Squeeeeeak!
The door protests when I open it and it’s loud. There’s no turning back now. I have to go.
I push through it and stride down the steps. The memory of a few months before—him chasing me through the woods—is at the forefront in my mind. If anything, it only spurs me to go faster. With long strides, I ignore the bite of the gravel driveway on my bare feet as I put as much distance as I can between me and that godforsaken cabin.
“Goddammit, Baylee!”
His furious words from behind me make my heart freeze and I almost stumble. Ignoring the hateful way his words echo in my head, I run faster than I ever have toward the road. Heavy footsteps and frustrated grunts can be heard behind me. My panic overwhelms me with fear and tears well in my eyes, blurring the world around me. When my bare feet make purchase with the smooth, chilly concrete of the road, I almost cry out with joy. Running becomes a thousand times easier and I soar with long strides.
I focus on the road ahead of me and the prize is my ultimate escape.
I don’t count my steps. I don’t worry about his punishments.
Gabe will not catch me this time.
The grumble of an engine just around the bend is just the spark I need. My long legs carry me farther and faster than ever before. I risk a glance behind me and nearly cry out.
A monster chases me.
Bare feet and bare chested, only jeans covering his long, powerful legs.
Dark hair flapping in the wind.
Eyes black with rage.
Muscled chest flexing with the promise of recapture and retribution for my actions.
His mouth is contorted into a horrifying snarl, and I wonder if he’ll tear through my flesh upon catching me.
He will not catch me this time.
Jerking my head forward, I pound along the freezing pavement toward the vehicle that now comes into view.
Thank you, God!
The black truck is barreling down the road. Too fast. Too out of control. It’ll hit me, I think.
Then I can be with War…
I beam and look up into the early morning sky.
Take me with you, War.
The threat of tears burn in my throat as the sound of screeching tires echoes around me. The truck never makes impact, though, and instead slams to a complete stop. A door flings open and I charge toward it.
“H-Help!” I croak, my voice dry and hoarse from exertion.
A man steps out and looks past me. “Get in the truck!”
The voice is comforting and familiar. I don’t think twice about running past him and crawling into the cab of the truck. When I lift my gaze out of the windshield, I see just how close Gabe is. But instead of running right for us, he veers off to the tree line and reemerges with a large, thick branch.
“Let her go and I won’t crack your skull open,” Gabe barks out at the man whose face is hidden from me.
I could slam the door shut and drive off. Leave the man to deal with the monster on his own. The thought is fleeting and I don’t let it win. If I left the man, Gabe would slaughter him. It would be that man’s death sentence.
“She’s coming with me, Gabe.”
The voice. Familiar. Warm. Easy. And how does he know his name?
Before I can contemplate much more, a gunshot goes off, shattering the early morning tranquility. Gabe’s shoulder jerks back and he gapes at the man in shock. He doesn’t take another second before turning and hauling ass back to the cabin. Another gunshot goes off but it misses Gabe’s retreating form.
“Baylee,” the voice whispers. “Jesus, my Baylee.”
The man steps into the open doorway of the truck and dips his head down to look at me. Pained, green eyes assess me. I’m so shocked, I simply stare at him with my mouth agape as he shoves the gun into the back of his pants.
“B-B-Brandon?”
He drops into the seat and reaches for me. I flinch slightly, still overwhelmed by the events of the last few minutes. Brandon frowns at my reaction.
“Babe, it’s me.”
His expression is sad. Tentative. His green eyes are all over me mixed with pity and relief. Brandon’s once perfect hair is a wild mess that hangs in his eyes. His nose is slightly crooked from when Gabe broke it. Dark shadows mar the flesh under his eyes and his eyebrows are pinched together.
He looks older. Harder. Stronger. Almost frightening.
But then he smiles. His entire face lights up and my heart patters to life in my chest. He would never hurt one single hair on my head.
“It’s really you,” I sob.
His eyes flicker with happiness—something they always did when we were together—and he nods.
I scramble from my seat and into his arms. His warm, strong arms envelop me and I let him hold me as I wail against his neck. The embrace is familiar and comforting.
“Shhh, I have you now. This ends today, babe.” He strokes my tangled hair and drops a kiss to the top of my head. After the hell I’ve been through, it feels almost heavenly to be back in Brandon’s arms. I’m safe. This can all be over soon. But it won’t be over until we put some distance between us and Gabe.