Page 40 of White Rabbit
I longed for the Wonderland I left. For the family and friends I made at his compound. For him. Especially him.
“You know what? Maybe, I’ll have a couple pieces of the apple pie,” Mr. Fraser said, dragging me back to the present. I turned to find him behind me, on the other side of the lunch counter, coat and hat on. “The missus always enjoysMom’spie.”
“I’ll get that boxed right up for you,” I told him.
Before I could turn, glass shattered in time with what sounded like an explosion. Fighting déjà vu, I surveyed the situation. The diner hadn’t been hit, though whatever it was had rocked the whole building. Mr. Fraser was ducked down but he was fine, and we had no other customers.
Without even thinking, I ran outside to see what had happened.
Not an explosion. Though small, the town was on a historic highway with lots of through traffic. Which was how I landed there.
Before me, smoke rose from an accident between a tour bus and a semi truck accident at the edge of town. The bus was on its side, and I could hear screams.
Whipping off my apron, glad I didn’t keep my tips in the pocket of the garment, I sprinted toward the accident to help. There were victims and I was trained for this. Adrenaline rushedthrough me. This is what I was called for. This was my purpose. i didn’t notice anything else as I helped people to get away from the disaster and administered first aid.
* * *
Valariy
“You’re not going to believe this,” Maks said, storming into my office unannounced.
“Cut the shit, Maks. I don’t have time for dramatics.”
Time or the patience.
“Look, I know you’ve been on a rampage, and mowing down Bernardi and Novikoff men left and right, but I promise you want to see this.” He shoved his tablet in my face, showing me some sort of horrific accident that had made the national news a few days ago. It wasn’t here. So I’d largely ignored it. I didn’t really care about traffic incidents.
Grudgingly, I looked at what he was insisting on showing me. The news reporter was droning on about someNightengale of the Nightmareas they’d named her. Then footage shifted to a woman working with the victims. I straightened, my eyes widening.
Brecklyn.
My Brecklyn.
She was covered in blood. Again.
She was so fully focused on being a rescuer, she probably didn’t even know cameras were capturing her being a hero.
“Where is this?” I demanded, surging to my feet. “Get my plane ready to departnow.And send me that video.” Besides being a hero, I was seeing something else. Brecklyn in her element—just like she’d been when she’d saved Piter.
“You’re welcome,” Maks called after me, but I was already halfway to the front door.
Chapter 23
Brecklyn
I hadn’t been this tired since I’d woken from the coma months ago. My limbs felt heavy as I unlocked my motel room door. All I wanted was a shower then my bed.
I’d barely stepped in when the door slammed shut, and I was dragged against a hard body.
“Valariy,” I gasped, knowing immediately it was him. Relief poured through me as I hungrily took in his hard, pissed off features. A sob ripped from my throat and I wrapped my arms around his neck, my face burying in his solid chest.
“I told you never to run from me,” he growled, yanking up my chin and forcing me to face him. His lips were on mine before I could respond. I didn’t have words to say anyway. I responded hungrily to his kiss. I’d missed him so much. I wanted him. All I wanted was him.
His arms clamped me to his chest, one hand buried in my hair, heedless of the blood on me. Sweeping me into his arms, he carried me to the bed and started stripping off my clothes.
“Tell me you’ll never leave me again,” he demanded, his lips tasting every bit of skin he exposed as my garments were peeled away. I cried out when my bra dropped and he sucked my nipple into his mouth. God, I knew they were sensitive but it was like fire running through me. Lava boiled in my core.
“I need you. Now,” I gasped.
