Page 87 of Tangled In Lies

We thought the bomb was supposed to be for me.

But was it actually for Evangeline?

Chapter 21

Evangeline

My mouth and throat are as dry as the desert, my lips cracked, and I wince at the sting in the corner of my mouth. The movement is minuscule at best, but it’s enough to take the atrocious pounding in my head to another level. I squeeze my eyelids together even tighter.

The hammering is so intense, I can barely think past it.

And why am I so dang hot?

A bead of sweat runs down my nape, and I lift my hand to wipe it away while trying to pry my heavy eyelids open. They feel like they weigh fifty pounds each, and I settle on opening one eyelid halfway to start. It’s probably better for my headache anyway.

My hand pauses halfway in the air. Not just because something is painfully tugging at it but also because of the sight in front of me.

It’s Phoenix.Phoenix. He’s sleeping only a few inches away from me.

My heart kicks into overdrive, forcing my brain to push the memories past the wall of pain.

Me on Phoenix’s lap in his office. Getting ready for another gala event with my fiancé. The text message. The car bomb.

A sob breaks through my throat, scratching the walls along the way.

Phoenix’s eyes fly open in alarm.

“You’re okay.” The words rush out of my mouth, followed by another sob.

“Shh, baby.” Phoenix cradles my face, his thumb caressing my cheek in soothing strokes.

I sink into his touch and move toward him. I need more. He closes the distance between us when he sees I’m struggling and gently wraps his arm around me.

More sobs rack my body as I try to understand what happened and that we’re both here. Both alive, both well. At least as well as anyone can be after an explosion went off mere feet away from them.

I bury my face in his chest and shut my eyes, letting all the emotions run their course while he holds me. And he lets me, rubbing soothing circles across my back, murmuring something I can’t quite make out.

Despite everything that happened, I feel safe in this cocoon.

He saved you.

Memories of me running out of the house rush through my head, yelling at Phoenix, wanting him to run. Did I push him? Did I throw myself at him? I’m trying to remember, but my brain is fuzzy.

He grabbed me and ran until the explosion went off.

The explosion.

A real bomb.

Freddy.

He tried to kill Phoenix and almost killed both of us.

“Hold?” The name is a croak, but it must be enough.

Something soft presses against my forehead, like Phoenix just kissed it.

For some reason, that has more tears gathering in my eyes.

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