AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHASE
Igroan as the pain washes over me, stirring me back to consciousness. My eyes pop open. Confusion blankets me as I take in the darkness surrounding me.Am I in a car?
When I hear the engine as the vehicle accelerates, it confirms my suspicions.
Pain radiates through my head, and I squeeze my eyes closed, breathing deeply. As I do, images of what happened before I lost consciousness circulate inside my head.
Oh, fuck. Mackenzie.
My eyes fly open, searching the darkness. Relief fills me when I look down and see the outline of her body beside mine. I suck in a deep breath, inhaling her alluring scent.
Thank God we’re together.
I shift my weight, pulling my arm from beneath her prone form. A slight groan escapes her lips, but her eyelids remain closed.
She’s alive.That’s all that matters right now.
My throat constricts, and my mouth feels like cotton as worry courses through me.Did that huge, painted face fucker hurt her?
I strain my eyes, trying to determine if she’s injured, but the darkness impedes me. I need to use my hands.
I wiggle my fingers a few times to get the circulation flowing. They tingle, the pins and needles sensation uncomfortable yet a welcome relief.
My hands slide to her face, cupping it. Relief rolls through me when she whimpers.
“Mackenzie. Sweetheart.”
Her lids flicker a few times before they open. Tilting her head to look at me, she licks her dry lips. “Chase?” Her voice is a low mumble, heavy with exhaustion.
“I’m here, angel.”
A soft smile tugs at her lips. “Thank God. I was so worried when you wouldn’t wake up.” She shifts slightly, her hand sliding up to my face. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.” Closing her eyes, a pained expression crosses her face before they pop open, latching onto mine. “I’m sorry for those awful things I said to you in the woods. I didn’t mean them.”
My heart flutters inside my chest before taking off at a gallop. “Sorry, sweetness. I didn’t mean to worry you.” My head pounds, but I ignore it. The only thing that matters is that she’s okay. I swallow hard, my voice raspy and deep when I speak again. “It’s okay.”
She shakes her head, a mournful sigh escaping. “No, it’s really not. You’re trying to let me off the hook again, even though I was such a hateful bitch to you.” Her hand gently strokes my jawline, the apology heavy in her eyes. “I freaked out because I felt like I lost the only piece I had remaining of Gavin. It was my fault for grabbing the steering wheel, not yours.” She pauses, sucking in a breath and closing her eyes, a wince on her face.
“Kenz, if you’re in pain, you shouldn’t be talking right now.”
Her eyes open. “No, I need to get this out.” She audibly swallows. “What I did was so wrong. I probably messed everything up. I don’t blame you. It’s my fault if I’ve lost….”
“Stop it. You didn’t lose me.” Her downcast eyes lift, hope flaring in their depths. “You couldn’t lose me, Kenz.” I shake my head, wetting my dry lips with my tongue. “I’m not going anywhere.” A small smile plays on my lips as I try to lighten the mood, despite the pounding in my head. “You’re stuck with me, blondie.”
Her eyes shine with gratitude and something else I can’t quite decipher in my present state.
“As selfish as it is, I’m so glad you’re here with me.” Mackenzie’s expression darkens, fear lining her face. “I don’t know what’s in store for us… But there’s no one I’d rather be here with than you.”
My hand tangles in her blonde tresses. “Ditto, Mackenzie. I promise I’ll do anything to keep you safe and get us out of this mess.”
“I know, Chase.”
“Kenz. I need to know you’re okay.” My hands slide over her face, searching for bumps and lacerations in the darkness. “What happened while I was unconscious?”
Mackenzie sighs before she says, “She gave me something. Injected it into my neck.”
My muscles tense beneath her. “Who’s she?”
Mackenzie licks her lips. “He called her Rose… No… Rosario.” She winces as the car bounces over uneven terrain. I wrap my arms around her, trying to hold her still.
