by Lara Wynter
Autumn lies limply on the bed, her eyes barely open, there’s blood on her face. Jason kneels on the bed between her bare legs. He turns his face towards me and the hate in his eyes is a palpable force. My vision turns red as I run towards him. Taking a flying leap, I grab him and my momentum carries us both off the bed and onto the floor. Immediately I begin pounding him, my fists flying.
It only takes a few seconds for him to recover and begin to fight back. His fist lands against my ear and I’m momentarily stunned. He rolls us over so he’s sitting on top of me. The thought of what he was going to do to her, gives me inhuman strength and my fingers close around his throat. His face turns red and the veins in his forehead begin to bulge. His eyes take on a glassy appearance. I press harder and ignore his hands as they claw at me. Slowly the fight starts to leave him, but I don’t let go.
“Finn stop! Finn, you’re killing him!”
Her voice pierces the fog that’s taken over my mind. “So what? He deserves to die.”
“Maybe, but that’s not your decision to make. Please Finn, I don’t want to lose you.”
My grip lessens and I throw him disgustedly to the floor. He begins coughing and gasping for air, so I know I haven't killed him. I slowly get to my feet. Autumn is right there beside me. A piece of duct tape hangs from her face, her mouth and chin are covered in blood. It’s dripped down onto her shirt. Her blonde hair hangs in disarray, but she’s never been more beautiful.
I pull her against me, ignoring the pain that shoots through my ribs as she crashes against my body.
“Are you alright, my love?”
“I can’t believe you came. Oh, Finn, it was so horrible.” A sob escapes her throat and I gently rub her back.
“He didn’t touch you, did he?”
“No, you got here just in time.”
I gently ease her back, her hands are still bound behind her and I find an edge and gently tear the tape off her wrists. In a few moments she’s free. I pull the last bit of tape off her face and she smiles at me before grimacing in pain.
“We need to get you to a hospital, my love.”
She wipes some of the blood off her face with her sleeve. “I’m alright. How are you? Did he hurt you?”
She gently touches my ear and for the first time, I’m aware of the pain there. “I’m fine, it’s you I’m worried about.”
Her gaze abruptly moves to the door and I’m suddenly aware that the room has filled with people. Police officers and security staff make the spacious room seem cramped. An officer moves past us and begins to read Jason his rights as he slaps a pair of cuffs around his wrists.
The silver-haired man from earlier approaches. “You should never have disobeyed my instructions, Mr. Holloway,” but he smiles slightly as he adds, “But I’m glad you did. Are you alright Miss O’Neil?”
Autumn smiles softly. “I am, thanks to Finn.
“I'll need a statement from both of you, but that can wait until you’ve both been checked out at the hospital.”
I turn to the officer. “Thank you sir, I appreciate it.”
An paramedic appears and wraps a soft white blanket around Autumn’s shoulders. I put my arm around her as we follow the medic from the room.
I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve used my celebrity status to ensure Autumn and I get to share the same hospital room. The police and doctors have all come and gone. Not to mention Wes, Sophie, Trent and the rest of the band. But they’ve all gone now and left us to get some rest. I’m beyond relieved that the doctors have told Autumn she’s fine, except for a small laceration at the side of her mouth and some bruising. If he had touched her…I would not have been responsible for my actions.
I didn’t fare quite so well. Apparently I have two cracked ribs and a perforated ear drum. I should be fine in a few weeks. The pain I can live with. The pain of not arriving in time would have been far greater.
We had to cancel the rest of the shows we had booked, which is just as well. My mind’s not on the music now. It’s made a few things crystal clear to me; Autumn is my soulmate, my other half, whatever you want to call it. She’s it for me. I can’t let her go, I’ll do whatever I can to make her mine forever.
I watch as she gets out of her hospital bed and comes to sit in the chair beside me. My bed is in a semi-upright position so I can easily watch her without having to move. She doesn’t talk, just smiles and gently runs her hand through my hair and down the side of my face.
“Mmm, that feels incredible.” I let my eyes close for a moment.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” Concern for me causes her forehead to crinkle adorably.
“I’m fine my beautiful Autumn Lily.” I smile. “Well, almost fine. A kiss would make me feel much better I’m sure.”
She grins and then winces when it pulls at her stitches. Before I can berate myself she presses her lips gently against my own. The kiss is soft, we’re both bruised and tender but it makes the pain fade away. As she slowly pulls away I get lost in the depths of her hazel eyes, I need to do this now. I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed.
“Finn, what are you doing? You need to stay in bed and rest.”
“I will, I promise, but first I need to ask you something.” I get down on one knee, the floor is cold against my bare leg. We’re both in our hospital gowns but it doesn’t matter. Autumn’s hand flies to her mouth as she realizes I’m down on one knee in front of her. I gently take her other hand in both of mine.
