I barrel in behind her when Collins gasps and the mousiest shriek forces itself from her lungs. I freeze where I stand, my body locking up on me.
Collins stands stock still, one hand covering her mouth while the other grips her stomach. At first, I think she’s going to be sick, but then my eyes focus just past the back of her head, and my lips part in shock. I knew he was supposed to wake soon, but color me fucking surprised when I see two big brown eyes open and filled to the brim with unshed tears.
His chin quivers and the dam breaks, his tears cascading down his cheeks in heavy rivulets, and my heart splinters at the sight. He hiccups on a sob as his first word leaves his lips on a cracked, hushed tone.
“Snow.”
Chapter 14
Riley
“I HAD TO CHOOSE”
I’ve spent the greater part of thirty minutes weaving in and out of consciousness but haven’t been able to stay awake, let alone open my eyes. I’m not sure where I am, but I don’t think I’m in heaven because I really don’t think it would smell like antiseptic and lemons.
It also tells me that I’m no longer in a dark, secluded room, because not only is it bright as hell behind my lids, but the smell of blood and bodily fluids is completely gone.
My entire body aches as flashes of Collins screaming and Guy holding a gun to my head threaten to take over like a vivid dream. Familiar, hushed tones somewhere in the distance steal my attention. I honestly can’t tell what’s real and what’s an illusion. The last thing I remember was seeing Collins tied to the bed, cut and bruised beyond what her body could handle, and how fucking helpless I was to stop any of it from happening.
I take stock of the fact that my feet are elevated and I’m no longer upright against a cold, hard chair.
Where the hell am I?
A soft gasp from a voice I know like the back of my hand cuts through the air, the sound aiming straight for my heart. I want to open my eyes, but I’m terrified. I’m terrified to see thedamage I caused by allowing her to be seen in public when she was being hunted. I’m terrified that I’ll somehow still be in that room, seeing the hope fading from her eyes as I remain just out of reach. What terrifies me the most, though, is just not seeingher.
A thousand emotions war inside me as tears build behind my lids, threatening to break free for fear of the unknown. Although, there’s also an undercurrent of anticipation there, but I’ll never know the truth of my situation if I don’t just open my eyes. I have to have hope that she’s reallyhereand that she’s safe.
So, I open them.
My lashes flutter, and I fight against the bright lights of the room to open my eyes for the first time.
There she is.
Standing at the end of the bed, is the one girl whom I’d given my heart to. The one I fell so hard and fast for. The one who survived the worst and now stands before me looking so fucking strong and ethereal with her hair glowing in the sun that shines through the window beside her.
My girl.
My Collins.
MySnow.
Her light green eyes shine with glimmering, unshed tears as she grips her stomach with one hand and covers her mouth with the other.
It’s an odd thing to notice, but I note that her nails are now shorter and have been painted a soft pearlescent purple versus the broken, black nails that she still had while in that room. It’s a reminder that grounds me with the knowledge that this isn’t an illusion.
She’s here. She’s here. She’s here.
A lone tear falls down Collins’ cheek and it’s chased by my own at finally seeing her and knowing that she’s truly here and safe.
“Snow,”is all I choke out before she’s across the room. Her eyes rapidly track everywhere that I’m bandaged before she carefully yet swiftly climbs into bed beside me and buries her face in my neck.
“Riley,” she cries, her tears soaking into my skin as both of our shoulders shake from the tears that fall freely now. “Oh my God.”
“I know, baby, I know,” I choke out, still stunned that we’re here and not…there.
My right arm is bound to my side and immobilized, so I wrap my left arm around her and bury my trembling hand in her hair, ignoring the burning sting of the rope burns on my wrists. No pain compares to the relief that takes over me with the feeling of her being in my arms again. I can’t stop kissing her hair as I take in her scent that has so quickly come to feel like home.
She’s really here. She’s safe.We’resafe.
