“No shit, darling,” I croak as I run my fingers through her hair, all while the woman screams behind us, and I look to see Anchor and Trigger restraining her while Tank works on her daughter, giving her CPR.
“Freya?” Hol chokes just as Tank calls, “I’ve got a fucking pulse, but we need to move her now,” and the woman sobs with relief.
“I don’t know what you’re relieved about, you’re going to jail, lady,” Anchor snaps as Trigger mentions, “At least now we know where her son got his crazy from,” and Holly chokes out a laugh,and I shake my head as I lean down and press my forehead against hers.
“Don’t ever fucking do that again!” I warn her, my tears falling as she whispers, “I’ll always save you...”
My body melts, and Lyra screams, “Mama,” and I look her way to see Dad holding her tightly as she struggles against him crying her heart out.
“She’s okay, baby girl, let Grandpa take you outside,” I say, and she watches me for a second before nodding as she melts into my dad, and I look back at Hol just as sirens blast in the background. I sigh with relief knowing Ace most likely gave the signal.
Fuck I’m glad we have them in our pockets…
“The bullet is still in your thigh, sweetheart, but I’d feel better if we remove it at the hospital where it's sterile,” Doc says, and Hol nods as a few tears leak, and I press my lips against her forehead before pressing them onto her soft ones, finally feeling at home again.
I choke against her lips, “You’re coming home, no more breather for you,” and she nods as she whispers, “Okay, but expect pranks when you tick me off,” and I smile softly as Doc mutters, “Oh yeah, she’s definitely not meeting Annalise or any of the Devil’s ladies either…”
“I love you, Alex,” she rasps, and I reply, “I love you too,” and I do, so fucking much.
I don’t take my eyes off my girl as the cops swarm the place, even when the woman is read her rights for kidnapping and attempted murder, or when Doc speaks to the paramedics, explaining Hol will be placed under his care. I watch her, ensuring she’s with me, while my dad looks after Lyra outside.
I’m never letting this fucking woman out of my sight again, and in a few days, she will be wearing my cut and signing adoption papers just like I will be. It’s time we become the family I know we are.
Chapter 28
Holly
“Mama!” Lyra cries as I slam into the room without any thought to my safety. My only concern is getting my daughter, and instantly, a gun is held to my chest, and I suck in a breath while Freya gasps.
“You are not taking my baby away, you took her father, but you won't take her,” Mrs. Collins rasps, her eyes wild, her breathing heavy.
Oh my god.
“I didn’t take her father, he was a nasty piece of work who would have raped me if I didn’t give my virginity to him willingly,” I remind her before I ask, “What’s your plan here, Mrs. Collins? Kidnapping a child? Killing her mother? Do you really think you can get away with this?”
***
I blink and blink again, the crazed look in her eyes hitting me right in the chest, and I move slightly but wince at the pain that shoots through my leg, and I look at it, the bandage Doc wrapped tightly around it.
Apparently, the bullet just missed an artery, I was lucky, and despite him numbing my leg, it still hurt when he dug the bullet out.
I’m really lucky Mrs. Collins or Satan as I now dub her, is a lousy shot.
***
“Mama,” Lyra cries, catching Mrs. Collins’s attention who growls, “Shut up!” and then smacks Lyra across the face with the butt of the gun.
“Mama!” Freya shouts as Lyra screams before managing to run past Mrs. Collins and into my arms meaning I can’t tackle the bitch for hurting my girl. The gun is suddenly back on my chest, and I tremble while my daughter sobs, just as the door slams open, and my body tingles while I relax slightly despite the gun being held at my chest.
He’s here.
***
“Mama?” Caleb whispers, and I look down at him, the endearment is absolutely everything as he looks up at me while his sister lays her head on my leg, sleeping.
“Yes, baby?” I ask as I run my hands through his hair.
“Does your leg hurt?” he asks, a slight wobble of his bottom lip indicating he wants to cry.
