Page 75 of These Jagged Edges

You are the furthest thing from weak or broken Evie Taylor.

Maddox’s words resonate and instead of panicking self-defense kicks in. Before he can grasp my neck in his hands, I quickly bridge and roll him off me. I land a hard blow to his solar plexus and scramble for the gun. Just as I wrap my hand around the cool metal a sharp pain radiates down my chest and on my right side, but I'm too determined. I flip over and feel a familiar presence wash over me letting me know we're not alone.

As I look behind Trent, I see him. Like a fire roaring in the night, his presence is unmistakable and palpable. I’ve never seen a man such beautifully made. He’s an inferno of burning rage, and I knew he came here with one thing on his mind.

Maddox Wilder is here to get blood on his hands.

"Looks like I'll be watching the life drain from your eyes asshole.” I laugh.

The amicable snap of Trent's neck fills the night air.Good Riddance.

The throbbing in my side intensifies and looking down I realize I've been stabbed. Not just once, but maybe a few times in a few different places. Shit, when did that happen? That's a lot of blood pouring out, but at least the world is rid of this fucker once and for all.

Maddox's trembling hands grasp my face. I reach for his scruffy cheek. "Hi Big Guy, I knew you’d find me," I whisper before everything fades to black.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

MADDOX

I needto give CeCe a fucking kiss next time I see her. She was able to use the surveillance footage to not only get an image of Trent but get a bird’s eye view of his car. From there she tracked his movement through traffic cameras until they headed towards the lake. I feel on autopilot as we race to find her.

Finding a naked and barely lucid Allison stumbling on the road past the old campsite Bunkey’s coming from the old paper mill tells me all I need to know. I’m too fucking late. Heart racing, I jump out of the car and search for my girl. Evie’s fine. She has to be okay. She’s my fucking world.

Just under the streetlamp, I make out two figures wrestling on the ground. "Evie!"

Without thinking, I reach them, take his head in my hands, and snap his neck before tossing him aside clear out of reach of her.

Burn in hell motherfucker.

Hitting my knees I take her face in my trembling hands. My girl will be okay. She reaches up and gently touches my cheek, afaint smile ghosts her lips. "Hey, Big Guy, I knew you’d find me," she whispers.

"Hi, Pretty Girl." My voice doesn’t hide the raw fear I've felt since she's been missing. Evie doesn't respond. Her eyes roll back in her head. No, no, no!

"Evie! Wake up!" I gently shake her, but she doesn't stir. That's when I feel something wet and sticky touch my leg. Looking down I notice all the blood pooled around her reminding me of an angel with bloody wings. Is death here to mock me?

Death can’t have her, I refuse to give her up.

Quickly and as easily as possible, I search trying to find where she’s bleeding from. It’s hard to tell because she’s covered in so much blood. Frantically I take off my shirt and cover her side; I'm pretty sure it's a stab wound. I carefully take her chained hands and gently loop them around my neck, making sure she’s secure before pulling her close so her side rests against me. Then, with caution and focus, I go to find my brother.

"Oh, Pretty Girl. You did so damn good." I press a firm kiss on top of her head. "I’m so sorry I didn't find you sooner."

Henry takes one look at me walking up, screams for Matthews to take over the scene, and loads Allison in his SUV with us before tearing off towards the hospital.

"Keep pressure on that wound! Is she cool to the touch?" He throws me a blanket and I cover her naked body up.

"No, but she's losing blood fast." Blood is soaking through my shirt I have pressed against her side and is seeping down my stomach. Fuck, I should’ve figured out where she was sooner. I should have gone with her to get that damn cake. She should’ve never been alone.

"Allison, I need to know what her injuries are so the help she needs can be prepared," my brother says softly to the shaking woman in the backseat.

"I—"

"Allison fucking tell him!" I roar.

"He b-beat her with this long leather strap repeatedly."

"She's terrified of belts," I say softly looking at Evie.

"He punched her in the ear until she bled."

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