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Opening my eyes, I stare straight ahead, letting myself relieve the moment. “When I first woke up on that cold floor in that dungeon, I was alone. While trying to process what was happening and orient myself to my surroundings, I heard two men arguing, coming closer. I pretended to be unconscious, hoping they’d leave me alone. They entered the room I was held in and the fighting escalated between them, causing me to open my eyes. Colin was being manhandled by a muscular, tattooed man because he didn’t stick to the plan.” I halt, turning my head and studying Savannah for a few beats before continuing. “The man’s tattoo was pretty unique, so I focused on it. It was a serpent wrapped around a long knife, wilted roses clinging to the snake and blade.”
Savannah gasps, her muscles tightening beneath my arm. Her hands fly up to her mouth, covering it, as she stares at me with fear and horror darkening her blue eyes. Her body starts to tremble as she shakes her head.
I can feel Bryan’s penetrative gaze fixating on Savannah, watching her reaction.
Tightening my arm around her, I reflect for a couple of minutes, deciding it will be better for Savannah if I rip the bandage off and say his name.
Plus, it will confirm what I already believe to be true.
“Colin referred to him as Ronnie…”
Savannah’s loud gasp fills the room as she shrugs my arm off, shooting to her feet. “No… it can’t be… I’ve changed my appearance to stay hidden. I’ve changed everything…” Her face crumbles, tears coursing down her cheeks before she lowers her head, her hair acting as a curtain, hiding her face.
It’s Bryan who gets to his feet and moves to her, gently touching her elbow. He says a few words that I can’t make out, steering her away from Will and me. The care and concern he has for her are evident.
Will’s lips are against my ear, his hand still stroking mine. “Savannah’s stepfather?”
“Yes. She just confirmed it.” I turn my head toward him, releasing a long sigh. “She never said his name before… always referred to him as her stepfather or stepdad or, most frequently, bastard.” Shifting my body toward his, I interlock my fingers with his. “I’m worried, Will. Ronnie was furious and flipping out on Colin for being an ‘incompetent moron’ and not following their plan. He said he couldn’t grab Savannah now, insinuating the plan was to grab both of us.” I shiver, fear coursing up my spine.
Will wraps me in his arms, pressing his lips to my forehead. “You’re safe, love. I won’t letanythinghappen to you.”
I nod, but Ronnie’s words are still going through my head. Pulling back, I tilt my head, locking my pleading gaze on him. “But Savannah could still be in danger. We may have Colin, but we don’t have Ronnie. Ronnie told Colin before he left, ‘Your foolishness means I need to lie low for a while, but eventually, I’ll get my hands on Savannah.’ It was so chilling, the way he said it. There was a determined glint in his eyes, and desperation in his words.”
“I’ll do everything I can to ensure you and Savannah are safe. I’ll discuss this with Bryan, and we’ll devise a plan to keep the two of you safe.” His eyebrows lower as his voice becomes stern. “That will mean you and Savannahmustlisten to us. You will have security detail driving you and watching over you anytime either of you leave this property without me and/or Bryan.”
I swallow hard, not loving the idea, but knowing Will is only trying to keep me and Savannah safe. “I promise, Will. I won’t do anything stupid, and neither will Savannah.”
Will studies my face, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “Baby, you’re a fighter and strong as hell. But as you learned, bad things can happen unexpectedly.” His gaze drops, and I see the flash of guilt tightening his features before he shrugs it off. It happened so fast that I wonder if I imagined it.
As his hands move away from me and he tucks the blanket tighter around me before heading over to talk to Bryan, I feel that invisible wall sliding between us again, putting a distance between us.
And I hate it.
twenty-four
William
Oneweekhaspassedsince that horrific day Everleigh was captured in front of my office building. Since then, I’ve worked from home, not wanting to leave her side.
Because of Everleigh’s admission about Ronnie, I gave her and Savannah a handgun and took them to the shooting range Bryan and I frequent, giving them lessons. Everleigh grumbled a bit, preferring knives, but as I pointed out, you need to be close to stab someone.
She relented after that, focusing on learning how to shoot well and exceeding my expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good Savannah is with a gun.
I’d never admit this to Everleigh, but Savannah is better. She’s precise and calculating. When we went outside to shoot at moving targets, she accurately accounted for the change in wind direction, speed, and a host of other factors and conditions, hitting her mark nearly every single time.
With practice, she won’t miss her target.
As we were leaving the shooting range, Everleigh and Savannah started talking about bridesmaids’ dresses and it hit me that Everleigh missed out on that experience because she was kidnapped.
Coordinating with Bryan, Darin, and Max, I surprised Everleigh by renting out the bridal shop.
Sitting beside Everleigh, I’m delighted by the smile that reaches her eyes as her bridal party tried on various dresses, giggling like a bunch of schoolgirls. Bryan keeps shooting me looks that could kill for subjecting him to this, but he finally calms down when Savannah walks out in a scarlet dress, his mouth dropping open. I didn’t miss the look of desire on his face as he watched every move she made as she twirled and pivoted.
Unfortunately, neither did Everleigh. I swear, she made Savannah pose and twirl twice as long as the other two because she saw Bryan watching her.
“Stop meddling,” I whisper into her ear, before taking a sip of my water.
