Page 44 of Blood Ties

“No,” she quietly replied.

I breathed heavily out of my nose. “You’re going to be okay,” I promised her.

She let go with one hand and grabbed the thick cord. I braced my feet and legs against the wall better. “Ready? Now grab on with the other hand and keep the loop in your armpits, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispered.

This was probably going to leave some hellacious bruises on us both, but better that than the alternative. “Come on, baby. When you start to come over the ledge, you’re gonna need to use your legs to help pull yourself over so I don’t hurt you by just dragging you over.”

Slowly, I watched as her fingers peeled away from the rail. Her weight hit me, and I gritted my teeth as I fought to hold her and pull her up. Leaning back, I stepped away from the window, trying to avoid the pool of blood that had seeped around the body. At what seemed like a snail’s pace, I dragged her up.

The metal screws groaned and creaked. As her torso cleared the window frame, there was a horrific sound and one side broke free. Nivea screamed and I hoped no one heard her or saw what was happening and called the cops.

“It’s fine. You don’t need it. Try to push up with your legs against the building,” I encouraged.

Determination pinched her face and my pride in her exploded.

After what seemed an eternity, she scrambled through the window and collapsed to the floor.

I immediately scooped her up with trembling arms and buried her face against my shoulder. I didn’t want her looking at Justin’s assistant laying lifeless on the floor. I stumbled backward and dropped my ass to the chair in her living room area. The entire time, I held onto her for dear life.

“You saved me,” she breathed the words against my neck. “Again.”

“Baby, I’m not good enough for you, but I will always save you.”

She clung to me as our heartbeats began to slow and our breaths calmed. I didn’t let her go either.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth right away. The minute I realized you were the most kind-hearted person I’d ever met, I knew there was no way you did what your stepmother said you did. I should’ve told you then.” I kissed her temple.

“I’m sorry I ran off,” she murmured into my neck.

“I understand.”

We sat there and held each other in silence for a while. My cheek rested on her head. I knew I needed to make a call to Facet to have them come in and clean up this mess, but I didn’t want to let her go.

“D-D-Did you kill him?” she stuttered.

I wasn’t going to lie to her. That hadn’t served us well in the past. “Yes. And I’d do it again. I’d slay someone with my bare hands if they were trying to hurt you. I’m not a good man, and I sure as hell don’t deserve you. But you mean everything to me—I love you. Crazy as it might sound to some, considering the short period of time I’ve known you, I do.”

A sob shook her frame. “I love you too. And I don’t care if people say were being impulsive, crazy, or dumb. I know what I feel.”

I stood with her in my arms, wincing at the pain where the electrical cord had practically cut into me. She sucked in a sharp breath and I knew I needed to check her over too.

Making my way through her open condo, I found her room and brought her to her bed. Gently, I set her down. “I need to make sure you’re okay,” I explained.

She nodded and I removed her hoodie and T-shirt. She wasn’t wearing a bra and I had to squeeze my eyes shut a moment. I willed my dick to behave. After all, we’d both nearly lost each other—this wasn’t the time. The bruising was already forming on her body, and I cringed. I settled her in the bed and crawled on top of the covers to hold her.

It didn’t take long before she was asleep. The trauma sapped every bit of energy she had.

Trying not to wake her, I dug my phone out of my pocket. I shot off a text to Facet, who was still at my condo with the boys. Next, I messaged her father. Finally, I laid my head down next to her and dozed off.

By the time Facet and the boys arrived, I had gotten up without waking Niv and went out to the living room, where they waited.

Angel was crouched by Justin’s assistant. I think his name was Carl.

“There’s nothing I can do,” Angel said.

“Good,” I muttered.

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