AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m real and I’m outside. I can see the building Brian walked into. Just keep talking to me, okay? I don’t want to hang up until I can see you. Are you coming out?” Holden asked with fear and excitement in his tone.
“Yeah, I’m going to keep you on the phone.” I eyed the FBI agent, who had fallen in step next to me as I walked down the aisle, glancing at the rows of cells on both sides of us. “How? How did you find me?”
“The second we realized you were missing, I called Pierce and Sutton, Zayne’s bosses. They work with Brian. I promise you he’s a good guy.” Holden sniffled. “Fuck. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve been so goddamned scared. I just need to hold you.”
“I love you, babe,” I whispered as Brian opened the door, and I stepped outside for the first time in days. My only activity had been a visit to the doctor’s office. “It’s bright out here.” The fragrant, delicious, untainted air tickled my nose, and I sucked in a deep breath.
The compound was flooded with agents and dogs. Men and women were running in and out of all the houses. I assumed they were searching for more victims, as well as Opal and Kassandra if they hadn’t found them yet.
I shielded my eyes as I looked around, attempting to find Holden in all the activity. Even with the SWAT members running around, I had to make sure this was real. That everything happening was actual reality and not a messed-up trick my mind was playing on me. I’d been sick all morning, then fallen asleep. I contemplated pinching myself, but then Brian’s voice broke through my mind.
“This way, River.” Brian pointed and headed to the left of the building.
The soft green grass crunched beneath my shoes as I followed him.
“I’m in the crowd of people, and I see you and Brian. Look up, I’m waving.”
I blinked rapidly, clearing my vision from the tears and golden rays of blinding sunlight. Off in the distance, I made out a hand waving in the air, but I couldn’t see him very well. “I think I see you. You’re kind of far away.”
“Can you walk faster?” Holden asked, excitement in his tone.
I laughed. “I’m going to hang up. I’ll see you in a minute.” I was shocked that I had the clarity of mind to make any decisions.
“Brian, here’s your phone. Is it okay to go ahead of you?” I gave him the cell.
“You bet. We have SWAT and FBI everywhere, so you’re safe.”
I hesitated, then threw my arms around him. “Thank you.” With that, I took off in a sprint across the wide-open field I’d first seen when I had arrived. As I grew closer to the crowd, I noticed that the section was taped off, but it didn’t seem to matter to Holden. He ducked beneath it and ran toward me at full speed.
Once I could see him, I would know if this was a dream.
We slowed as we neared each other, our intense gazes locking. His dark hair was messy on top, a few strands resting against his forehead. His brown eyes were filled with so many emotions. Love, hope, fear. He looked beautiful in his basic black T-shirt, and jeans that hung off his hips, caressing his sculpted legs. I wanted this image of him imprinted on my mind forever.
“River.” Holden closed the gap between us, tears streaming down his face as he cupped my cheeks. “River, River, River.” He chanted my name over and over, kissing my forehead. “My, God. I was so worried—terrified … but you’re here now.”
“Baby.” I hiccupped through my cries as he wrapped me in his arms, and we clung to each other as though our lives depended on it. I sobbed against his shoulder, digging my fingers into his back while I prayed that he was real. My body trembled against his as he kissed the top of my head, cradling me as if I was the most precious and vital person in the world to him.
“Hi.” I grabbed his hands. “Are you really here, Holden? Please tell me I’m not dreaming.”
Holden tipped my chin up and gently brushed his lips against mine. “We’re going home, River. You’re safe.”
His words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I collapsed against him. “I’ve been sick all day, so you probably shouldn’t kiss me anymore.” I peered up at him beneath my damp eyelashes.
“Fuck that.” He laughed and pressed his lips to mine tenderly. “Let’s get you checked out.”
He was here, in front of me. I was free. I was fucking free. We walked slowly to the crowd, our arms around each other’s waists. “Holden, how long have I been gone?”
He gently rubbed my back. “Three weeks.”
I tugged on my lower lip with my teeth. “I guess I marked time pretty well.” I couldn’t tell him about the abortion yet. It had taken me two weeks to heal, and tomorrow I would’ve started training. Grief twisted my stomach into knots. None of this should have happened, and we should be at the penthouse planning our future with our baby. I stared at the ground, wincing from the emotional stab to my heart. Glancing at him again, I asked, “How did you find me?”
“Pierce and Sutton are amazing. Zayne, too. But actually, it was Tim who helped us. He finally cracked and gave up the location.”
My mouth gaped. “Wait, what?” I massaged my forehead, trying to understand. Tim wasn’t involved … unless he also worked with Kassandra and Opal. What I did know was that this family was fucked up beyond belief. Not everyone, but enough to make me want to hide for the rest of my life.
“I’ll tell you everything later. The paramedics are waiting for you.” Holden’s arm tightened around me.
Terror shot through me, and I stopped in my tracks. “No.” I shook my head. “No one can touch me. Only you.”
