Page 21 of Hold Me Before You Go

We’re going to get her back.

We’re going to get her back.

We’re going to get her back.

Her soft laugh filled my ears, followed by her calling out my name, sounding happy and breathless. Yesterday morning, she’d been like that. Happy, breathless from the pleasure I’d given her, and most of all, safe.

My chest ached as I thought about the syringe on the floor of the General Store, the signs of a struggle, how the fear most likely shined in her eyes. Did she call out for help? Did anyone hear her? Did she call out for me? I shook my head, turning away from the windows.

But you weren’t there, were you? You let her go, leaving her unprotected while you sat in the house—

“Grayson?” Denver called on the other end of the line.

Before I could stop it, I lost control.“I need my fucking woman back in my arms! I need Carrie with me! I need her father to answer my fucking questions. I need blood, Denver! That’s what I fucking need!”

There was no response, and I bent my head, pinching the bridge of my nose, emotion gathering in my throat. “Fuck,” I pushed out.

Pure, unfiltered rage was compelling me now as I let out a roar, turning and throwing the phone. It landed against the wall with a crash as both of my hands shot into my hair, my chest heaving as images of Carrie covered in blood flashed before my eyes.

Suddenly, all I could hear was screaming and ringing in my ears. I instantly registered the sound, and my stomach sank, but it was already too late.

No, not again. I couldn’t go back there. Not now.

Pain rippled through my body, starting at my scar and pulsing down to the center of my chest. The office around me faded as I yanked my hair, trying to pull myself out of the nightmare, but all I could see was my sunshine crying out in pain. We were in a dark room, the smell of sweat and blood in the air, the sounds of gunshots and bombs outside. My eyes met hers, and I could feel the last piece of my soul dying, dimming at the sight of her in pain. As she cried out for me, her body thrashed on a cold, dark floor as her tormentor continued to slice her open. My heart seized as I fell to my knees, pressing my palms into my eyes.

No, go the fuck away. This isn’t real.It isn’t fucking real!

Carrie screamed for me again, and the sound was pure torture, my own version of hell.

“Baby,” I croaked, my voice cracking.

There was nothing I could do, and when I opened my eyes again, I found her in the same spot, trembling in fear. She was being held down by multiple men in masks now, and I was on the outside looking in, forced to watch. The men were speaking, but she couldn’t understand what they were saying. I could. I knew that language.

They wanted answers she didn’t have. Answers only I had.

My heart lurched when I realized which nightmare we were in.She had taken my place.

She twisted her head back to look at me, tears falling down her dirty cheeks, bruises covering her skin. Her hair wasn’t shining, covered in dirt, and her curls were dull, just like her eyes.

“Grayson! Please! Don’t let them hurt me!” she cried, blood trickling from her mouth now.

I screamed for her, but no sound came. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t in control of my body anymore.

A figure came around her body, and in a flash, a curved blade was being held over the side of her face as another figure held her down by the neck. Her skin was red, her eyes bulging as she tried gasping for air.

I knew that blade. I had sketches of that blade. I’d spent years trying to hunt down that blade. That blade ruined me. And now? That blade was going to ruin my sunshine, kill her light.

No.

No!

I roared and tried moving, but I still was frozen—trapped.Even though I wanted to look away, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t let her go through this alone, not like I did.

“Grayson, please,” she pushed out, gasping. “H-he—” Her pleas for mercy were cut off by her screams as the tip of the blade pierced the skin on her temple. The dark figure above her slowly started to drag the blade down the side of her face, slicing her open, blood spilling across her beauty.

My scar was on fire now, and I couldn’t breathe.

“Grayson!”

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