Page 89 of The Hero She Loves

Olson wouldn’t be escaping this time.

“Good riddance,” Jenna murmured.

Vander gripped Park’s shoulder. “Well done. Both of you.”

“He didn’t make it easy,” Park said. “He hurt a lot of people.”

“But he can’t hurt anyone ever again,” Jenna said.

Park knew she was thinking of her father.

“Jenna,” a voice called out.

Owen stood nearby with some state troopers, waving at her.

She squeezed Park’s arm. “I need to deal with this.”

He watched her walk over to the group. Then he watched the way they listened to her, and he felt proud as hell.

“You helped Jenna stop Olson,” Vander said. “You saved lives, Park.”

“Thanks for coming.” Vander was one of the people Park trusted most. He knew the man would always have his back.

Park realized that he wasn’t as isolated as he’d thought. He saw Boone, Shep, and Ren nearby. His friends, his brothers. Loyalty was in their marrow.

And Park would return the favor if they ever needed him.

“You didn’t really need us,” Vander said. “You and Jenna make a hell of a team.”

“She’s in love with me.”

“Then that makes you a lucky man.”

“I know.”

Park knew he could go back to his cabin. He could avoid people, avoid life…

But she’d changed him. No, maybe she’d just pulled the blinders off so he could see more clearly.

“I don’t deserve her. I’m not good enough for her.”

Vander smiled. “You’re not, but she chose you. She loves you. You think you can walk away and let her go?”

Park looked over at her. She was waving a hand as she talked. “Fuck, no.”

“Good. I was worried I was going to have to knock some sense into you. You have a lifetime to do everything you can to make her happy. All you have to do is love her.”

Vander sounded like he was speaking from experience.

Park dragged in a deep breath. “Shit.” A shot of fear hit him. A part of him would prefer to take on a pack of Olsons.

Vander’s smile widened. “I know the feeling. We’ve all been there.” He nodded at the others. “I get how it feels to think you’re not good enough for your woman, to feel that you don’t knowhow to love her. She’ll help you. She’ll show you.” An amused look across Vander’s face. “And she’ll let you know when you get it wrong.”

Park let out a low laugh.

“It’s good to hear that. You deserve the happiness, Park.”

“Thanks, Vander. For everything.”