Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
ADAM
My eyes squeezed tight, waiting for an impact that never came. I didn't want to look at her when I died. Didn't want to see the disappointment in my wife's eyes over just how weak I was. I wasn't weak under normal circumstances, but when had anything about this relationship ever been normal?
When the blade never pierced through my skin and the pain never came, I willed myself to open my eyes, only to see Accardo at my feet and Hannah frozen at the garden's entrance, a gun in her outstretched hand. I glanced back down at the body, then at my wife, and my heart jolted up to my throat, clogging my airway. Even with all the rain, I could see there was so much blood. Too much to be safe. Her skin was pale, her eyes glassy, and still she weakly reached toward me.
"Hannah!" I shouted, trying to tear her friend out of the stupor she was in. "Hannah. Look at me. Look at me!"
Fuck. I wasn't sure if I should remain calm or go into a full hysterical mode. My wife was at stake here. Her wellbeing was always going to be my priority. I took a deep breath. "Hannah. Look at me. Put the gun down. He's gone. Please. Belle needs us."
Hannah bit her lip, her eyes blinking rapidly as she focused on me. If the rain hadn't been falling so hard, I knew tears would stain her cheeks, but I couldn't concentrate on how she was feeling. Couldn't care about the turmoil that was plaguing her over killing a man when my wife was growing weaker at my feet.
"I need you to untie me. Take his knife and cut the ropes." I’d deal with Belle, since clearly, Hannah wasn't capable. I owed Hannah my life, and I'd repay her a million times over, but I couldn't worry about her right now. "I need you to call 911. Can you do that, Hannah? HANNAH?"
Her lips trembled, either from emotion or the bone chilling cold that was seeping in with the rain. She nodded vigorously. "Yeah. I can do it."
When she didn't move, I raised my voice. "NOW."
She swallowed, then rushed forward, searching the ground for the knife and taking it in her hand. Her fingers trembled as her big eyes looked up at me. "I-I don't know where to cut."
"The back. One slice should release me. Cut the rope close to my neck," I ordered, and she stepped around me. I tried to talk to her, keep her with me as she sawed at the bondage, my eyes on Belle the whole time. "You did well."
"I- Lady came to me with a knife in her shoulder. I-I figured something was wrong."
What a good girl. I'd have to give the pup some extra treats when no one was looking. "Who taught you to shoot?"
"I-I had to learn. For work."
There was a story there, but I wasn't sure if this was the time to address it. I looked down at my wife. "Belle. Stay with me."
Belle swallowed and nodded, but I could tell she was fading. She gave up on crawling the few feet toward me and instead opted to rest her head against the grass. As calmly as I could, I tilted my head toward Hannah. "I need you to call for an ambulance. Speakerphone it and I'll talk while you work on the ropes."
I hated to admit it, hated the thought, but I was so fucking worried.
Hannah paused her work and dialed, holding the phone out to me with one hand while using the other to cut the rope. It was slower work, and I was okay with that. I didn't have seconds to spare when it came to my wife and her health. When the operator answered, I gave them the address, wishing the wind wasn’t so bad so that I could put her on speakerphone. When the rope released, I slumped to the ground before I crawled toward Belle.
I pulled her into my lap, turning her so she was facing me, and cradled in my arms. Her eyes fluttered. I lifted my hand; the blood was everywhere. "Where does it hurt? Where are you bleeding?"
I couldn't fucking tell. She didn't answer. "Belle!" I shouted. "Where?"
My biggest fear in life was watching my wife die again, losing her and my child because of a man who wanted to punish me. I couldn't do it again. Couldn't live through another funeral. Another goodbye. I wasn't a strong man after all, and I could admit that. I could admit that my great weakness was also my only strength. My wife. My family. And without them, I was worthless.
My fingers floated over her body, but there was just so much blood, and even though I knew — I fucking knew in my heart — I didn't want to acknowledge it. Instead, I held her tightly, plastering her to my chest and rocking her, not caring that the surrounding storm raged on as I waited for help to arrive.
I just hoped that when they did, it wouldn't be too late.