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I'd be going faster.
Thankfully, we are only a few hours out, back the way we came initially. I'm glad we decided to just keep circling the area; otherwise, Eve's life would be on the line for longer while we retraced our steps.
"We will be there in a few hours; see you soon." Smith cuts off the call, leaving us in silence as we stew over this next lead.
"Is anyone else afraid of getting their hopes up?"
I frown at the vulnerability in Nolan's tone. He's been high-spirited all day...probably thanks to his boyfriend beside him. As the hours went on, his lunch forgotten, he seems to be declining again.
He freaked us all the fuck out yesterday when Ry tried to get his attention. When I got my own look at him, I almost brought us straight to a damn hospital. He was ashen and seemed on the verge of passing out.
This morning he had more of a pep in his step, but now the weariness and the stress are taking a toll on him once again. Not as pale as yesterday, but his complexion is still concerning; I make a mental note to keep an eye on him.
Shuffling in my seat, I turn and share a loaded look with Ryan, communicating similar concerns. I run my hands through my dark hair, the tattoo on my bicep catching my eye for a moment.
She who falls catches herself.
I got it for Eve the day before the courthouse. I wanted to surprise her with it when we could promise her a safe future. Nolan has always loved to refer to her as his Little Pheonix...The quote and the fiery image of the phoenix felt right. It serves as the reminder I need right now; our woman is so fucking strong.
She's my fighter.
Emotion clogs my airway, and my eyes burn with unshed tears. The emptiness of my arms makes me ache to wrap Evie in a tight embrace. I swear my heart is constantly skipping beats. I'm the angry one...but I'm also the one that they say feels the most.
I'm so...there are no words to describe the horrific effects of having the love of your life ripped away from you. From watching her overcome so much trauma, just to have the asshole who abused her in the first place steal her all over again.
"Don't lose hope." My voice is gruff. Deciding to take a page from each of us, I continue, "Remember your nicknames for her."
I gesture to Amiri first. "Angel." To myself. "Fighter." Ryan is next, his eyes glassy when they lock on mine. "Goddess." Finally, I meet Nolan's equally misty gaze. "Pheonix. Fire."
I swallow, needing to collect myself. "We have given her endearments of otherworldly strength...why?"
"Because it's true." Nol's voice is soft.
"Yes. Evelyn has shown us time and time again how much she can endure. Mir, you feel like she's sent from the heavens. Ryan, you believe her to resemble an entity of immense power." I lock eyes with Nolan again. "And you know my fighter can rise from the ashes. She's proven that already."
My heart pounds in my chest, my hands are fucking sweaty. I'm not the talker of the group; I prefer my grunts and nods over speeches. This was important, though.
"We have to remember the strength Eve radiates. She is going to make it, and we will be there."
My chest puffs out a tad at seeing their shoulders push back in determination once again. My words worked to remind them of who Evelyn Miller is. She is not a simpering, weak little girl.
No.
She is an Angel who clawed her way out of hell. She is a goddess who has faced each battle head-on while maintaining her grace and beauty. Eve is a fucking Pheonix who will rise, no matter how many times her flames have been snuffed out.
Evie is my fighter...I just need her to keep fighting as long as she can.
Because as much as my speech empowered my family...I'm still fucking terrified.
Evelyn
A chill down to my bones rouses me from unconsciousness. My teeth chatter so hard my jaw cramps at the abuse it's taking. Groaning as I shift on the cold ground, a gasp flies out when the pain in my abdomen shoots in all directions.
Peeling my eyes open, I'm shocked to see stars twinkling between the trees above me. Jesus, I've been out long enough for the sun to set. Longer, judging by the moon high in the sky and how absolutely freezing the desert air has become.
What the fuck?
Maybe Kyle fixed his tire and left me here. Pets are a lot of work, after all. The wooziness in my brain encourages a giggle to bubble up at this horrible predicament.
