Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“I understand.”
“I’m right here,” Sofia said, her tone snarky.
We ignored her.
He left, and I checked out the bathroom, grateful that Julian had made sure there were some clothes and toiletries here. Sofia was shaky, and I helped her into the shower, unsure what to do next.
“Are you coming in?” she asked, allowing me to see her vulnerability. “I need help.”
I shed my clothes, stepping in behind her. I let the hot water run over us, feeling her body reacting to the heat and my closeness. Once she relaxed, I shampooed her hair and soaped her body, being as gentle as possible. She began to cry again, and I murmured soothing words as I cleansed her.
“You were incredibly brave, my love. I am very proud of you.”
“I was so scared,” she sobbed, turning to my chest and leaning into me.
I wrapped her close, letting her cry. “I’m so sorry. I failed you.” I pressed a kiss to her head, her tears hurting my heart. “Please don’t leave me, Sofia. I couldn’t take it.”
“I’m not leaving you, Egan. I want a life with you. I’m not waiting anymore. I want it to start right now.”
Relief filled me.
“It will, iubirea mea. We will figure it out together.”
“Is it over?” she whispered.
“Almost.”
“Please let it go, Egan. Let’s just go to the island. Forget him. Forget all this.”
“I can’t, Sofia. You know I can’t.”
“Even if I asked?”
I shut my eyes at the pleading tone in her voice. I knew she hated the thought of killing people. And she was terrified of losing me. “Please don’t. I have to finish this.”
“I won’t survive it if you don’t make it.”
“I will. Nothing will happen to me. I promise.”
“Will you come back to me?”
I pulled her closer. “Always.”
She was trembling, her strength waning, and I finished, stepping from the shower and wrapping her in a towel before draping one around my waist. I helped her dry off and put on clean clothes. She insisted on seeing everyone, and I carried her to the small kitchen where they were all seated. She cried again hugging Damien, then thanked and hugged everyone else. Marcus ladled some soup into a bowl, insisting she eat. Then he put the pot on the table, making us all eat. It was thick and tasty, and I knew, given what lay ahead, I needed the nourishment. Sofia sat beside me, one hand gripping mine the entire time she ate. Her eyes fluttered more than once, and after she finished, I carried her to the sofa, wrapping a blanket around her. I restarted the IV, having added some medication to it upstairs before bringing it down here. It would help her rest.
“When?” she asked, the one word saying everything. I wanted her to rest, not to be worried and stressed, so I hedged.
“Once we have a plan.”
She sighed, shutting her eyes. She was exhausted, and the medication was hitting her fast. She slipped into sleep quickly. I watched her for a few moments, then returned to the kitchen, sitting where I could see her. Before I went, I kissed her head, whispering my words of love to her.
“What’s the plan?” Julian asked, knowing it would happen tonight. We couldn’t risk Ivan finding out Sofia was alive or that I was on to him. He would disappear.
“Ivan will check in again. I want to ask him to let me talk to Alex so we know he’s there. Once we confirm it, we go. You guard Sofia.” I paused. “If I don’t make it back, you take her to the island, Damien. Make her safe. Help her find her life again.”
“Don’t talk like that,” he insisted.
“I want your promise.” I met all their eyes. “I want it from all of you. We get caught in something, you save yourselves. Get back to your families. Leave me. If you don’t agree, I’m going in alone. I need to know Sofia has all of you if I’m gone. Especially you, Damien.”
They reluctantly agreed. I glanced at my watch. “He’ll be calling soon. Be ready.”
“I have everything you need in the van,” Julian assured me. “Including the two bags you asked me to bring.”
“Good.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Yes. I’m going to kill them all, walk away, and start my life with Sofia.”
Damien glanced over at Sofia. “She won’t like this.”
“She won’t know. I’ll be back before she wakes up.”
“You’re not going to tell her?”
“No. It will upset her, and she’ll worry herself sick while I’m gone. The painkillers will make her sleep, and when she wakes up, it’ll be over. She won’t have to think about it.”
He shook his head. “You’re playing with fire.”
“No. I’m protecting her.”
Before he could retort, my phone buzzed. Damien clicked some keys and nodded. “Stay calm,” he advised.
“Ivan,” I said tersely. “I want to talk to Sofia.”