Roscoe laughed. “I’m not sure about that.”
Signaling to the guard, the door slid open with a final clang and the warden walked through. Quinten took a step, the absence of shackles causing him to falter…it had been so long. His head dipped to his chest and he closed his eyes. Taking in a deep breath, he forced his foot to move forward…and then the next one. He felt, rather than saw, the moment he walked out of the jail and he came to a stop, his eyes still closed. He was terrified of who he would or wouldn’t see when he looked up.
He no longer wore chains or the horrid blue pants and orange shirt that had been required. The guard had passed him a new pair of dark grey jeans and a pale blue T-shirt, along with new underwear and boots. They fit him fine, but he wondered where they came from because they weren’t the clothes he’d been wearing when he was sentenced.
His thoughts scattered when he felt the soft touch against his fisted hand at his side. He looked down and then followed the arm up until he met the swimming eyes of the woman he loved.
She’d come for him.
He pulled her into his arms and held her close. So close that he was afraid of hurting her so he loosened his grip slightly.
“No,” Saige protested and tried to get closer.
He buried his face in the curve of her neck and held on, his own tears running down his face and getting lost in his beard. He’d dreamt of this day for so long that, now that it was here, and she was in his arms, he couldn’t think of what to say to her.
Time had no meaning as they clung to each other, but eventually the coolness of the early morning started to register and so did the silence.
Cupping one side of Saige’s face, he wiped away her remaining tears, placed a tender kiss to her lips, and smiled. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and finally looked at the others.
The warden and guards had left them, but Detective Robinson and his brother stood to the side watching.
Slipping his hand down to Saige’s, and intertwining their fingers, he moved over to Alex and pulled his brother against him for a one-armed hug.
Tears threatened again as he felt his brother’s embrace. “I never thought this would happen.” Alex kissed him on the side of his head. “It’s such a damn relief to not have you inside anymore.”
“Yeah, it is.” Quinten let his brother step back, and turned to the other man. “Detective Robinson.” He held his hand out. “Thank you...for everything.” He glanced at Saige and back to the detective.
“You’re welcome.” Robinson cleared his throat. “We better get moving before the press starts showing up.”
Quinten tightened his hold on Saige’s hand because he wasn’t going anywhere that didn’t include Saige being with him.
She smiled and snuggled against his chest, kissing his hand that held hers.
“I’m driving back to Port Jude with Alex,” the detective informed him, “and you’re going with Saige for a few days.”
Her arm pressed against his back at the detective’s words. She looked up and smiled. “I’ll tell you where we’re going in the car.”
Inhaling and slowly exhaling, she tugged him toward the two vehicles while he shivered in the early morning freshness.
“I have a sweater in the car for you.” She smiled. “I meant to send it in with your clothes but I was so nervous, I’m afraid I forgot.”
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind being cold. It’s good to be walking in the fresh air without the prison walls surrounding me, and it’s an added bonus to have you with me. To share my first minutes of freedom.”
Saige nodded and came to a stop beside a large, black SUV.
“Take care Quinten, and I’ll see you when Saige decides to bring you back,” Alex smirked, but Quinten could see the turmoil in his brother’s eyes.
He bent low to Saige’s ear. “Give me a minute.”
She nodded and caressed his back. “I’ll be here.”
Quinten moved over to his brother and pulled him fully into his arms and held him tightly. “I love you,” he admitted gruffly. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for always believing in me, for never giving up on me. I love you, bro.” Quinten kissed him on his forehead and grinned.
“Go get your girl,” Alex said.
* * *
6:20am
* * *
It had taken Saige two hours of driving to get them to the beach house that Coulter owned, but it was certainly worth it, and no one knew where they were.