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But most of all, I regretted not talking to Gabe and working out the problems between us. Not telling him how much I loved him every second of every day we’d had together. Now I’d be dead, and he’d never know.
A snarl of pure frustration ripped from my lungs. Enough of this bullshit. Elijah Harris was a killer. He’d already murdered my best friend. He’d probably do the same to me. But there was no way in hell I was going down without a fight.
I stepped away from the door at the same moment he slammed into it yet again, and this time the wood gave way in a horrific, splintering crack. Then Elijah Harris was in front of me, teeth bared and eyes wild, glittering with menace. I put myself between him and Savannah as best I could, then swung the bottle at his head for all I was worth.
My hand connected with the side of his skull, and beneath the heavy glass I felt the bone give way a little as his skin broke and blood flowed into his eyes. He grabbed for me, catching my wrist and twisting hard so I dropped the bottle. I screamed and scratched, doing everything I possibly could to keep him away, but it wasn’t enough.
One second I was standing in front of him, the next he had me pinned to the wall, his fingers tight around my throat as my feet dangled helplessly in the air, kicking at nothing. I wheezed, gasped, fought for breath, but no oxygen was getting in. I dug my nails into his hand. Nothing. No response. Just a dead-eyed smirk. The fucker was enjoying this.
This was how I’d die, suffocated by this asshole.
Black crept into my peripheral vision, slowly spreading, eating up the light in the room. With my last moment of consciousness, I saw Savannah, quiet now, her little eyes wide as she stared at the back of my assailant.I’m sorry, baby girl. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough.
As Elijah’s grip strengthened and my vision winked out, my last thought was for Gabe.
I love you. I’m sorry…
Then, nothing.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Iran up the street toward Charlotte’s house even as sirens wailed closer and the sound of tires screeching up the street signaled the imminent arrival of the police. I couldn’t wait for backup. I could hear Savannah crying at the top of her little lungs inside, and that immediately kicked me into “Fuck it” mode. I ran for the front door.
If Elijah Harris had done anything to harm even a hair on Charlotte’s or Savannah’s head, he’d pay. I hauled off and kicked the door, but nothing happened. Fuck! I tried again.
Goddamn these old houses and their solid construction. Adrenaline and desperation made me search for another way in. Spotting a small planter on the corner of the porch, I hefted it above my head and hurled it through the living room window, then climbed in after it, not caring about the glass shards cutting my hands or tearing my clothes.
I quickly assessed the living room and kitchen before barreling down the hall toward the bedrooms. Fuck finesse. I wanted this guy to know I was coming for him. I was ready to tear him limb from limb with my bare hands if I had to, to protect the ones I loved. I heard the cops pull up outside, but I kept going. No one was taking this asshole down but me.
At the sound of my entry, Savannah’s wails had increased. I prayed she was just crying like a normal kid and that Harris hadn’t done anything to her. I already knew he was a sadistic asshole who enjoyed other people’s pain. Reaching the end of the hall, I found the door to Charlotte’s bedroom door in splinters. Harris looked genuinely shocked when I ran into Charlotte’s room, like he’d been so intent on what he was doing he hadn’t heard me bust my way into the house.
I surveyed the scene quickly. Savannah was wailing in her pack and play in the corner, face covered in tears and snot, but otherwise seemingly okay. Elijah Harris, looking every inch the monster he was, all teeth and terrible, cold glee, had his hand around Charlotte’s neck, choking her against the wall. And Charlotte… Charlotte was eerily still under his touch, her face red and mottled, her eyes closed.
Fuck. Was I too late?
I didn’t have time to check as Harris released his grip on Charlotte and she slid into a crumpled heap on the floor, motionless. Harris turned toward Savannah, and dark shadows gathered around me, that red haze descending over my vision again. My instincts were in overdrive, all the training deep in my muscle memory surging to the forefront. Above it all beat a steady stream of urgency and an unrelenting need to protect what was mine.
Elijah looked back at me, over his shoulder, his expression oddly blank. Completely devoid of emotion. I’d only seen that a few other times in my life, in the most dangerous battles I’d been in. It was the look of a man who’d broken, who’d given up the last shreds of his humanity. Who loved the kill too much.
Elijah Harris was a murderer. There was no doubt in my mind. And today, he was going to pay.
The next few minutes seemed to happen in slow motion. Harris stepped toward Savannah, and I jumped on him, punching him hard in the kidneys. He bellowed and turned to face me, lumbering forward and swinging hard.
He caught the side of my head before I could duck out of the way, ringing my bell a bit, but I managed to right myself. I felt blood trickling from my temple, but it barely registered. All I was focused on was bringing this asshole to his knees. Stopping him from hurting Charlotte and Savannah. Stopping him from hurting anyone ever again.
Behind me, I heard a feeble cough, then the sound of movement on the hardwood floor.
Charlotte.
My heart leaped in my chest.
She was alive.
Adrenaline surged through me.
We could have another shot, if I put this asshole down for good. Savannah wailed again, as if in agreement.I got you, sweetheart.
Daddy’s here, and he’s never going to let you down again.
