Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
With what little energy I have left, I run toward him while his eyes scan me from head to toe.
“Fuck, you’re okay,” he breathes as I crash against a solid chest, and his arms wrap around me.
“I’m okay.” I swallow over the lump in my throat, and he hauls me closer. His hold is so tight my rib cage aches as he crushes me against his solid frame.
Burying my face in his shirt, I cling to him. I never once let myself think that I wouldn’t see him again, but now that I’m back in his arms, all that fear I kept at bay bubbles to the surface, making it difficult to breathe.
“Are you hurt?” He wraps his hand around the side of my neck and forces my head back so he can look me in the eye.
“No, no, I’m okay,” I reassure him, then look toward the barn when there is a sudden burst of commotion, and people start shouting as they roll a stretcher with the guy on it toward the ambulance.
“Who is that?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“One of the guys who was supposed to deliver my furniture.” I drop my forehead to his chest. “He… He got high, I… I think he had a heart attack; I tried to keep him alive until help got here, but I…” I swallow as my throat burns. “I was getting so tired.”
“Jesus,” he whispers, and I squeeze my eyes closed as he wraps his big hand around the back of my head. “Fuck me.” He ducks his head and cocoons me in the safety of his embrace. And feeling safe, really safe for the first time in hours, I burst into tears.
CHAPTER 30
Olivia
Feeling Bax move, taking me with him, I swim to the edge of consciousness, but just the edge because sleep has me in its grasp, and I’m so comfortable I don’t want to let it go. It was an exhausting night. Kourtney and I spent a long time talking to the police, and then when Bax finally brought us home, my parents, Liam, and what seemed like every member of his family were here to make sure we were okay.
Though they didn’t stay long, Bax, much to my mother’s and his mom’s disapproval, called it a night when he saw that I could barely keep my eyes open any longer. After everyone left, and Kourtney, who decided to stay the night, was tucked away in the guest room, he held me through the shower I so desperately needed, then he stood at my back as I brushed my teeth a million times. After that, I don’t even remember getting into bed because I was falling asleep standing up.
“I’m going to need you to give us a couple more hours before you come over,” Bax says, and I realize he’s on the phone. “Yeah, she’s still sleeping.” He sighs. “Promise I’ll call as soon as she’s awake.”
“Was that my mom?” I ask him, not bothering to open my eyes, and his hand wrapped around my hip tightens.
“Your dad, but your mom was in the background.”
“What time is it?”
“After ten,” he says quietly as he rolls toward me, and I snuggle deeper into his chest.
“It’s late.”
“You don’t have anywhere you need to be. You can stay in bed as long as you want.”
“I need to call the spa. I’m sure Eva and Holly are worried.”
“I left them a voicemail last night and told them you’d call later today.”
“Thank you,” I whisper and feel his lips at the top of my head.
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” I rub my lips together, then ask quietly. “Did you get an update about—?”
“No, last I heard, he’s still in the hospital.” He cuts me off, knowing I was going to ask about the man who kidnapped Kourtney and me—Ferris or, as he knew him Fizz. The delivery truck passenger, a guy we found out last night, hadn’t checked in with his parole officer for weeks because he didn’t go back home after being arrested here. After a couple of phone calls, Cobi and Hammer found out that his girlfriend broke up with him and told him to stay away when he called her from jail, so not having a place to go home to, he had been living in that barn and drifting around town and likely messing with me because he considered what happened to him my fault.
“I just want to know if he’s okay,” I say softly and feel his chest expand on a deep breath.
“Whatever happens with him, Oli, you are not responsible. You did more than most people would in your situation.” His arms tighten around me. “You should have left him there.”
“Please don’t,” I whisper.
“He could have taken you from me.” Pulling my face away from his chest, I tip my head back, and he dips his chin down to meet my gaze.