Force: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

was gone, it was like a switch was flipped. She had a friend with her, and the two of them celebrated screwing you over with a few Cosmos. I got the whole thing on tape, including them talking about how the money was just a bonus, but you getting what you deserved for dumping her was the prize she was really after. She admitted it all. The lies, the fake witness at the bar. Every damn word.”
The room feels like it’s closing in. There's no way it’s that simple.
“Your lawyers have the tape; they’re taking it to the judge to get this whole thing thrown out,” Becks adds, but I can’t focus on him. The room fades away as I struggle to process what the hell is going on.
Brooke is the only one to break through the rioting thoughts in my head. Her smiling, tear-streaked face is all I see. Dragging her into my arms, I cry for the second time in my life.
***
It’s late at night, and we’re finally alone.
The rest of today has been nothing short of chaos. I’ve had multiple phone calls from my team of lawyers as they talk me through the next steps. They got an emergency hearing with the judge, and she agreed that there was no case.
Not only that, but there never should have been. It seems like the cops were trying to make an example of me because of my apparent celebrity status. They never should have arrested me in the first place.
I have to decide if I want to pursue a complaint against them, but right now, I've had enough of the whole situation. All I want is to get back behind the wheel of my car. Becks already has me scheduled in for track time tomorrow. After that, I plan to take Brooke away for a week on a deserted island. We both deserve it.
As for Karlyn, she’s been arrested and charged with a variety of crimes. While most of the news outlets have picked up the story and have changed their tune to show me support, there’s still a few holding out and sticking to the original story.
I don’t have it in me to care. The truth is out there. I have Brooke, her family who have all called to show me support through this whole mess, and I have my team. There’s nobody else I care about it.
Once the excitement of the day died down, Colton dragged me to the side and berated me for thinking he was going to kick me off the team.
“We’re not just a team, Tuck. We’re a damn family,” he made his declaration, pulled me in for a hug and strong slap on my back. I’d gotten similar lectures from Becks and Zander before they all left.
“What are you thinking about.” Brooke’s voice cuts through the quiet.
“Nothing. Everything.”
“Same.” She sighs.
Pulling her closer, I roll us so she’s tucked underneath me. Her legs part, letting my hips drop down to rest between hers.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I tell her. “There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t give up for you. Not a single damn thing.”
“I—”
“No. You need hear this. Really hear this, Brooke. I love you, and part of that is me needing to make sure you’re okay. If you ever feel like you can’t deal with something, you tell me and we work it out. You don’t get to run away from me again.”
“Okay.” Her eyes gleam with tears in the moonlight that shines through the open blinds.
“Promise me.”
“I promise.” Zero hesitation.
“You’re my world, Brooke. Now that I have you back, I can’t go another day without you; do you understand that?” She nods, causing a tear to streak down her cheek. I wish I could make her understand what she means to me. She came back in my life with so much force, it was like I'd crashed and was spinning out of control. We might be back on track right now, but I know if I ever lost her again, it would be game over for me.
“Now kiss me,” I demand when the feelings coursing through me become too much to bear. She drags me down so I'm flush against her.
“I love you too,” she adds, and just hearing those words soothe me. She’s here, she’s with me. And that is how it’s always going to be. I'll spend the rest of my life making sure of it.
The rest of the night is spent in my favorite place, buried deep inside my Brooke.

EPILOGUE ONE
TUCKER
“This place hasn’t changed a bit.” Brooke’s voice is wistful as she stares out the passenger window at the lush green scenery as it flies by.
“Not even a little bit,” I murmur back, stopping the truck in a familiar spot. “Wait for me to come around and help you out.” She rolls her eyes at me, but she does as I ask. Opening her door, I take her hand to make sure she doesn’t go wandering off. Pushing the door closed I use my body to crowd her against the side of the truck. “Close your eyes.”
“What?” her adorably confused eyes gaze up at me.
“I have a surprise for you, keep your eyes closed.” She looks like she’s about to start asking questions, so I take her mouth in a deep kiss. Once we’re both breathless, I drag my lips from hers. “Please.” She gives me a cute pout, but does as I ask.
Putting my hands over her closed eyes, I walk her to the back of the truck. “Can I trust you not to peek?”
“You do realize I already know where we are, right?” Her light giggle rings out into the field of wildflowers that we’re parked in. The sound still causes my insides to dip every single time I hear it.
“Just do as you’re told.”
“Yes, boss.” She gives me a mock salute.
“I like the sound of that.” Pressing my hips into her ass, I show her just how much