“I know it’s not safe,” I retorted, glancing toward the rain-soaked gates in front of me. “But sitting here while she’s out there is worse.”
Hal moved to block the car’s path, his hand on the passenger door. “She’s probably at work or waiting for the storm to ease. Just wait it out.”
But waiting wasn’t an option. My chest felt like it was going to explode. She was out there, and every instinct screamed at me to find her.
I threw the car into gear. “Move.”
The Lamborghini inched forward as the gates began to slide open. Tom shouted something I couldn’t hear, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t care. My only thought was tofind her.
Then, through the rain, I saw her.
At first, I thought I was imagining it, that my brain was conjuring her up out of desperation. But no, it was Anna. She was running, her bag held over her head, completely soaked. Relief hit me like a lightning bolt, but before I could process it, she threw herself in front of the car.
“Anna.” I slammed on the brakes, the tires skidding slightly on the wet ground. My heart slammed in my chest as she slammed her hands on the hood.
I threw the door open, the rain drenching me instantly. “What in the world are you doing?” I shouted, rushing toward her.
“What amIdoing?” she screamed back, her voice cutting through the storm. “What wereyoudoing?”
I grabbed her arm, dragging her to the porch, her wet shoes slipping against the concrete. She yanked away from me the moment we reached shelter, spinning around, her chest heaving.
Her eyes were blazing with anger. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I couldn’t just sit here!” The words came out louder than I intended, my frustration boiling over. “You weren’t home, Anna. You wouldn’t answer your phone. I didn’t know if you were safe. I couldn’t just wait around while you might’ve been out there in danger.”
“In danger?” She gestured wildly at the rain pounding against the pavement. “You were going to drive throughthis. You could’ve been swept away. You could’ve died.”
“I was trying to find you,” I shouted back.
“You could’ve died,” she choked, her voice breaking. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the rain. “You could’ve died. You could’ve died.”
She was distraught. My chest tightened, her fear and pain pulling me under. “Anna.” I stepped closer.
She didn’t move, just stood there sobbing, her shoulders shaking. I couldn’t take it anymore. I reached for her, pulling her into my arms.
She collapsed against me, her hands gripping my shirt like I was the only thing holding her together. “I’m sorry,” I murmured, stroking her rain-soaked hair. “I couldn’t sit here, not knowing if you were okay. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just… I couldn’t do nothing.”
Her sobs shook us both, the sound ripping through me. I held her tighter, letting her cry, letting her pour out everything she’d been holding in. The storm raged around us, the wind howling and the rain pounding, but it felt distant, unimportant.
All that mattered was Anna, safe and in my arms.
When her sobs finally slowed, she pulled back just enough to look at me. Her face was streaked with tears and rain. Her eyes burned with intensity. “You can’t do that again.” She spoke firmly, but her voice trembled. “Promise me, Luke. You can’t.”
I nodded, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face. “I promise.”
And in that moment, holding her under the raging storm, I realized I meant it. For her, I’d do anything.
25
ANNA
We stoodthere until my shaking stopped. I sniffled, feeling a wave of embarrassment over my emotional meltdown. “I, uh, need to get into dry clothes,” I mumbled, glancing down at my soggy, tear-streaked mess of an outfit.
He nodded. “Let me get you an umbrella.”
“I can make it.” Using my bag as a makeshift cover, I hurried toward the cottage, desperate to escape.
Inside, I dropped my bag and flicked the light switch. Nothing. My breath caught in my throat.Of course.The generator for the main house didn’t extend to the outbuildings.
