But there was something about Ariana that night.
As much as I regretted how my actions put Ariana in harm’s way, allowing Victor to track her down, I didn’t regret approaching her.
If I hadn’t spoken to her that night, I wouldn’t have been intrigued by her. Wouldn’t have been outside her house when she’d been abducted. Wouldn’t have been able to intervene.
Wouldn’t have been able to save her.
Wouldn’t have taken her to Maine and gotten to know who she really was.
Wouldn’t have fallen in love with her.
So I couldn’t regret anything.
But I could do everything in my power to always keep her safe going forward.
“I assume you…took care of your unwanted house guest?” Blake asked, arching a single brow.
“Actually, Ariana had the situation under control by the time I got back,” I replied, a smile tugging on my mouth as the image of walking in on Ariana overpowering Victor flashed in front of my eyes.
“Did she really?” Blake chuckled.
“She did. Although, if it were up to me, I’d have strung that bastard up and spent the next few weeks making him experience the same fear Ariana did.”
He pinched his lips together in contemplation, then admitted, “I think it needed to be her.”
I exhaled a long breath. As difficult as it was to watch her attempt to cope with the reality that she’d taken a life, I couldn’t help but agree. For the last sight Victor saw in this world to be that of the woman he’d belittled and abused, hovering over him, holding all the power?
There was justice in that.
Vengeance.
Maybe even closure.
“What are you going to do with all your free time now that it’s over?”
I ran a hand over my face. “I’m not sure it is over.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sarah.” A lump formed in my throat. “Victor told Ariana he didn’t kill her. Said she was ‘chosen’.”
Blake’s eyes widened, his hand rubbing his chest… In the same location as his brand.
“Do you know what that means?” I asked carefully.
“Not a clue,” he answered quickly.
Almost too quickly.
“Did Victor say anything else?” he pressed, keeping his eyes locked on mine, almost as if purposefully refusing to look away. “What was she chosen for?”
“I have no idea,” I answered cautiously. “He attacked Ariana before she could ask any questions, so she killed him.”
Blake nodded, staring straight ahead, a contemplative expression crossing his face.
I’d seen that look before. When he was desperately attempting to put together a puzzle.
But then he shook it off, shifting his attention back toward me. “What can I do to help?”