Stay With Me (Grovewood Ink #2)

Prologue

KELSEA

After my best friend, Ember, called to tell me she’s pregnant, I immediately went into fun auntie mode.

I hit every baby shop in the mall and bought every gender neutral option I could find.

I don’t care what this baby turns out to be.

I’m so excited for her and Elijah. As I came out of the building, I heard someone call my name.

When I turned to look, I felt a white hot burn like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

My body betrayed me and I couldn’t move, couldn’t fight back.

I felt a sharp sting in my neck and from that moment, everything went black.

When I finally woke up, I recognized the familiar rooms of Ember’s old apartment. That fucking bastard tased me! Ember has been on the run from her psycho ex for months now, and it looks like he’s finally caught up with us.

The next several hours are a blur of pain and anger as I fight to stay conscious.

I remember the comforting sound of Ember’s voice in my ear as she reassured me we were getting out of this.

I remember hearing a loud banging, like the sound of a herd of wild horses running through the living room of the small apartment.

Yelling, gunshots, Ember’s screams, all the noise blends together as I inched closer and closer to the darkness.

My body felt heavy and cold, and I longed for nothing more than to let that abyss swallow me whole. Anything to stop the pain.

Suddenly, I’m engulfed in the familiar scent of wood and leather I’ve come to love and hate in equal parts over the years. His strong arms lift me effortlessly off the mattress, and I wince and moan in pain. He holds me tighter in a protective gesture I know all too well.