“What the fuck are you talking about?”
I swallow down the bile in my throat, sick about what I have to do next. “I know when I’m outmatched. Clearly you two have something going on. And she just gave me her safe word. She told me she’d only say that when she wanted out,” I lie. “She’s not mine anymore, and I know when to walk away.” My voice is loud and clear, and I hope that whoever is in the hall can hear us.
“Just like that?” he asks, confused.
I grab the doorknob as I crack open the door. “Yup. I suggest you ditch the knife, though, unless you’re into thatsort of thing. No judgment if you are. I’m not shaming anyone’s kinks.”
Nate pushes the door open, his gun propped over the hand holding his flashlight, and he nearly knocks me over as I throw my body over hers.
“Drop the knife,” Nate booms as I snake my hand between her legs in an attempt to shield her and push the knife away.
The knife falls to the floor, and Jeremy holds his hands up in surrender.
“Called it in. There’s an ambulance enroute. It’ll probably be out there if you want to get her out of here,” Nate says as he moves to restrain Jeremy.
I pull Emma’s skirt down and reach down to untie the ropes. Once her legs are free from the bench and broom, she sits up, and I quickly work at the knots around her wrists. When I get her free, I scoop her into my arms and move quickly down the hall.
There are EMTs and a stretcher rolling up to the building when we walk outside and I watch in slow motion as they take her from me and start strapping her in.
I follow after them as several police officers hustle up the path. “Can she not be restrained? Some psycho had her tied up in the building just now. Campus security has him detained.”
Two of the officers walk past us into the building while another stays by Emma’s side as she’s loaded into the back of the vehicle.
“Sir, you’re bleeding,” an EMT says, pointing at my hand.
“I’m fine,” I say, waving her off. “Where are you taking her?”
The officer motions me over, takes my info down, and I agree to follow them to the hospital so I can give my statement.
CHAPTER 39
JOHN
When I finally make it into her room in the ER, I stand in the doorway, staring at her small form curled up on the bed. When I knock lightly on the doorframe, she shifts slightly, her gaze meeting mine.
“You’re here,” she rasps, her voice still hoarse.
“The nurse said you were back here. I got here as fast as I could.”
“Took you long enough,” she says, and even though I think she’s being playful, her words land their mark, bruising my ego. “My parents were here earlier, but I sent them home an hour ago, hoping I’d be discharged by now.”
I hold up my bandaged hand. “Turns out my cut needed a few stitches.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Offering her a small smile, I pull up a chair next to her bed. The triage rooms are small, so I feel like I'm bumping into everything as I try to get comfortable.
“I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now, but I needed to know you were okay.”
She nods slightly, moisture pooling in the corner of her eye.I reach out to swipe at it. When she doesn’t flinch, but instead leans into my touch, I breathe out a sigh of relief.
“I looked for you after the play. I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner. Mackenzie told me Jeremy took you to the hospital, and I started driving toward the nearest one I thought he might have taken you to. I stopped at almost every hospital in Columbus, and Mary called the ones I missed. If I knew you never left campus, I would’ve found you sooner.”
“Something told me you’d find me. Since I met you, when something bad has happened to me, you’ve been nearby, ready to swoop in and help. I should be creeped out that I have a stalker, but it was always oddly comforting knowing you were looking out for me.”
“A dom takes care of his sub.” A tear slips down her cheek. “I should’ve found you sooner.” I hope she can hear the desperation in my voice.
“You were worried about me.”
