Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
I can’t take my eyes off the carnage, not even to really comprehend that one of these henchman is on our side. Men pour into the space, crowding it. There’s no one to direct the bad guys now that their don is dead, flopped onto the floor with his face blown off. They drop their weapons, hands in the air. The one who shot Carbini steps forward and gives a report, indicates a door guard and Jack nods. They go pick up my dad and carry him out. Louie ushers the other henchman out and I’m pretty sure that’s to spare me the sight of whatever’s going to happen to them now. I feel like I’m glued to this wall. I can’t move. I’m shaking all over.
Everyone’s gone but Jack and me. I keep staring at him like he’s an apparition, like I’m hallucinating out of pure terror. He puts his gun on the floor before he comes to me. He kneels down by me and searches my face. I feel tears on my cheeks, but I don’t bother to wipe them away. I just let go of my knees and hold out my arms to him in mute appeal. His handsome face, that face I love, transforms with a grin. He grabs me and hugs me, picks me up in his arms.
Jack carries me out of that godforsaken place, and we get in a waiting car. He doesn’t put me down on the seat. He holds me in his lap. His thumbs brush my tears away. We are silent a long time. He finally bursts out with, “Jesus, I could have lost you, Serena.”
I’m holding on to the front of his shirt. It has some blood on it from the guy he killed at the door, but I don’t seem to mind right now. I can feel his heartbeat under my hands and the heat of his skin and the smell of him. He’s real and whole and holding me. I let go, sink into his chest and rest there all the way home.
The only thing I’m really aware of is the call Jack gets to tell us that my dad’s okay after being checked out at the ER. He’s spending the night in the hospital to make sure there’s no after-effects of whatever drug they used on him. It’s a relief to me that he’s all right, and that he’ll have the hospital staff looking after him tonight. I don’t think I could do it at this point. I’m overwhelmed by all that’s happened to bring me to this moment.
I feel the change in motion, the car slows and stops. The door opens. I stir in Jack’s arms, blink up at him. For a second, I’m afraid I’m dreaming and that I am still a prisoner in that awful place. He tries to carry me into his building, but I shake my head and insist on walking. I’ll return to his penthouse on my own two feet. Where I belong. And I’ll tell him the truth even if it makes him hate me.
If I lose Jack, I’ll lose him as an honest woman, not a coward. That much I can promise.
Once in his apartment, I turn to him.
“Thank you, Jack,” I say, my voice sounding rusty. “You didn’t have to come for me, especially after the way I left things between us.”
I’m ready to launch into my apology when he crowds me back into the wall, blocking me in and putting his mouth on mine.
“I would always come for you. Goddammit, if you don’t know that—” he sounds like the words are dragged from him, like he’s in agony as his hands cup my face, my shoulders, before they slide to my breasts. I turn away from him and he steps back.
“Are you hurt?” he says, concern darkening his gaze as he studies me. Color floods my cheeks.
“No I’m just wet and dirty and cold.”
“Oh, thank God,” he says, sounding relieved. “Take a hot shower and get cleaned up. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be right out here.”
I smile shyly. An hour ago, I was scared for my life. Now I have a miracle. I’m safe and I’ve been given a chance to tell Jack the truth. I could never hope for more. Not forgiveness for keeping the secret, not a path forward to be with him. Getting to tell him the truth, knowing the only way our baby could ever be safe is under his protection, feels like my purpose right now. As soon as I have a shower.
24
JACK
When she pulls away, I feel the crushing devastation roar back into my chest, all light and hope burn out. Then she says she’s just cold and dirty. I nearly laugh with relief. I didn’t think I’d have the chance to have her back in my arms. Especially not when she’s been held hostage by an enemy, which would seem to confirm her worst fears. Yet she doesn’t seem in a hurry to leave. She is in my shower now.