Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“You’re going to be okay,” I tell her, my voice low and steady, though my heart is racing. I need her to hear the certainty in my voice, to know that she’s safe now, that I won’t let anything else happen to her.
As the zip ties fall away, Eva’s arms drop limply to her sides, her body trembling from exhaustion and fear. Tears well up in her eyes, and she doesn’t try to stop them this time. They spill freely down her cheeks, her chest heaving with the effort of holding herself together.
“Christopher…” she whispers, the name like a ghost on her lips. There’s pure panic in her eyes as she looks at me, and it’s all I can do to keep myself calm, to not let my rage take over at the thought of that bastard putting her through this.
“We’ll find him,” I say firmly, meeting her gaze and willing her to believe me. “But right now, I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Without hesitation, I scoop her into my arms, lifting her off the cold concrete floor. Her body feels fragile against mine, as though she could break with the slightest touch, but I hold her close, cradling her like something precious. Her arms wrap weakly around my neck, her face burying into my chest, as if she’s seeking the reassurance she so desperately needs. I can feel her trembling, but I also feel her trust. She trusts me to get her out of this hell.
As I carry her toward the exit, I don’t look back. There’s no need. Christopher will get what’s coming to him soon enough. For now, my only focus is Eva, and making sure she never has to feel this kind of fear again.
After what feels like an eternity, though it’s likely no more than five minutes, the chaos inside the warehouse begins to settle. The echo of gunfire fades, replaced by the crackle of radios and the distant wail of sirens. The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder and sweat, and the tension slowly unwinds as the last of Christopher's men are secured.
I carry Eva outside, her fragile body limp in my arms, and the moment we step into the cool night air, the flashing red and blue lights of police cars and ambulances greet us. My grip tightens on her as if I could shield her from everything she’s been through.
As I bring her to the waiting ambulance, I feel her stir faintly against me. She’s barely holding on, her body trembling from exhaustion and shock, her head resting against my shoulder. I approach the paramedics, who are already waiting with a stretcher. Gently, I lower her down, careful not to jostle her any more than she already has been. Her eyes flutter open for a moment, catching mine, but she’s too weak to speak. The paramedics rush to her side, their hands moving swiftly as they begin to check her vitals, assessing her injuries.
I stand there for a beat, watching as they care for her, my heart still racing with adrenaline. The reality of what we’ve just pulled off hits me in waves, but I don’t have time to process it. There’s still work to be done. I turn away reluctantly and head over to where Vin is gathering the other women.
“They’re scared out of their minds, but we’re getting them to safety,” Vin says, his voice gruff as he helps one of the women into a police car. Her face is streaked with tears, her eyes wide with terror, but there’s a sense of relief in the air. Relief that they’ve been saved from whatever nightmare Christopher had planned for them.
As I reach him, I scan the crowd, looking for one face—the face that still haunts me. “Where’s Christopher?” I ask, my voice tight with urgency. I need to know we got him, that we’ve put an end to this madness.
Vin shakes his head, grimacing. “Got away. We’re thinking he slipped out through the marina. There was a boat missing from the dock, and we’ve got the Coast Guard sweeping the area now.”
My jaw clenches, frustration gnawing at me. “Damn it.” I glance back at the warehouse, my mind racing with what-ifs. Christopher slipping through our fingers like that—it feels like a punch to the gut. He’s out there, and as long as he’s free, no one is truly safe. Especially Eva.
Vin claps a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “We’ll find him, Benedict. The Coast Guard’s got every boat on lockdown. He can’t run forever. We’ve got cars picking up his son now.”
I nod, forcing myself to stay calm. I know we’ll keep looking, but every second Christopher is on the loose feels like another second he’s out there plotting, scheming, and hurting people. I look back toward the ambulance where Eva lies, knowing she’ll never be safe until Christopher is found.