Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
A solemn and broken-hearted Caleb follows them, but before I can do the same, my path is blocked by a man with burnt orange hair.
“Excuse me.”
A tiring week and an even longer day rush to the forefront of my mind when the man with shoulders wider than the stairs fails to budge at my request. He peers straight ahead, not the slightest bit ruffled when I try to squeeze through the crack his bulky figure leaves above his thick hips.
“Ugh.” I grunt when I can’t fit. “Octavia is my friend.”
“And I was asked not to let anyone through, so off you go.” His voice is deep and rumbling until my mood gets the better of me. Then it’s high and squeaky, a perfect match for a man whose nuts just landed in his stomach.
When the man falls to the ground with a groan, I leap over him and race up the stairs.
I almost make it through the cracked-open door before my sprint is ended by the man I swear I’ve spotted on my street numerous times this week. He wraps his arm around my waist and hoists me away from the door before the occupants can announce I’m family.
“Get your hands off me!”
I kick, fight, and scream until Caleb takes up the fight on my behalf. He doesn’t ram his fist into the blond’s face after freeing me from his hold, but he does get up so close to him, they share the same air. “What the fuck, Morris. Why the fuck were you holding her like that? This is Jess. You’re meant to be protecting her.”
His words shock me, but Morris’s reply leaves no time for bewilderment. “I know who she is.” He tries to step back, but Caleb doesn’t give him an inch. “But Jack said no one is allowed up here.”
“Exactly,” Caleb barks out, his one word so loud it vibrates through our conjoined hands. “No one. That includes you, Lucas, and F…” His words trail off when they lock in on the man still huddled in a ball at the bottom of the stairs.
When his eyes shoot to mine, and he arches a brow in silent questioning, I shrug. “He wouldn’t let me through.”
“So you kneed him the balls?”
I nod with confidence, loving the snippet of pride in Caleb’s tone. “Told you I can take care of myself.”
He looks more proud than annoyed, but only I get the privilege of viewing that expression. Everyone else gets bossy, moody Caleb. He orders them out of his building like he’s the fire chief and they’re breaking protocol, his focus only shifting back to me once only four bodies remain—Octavia, Jack, Caleb, and me.
If you think the odds are in my favor, you’re wrong. “You should go too, Jess.”
I shrug out of his hold when he circles his hand around my wrist and attempts to guide me to the stairs. The sheer agony in his eyes exposes I am right where I need to be, so I’m not leaving for anything or anyone. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Please, Jess,” he begs, his fret picking up along with the panic flaring in his eyes. “Do this for me.”
“No.” I don’t get the chance to tell him I’ll follow him to the end of the world if it keeps him out of the murkiness that forever holds him under.
He gives me no choice but to leave.
“I don’t want you here for this. I don’t want you to hear it from them.” He thrusts his hand at the door like Octavia and Jack are standing in front of it, its shake highlighting how unhinged he is. I haven’t seen him this rattled since he attacked Dominic. He is on the brink of a psychosis. “This isn’t how I want you to find out. It isn’t their right to tell you. It’s mine.” He bangs his fist on his chest. “It is my right to tell you when I’m ready, not have it forced on me.”
Because every word he speaks is gospel, I immediately backpedal. “Okay. I’ll go. Just breathe, Caleb.” He appears on the brink of a blackout, but because he is a recovering alcoholic, I can’t offer him anything but words to calm him down. “Breathe.” Needing to break the spell before I lose the chance, I cup his cheeks with my hands, then repeat my word again,” Breathe.”
I’m almost getting through to him, but the rage he can’t control wins like it always does. “You can’t save me from this, Jessie. No one can.”
“Caleb,” I plead when he bolts down the stairs.
Knowing he won’t go far, I take a minute to exhale the panic burning me alive before taking off after him. Considering he only had a thirty second head start, his lead is startling. I search the alleyway and the lobby of our building before getting so desperate I ask a man icing his nuts in the back of a pricy-looking town car if he’s seen him.