A handsome, kind, and warm man who loved me—and not in the warped and disgusting way Walt had.
And, lastly, I had a baby I hadn’t even had the chance to tell Heath about yet growing within me. I’d only found out earlier that morning. I didn’t know how far along I was. Or even if it would be a viable pregnancy, given my history. But, for that one moment, as I’d cried tears of joy on the floor in Heath’s bathroom while staring down at those two pink lines I’d tried so hard to avoid when I had been with Walt, it was a baby—a piece of me and a piece of Heath. Conceived in love and not fear. The way it always should have been.
I would not allow Walt to take that away from me.
Or take me away from them.
“Will you get me something for my face?” I asked softly.
He leaned away and cupped a hand on my jaw. “When are you going to stop being so damn difficult? You don’t have to fight me on everything.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I’ll do better. I swear.”
Bile crawled up the back of my throat as his lips swept across mine. “Lie down. I’ll get you some ice.”
I held my breath as I seductively trailed my fingers down his arm to the gun held tightly in his palm. “Here. Give me this and I’ll keep an eye on Elisabeth.”
He chuckled and opened his hand.
I kept the surprise hidden from my face, but hope slammed in my chest as I reached for the gun.
And then I froze when his hand shifted from my jaw down to my throat. He gripped impossibly tight, cutting my air off. Panic tore through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. It was the only way to stay alive.
Guiding me with my neck, he walked me backward until I hit the wall. My lungs burned and my vision started to tunnel, but I didn’t fight. I remained perfectly still as he brushed his nose with mine, whispering against my lips, “I love you, Clare. But don’t press your luck. I’m not oblivious to your games. I just happen to like playing them with you.”
He studied my eyes, but I showed him nothing. And, after a few beats, a filthy grin pulled at his lips. He slammed my shoulders against the wall one last time before finally releasing me.
My legs had become weak, and I folded over, resting my hands on my knees as I gasped for air.
He stroked the top of my head and ordered, “Sit your ass on the bed. And don’t even think about pulling any of your bullshit.”
I kept my head down as I watched his feet disappear. He kicked Marco’s lifeless body all the way into the room before closing the door.
As soon as it clicked behind him, I moved. And I did it fast. “Stop crying. You’re making it worse. He’s a leech who thrives on the fear,” I whispered to Elisabeth as I began searching the room.
I hadn’t been to that particular house in a while, but everything looked the same as it always had. Walt’s desk sat in the corner, covered by paperwork and a laptop that reminded me more of an attorney’s than a drug dealer’s. I snatched the drawers open, but they were completely empty.
“What are you doing?” Elisabeth asked, climbing to her feet.
“I need a weapon. Help me look,” I said, moving to the nightstand, but that drawer was empty too. “Shit.”
“Clare, no,” she pleaded. “Don’t be the hero here. Let’s wait. The guys have to know we’re missing by now.”
“Maybe. But that’s not going to end well for any of us,” I said, continuing to search the room. “I can keep us alive. But, if they show up, I can’t promise the same for them.”
“You can’t do this,” she begged. “Please just think about Tessa.”
Oh, but I was. She had been living that life right alongside me.
I was going to end it for both of us.
Suddenly, I stopped as my gaze landed on the bed.
That room was exactly the same. Time hadn’t touched it at all. Same bedspread. Same pillowcases. Same sheets.
Everything was just as I’d left it.
Everything.
Every. Thing.
I sucked in a deep breath and lifted the watch Heath had given me to my lips.
Closing my eyes, I conjured up images of Heath and Tessa playing in the backyard. There was a dog we didn’t yet have racing around and barking as I stood on the deck, my stomach swollen with life, a content smile on my face, and a peace I had never experienced filling my heart.
Free of fear.
Free of pain.
Forever.
Kissing 11:11, I made the very last wish I’d hopefully ever need.
My heart pounded in my ears as I reached under the edge of the mattress.
By the time Roman and I arrived at Noir’s hideout, federal agents had it surrounded. Marco’s patrol car was parked in the driveway beside a shiny, black BMW that I assumed was Noir’s.
“Talk to me,” I barked at Tomlinson, crouching next to him behind a black SUV.