Page 83 of King of Kings

“What are we going to do?” she asks, tears filling her eyes.

“We’re not doing anything. You’re going to stay here in case she comes back. I’m going down to the road behind our house and taking a drive. Maybe there’s a hotel or someplace they might have stopped.”

She nods her head in agreement as I grab my keys and head for the front door.

I finally got my head out of my ass and got my girl back. I’ll be damned if this asshole is going to ruin this now.

Chapter 17

Sophia

My heart is pounding so loud I can hear it in my ears. My hand is trembling on the door of the car. I know this is what I have to do. It’s my only chance.

Without giving it a second thought, I open the door and take off running. I don’t look back. I just run as fast as my legs will go. I make sure to run all over the place, not just a straight shot, so in case he follows me it might trip him up.

I don’t know how long I run, but it feels like it’s been hours before I make it to the edge of the tree line. I can see the main road, but I’m hesitant to go out, afraid that he might be driving by. I realize that I’m going to have to in order to get back to town.

I stop for a moment, hands on my knees, taking a deep breath. It’s complete silence amongst the trees. The kind of silence that can play tricks on a person's mind if they let it.

Finally, I walk out of the trees and towards an opening to my left. The road is dead right now, not a car in sight. I jump over the ditch and head to the side of the road. I want to be ready if someone pulls up.

It’s been at least a mile when I hear a vehicle coming. It’s hard not to feel nervous. The thought of it being Bradley makes my stomach turn.

I don’t look back, afraid that I’m going to see his car, and when the vehicle gets closer, I can tell it’s slowing down.

My pulse picks up, and my heart is pounding so loud it feels like it’s going to fly out of my chest.

“Sophia!” I hear my name and immediately panic, my walk turning into a jog.

“Sophia! It’s me!” I stop, turning around.

This can’t be real. My mind has to be playing tricks on me because that looks exactly like Knox’s truck.

“Knox?” I ask, my hand up to shield my eyes from the sun.

“Yes, baby. It’s me,” he says, running towards me.

“Oh my God. Oh my God,” I cry, falling to my knees.

When he gets to me, he wraps his arms around me, brushing my hair with his hand.

“It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay,” he whispers.

Sobs wrack my body. I can’t believe this is happening right now.

“Are you real?” I ask.

“I’m real. I’m here,” he says, pulling away, his hands cupping my face.

“I love you. I was so scared,” I cry, knowing there is no way my words are making sense right now.

“I love you too. Come on, let’s go home,” he says, helping me up.

Once we’re in the truck, I feel safer. I’m still on alert because I know Bradley is out there somewhere, but I feel safer with Knox here.

“Are you okay? Do we need to go to the hospital?” Knox asks, pulling away from the side of the road.

“No, I’m not hurt. Nothing more than some bruises. I’m fine,” I reassure him.

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