20. Chapter Nineteen Laurent
Chapter Nineteen: Laurent
The moment Savannah’s eyes close, the only light in my life goes out. It’s as though my world grinds to a halt and the most precious thing I’ve known is gone.
But no, I won’t let it happen. Throwing my door open, I gather her in my arms and follow Voss, who Knox and Addie are keeping a close watch on, into the apartment building. Brighton remains down with the car, while Ryder, Delaney and Hunter are still dealing with Voss’s thugs.
They’ll all be taken care of soon, but right now, the only thing left to do is get the antidote.
Voss’s apartment is exactly what I expected—an ultra-luxurious penthouse located fifty floors up, and beyond excessive. And that’s saying a lot considering I’m a guy who enjoys a bit of excess now and then. I gently lay Savannah down on the cream couch then turn to Addie. “Stay with her, please.”
“Of course.” She sits on the edge of a black marble coffee table. My legs don’t want to move, and I cast one last lingering look over my shoulder at the sight of Addie taking care of my Savvy. This is all my fault. My heart constricts painfully.
Knox and I follow Voss into his large office, and he strolls over to the far wall like we have all the fucking time in the world.
I’m about to lose my mind and I think he’s enjoying it immensely.
As soon as I get that antidote, I’m going to knock him upside the head with my fist. I wish Linc was here to help me.
I’d take great pleasure in watching the huge man turn Voss into a human pi?ata.
He moves several books aside on a massive built-in bookshelf to reveal a safe.
It’s neatly tucked away behind hardbacks he’s probably never read, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Savannah has.
She’s such a little booklover, and I love that about her.
When this is all over, I’m going to build her the biggest library she’s ever seen with massive floor-to-ceiling shelves she can fill to her heart’s desire.
And rolling ladders—at least four. Every book-loving heart needs those, right?
A part of me thinks I can go even bigger.
I wonder if I could buy her the New York Public Library?
The important thing is she told me she loves me.
My heart hitches at the memory. Her declaration gives me the fuel to finish this, because then we can focus on a life together.
Wherever that life is, I don’t care. As long as she’s with me, I could live on the moon.
Because Savannah is the only oxygen I need to breathe.
The door to the safe swings open and Voss reaches inside, removing a small glass vial. All I can focus on is the glass part. If he drops it, it will hit the hardwood floor and shatter, rendering the precious liquid inside useless.
Suddenly, the cold, calculating look on his face sends a chill through my entire body. Despite the gun Knox is holding on him, Voss steps toward a sliding door and unlocks it.
“Stop moving,” Knox growls. “Or I’ll put a bullet in your thigh.”
“Will you?” Voss challenges, slowly opening the door to the rooftop patio. “Probably not the wisest move because then I’ll drop this precious antidote. The only thing in the world that can save her.” He gives it a little shake then pretends to let it go. “Oops.”
My heart drops into my stomach, and Knox curses under his breath. Voss is toying with us, playing some sadistic game, and he knows as long as he holds that vial, he has the upper hand.
“Why don’t we do the trade out here,” he suggests, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. “It’s such a nice day. I want to see how my sapphire sparkles in the sunlight.”
He’s wasting time, dragging this out, and it’s pissing me off to no end. Forget hitting him upside the head. I’m going to shoot him in the ass for putting us through all this extra drama and stress.
Following him outside, my gaze moves over the glass-walled patio, quickly assessing the situation. There’s some expensive-looking rattan furniture, a telescope and a bar with several tall stools in the corner. A perfect unobstructed view of the city extends all the way to the sea.
“Give me the antidote,” I order. “Now.”
“Toss me the necklace,” he counters.
But I hold my ground, eyes narrowing to slits. He’s going to pay for this shit.
“Savannah or the gem? Such a tough decision,” he taunts, weighing his hands. “I can stand here all day, waiting for you. I’m in no rush.”
But I am. I can feel priceless seconds slipping away. “There is no decision,” I seethe. “I will always choose Savannah.”
“Then what’re you waiting for?” he hisses. “Give me what’s mine.”
Fuck. I don’t trust the asshole, but I need to move. Because he’s right about not being in any kind of a hurry like us. I guess if he decides to hang onto the vial after I hand over the necklace, I’ll tackle him and wrestle it out of his grip.
Against my better judgment, but knowing my options are limited, I toss the velvet bag containing The Heart of Azure. Voss catches it in one hand, and a slow, evil grin spreads across his face as he lifts the small glass vial.
“This is for crashing my party and stealing from me. No one takes what is mine.”
Then, to my absolute horror, he pulls his arm back like he’s about to pitch a baseball. As his body turns to launch the vial over the side of the glass wall, I move faster than I’ve ever moved before in my life.
I swipe my knife from its sheath and whip it toward Voss.
At the same time, I launch myself forward—hoping I don’t get shot if Knox decides to fire his gun—and extend my arms as though flying through the air like Superman.
Voss staggers, dropping the vial, and clutches his midsection where my knife now protrudes.
Time seems to slow down as I careen through the air, gaze locked on the falling vial of liquid.
Right before it hits the ground, I miraculously manage to catch it between the tips of two fingers.
Once I stop sliding forward on my belly, skinning the hell out of my elbows in the process, I huff out a relieved breath. Thank God.
Without a second glance at Voss—I know Knox will have my back there—I push up off the cement and haul ass back into the library and down to the living room where Savannah waits.
