Hearing Mia’s screams, Edward bolted from the side of his car that was hidden in the bushes. He booked toward Jack’s house and slammed into the front door. He tried opening it but couldn’t. He backed up and looked at the house, then looked around on the ground. He ran to a large white rock in the landscaping of the yard. With a hearty yell, he heaved it at the window next to the door. The window shattered, and he climbed into the house, cutting his arm deep on a shard of glass still attached to the pane.

“Edward!”

He ran through the foyer and into the dining area. Jack dropped Mia on the steps and ran toward him. “I thought I told you to get out! No, I’ll take you out.” He swung at Edward, missing him as he ducked out of the way. Edward yelled and slammed into Jack’s stomach, taking him off his feet and slamming him into the wall. A large picture fell off the wall and bounced before dropping onto the floor.

Edward slammed his fist into Jack’s stomach. When he doubled over, Edward gave the same punch to his face, bloodying his nose. Jack dove into Edward, trying to knock him down, but Edward held his footing, punching Jack in the side until he let go. Jack fell to the floor, and Edward straddled him, one fist punch after another meeting his jaw until Jack’s arms dropped limply to his sides.

Breathing hard, Edward stayed on top of him, his fists ready to continue for a few more seconds. He climbed off his brother and checked his own face for blood. He looked over at Mia. She ran to him, throwing her arms around him and squeezing him until he winced in pain. She backed off, noticing the blood dripping from his arm.

“You’re bleeding!”

“It’s not bad. Are you okay?”

“I am now. What the hell took you so long? I thought I was actually going to have to go through with it.”

“You know I wouldn’t have let that happen.” He wrapped his arms around her and indulged in her for the next few seconds. “Did you get it?”

“Every bit.” She patted her purse and smiled.

“Good.” He looked over at Jack and walked over. Bending over him, he slapped his face until he came to. “Get up.” Edward’s tone was flat.

“What the hell happened?” Jack tried to sit up.

“It’s over, Jack. The cops are on their way.” He used the nylon cord to keep Jack secured until the police arrived.

Once Jack was in custody, Edward took Mia’s hand and squeezed it, thanking God she was safe with him again. They walked outside hand in hand. After the entire story was told, Mia handed her phone to one of the officers. “Here’s the recording. It’s all there.”

“I’ll get this back to you as soon as I can, Miss Walker.” The officer took her phone and opened it up. He wrote down her code for access and nodded before excusing himself.

“You won’t be destroying anyone’s life again for a long time.” Edward held Mia close as he watched them put Jack into the back of the car. He looked at her for a long time. “Are you sure you’re okay? He didn’t touch you, did he?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle. But thank God you got in there when you did. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t received my text.”

“I don’t want to think about what could have happened. I only want to think about now, you, me.” He kissed her forehead and held onto her.

The police drove out of the driveway. A familiar car arrived and pulled up beside Mia and Edward.

“Mia.” Steven jumped out. “Are you okay?” He hugged her.

“Yes. What are you doing here?” Mia asked.

“Ask Edward.”

“I might have cornered him after I saw his car parked in front of your apartment the night you wouldn’t let me in.” Edward looked directly into Mia’s eyes.

“You what?” She looked at Steven and then back at Edward.

“I needed to know what happened. No one was talking, and your silence made me crazy.” Edward’s eyes betrayed a hint of fear.

“What happened?” she asked solemnly.

“Let’s just say I’ve learned a lot about his relationship with you. I found a new respect for him, and I know now how much he truly cares about you.” Edward took her hands and held them close to his chest. “I know I don’t have that with you, Mia. But I want to earn it, no matter how long it takes.”

She looked at Steven, unable to say a word.

“Mia.” Edward squeezed her hands. “He’s been more than helpful, and despite what I thought, I was glad he was here to help out.”

“I’m confused.” She stepped back.

“I sort of detoured the paparazzi.”

“Steven? How did they know?”

“How do they ever know? I think they have a direct line to the police station. They seem to arrive before the cops do. Anyway, I made them think you and Jack were at your apartment.” Steven winked.

“Mine?” Her eyes grew wide.

“Yeah. I wouldn’t go back there anytime soon.” He smirked and walked back to his car.

“Steven.”

He turned back around.

“Emily was there with the babysitter.”

He smiled and opened the back door of his car. Emily was fast asleep, her head propped up in the corner of the seat with her favorite bunny pillow.

“How do you think of everything?”

He closed the door with a soft nudge and walked around to the other side, leaving them alone.

“He really does care for you.” Edward touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

“I know. But that’s all. You do know that, right?”

“I do now.”

He pulled her to him and grazed his lips across hers, his eyes feeling heavy. His mouth opened as he deepened his kiss, their lips moving together, their tongues teasing, their fingers intertwining with each other. When he was with Mia, the world around him faded away. He embraced her, not wanting to let her go.

“I love you, Mia.”

She melted into his arms, smiling up at him. “That is the best thing I have heard all week.”

“The worst week of my life. I almost lost everything, including you.”

“I don’t think we’ll have to worry much about that now.” She looked to the entrance of the driveway, where the police were still escorting a resistant Jack away.

“I don’t want anything to come between us again.”

“Neither do I. I love you.”