Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Maybe choosing the woods over Brian wasn’t the best idea after all.
chapter twenty-eight
KIRA
“Mommy, I’m so tired,” Violet whines, “and my feet hurt.”
She was too heavy, so I had to put her down. But since I didn’t think any of this through, we’re both walking through the woods barefoot.
It’s late and dark, and every time I hear a noise, I’m not sure if it’s Brian or an animal—and I’m not sure which one I’d prefer it to be.
“I know, sweet girl. But we need to find a road.”
She sighs, but doesn’t argue, and we continue to walk.
I have no idea if we’re walking toward a road or farther into the woods, and I’m scared shitless, but I’m trying to stay brave for my little girl.
I’m also worried that if the pills don’t kill Brian—which I doubt they will—and we don’t get help soon, he’s going to wake up and be the one to find us.
We walk for several more minutes, and then I see a flash of light come through the trees, lighting up the area.
“Mommy!” Violet gasps, having seen it as well.
“That must be where the road is,” I tell her.
And if the lights were able to hit us, it must not be that far.
I guide us in the direction of where the light was with a newfound hope that we’ll find the road and hopefully someone to help us while praying it’s not Brian looking for us.
And then I hear a voice—the one I’ve been thinking about since we were taken—call out our names, and I pick Violet up and run toward it.
“Kira! Violet!”
“Ryder!” Violet and I call out at the same time.
“Ryder! We’re here!” I yell.
“Ryder!” Violet screams.
“Kira! Violet!” we hear again. “Where are you?”
“Keep yelling, Ryder!” I shout. “We can hear you.”
We keep calling each other’s names like a horrible game of Marco Polo. And then we see him. Standing at the edge of the woods.
The second he spots us, he takes off after us and doesn’t slow down until we’re in his arms.
“Oh, thank God,” he cries. “It’s really you.”
He peppers kisses all over my face while Violet stays squished between us, crying and thanking Ryder for finding us.
When he’s done kissing me, he takes Violet into his arms and hugs her tightly, kissing her forehead.
“I’ve been looking for you guys for hours,” he says, his eyes filled with tears.
“Brian took us and …” I let my words linger, not wanting to tell him in front of Violet that I drugged Brian.
“I know. The police found him, and he’s on his way to the hospital.”
My heart sinks. A huge part of me hoped he would be found dead so this would all be over.
“C’mon. Let’s get you girls home, where you belong.”
“Wait!” Violet says. “My backpack. I left it in that house.”
“I know,” Ryder tells her. “It’s how we were able to find you. The iPad’s location was on. But we can’t get it because the police need it. But I promise, tomorrow, we’ll go buy you a new backpack.”
“And a new iPad?” she asks.
“Whatever you want.” He kisses her cheek. “I’m just so glad you’re both okay. Now, let’s go let the police know I found you. They have several men looking for you as well.”
After we’re both checked out and we answer the police’s questions—and Ryder insists we answer the rest tomorrow after we’ve gotten some sleep—we head home.
When we walk through the door, the house feels different … empty.
“Where’s Addie?”
“She’s sleeping at Julian and Ana’s. I needed to focus on searching for you guys.”
I nod in understanding.
We put Violet to bed, letting her know that if she’s scared or she can’t sleep, she can come to our room, but she’s exhausted, and she falls asleep before we make it out of her room.
“I saw the properties,” Ryder says when we get to our room.
Despite having already showered, I feel like I need another one.
“I never would’ve—”
“I know,” he says, not letting me finish. “The idea that you were planning to leave me flashed through my mind for a second, but then once I thought about everything we’ve been through, the way you love me and know that I love you, I knew you wouldn’t leave me.”
Ryder grips the curve of my hip and pulls me toward him. “That woman, Marie, who you thought was your friend …”
“I know,” I choke out. “She’s Nora.” I shake my head, feeling so stupid.
“She showed up here shortly after you disappeared, begging for me to take her back. She’s how I knew you were with Brian. She ran her mouth, and I was able to piece it all together.” He leans over and brushes his lips against mine. “She’s been arrested, and with all the laws they broke, they’re both going to prison for a long time.”
“Good. They deserve it.”