Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“Who’s soft now, you sad sack of shit?” I ask before I shove my finger over his and pull the trigger.
CHAPTER 41
NORA
Iwatch, almost as if in a daze, as Rand’s lifeless body slumps to the floor.
It’s over.
He’s dead.
It’s really, truly, finally over.
Atlas scrambles off him and rushes to me, hauling my trembling body against his.
“Fuck, Pip.” He buries his nose into my hair. “Oh my God.”
I’m so relieved to be in his arms that I don’t care about the blood and gore covering him. He’s real and he’s here and he’s mine. He came for me.
“You came,” I whisper, my voice a barely audible rasp.
“Nora, baby, are you okay?” Atlas is nearly frantic as he checks me over, cataloging my injuries. “Fuck, of course you’re not. Tell me, what can I do?”
“Just hold me.” I snuggle into him—as much as I can with my arms tied behind my back—and bury my face in the crook of his neck.
My body aches, but I’m too tired, too relieved, too everything to care much about anything except that he’s here and I’m safe, and our baby will be, too.
I cling to him as the sirens in the distance grow louder and louder, until finally flashing red and blue lights illuminate the trees surrounding the cabin, casting everything in an eerie glow.
“Atlas!” Ellis’s familiar and welcome voice echoes around us as he storms into the cabin.
“Over here,” Atlas calls back, never once taking his focus away from me.
“Oh, fuck,” Ellis mutters, taking in the scene before him. His eyes sweep over everything, methodically cataloging every minute detail. “Are y’all okay—don’t answer that, of course you’re not.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose and then slides a knife from his belt, flicking it open with a practiced ease that instantly has me burrowing into Atlas.
The sight of his blade sends my heart into overdrive. It’s pristine and probably duty-issued, but all I can picture is it coated in my blood.
Deep down, I know Ellis is safe, but right now, I’m freaking out.
“Nora, baby,” Atlas coos, his voice the very definition of calm. “You’re safe. It’s just you, me, and Ellis. Neither of us would ever hurt you.”
“I-I… I…” I want to tell him I know they wouldn’t, but I can’t get my mouth to form the words.
“Easy, Nora,” Ellis says, raising his hands and taking a step back. “I just want to cut your arms free. That rope’s gotta hurt.”
Atlas rubs soothing circles over my upper back. “He just wants to help. Your wrists are raw and bleeding. I’ll hold you the whole time, okay? You’re safe.”
I’m shaking like a leaf, but I manage a small nod before turning my face into Atlas’s chest, allowing his scent and his heat to ground me.
The sound of Ellis shuffling closer makes every hair on my body stand on end, but I clench my teeth and force myself—as best I can—to stay still.
I must paint a pretty pathetic picture as it is; no sense in adding fuel to that particular fire.
“Hold still, Nora,” Ellis says from behind me.
I cry out as his knife pulls the rope taut against my tender wrists. Moments later, the rope falls away, and I fling my arms around Atlas’s neck, clinging to him as another round of sobs rack my exhausted body.
“Thanks, man,” Atlas says, now rubbing his hands up and down the entire length of my back.
There’s a weighted pause, and then Ellis says, “I need to know exactly what happened here—”
“Take a breath,” Atlas mutters. “He shot himself.”
I risk a glance toward Ellis, and even through my endless tears, I can’t help but notice the dubious look Ellis gives him.
“It’s true,” I slur, my body growing weaker as the adrenaline fades. “S-said he’d rather d-die than go to ja-jail.”
“Good.” He heaves out a relieved breath. “That’s real good.”
He fiddles with his radio. “Okay, I’m about to call this in. When they arrive, you need to tell them everything that happened in as much detail as possible.”
Ellis squats down so we’re at eye level. “I mean it, both of you, every detail, no matter how small, okay? He may be dead, but I don’t want there to be room for even an inkling of doubt in anyone’s mind about what went on here.”
Atlas nods, and I think I do, too, until Ellis says, “Nora, are you with me?”
His voice is distorted, almost as if I’m underwater.
“She needs medical care, man.” Atlas’s voice is thick, almost like he’s trying not to cry. “The baby…”
“I know, brother. I know.” Ellis nods and grabs his radio. “Eight-two-five to Fortune County, requesting additional backup and ambulance to respond for a pregnant female with obvious assault injuries, unknown extent, and one unresponsive male on the ground, probable GSW. Requesting priority response, code three.”
“You’re okay, Pip.” Atlas brushes his lips over my temple. “You’re okay.”