AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At long last that bastard Charles was dead. He was no longer a threat to anyone.
I didn’t have time to check on Rae’s mother or sister. Both of them lay on the ground as I took off, sick at the thought that neither of them survived, more SOMC members hot on my six. Firing shots to cover my ass I led them outside and away from the stairs that led to Rae and R.J.
The sound of gunfire must have alerted the neighbors. I heard the wail of sirens in the distance.
The Outlaws scattered amid the roar of engines as bikes left the property, one of which was Devlin. His evil grin spread across his face, smirking at the chaos that unfolded here today. He was a sick and sadistic freak. Rae was never going to be safe until he was dead.
I ran back inside and dropped to the ground, my fingers pressing against Sarah’s throat. There was no pulse. Tears filled my eyes as I slid to Leah’s side. The little girl was covered in blood, probably from her mother more than herself, one hand clenched in Sarah’s. Sucking a huge breath into my lungs I felt for a heartbeat. A faint thrum could be felt beneath my fingertips.
Thank the heavens.
That’s when I heard Rae screaming. Valan and Jake appeared by my side. I didn’t have to ask Jake to help the little girl. He had her in his arms, pressing against a wound in her leg and muttering curses under his breath.
My girl’s raw emotions ripped through me. I could feel her pain like it was my own, a stabbing throbbing ache of disbelief and torture that filled my chest until I could hardly draw a breath. The agony pressed in on my body and nearly forced me to my knees.
I think I practically flew up the stairs, two at a time, until I saw her crumpled form on the ground. The gut-wrenching wails of sorrow that launched from her throat tore my heart to pieces. I had Rae in my arms and whispered to her, but she couldn’t seem to hear me. I didn’t know how to reach her, but I held on and rocked her in my lap, pressing her head close to my heart and kept calling her name, saying I loved her, over and over, hoping my voice was enough to bring her back.
“Rae, oh my Rae . . .”
“YOU DON’T WANT ANY immunity for yourself?”
“No,” I growled. “Just take care of Rae. Make sure she’s far away from here where they can’t find her.”
“I’ll do my best Pete.”
“That’s not good enough. I need your word, Hollis.”
I could hear his whistle through the phone like he was irritated with me.
“That’s Sheriff Daly to you.”
“Cut the shit. You’ve known me since I was a kid. Beckett and I have grown up together. At least be honest with me. That’s all I’m asking.” I had to take a deep breath so I wouldn’t lose my shit, “I need to know Rae will be alright and that I’ll be able to find her as soon as I can.”
“This shit isn’t going to blow over anytime soon Pete,” he sounded tired. “I’ll do my best. You have my word, but this is out of my hands now. The feds are the ones who make the final decisions.”
“I know, but if you use your influence, I stand a chance of being with her. Can you understand that?”
“Yeah, kid I do. Shouldn’t be long now. Watch for the car.”
I hung up without answering, my chest tight. For the last forty-eight hours I’d been holding Rae close as Sheriff Daly, and the whole damn police precinct, took statements and went over the crime scene, bombarded my girl with questions and the trauma ended. Little Leah was in intensive care in the hospital and was supposed to join Rae once she was recovered enough.
I blew out a breath and ran my fingers through my hair, R.J. was sitting with Rae while I made my call. We moved her to the safe house until everything could be arranged. Now that the plans were finalized it was time to join her.
Plastering a smile on my face I walked into the room and nodded to R.J. Only the stiffening of his jaw proved he understood. Hugging Rae close and placing a light kiss on her lips he whispered his goodbye and left us alone.
Her curious gaze met mine as she stood and walked forward, rushing into my embrace.
“I’ll love you forever,” I promised Rae as I held her tight in my arms, stroking her long soft hair. Any minute now the feds would be here and I would be forced to let her go. Any minute I would lose her, my soul sold for the chance to keep her safe. All my plans, all my promises, all for nothing . . . “You have my heart, Rae. Keep it close. Know I’m thinking of you, every minute of every single day.”
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears, “No Pete –”
I cut her off with a passionate kiss, knowing I couldn’t hear her arguments. I was dying a little more inside with every second that past, “Always Rae. You’ll always be my girl.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere without you.”
“You have to baby, or they’ll kill you. Do you understand?” I placed my hands on her smooth, soft cheeks, my eyes roaming over every square inch of her face, memorizing every perfect feature in sharp detail, and stared deeply into those beautiful, troubled, melted chocolate eyes that sucked my soul into hers, “You have to survive. You have to get away and escape. That’s all that matters.”
“Pete,” she whispered, her voice anguished. “But I’ll never see you again.”
