Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“I didn’t even think of it,” I whisper. “I only wanted to get Lily out, to bring that cult down, that I didn’t stop and think about my own baby.”
“Hey,” Talon rasps, pulling back and looking at me. “Ain’t no way that you did this on purpose. If it wasn’t for you, that little girl down there,” he jabs a finger at the door, “would be dead. Do you know how close she was to death?”
My chest tightens.
“You lost a life, and for that, I’m fuckin’ sorry, but you saved one and you ought to know how much that means.”
I bite my lip, the tears falling hard.
“I didn’t get it, not until I met her. Bein’ by her side this last week, while you have been in and out of consciousness, made me realize why you did what you did. She’s a fuckin’ special little girl. You gotta know, I’m sorry for treatin’ you the way I did.”
I shake my head, bringing my tear-soaked lips to his for a long moment, before pulling back. “No. I hurt you. I’m the one who should be sorry. But, it’s over with now. We’re all here, and we’re all safe. How we got here doesn’t matter.”
Talon runs his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Seein’ him drive that knife into you, over and over, fuck, Nia...I have never felt a pain like it.”
My eyes burn. “It’s over now, right?”
I look up at him, desperately searching his face for an answer. I need to know it wasn’t all for nothing. I need to know our plan worked.
“It’s over, darlin’. The police arrested them, your father is dead, and the cult is no more. Lily’s parents will agree to sign her over, we’re makin’ sure of it, and as for the rest of them, who cares.”
“Am I going to prison?”
Talon shakes his head. “No way. Everyone saw it, he fell on that knife. Nobody is questionin’ that after what they saw. You’re good, trust me on that.”
“Cyrus?” I whisper, eyes wide.
“Dead. He tried to run when the cops told him to stop, the stupid fucker charged right at them at they shot him. Don’t have to worry, baby. He’ll never bother you again.”
I let out a long, slow breath. A relief washing over me I didn’t know I needed.
“How many people did the livestream reach?”
Talon grunts. “Let’s just say you’re a TikTok sensation and you have so many people waiting to hear how you are. That livestream went viral. It did its job.”
We did it.
We really, truly did it.
Finally.
I WAKE TO THE SOUND of quiet footsteps, the sterile scent of the hospital room lighter now that I’m out of the ICU, now that I’ve spent two days awake, finally able to see Lily and know she’s safe. Seeing her face slowly coming back to life, her cheeks rosy, her hair soft, her eyes bright, makes everything worth it. She has the club wrapped around her little finger, and every single one of them adores her.
I have slept most of the afternoon, and it’s now dark out. It’s impossible not to when I’m given constant painkillers.
My body needs it, though.
Each day, I get a little stronger, and the wounds that nearly killed me slowly heal.
The door opens, and Talon slips in. For a moment, I just watch him. The way he fills the space with an intensity that makes everything else feel less real, less immediate. When he realizes I’m awake, his eyes soften in a way that I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.
It’s the kind of love I need.
Want.
Crave.
“You’re awake.”
“The drugs they are giving me knock me out,” I try to smile, shifting to sit up more, and he’s at my side in two long strides, adjusting the pillows behind me.
“I’m glad you’re up, I want to show you something,” he murmurs, nodding toward the window.
I frown, confused. “Huh?”
“Just come look.” He takes my hand, and I feel the familiar roughness of his fingers, the warmth that spreads through me at his touch.
He helps me out of the bed. I’m still in a great deal of pain when I get up, but slowly, the more I move, the easier it gets. Little by little, my body is on the mend and hopefully, I’ll be out of here in a few days. Home with Lily, safe and free.
When I reach the window, I gasp.
I had no idea what I was expecting to see, but this certainly wasn’t it.
Hundreds of people gather along the street below, a sea of candlelight flickering against the dark. Some hold signs: "Nia. Hero." The words blur as my eyes fill. Are they all here for me? I don’t understand.
“The hell you went through, Nia, it’s not just yours anymore,” Talon says, his voice low. “Someone from a women’s violence shelter wanted to show support. Word got out and now look.”