Page 109 of Cruel Vows

“I’m not dying,” he says, though his words slur together as he reaches for the gun. “Go with Sean.”

“No.” Ellie juts out her chin, her tears drying as she focuses on the argument she’s about to have with her brother.

Even though we really don’t have time for their sibling shit right now.

I pull off my shirt and sit down, stretching the leg with a stab wound in front of me.

Ellie looks at me like I have three heads. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I tie the tourniquet quickly and rip the knife from my leg. “Carrying you out of here.”

Ellie’s eyes bulge out of her head as the screech of the door opening at the top of the stairs is followed by the sound of boots on steps.

I draw the gun and move closer to her, heart hammering in my chest.

Royce appears in the doorway of the cell, blood splattering across his clothing. “There you are.”

Lowering the gun, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank fuck. Can I get Ellie out of here without being shot?”

“Yeah.” Royce steps to the side, motioning more men out of the way. Noah and Jace are gone, but everyone else who was here is now dead. You have that guy Oscar to thank.”

I stand and stoop enough to scoop Ellie up despite the glare she gives me. “I’ll do that after I get her to the hospital.”

Ellie smacks a hand into my chest. “You’re being stupid. Let one of the others take me out of here so you don’t hurt yourself more.”

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I hold her closer. It feels like my arm is on fire as her back presses into the brand. “Not letting you out of my sight.”

“You’re going to have to when we get to the hospital.” She leans her head on my shoulder, her eyelids drifting shut as I make my way into the hallway and toward the stairs.

The sound of gunshots ringing out fades and comes to a stop as I take the stairs one at a time, trying not to fall.

I press a kiss to her temple when we get to the top of the stairs. “We’re almost there, okay? And then you’re going to get checked out and you’re not going to lie to the doctors about how much pain you’re in.”

“I wouldn’t lie about that.” She looks up at me with mischief shining in her troubled eyes.

At least she’s still able to make a joke.

“I love you.” I hold her closer as I navigate around the crumpled bodies on the floor, moving slowly to avoid slipping on the blood.

Ellie’s eyes shine with more tears. “I love you too. You have to promise me that you’re going to get yourself taken care of at the hospital too. You can’t stand over the doctor’s shoulder and intimidate them while I’m patched up.”

My foot hooks on something as I get closer to the door.

Biting back a shout as my injured legs screams in protest, I catch my balance, shoulder slamming into a wall to do so.

Everything hurts, but I can put up with it a little longer to get her to the hospital.

Driving with my right leg like this is going to be hell.

I keep the thoughts to myself as Ellie presses her hand against my cheek.

She shakes her head. “You should’ve let someone else take me out of here. You’re only going to hurt yourself more.”

“It’s my job to protect you, El, even if I want to be the one to throw you off a bridge some days.” I give her a teasing smile as I step out of the building and into the sunlight. “Now, you’re going to stop wriggling in my arms; otherwise, both of us are going to go face-first into the ground.”

Ellie stays still in my arms as I check the first car, pulling on the handle. It doesn’t budge.

I move to another one that’s parked just outside the building, and sure enough, the keys are hanging from the visor and the door is unlocked.

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