AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swallow down the lump of fear in my throat as she leans in closer. “I’m here now. Come away with me.”
I let her chest fall flush with mine, then when I feel her relax a half a second, I take all the strength I have, lifting my forearms to slam them against her shoulders. The knife slices into me, the pain causing me to cry out, but she stumbles back, and I use the opportunity to sprint for the open door.
She screams my name, but I’m already onto the landing. I can feel the blood oozing down my chest, but I make it to the stairs, jogging down as quickly as I can. I hit the bottom, going straight for my drawer. I open it, reaching inside for my gun.
Damn it.
I forgot it was the murder weapon used to kill Blaine. That Lucy used to kill Blaine. Panicked, I start for the kitchen, but my foot snags on the rug in the hall. I trip, stumbling to the ground before I’m pushing back to my feet. I get one step onto the hardwood when I’m tackled from behind. Lucy lands on my back, arms around my stomach.
“Lucy!” I shriek. “Stop!”
She squeezes, but I manage to use my elbow to bust her nose. She groans, loosening her hold just enough for me to wiggle up a few inches. I turn my head to the side to catch my breath when I see my curtains erupt into flames. I scan the room and spot a candle knocked over on the floor. I must have left it burning last night and it fell during our scuffle.
“Lucy! We have to get out of here!” I shout.
I’m crawling across the floor when she catches my ankle. I kick, letting the heel of my foot land on her chin.
She still doesn’t let up. She’s clawing at my legs as I attempt to get to the kitchen. I need a weapon. Anything.
The fire alarms sound. Smoke fills the air around us and I cough, standing to my feet. Just as I wretch open the kitchen drawer, I feel it. The sharp sting of the knife, stabbing straight through my flesh.
Chapter 56
Greyson
Adam’s truck skids into Tilly’s driveway just as the firefighters are dousing the house with water.
I jump out, not bothering to shut the door. I rush the porch, but the fire chief cuts me off.
“Greyson, you can’t go in there.” He holds up his hand.
I’d known him since I was a kid, and I could tell by the look on his face it was bad.
“Is she in there?” I step to him. “I need to get to her.”
He rips off his helmet. “You just missed her. Ambulance left ten minutes ago.”
I tun around, motioning to Adam to get back to the truck. “Hospital,” I call out.
Adam slaps his light on top of his cab and flips on the flashers as we speed through town. The hospital wasn’t far, but enough time for my muscles to practically turn inside out. Tension wraps around my spine and my shoulders grow taunt.
Adam slides us right up to the automatic doors, then we’re rushing inside, jogging towards the emergency room where the ambulance would have come. I stop the first nurse I see. My breathing is ragged. I could run hours on the football field, but this shit was different. This was her.
“The ambulance that just came in. From the fire. Where is she?”
Her eyes glance away then back as she flicks them down to her clip board.
“The woman they just brought in.” My voice sounds harsh, but I need some answers. Now. “Where is she?”
She stutters her words. “Sssir. I’m sorry to inform you. The patient was deceased upon arrival. Her body is being prepared for transport.”
What?
I stagger away, my vision blurring. “No.” My back hits the wall as I suck in a deep breath.
She can’t be gone. There’s no way my Rosie is gone.
I place my hands on the back of my head.
