Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Detective, the suspect has been detained.”
“Thanks. Get me a goddamn medic up here.”
He ends the call as two medics rush into the room, pushing us aside so they can work on saving Christopher.
The man leans into Ben, and whispers quietly. “Ben, this is a crime scene. And far out of my jurisdiction. If anything went bad here, I suggest you leave—”
“I’m not fucking leaving her,” he barks. “She needs medical attention.”
“Ben, he needs it more. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re bruised, you’re covered in blood. . . your cheek.” He lifts a shaky hand to my face, and his voice cracks. “You’re not fine.”
The detective stands and a young woman wearing an EMT vest takes his place. “Makayla, my name is Jessica. I’m one of the medics. Think I can take a quick look?”
I look over at Christopher as they strap him to the stretcher and rush him out. “Is he going to be okay?”
“He’s in good hands. We’d like to get you checked out too.”
“No—”
“Dammit, Mak.”
“Just a quick check. They said you think you may have a broken rib? That can be serious if it’s pressing against a lung. The risk of it puncturing is not fun. Can you lift your shirt so I can take a quick peek?”
Ben’s eyes sear into mine. They’re frantic. Scared. I look back at the woman and nod. The minimal effort it takes to move my hands to my shirt kills. I clench my teeth and slowly and painfully lift up my shirt.
Ben’s growl is low and feral. “Oh, Mak.”
“You’re one tough cookie. That looks pretty painful. Not the news you want, but you definitely need to go to the hospital. Not to mention, you have a pretty deep gash on your arm and cheek.” She looks over her shoulder. “I’m gonna need another stretcher.”
I search Ben’s eyes. “Please, don’t leave me.”
“Never. I got you.” Ben helps get me on the stretcher. I scream at the movement. “Fuck, I’m so sorry,” he chokes out. They race me down the stairs as tears stream down my face. Overwhelming pain steals my breath. I gasp for air but can’t get enough to fill my lungs. “Hang on. We’re almost there.”
When we step outside, it’s mayhem. The lawn is littered with police cars, and one ambulance pulls away as the back doors to another open for me. Ben grabs my hand. I wish I could bury myself in the safety of his arms. Ignore the pain and any danger. I just want him. “Don’t leave me,” I plead.
He squeezes my hand. “Never.”
My nails dig into his palm, but he doesn’t say a word. I groan, not sure how much more I can take. Halfway across the lawn, an image steals my attention. It’s then I see her. “Ben, stop,” I choke out. He looks to his left and sees her too.
Rebecca.
“Ben.”
“Don’t look.” He cups my head, blocking my view.
“Is she. . . dead?” I ask. He doesn’t want to answer me. The way his hand tightens around mine tells me. “Ben—”
“Yeah. I think so.” I try to lift my head, but he stops me. “You don’t need to see that.” He’s trying to shelter me, but it’s already too late. I saw enough. Two bloody holes on her chest. She’s still, her eyes blank as they stare at the sky. Why did she have to do this? She didn’t have to get herself killed.
“Why would she. . .?”
“I don’t know. But it’s over. She won’t hurt you anymore.” She won’t hurt anyone. An obsession that consumed so much of her, it took her life.
Chapter 37
Makayla
Three months later. . .
“Come on, get in there,” I moan, getting frustrated. Why won’t it fit? I wipe a bead of sweat off my brow and go at it again, shoving the last bulky sports hoodie into the box. “There. Take that, you ugly waste of material.” I wipe my hands off and debate whether Ben would know if I just tossed this box in the dumpster. My hand cups my stomach, rubbing at the faint discomfort. I stand back and look around the room. It looks so much bigger with nothing in it. The only thing left is the bed and one nightstand. Everything else has been packed and ready for the new house.
Yeah, we bought a house. After all the chaos, we took the plunge and started planting roots. That day three months ago changed all our lives. It showed us evil does exist. And that life is too precious to waste a single moment.
There are so many bad people in this world. My first encounter was when I was a little girl, and my father decided to swipe his large hand across my face for leaving the bathroom light on—a switch I was too little to reach.
Rebecca Taylor created a fantasy in her head. She truly believed that her intentions were pure and she would get her happily ever after, no matter the cost.