“Hurry!” Addie calls, sliding off the coffee table and giving me room.
Dropping to my knees beside the couch, I twist off the cap and slide a hand under Savannah’s neck, lifting her head. She looks frightfully pale, eyes closed and skin cold to the touch. I place the bottle’s opening between her lips and tip it back.
“Drink, Savvy,” I encourage her. Her throat moves as she swallows the liquid. Once the bottle is empty, I set it aside and cradle her head, waiting for the antidote to do its job.
Waiting to see those beautiful sage green eyes open again is the hardest, most excruciating and longest minute of my life.
I need this woman—her smile, her wit, her intelligence.
Most of all, her good heart. I want it all, and I want it every single day.
No one has ever made me feel the way she does—like it’s okay to just be me.
I don’t have to pretend or put on airs. I can simply be.
And that’s worth more than all the sapphires in the world.
Finally, her eyes flutter open, a little confused and unfocused. My shoulders slump and my heart stops trying to crash through my ribcage. “It’s okay,” I murmur, brushing her hair back. “I’ve got you, chérie. You’re going to be fine.”
Dieu merci. Dieu merci. Dieu merci.
I keep thanking God as I stroke my hand over her hair. All is right in my world again.
“Rhys,” she whispers, wrapping her fingers around my wrist.
“Can I tell you something, ma chérie?” I ask, lovingly tucking a wave of gold-spun gossamer behind her ear.
“Anything,” she responds, echoing my earlier answer.
I lean down and press my forehead to hers. “I love you, Savannah.” I nuzzle my nose against her adorable freckled nose then kiss it. “My Savvy.”
She smiles, wrapping her arms around my neck. “My hero.” Then she pulls me in for a kiss, and I don’t miss Addie’s soft “aww.”
I have a girlfriend.
At least, I think I do. We haven’t exactly had time to put a label on it.
It’s a new concept, but one I’m ready to embrace wholeheartedly.
As Savannah talks to her sister Harper on the phone, explaining what happened, I can’t tear my eyes off her.
Truly, I’m mesmerized. She’s smart, she’s beautiful and she’s all mine.
Somehow the stars aligned and gave me the most precious gift.
Love.
And it’s way better than some stupid sapphire necklace.
It’s been a few hours since we defeated Voss and his thugs and regrouped at the hotel.
I brought Savannah straight up to my room, and Brighton found a guest who’s a doctor and charmed him into checking on Savvy.
Although she seems to be doing better, I wanted to make sure.
To my relief, he declared she would be perfectly fine.
I think this whole crazy adventure has aged me a decade.
I’ve been keeping a close watch on Savannah, making sure she drinks plenty of water to flush any lingering toxins out of her system. Her complexion has improved remarkably and, once again, she’s sporting a healthy, tanned glow. Remembering how deathly pale she was makes my stomach sour.
Listening to her talk to her sister tells me a lot of things.
Most importantly that they’re extremely close.
Harper is her family by blood, but she’s also her best friend.
I never had a sibling, but a long time ago I did have a best friend.
And I failed him terribly. Every time I think about Remy, guilt fills me.
After what happened with Remy, I made sure to distance myself from others.
Getting too close to another person is dangerous.
A gift I don’t deserve. But now with Savannah, I can’t get close enough.
And that scares me. What if I end up failing her, too?
She thinks I’m some kind of hero, but if she knew the truth…
“Hey.”
Savvy’s soft voice snaps me from the downward spiral of my dark thoughts, and I focus on her. She must’ve hung up because her cell phone now lays on the nightstand.
“Hey,” I respond. “How’re you feeling?”
“Almost like normal.”
I frown. “Almost? What’s wrong?”
“You’re too far away.” She gives me a smile that sends a shot of pure bliss rocketing straight through my universe. “Come here.”
I scoot over to her and lean my back against the pile of pillows. Then I gather her in my arms and drop a kiss in her fragrant hair. Sunshine and lemons. My gut coils and desire spears through me. Now isn’t the time, I scold myself.
“How’s your sister?” I ask, trying to get my libido to cool off.
“She feels guilty for not being here. But I told her there’s no way she and Ryland could’ve gotten on a plane and made it here before everything went down.”
“Guilt has a way of sticking with a person,” I mumble.
She pulls back and looks up at me. “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
I force a smile. “I don’t want to burden you with my troubles.”
“Rhys,” she says carefully, and I arch a brow. “Remember how I said I love you? That means you can burden me. I want to know everything about you. The good and the bad.”
“I think there’s more bad than good,” I say drolly.
“I won’t ever judge you,” she promises. “And I won’t ever force you to talk to me, but I’m hoping you trust me enough to open up.”
“I trust you,” I whisper.
“Good.” Her lips brush against my chest, practically searing through my T-shirt. Then her hand slides under the hem and begins exploring.
“Savvy,” I groan, trying to pull away. “You need to rest—”
“I need you,” she counters in a breathy whisper. When she cups my cock, I’m instantly hard as steel.
“I’m trying to give you time.” My chest is heaving and I’m doing my damnedest to be good, but she’s making it incredibly difficult.
“How about you give me this instead,” she purrs, squeezing.
“Fuck.”
I simply can’t tell her no. There’s not a cell in my body that can resist her. With no choice, I slam my mouth down against hers, giving her what she wants. Giving in to what we both need.