Page 154 of Wicked Dares
Then a gunshot rings out. Reece’s body jolts violently, and blood blooms across his chest as he crashes to the ground.
I don’t know nor care if he’s dead or alive.
I just run, run toward Levi.
With Reece down, the cops holding Levi back allow him through.
He rushes toward me, meeting me halfway, and I throw myself into his arms.
He holds me tightly, and I feel safe again.
My whole body starts shaking violently as Levi crushes me against his chest.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers against my hair. “I’ve got you, Butterfly.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
LEVI
By the next morning, it finally feels like the nightmare is over.
Reece is under police guard at the hospital.
The motherfucker had to have surgery after the shooting.
He barely survived it.
According to the police, the bullet missed his heart by less than an inch. He’ll be in the hospital for a while, but the second he’s medically cleared, he’ll be transferred straight back to prison.
And this time?
He’ll never get out again.
Between the attempted abduction, violating the restraining order, the weapon charges, and everything tied to his previous crimes, the bastard is finished.
For the first time in days, I finally feel like I can breathe again.
And my girl is safe with me.
We just came back from sailing.
We took the boat out at the crack of dawn. After the longest night of our lives, neither of us could sleep, so we started the day fresh with an adventure.
Alexis called as we were walking back inside, so Piper is in the garden talking to her.
I came in here to get ready for work.
I walk into the living room and stop short when I see Arthur Lockwood standing near the fireplace studying one of the paintings on the wall.
His hands are clasped behind his back as he takes in the intricate brushstrokes of the watercolor landscape.
Of all the people I expected to see in my home, Arthur was not one of them. I didn’t even realize he knew where I lived.
He turns at the sound of my footsteps as I walk in and gives me a nod.
“Hope you don’t mind me making myself at home.” His mouth twitches slightly. “Your housekeeper said I could wait in here.”
“Of course.”
