Page 86 of Dangerous Devotion

I gritted my teeth against the throbbing pain and forced myself to move. I couldn’t stay here. Somebody might’ve heard my fall. I had to keep going. I needed to get out, to find the hole in the fence.

I got on all fours, and a sharp pain shot through my arm. I glanced down, but it was too dark to see. I got on my knees, then lifted my sleeve and probed at my skin. Warm and sticky. I’d probably scraped my skin when I fell.

Great. Just what I needed. I pushed the thought aside and ignored the pain. I couldn’t afford to worry about injuries now. I gritted my teeth and crawled away from the stairs and toward the only opening in the room—what I guessed was intended to be a window.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from above.

My heart leaped into my throat. Someone was coming. Panic surged through me as I turned my head and frantically looked for somewhere to hide.

But my vision suddenly started to swim, and the edges grew fuzzy. No, no, no, Not now. I couldn’t pass out, not when I was so close to escaping. I spotted a dark corner that looked like a potential hiding spot just a few feet away. If I could just reach it…

I dragged myself forward, my movements growing sluggish. The footsteps were getting closer.

Just a little further…

As I stretched out my hand, darkness crept in at the edges of my vision. I fought against it, but it was no use. The last thing I felt was my cheek pressed against the cold concrete as consciousness slipped away.

I slowly drifted back to consciousness, enveloped in warmth and a feeling of safety. Strong arms cradled me, and a strong heartbeat pounded rapidly against my ear. My body ached, but the pain felt distant, overshadowed by the comfort and warmth of being held.

Someone was holding me.

I stiffened, forced my heavy eyelids open, and blinked against the diffuse light.

I was outside. Vince’s face swam into focus above me, his features tight with worry and relief, and I immediately relaxed.

I lifted my arm and cupped his cheek.

He jostled me as he came to a sudden halt. He looked down at me, and his usually guarded eyes were wide and vulnerable as he scanned my face. “Hey, Punk,” he said, his voice cracking.

I tried to smile, to tell him I was okay, but my lips felt numb and uncooperative.

Vince’s gaze darted over my body, his brow furrowing deeper with each injury he cataloged. “Where does it hurt?” he whispered, and the devastation in his eyes made my heart clench.

“I’m okay,” I managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper.

He narrowed his brows.

“Really, just a little dinged up.”

He stared at me for a couple of seconds, then clenched his jaw. A muscle ticked in his cheek as he fought for control. He didn’t believe me.

“You can let me down. I can walk on my own.” I actually wasn’t so sure about that, but I was willing to try if it meant he would worry a little less.

But my words seemed to have little effect. If anything, they made him squeeze me tighter against him as if he wanted to shield me from the world with his body alone.

“Not going to happen,” he growled, then cradled me tighter against his chest and began to move again, his steps quick but careful. Tension radiated from him in waves, and his body was coiled like a spring, ready to snap while he surveyed the area.

As we rounded a corner, Vince’s grip on me tightened even further. He held me as if I might disappear at any moment, his eyes constantly darting around, scanning for threats.

The intensity on his face was unlike anything I’d seen from him before. He was like a predator. An angry lion, ready to kill anyone who dared to stand in his way.

We reached a group of people, and I blinked twice as Hawk suddenly leaned over me and cupped my cheek. “Hey, Little One,” he said.

Tears welled up behind my eyelids as relief washed over me, momentarily dulling the ache in my body. He was alive. Thank God.

Milli and Birdie emerged from the shadows, joining our group. Birdie looked battered and bruised while Milli looked slightly disheveled but very much unharmed.

There was a commotion, then Max emerged like a Greek God and bear-hugged Milli with a “Thank fuck,” which expressed everything I was feeling, as well.

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