Page 103 of York

Then… there was no more gasping.

No more breath at all.

He was dead.

That seemed to pierce the bubble I was stuck in. I gasped for air as I jumped to my feet.

But instead of moving back, I stepped forward, grabbing a rock as I went, just in case.

I kicked Sonny’s leg. Once. Twice. Three times.

Nothing.

I don’t know how long I stood there staring down at him.

But eventually, I seemed to decide he couldn’t hurt me again. Then I turned and walked back to the house.

I honestly wasn’t even conscious of the climb, the descent, the sights or sounds.

All I could think was that I needed to get back to the house.

I needed to get to York.

Then, like I conjured him, he came flying out the back door of the house and toward me.

And I knew it was going to be okay.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

York

“Where is all this coming from?” I asked, panic surging up the back of my throat, making my breath catch and my chest tighten as I looked her over. “Runa, come on, babe. Talk to me. Where are you hurt?”

“It’s not mine.” Her voice sounded slow and robotic.

“It’s not yours? You’re sure?”

“Sonny…”

“He’s who hired the hitmen.”

“Yes.” God, she was so detached, in shock.

“Did he hurt you?”

“He killed them,” she said, looking at, but through me. “All of them. He killed them.”

“I know. I know, baby. This is his blood? Where is he? Is he coming?”

She gave me a short shake of her head.

“Okay. I’m going to need to go double-check that.”

Another nod.

“But I’m going to get you upstairs first.”

With that, I lowered down, pulled off her shoes, and led her inside and upstairs.