“Autumn, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. The first time we talked, I knew there was just something about you. Something changed in me that day, and it’s continued to change ever since. The love I feel for you is something I never expected to find – I thought I didn’t deserve someone like you…but I think we make each other better…stronger. I can’t imagine not having you by my side through this life and beyond. Autumn, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
“Oh Finn, you are the strongest and bravest and most wonderful man. I can think of nothing I want more than to marry you and stay by your side through whatever life throws our way.” She chuckles. “After all, I don’t think anything can be worse than what we’ve already been through together.”
Impatient, I stand up. “Is that a yes, my love?”
“A thousand times yes,” she breathes out softly.
And then her lips are on mine and it’s no longer soft or careful, but full of love and desire.
Epilogue
Autumn
The sun shines in through the bedroom window, it’s soft rays fall gently on the plush carpet. Finn doesn’t wake. He came to bed late after staying up to write some more new music. His days of finding it difficult to write are far behind him now, the music seems to flow out of him freely. I can’t help smiling as I watch his face, relaxed in slumber. He’s so beautiful it takes my breath away. Placing my hand gently on Finn’s arm, I admire the way the light catches the large diamond on my finger. Although we’ve been married for over three months, sometimes I still can’t believe it’s real. That this life, and this man, are really mine.
When we left the hospital, the press went crazy. What could be more gossip-worthy than a rockstar’s brother kidnapping his girlfriend? Not much, except if he managed to beat the police to her and save her himself. The media frenzy was like nothing I’ve ever seen before or since. But the best thing was, it didn’t faze me anymore. I had been through the most horrifying thing I could imagine, and I’d emerged strong and whole on the other side. A few over-eager journalists couldn’t touch me anymore. We had each other and that’s all that really mattered.
After we’d had a chance to talk, Finn was finally able to accept that what happened to his mother wasn’t his fault. She had caused her own death with her addiction and substance abuse. His eyes appear lighter now that this burden, carried so long, has been lifted. He’s still a wonderfully complex man, who can still change mood in the blink of an eye. But he has an inner confidence that only
used to be visible when he performed on stage.
Finn stirs in his sleep and I gently kiss his shoulder. He murmurs something I can’t quite hear, but the corner of his mouth lifts in a small smile. He’s a wonderful husband, sweet and attentive, except for those times when he gets lost in the music. I love living in this beautiful house that we found together. When we first came here Finn said it was our house. Who would have ever believed it would come to be true?
Wes and Sophie come and visit all the time, sometimes Zane and Ryan come as well. I’ve even met Zane’s wife Jade. She’s a lovely woman, much more outgoing than me and she brings out more of my silly side. Although I can never get those lost years of my childhood back, I can still bring back that sweet girl that was lost to her fears and insecurities.
Best of all, Finn took me to Australia for our honeymoon and I got to cuddle a baby wombat. The photo hangs in place of honor in our bedroom. After all, what could be better than the most gorgeous man in the whole world beside me, with the most adorable of God’s creatures snuggled up in my arms? Finn only laughed when I told him where I wanted to hang the picture. I don’t think he understands my fascination, but he loves me, strange quirks and all.
I watch enraptured as he stirs again, but this time his eyes open and I’m held captive in their blue depths.
“Morning sweetheart, were you watching me sleep again?”
My cheeks flush. “I love to watch you sleep, or awake actually. I love to watch you then too.”
He grins and his eyes sweep up and down my body. “Come here, my love, and show me how much you love me.” Without waiting for an answer, he pulls me on top of him and I giggle.
The sun makes its way onto the bed as we show each other our love. Sometimes, the best way of expressing things needs no words at all.
WANT TO READ WES’S STORY? JOIN MY NEWSLETTER TO FIND OUT FIRST WHEN IT’S RELEASED. JUST TYPE ‘SIGN UP’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
[email protected]
IGNITE
I am a fraud.
An impostor, fake, pretender, hoodwinker, masquerader, charlatan, quack, mountebank… Okay, so I don’t even really know what that last one is, but you get the idea. To the outside world I look pretty great I guess. I’m a father to my little sister. I’m part of one of the biggest rock bands in America. I’ve even been named as one of the most eligible bachelors… Little do they all know that I’m just trying to get through the next day, the next hour, the next minute.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lara Wynter lives in Tasmania with her family and numerous pets. She loves romance and happy endings.
Lara also writes Young Adult fiction under the name Lara Ann
The Alora Chronicles series
When I wake
Until I Sleep
Within the Dream
When Dreaming Ends
This book is dedicated to the many typos that gave up their lives to make this a better story. If you find and more lurking, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
As always thank you to my wonderful family for your support. To the authors that generously gave up their time, thank you! Julie, Patricia, Amy, Rachel, and Bethany. Also thank you to my Beta readers for keeping me on track, Lyn, Elgar, Claire, Brett, Narelle, Sandy and Eden your comments were immensely helpful.
Thank you to you the readers, that make it all worthwhile.
And to the amazing God that watches over us all.