AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 43
Sophia
Imake it outside and rush to the truck. My hands are shaking and the keys fall to the ground. The sound of them hitting the gravel echoes like a thousand bombs going off. Dropping to my knees I fumble before picking them up.
Taking a breath, I stay on my knees, my chin dropped to my chest. Shaking, I manage to get myself up and unlock the truck. Before I close the door, a guttural shout comes from inside the house.
Gage.
He told me to leave, but how can I? If only I could get to the landline. Damn Joan for only have one at the front desk. Another shout from inside the house and there’s no way I can leave him. There has to be something I can do. What can beat a stun gun? Another stun gun would be... or an actual gun.
Leaning across the seat, I pop open the glove box and grab the pistol. I’ve never shot a gun but if I can get to him, Gage can. With the heavy weapon in my hand, I slide back across the seat and drop my feet to the ground.
Quietly, I hurry back toward the house. As I make it to the bottom step, a dark figure stands at the top. With his taser in his hand, he lifts it to me.
“Sophia, I am very disappointed in you.”
Lifting the gun, I point it at the man who has terrorized me for years. The reason I haven’t lived my life.
“I don’t give a shit if you’re disappointed, you bastard. You ruined my life. You stole every part of who I was. Why did you do that?”
He takes a step down, a fucking smirk on his face. I hate that I’m crying and he’s seeing me vulnerable. But what I hate more is the man who told me I was a talented writer and should pursue that gift is nothing but a psychopath.
“Why did I care for you? Watch you and make sure you were safe? Because I love you, Sophia. Destiny brought us together. Until death do us part.”
Enraged, I widen my stance and hold the gun higher. I battle the desire to scream and ask him more questions. Instead, I say, “You didn’t make me safe. You terrorized me. You stole my privacy, and I lived the last three years afraid to leave my home.”
“And what? That fucker inside saved you? Please. He treated you like a whore and you let him. You disrespected my love for you by sleeping with him. You let him defile your body.”
“She saved herself, you bastard.”
My eyes fly to Gage as he lifts his arm, a cast iron skillet in his hand, and swings. Professor Dillinger falls forward landing partially down the next step. I stare at his body, limp and unmoving.
“Sophia.Sophia.” Gage is standing in the door staring at me. “Babe, put the gun down. It’s okay. He’s out.”
“Is he... is he...”
“No. Just unconscious but I need you to put the gun down. I’m going to restrain him but I need to know you’re okay. Please put the gun down and tell me something.”
Slowly, I bend down and place the gun on the ground. When I stand back up, I look at my hands. They’re shaking. I then realize my entire body is vibrating.
“Soph, baby. You have to tell me something.”
Looking up at Gage I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I don’t know how to shoot a gun.”
“It’s okay. I’ll show you. Stay there.”
Doing as instructed, I don’t move. My eyes never leave Dillinger. How is that woman in the park his wife? Those children part of him? I don’t know how long I stand there. It feels like hours and seconds at the same time. I’m lightheaded and my eyes close but before my legs can give out, Gage has his arms wrapped around me.
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” I shake my head. “I was so afraid when I saw him sitting with you, not knowing if you were injured. You were so brave, Sophia. So very brave.”
When his voice cracks, I lose all composure. Every emotion I’ve had for over three years hits me all at once.
It’s over.
The danger is gone.
I survived.
