so I know she's got questions building in that beautiful mind of hers.
"What's going on Ginger, are you trying to surprise me with a new table or something?" she questioned, looking puzzled.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
We enter the room, and it's in total darkness before the lights come on in a whirl followed by an extremely loud "SURPRISE" form an entire room full of our friends and family. Everyone we hold dear and more since we've been together is
here, and I became a bit emotional, which surprised the hell out of me. What is this woman doing to me?
“Oh my God Ginger, when did you find the time to do all this?” she laughed with tears in her eyes.
“It was a labor of love,” I chuckle, holding her in my arms, taking a whiff of her beautiful silken blond hair.
"This is amazing, but why is everyone here? It's our anniversary, not a birthday or a celebration?" she kissed me quickly on the lips looking at me overwhelmed.
"You want me to send everyone packing because I can?' I joke, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Not on your life, but you haven’t answered my question, what is everyone here for exactly?”
"For this," I say, dropping down on one knee, holding her still perfectly manicured hand in mine.
“I love you with all my heart Haley Prescott, not Clark,” I stumble a ball full of nerves.
Everyone goes silent focusing entirely on us.
"I knew I loved you form the moment I first saw you; black eye and all. You bewitched me, and I never want to let you go," I proclaim, looking her in the eyes fighting back the tears that are trying to stream from my eyes. "I want you; I need you and I’m so blessed to have you in my life, will you marry me?”
“Of course, I will you gorgeous man, you're the Ginger of my dreams," she said, crying and grinning ear to ear. Everyone cheers for us, passing hugs around and laughter. This is just the way I imagined it to be, everyone together embracing the beginning of our life together as one.
"You sure know how to make a girl feel wanted," Haley says, eyeing the ring I placed on her finger.
“It belonged to my mother,” I answered before she could ask. “She would have loved you.”
"It's beautiful Ginger, I love it, and I love you. Thank you for being my hero."
As we hugged, I thought to myself how she was really the hero, the one who saved me from myself and a life of never knowing what it’s like to love unconditionally. I hold Haley tight and look up towards the heavens.
Thank you, mom, thank you for sending someone to love me just as much as you did.
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About the Author
Remi Grey loves to write sweet, steamy, and spicy romances. She is obsessed with all forms of romance with a happily ever after. As an indie author, your support means everything. Thank you so much for reading.
