My entire body stiffens, ready to take his last breath. “If you lay one fucking finger on my wife, that will be the last thing you ever fucking do.” Taking my wife by the hand, I take her back away from the rage-filled monster, stepping away. “You have approximately three minutes to decide; the cops and our lawyer are almost here.”
I watch as he weighs his options, looking around, pressing his lips together before finally letting out a defeated breath. “Deal.”
Anna takes one step closer. “If you ever so much as look in Scarlett or Levi’s direction, I will show you a bitch in heels. I’ll take these nice heels, and I will gouge your fucking eyes out.”Hot damn, that’s my wife. His face drops, knowing my wife is not bluffing or fucking around.
Neither of us are.
Chapter 53
Liberated
Levi
Idid it. I really fucking did it, only it came at the expense of hurting everyone else around me. David found me and saved me.
Within the deepest waters, he pulled me from the waves. The fear in his voice as he begged me to stay with him was like an angelic harmony that begged me to keep fighting. As if fighting wasn’t in question, I fought like hell. I hurt Scarlett and Spencer, scared them, ruined their date. I did it for all of us so that wecould live. I just wanted to live, and what we were doing wasn't enough, even if that meant giving up my life so Letty could be free. I wouldn’t change what I did—not if it means her safety, something we have never had.
I have so much to say, but I can’t keep my breath long enough to say it. Instead, we sit in my new room, and I listen to Spencer and Scarlett tell me about the date, the call, and the excruciating drive, walking into the unknown. The date sounded beautiful, as it should have been, something I didn’t mean to ruin, yet I knew it was the only opportunity I would get. I hope this is the only date that falls in agony, the only time I lie in this bed because of Grant.
I stare at Scarlett, thinking of the words she whispered. I wanted to grab her and make her take them back. I want her to look at Spener and tell him she wouldn’t leave him. She wouldn’t, and I have a sense Spencer wouldn’t let her. I see the way he looks at her; love radiates from him into her. He lights her up, igniting a fire in her soul. Love blossoms in her smile when she catches his eye. Even in this moment of agony, he can still make my sweet sister smile. He calms her mind in a way I never could; he grounds her when the flames call, threatening to spread like wildfire.
He is her sanctuary; I just turned it from a hideout to a haven, where she can roam freely and fearlessly.
There is a slight knock at the door, and David and Anna pop their heads in. “Hey, sweet boy.” Anna comes in with her soft-spoken voice and tender touch, kissing my forehead. “I love you, son, you’re so strong.” I can feel a tear fall from her cheek as she kisses me once more.
“Son, I’m happy to see you awake, alert, and breathing. Well, you scared this old man. I thought I was losing a son, and– I uh–” The words get lost as his chin shakes rapidly.
“I owe you. You saved my life, thank you. Thank you for coming when I called.” I steady my rapid heart rate as I try to regain my breath.
Anna leans over, rubbing her small fingers through my hair. “Shh, son, don’t speak, honey. All I need you all to do right now is listen.” She looks at David before taking a seat next to my bed. “Do you want to tell him, honey?” David gives a slight chuckle.
“Sweetheart, after the way you handled Grant, I’m going to give you the honors.” Spencer and I get the same look, only they can’t see my surprise because, well, my face is fucked and bandaged up.
Spencer laughs. “Levi and I need details, what did you do, Mom?” Anna smiles at me, taking my hand in hers, giving me a silly smirk.
“I may have blackmailed Grant with your video to sign over the house to Levi, file a permanent restraining order, and step away from public safety. I also threatened to gouge his eyes out with my heel.” She glances down at her shoe, and Scarlett busts out laughing.
“Our neighbor Ma, the lovely cookie baking, warm smiles, soft spoken, angel of a mom, did what now?” Her mouth drops open in surprise.
David walks over to our huddle. “When it comes to our children, we will do whatever we can to keep you safe. All of you. That is why he agreed to our conditions. He is in custody now.” Liberation blooms through me, and Scarlett and I make eye contact.
“It’s over?” My words shot straight to my now sobbing sister. Spencer looks at me, nodding before walking over to Scarlett and embracing her.
My eyes dance between David and Anna. “Thank you.” Looking at David, I can feel emotion swelling in my chest. “You not only saved my life, but you saved our lives. You changed everything.” Talking has been hurting, but I'm not stopping, not when I can speak, I can breathe, I can live.
David reaches out his hand, placing it on the top of my messy hair, before ruffling it gently. “Living starts now, son.”
Just then, the nurse pops in, “Visiting hours are almost done, and we have one more coming in now.”
Maddie walks through the door, her face reddened, eyes swollen, drowning her ocean eyes in waves the moment she sees me.
Anna leans over, hugging me where she can. “We will get out of your hair. I have listed myself as your emergency contact. We will be back first thing in the morning. Get some rest and heal up, sweetie. I love you.” She kisses my head, and my heart bursts. Being loved feels so fucking good.
Spencer stands up, holding Scarlett's hand. Scarlett walks over first. “I’m scared to leave you. I’m scared I’ll lose you. I’ll be right outside in the waiting room, I’m not leaving. Not unless they throw me out. I won’t go.” My heart breaks at her confession.
“Letty. I have one good hand, I’ll text you all night long, but you can’t sleep in a chair in the waiting room. Go to sleep, get some good rest, and come back in the morning. I’m not going anywhere, I love you.” Spencer grabs her hand, giving her a small smile. “Promise me, you'll go get some rest.”
She looks around the room, biting her lip, wanting to argue against it. “Fine, but text me, if you're awake, you text me.” I nod, and she kisses my head. “I love you so much.” I know she does, as I do her.
