Chapter 70
SEVENTY
HARLEY
I jog down the hallway ahead of the others, peeking into each room, and all I’ve found so far is a dining room and a bathroom, but no Savannah.
Lana tried arguing they should go first because they have more experience, but I ignored her.
I don’t care what arguments she and the others have, Savannah means more to me than anything else, and what I may lack in experience, I make up for in sheer desperation to see her safe.
That is, until I hear a voice say, “I’ve changed my mind, I won’t be selling you to a friend. No, I’ll be getting rid of you myself.”
Just as I turn a corner, I’m confronted with the vilest sight I’ve ever seen.
Savannah, on the floor.
Tears streaming down her face.
Her father straddling her, his hands wrapped around her delicate throat as she gasps for air.
God, baby. I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t here sooner.
It’s only a split second later that the others catch up to me as they also take in what’s happening, and Lana starts gesturing for everyone to spread out. Both Cole and Damon back up as Lana moves around to one side of the room, Logan going the other way.
But I don’t move.
I’m frozen to the spot as I stare at Savannah on the floor, looking up at her father as though she knows this is the end for her.
“Over my dead fucking body.” The words are out before I give them permission to, but I don’t care. Both of their attention snaps to me. Her father scowls, his hands loosening slightly while a look of shock mixed with terror paints Savannah’s pretty face.
Lana, Cole, Damon, and Logan start to surround her father, physically pulling him away from Savannah and dragging him to the other side of the room.
I shoot Logan a look, and he nods, and then I’m skirting past Savannah’s father, all but diving to get at her.
From the corner of my eye, I see Logan sweep Savannah’s father’s legs out from under him, and then Lana is straddling him, securing his arms and legs with zip ties and a feral grin on her lips.
Savannah’s eyes are wide, shock clear on her face. “Harley,” she croaks when I finally reach her and crouch down next to her. I tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear, conscious of every movement, since I’m not sure how hurt she is and don’t want to cause her any more pain.
“Yeah, baby. I’m here.” Please don’t push me away, I think to myself, remembering the last time I found her in a situation like this one and she went to Logan.
One second.
Then two.
On the third, I have Savannah’s arms wrapping around me as she all but flings herself toward me. I catch her and hold just as tightly, my eyes stinging as I bury my face in her hair.
“Shhh. You’re okay, baby. You’re okay.”
I tighten my arms around her as she shifts so she’s straddling me, and fuck, having her in my arms has never felt so good.
I really didn’t know if I’d get this again.
If I’d ever see her again. Holding her right now…
well, the world could end, and I’d just watch with a smile on my face, happy to go out with my girl in my arms.
This just feels… right, and I honestly may never let her go. Literally, I’m not sure I’ll ever let her out of my arms.
She sobs into my neck, and I can feel my own tears falling, but I don’t care, I just hold her tighter. Everything around us fades into the background, my entire being focused on her. On us.
I know the others are taking care of whoever is left, and I know Izzy and Nate are taking Savannah’s dad somewhere for questioning.
I wasn’t happy about it when they first told me what they were doing, but they assured me it wouldn’t be a pleasant experience for him.
They said he wouldn’t survive it, so that was good enough for me.
Apparently, they’ve been working an angle with Colin Marks for a while, and they still need to get some answers.
“Harley,” Sav whimpers against my neck, and I tremble, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Fuck, I came so close to losing her. So close to never seeing her again.
“Are you okay? Shall we get you to a hospital?” I rasp, suddenly realizing that maybe holding her like this isn’t the best idea, and I loosen my hold.
“Don’t you dare let me go,” she whispers thickly, and I chuckle.
“Never, baby. Fucking never,” I say, and she cries harder. I stroke her hair, trying to soothe her in any way I can. “Shhh, Sav, it’s okay. I’ve got you. He can’t hurt you anymore, he’s gone.”
She pulls back and looks up at me with wet eyes, her lips trembling, and even though she looks a mess right now, covered in blood and tears, I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight. “Promise?”
I look around, noting the others have already gone, and the only ones remaining are Logan, Lana and Cole, who are all waiting some distance away to try and give us privacy.
“Yeah, little devil. I promise. Nothing and no one can hurt you anymore, I won’t fucking allow it,” I vow, and I mean it with everything in me.
I won’t let her get hurt again. I don’t care what I have to do or what I need to turn into to make sure of it, but I’ll do it.
For her, I’ll do anything.