Page 192 of Lost Trust

He steps closer and kisses the top of my head. “You did it, Rina.”

I smile up at him. “We did it.”

His good hand settles at my waist, and I lean into him.

For eight months, this man has been beside me through every training session, every bad day, every doubt, every moment I wanted to quit.

He never once made me feel like coming back was something I owed anybody. He just reminded me that I still had a choice.

Before I can say anything else, I hear my name.

“Marina.”

I turn.

Blaze and Francey are approaching.

For the briefest second, I clench my teeth, preparing for the worst.

Francey reaches me first and gives me a tight hug. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Then Blaze looks at Ryder before returning his eyes to me. “Can we take him to dinner?”

Ryder immediately looks at me. “Can I?”

I glance at Royce.

He gives me a small nod.

“Sure, baby.”

Blaze smiles a genuine smile. “I’ll have him back before bedtime.”

I crouch in front of Ryder and straighten his cowboy hat. “Be good.”

“I will.”

“And listen to your dad.”

“I will.”

He hugs me one more time.

I hold him for an extra second before letting go.

Then he takes Blaze’s hand.

“I’ll call you and find out where to drop him off,” Blaze says.

I watch the three of them walk away.

And there’s no ache.

No anger.

No fear.