Chapter 34
34
I stand over two bodies, the gunshots, the ax… shock paralyzes me. My lungs don’t work. My heart is still.
But then, two strong arms wrap around me.
“You’re safe now. It’s over.”
My body trembles with shock while Enzo comforts me. I want to be strong, but my lip quivers. I peek over Enzo’s shoulder at Anton, still not understanding what just happened. Did Anton save me? Did he push me out of the way to give SWAT a clear shot?
I’m sick in the head. I know not even years of therapy can explain it, but seeing him slumped over Father’s body makes me weep. Whether it was right or wrong, based on truth or delusion, I loved that man for giving me what he did. If it wasn’t for him, there would have been no light. No joy. No laughter. I wouldn’t have had a single moment of happiness in fourteen years.
A sob breaks free from my throat. I snuffle into Enzo’s chest. My tears are a bittersweet rainstorm. My heart breaks, and yet out of this moment, I’m somehow reincarnated. How can I feel so sorrowful and grateful at the same time? I’ll never make sense of this.
I cradle my arms around Enzo and hold on to him tightly. I need him now. I need his steady way, his unshakeable resolve. He’s an anchor in this hurricane of emotions that threaten to shatter me. I love him more than ever for it. He doesn’t control me, but he sure as hell knows how to lead me, and I want to give him the reins because I’m blinded by tears and confusion.
Enzo kisses the top of my head. His voice is quiet and broken. “You’re free now.”
“I know.” I doubt he barely heard my weak words, muffled by his shirt. Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I wrap my arms around him, scared to let go.
“Don’t try and figure this all out right now, Scottie.”
“It hurts…”
“I know. Just breathe.” He keeps me safe against his chest. “Be here with me.”
With his palm on my head, his heartbeat strong and steady in my ear, his own rhythmic breath rising and falling against my cheek, eventually, my heart stops racing. Finally, I’m able to draw back and gaze at this beautiful man.
“You came,” I whisper.
He holds my face in his hands. “I’ll always come. I want you, Scottie. I want you so bad I’m never letting you go. ”
“You want me, even though…” My words trail off, they’re too hard to say. Even though I nearly led to your ruin.
His dark eyes burn with passion. “I love you. I love you for all you are and with everything I am.”
I’m awestruck. This can’t be true. It’s too good… “Enzo, say it again.”
His features soften, but his gaze is intense. “I love you.”
Heavy emotion swirls between us. He brings my head against his chest as if enveloping me in a prayer. I will never forget this moment. I wish it would last a lifetime, but it doesn’t.
Men dressed in black uniforms and helmets sweep into the barn, but Enzo doesn’t let me go. They aren’t concerned about us yet.
Three officers head to Anton and the man Enzo called Sánchez, two with guns still pointed straight at the bodies and one bends down to check vitals. First, he feels Sánchez. My lungs are made of steel, not knowing if I want him to be dead and gone forever or alive to get the wrath he deserves. Still, when the officer drops his wrist and shakes his head, I know I’d prefer to never see this man again.
But when the officer grips Anton’s wrist in his hand, I can’t help but allow hope to creep in. It takes just four words to stop the world.
“We got a pulse.”