The Saltwater Witness

But then, a shot rang out, and Carlos stumbled back, a look of surprise on his face. I opened my eyes, saw him fall to the ground, a pool of blood spreading around him.

Cole grabbed my hand, pulled me towards the truck. "Run!" he shouted, and we took off into the woods.

We ran until we couldn't run anymore, until the sound of gunfire faded behind us. Cole pulled me behind a tree, his chest heaving.

"It's okay," he said, his voice rough. "It's over."

I looked up at him, my heart pounding. "Is he dead?"

Cole nodded, his face grim. "Yes. And without him, the cartel will fall apart. You're safe now, Candace. Truly safe."

I started to cry, then, great, heaving sobs of relief and exhaustion. Cole pulled me into his arms, held me close.

"Shh," he whispered, his hand stroking my hair. "It's okay. I've got you."

We stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other. And for the first time in months, I felt truly safe.

* * *

Years later, I still remember that day. The day Cole saved my life, the day we started our new life together.

We stayed in Seabrook, in that little cottage by the sea. Cole left the sheriff's department, started his own security company. And I went back to school, became a teacher.

We got married on the beach, with the sound of the waves in the background. And every night, when I fall asleep in Cole's arms, I know that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

The Rojas cartel is gone now, dismantled by the authorities. But I still sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, my heart pounding, the memories of that time still fresh in my mind.

But then I feel Cole's hand on my back, hear his voice in my ear, and I know that I'm safe. That no matter what happens, he'll always be there to protect me.

Because that's what love is, isn't it? It's a promise, a vow. To stand by each other, no matter what. To fight for each other, to the very end.

And that's what we have. A love that's strong enough to withstand anything. A love that's worth fighting for.

Even now, all these years later, I still remember. And I know I'll never forget.