Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“Trust me, this is Nessa we’re talking about,” Slade says, glancing across at her while aiming his comments at Damian. “No one can take her down. She doesn’t need you to save her just like Sky doesn’t need me to save her. This ain’t her first rodeo, man. She’s been playing with the big kids for ages. She’ll be fine, especially now that the whole school knows she has our protection.”
Nessa gives Slade a small smile and it’s clear his comments have done something to help ease her worries, but it’s just one of those things she’s going to have to see to believe.
Nessa gets up and drops down beside me on my bed which is exactly where she stays for the next two hours before Slade kicks the two of them out the door.
They say a quick goodbye, both with promises to come back tomorrow before stalking out, bickering at one another’s throat.
Slade shakes his head and closes the door behind them before making his way toward me and taking the forgotten sketchpad off the end of the bed.
His fingers tickle over my waist as he helps to shuffle me across the bed. “What are you doing?” I laugh.
“What does it look like I’m doing? You can’t sleep in the middle of the bed. There will be no space for me.”
“Huh?”
“You think I’d leave you alone so you can spend the night overthinking everything?” I raise a brow and he shrugs his shoulders before climbing in beside me and pulling me into his loving arms. “There were two choices,” he explains. “I could have brought your knife here and then been arrested for bringing a deadly weapon into a place of healing, or I could have just brought you me and I figured that was the easiest option.”
I sink into him and raise my chin, loving the feel of his lips brushing over mine as he kisses me. “I love you so much,” I whisper, letting him see right down inside my soul. “Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you?”
He grins. “Many times, but feel free to do it a little more.”
“You’re an idiot,” I laugh.
“And you’re a fucking fighter.” He slides down in bed, letting me rest my head on his chest. “Now go to sleep, Virago. You’ve had a big day.”
Chapter 4
The water rushes in, cold and paralyzing like a tsunami over the top of the smashed windshield. I’ve never felt anything like it. It hits my chest hard and demanding, rushing up over my face and quickly filling the bottom of the truck.
My feet. My shins. My knees. Getting higher and higher.
What do I do?
I scream but no sound comes out as I look over at Slade, slumped motionless in his seat. I try to reach for him, shake him awake but he’s too far. I can’t reach.
Oh, please God, don’t let him be dead. Please wake up, Slade. I need you.
The water rushes like a rapid around me, splashing my face and making it hard to see. The night sky is dark and imposing, eerie and gloomy as it covers us with dark clouds. The storm crashes above, sending electrical bolts down into the water, one hitting way too close to Slade.
I jump as the noise rattles my bones, but Slade…he doesn’t move at all.
I try to free my seatbelt but it won’t budge. I pull harder, desperately trying to press the button, but where is it? I can’t find it. I search in a panic. I need that damn button. It’s my only chance at freedom.
I need to save us. I need to get us out.
People come and watch from the bridge, all shadows staring down at us, but why can’t I make out their faces? I see their eyes, their laughter as they watch us fall. Even without seeing them, I know they’re the kids from school, the teachers, parents, the boys on Slade’s team. Blake is there standing by Roman, laughing as they watch me struggle.
Why isn’t anybody helping?
I see Shay and I scream out, but she stands by Blake’s side, putting an arm around him and smiling down at me like a proud parent.
The water hits my shoulders and I snap my attention back to the seatbelt. I’m going to die. I’m not ready to let go. I’m not finished here.
I glance over. “SLADE.”
He doesn’t hear me. Doesn’t move. “SLADE.”
Tears stain my cheeks but I keep fighting, keep pulling on my belt, desperate for freedom. My fingers bleed as my body starts to numb. I just want to go home. Why won’t anybody come and take me home?
The water hits my neck and I give up on the belt, there must be something else. I lean as far forward as the belt will allow, feeling around the truck, desperately searching until my hand curls around the familiar wood of my pocket knife.