Chapter 206
His arms tightened, his body pressed against mine, his lips moving with a desperation that matched my own. It was deep, consuming, a silent pleading wrapped in fire and frustration.
My fingers curled into his shirt, holding on like he was the only solid thing in my world.
I didn’t know how long we sat there, tangled in a storm of feelings too strong to name. Then, all of a sudden, just as suddenly as it started, Alex pulled
away.
His forehead rested against mine, his breathing ragged.
“Trust me,” he murmured. His voice was low, rough, almost pleading.
I swallowed, my heart still pounding. Then he stood up.
I barely had time to register the loss of his warmth before I heard the sharp click of the door locking. My head snapped up.
“You did not- –” But Alex was already walking away.
I launched off the bed, running straight to the door, grabbing the handle and shaking it violently.
“You asshole!” I screamed, pounding my fists against the wood. “Alex! Open this damn door!”
Silence.
My chest heaved as I slammed my palm against the door again, this time harder. “Please!” My voice cracked. “Please don’t do this!”
Nothing.
My shoulders slumped. The fight just drained from me all at once, leaving me feeling quite weak and empty inside. I slid down to the floor, my forehead pressing against the cold wood as tears spilled freely down my cheeks.
We hadn’t even heard anything about Faith yet. She was still missing. And I was useless. Locked away like a child while God–knows–what was happening
to her.
Time stretched endlessly. I didn’t know how long I sat there, curled up against the door, sobbing until my body felt hollow.
And then, finally, footsteps echoed outside the door–slow and labored, as if the person on the other side was fighting with himself. My breath caught as my swollen eyes darted toward the shadow that passed beneath the doorframe. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing out the only name I could
hold on to.
“Dom,” I whispered, my voice raw and barely audible, scraping against the silence like a broken thing. “Please.”
There was a pause, heavy and stifling. For a moment, I thought he might give in. That he might finally let me go. But then came his voice, low and husky, thick with regret.
“I can’t, Raina.”
I swallowed hard, my fingers clasping the shirt fabric tightly. “Please,” I begged. “Let me go. I–I have to go. You know I do.”
Dom sighed. “As much as I hate seeing you like this…” His voice wavered, like this was hurting him just as much. “If this is what it takes to keep you safe, then so be it.”
“Dom-”
“I’m sorry, Raina.”
And then he was gone.
I buried my face in my hands, my whole body shaking. It was then my phone buzzed.
I almost didn’t answer it, was too exhausted to care. Something compelled me, though, to reach for it, my hands trembling as I turned it over.
My heart even stopped beating.
Nathan.
My stomach churned terribly. That just couldn’t be possible. I’d blocked every cell number he’d ever used to contact me from.
But there it was. One single message.
Faith won’t make it if you wait for Dominic, you have to act now. Tell me, Raina–who do you think Dominic would choose if it came down to it? You or his beloved wife.”
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Chapter 206
+25 Bonus
My blood ran ice cold. I shook my head, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. My breathing was in short, ragged gasps.
Dom would do anything to get Faith home. I didn’t doubt that for a second. But I could not ask him not to hesitate–not to wrestle with his conscience–if ever it came down to a choice between me and his wife. And that was exactly why I couldn’t put him in that position.
I shut my eyes, my head spinning. There was only one way to put an end to this, I had to go to Nathan myself. Faith had a baby to live for. She needed to come home.
My throat constricted. And what about me? Ava. Liam.
Their faces flashed in my mind–Ava’s sweet giggle, Liam’s quiet but knowing gaze.
What would they do if I was gone? How would they feel, knowing their mother had left them? That their father had to be the one to tell them she wasn’t coming back?
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