Page 246 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

But holy shit.

I stare at the two men on the floor—two dead men.

She killed these men in less than two seconds. No fucking wonder she’s those gangsters secret weapon.

“Oh, angel.”

My head whirls as I see Briar leaning over me, placing her gun and knife on the floor beside her. Her lips press all over my face as she releases my bindings. I inhale deeply, the scent of her filling me like oxygen.

“You’re safe, angel,” She murmurs, kissing my throat and then my mouth.

“You’re here,” I say, staring at her as if she’s some illusion.

She forces a smile, “Yeah, Rurik. I got you.”

“Your uncle,” I blurt out. “My stepdad. They did—”

“God, I’m so sorry they hurt you,” Briar shakes her head, her face pale. “I’m so sorry you got into this mess.”

What the fuck is she talking about? Why is she sorry? She saved me. Why is she apologizing?

“Briar—” I freeze. A random man stands outside the door, looking stunned for a second before his face morphs into pure anger.

Without thinking, I throw myself over Briar, and we tumble on the floor in time at the sound of the gun going off. I immediately grab the gun Briar left on the floor and shoot the guy dead before he can fire again. I drop the gun like it’s poison and turn to Briar, who is staring at me with wide, fearful eyes.

I shake my head, “Baby, you’re safe. I got you, okay? You’re safe.” I repeat her words, wrapping my arms around her as her body shakes. “You’re safe, you’re safe, you’re safe.”

She is. She’s here. Alive.

I can feel the beating of her heart against my chest.

Fuck, I never, and I mean fucking ever, want to experience this shit again.

Never.

I open my mouth to tell her this when a sharp pain slams into my chest.

Fuck.

Briar notices the change in me because she looks up and says something. But I can't hear her. All I could feel is this heavy pressure that’s radiating across my chest and pain spreading my arms, back, everywhere.

I try to inhale, placing my hand on my chest to try and massage and ease the pain, but the tightness intensifies.

I feel soft hands all over my face, and I look up — when was I lying down? — to see Briar staring down at me with so much fear. I could feel moisture dripping on my face and realize it's from her.

Baby. My girl is crying?

I try to reach for her. I try to reassure her that everything will be fine.

But I can't.

My vision is becoming blurry, and I feel dizzy. I try to lift my hands. But they remain on my side. I can’t fucking reach for her.

Her hands are on my chest, and she's yelling, “Rurik! Stay with me... Breathe... Nat! Oscar! Rurik, please, please, please.”

Will she get mad if I tell her how fucking devastating she looks right now?

“Don’t leave me, Rurik, please. Angel, please.” Unlike anything I’ve heard before, the noises she makes pierce my already pained heart. I want to restore the beautiful melody back to her voice. “I'm so sorry! Sorry… Sorry…Nat! Oh God — Natalie! HELP ME!”

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