Page 46 of Saved from Obsession

Then something different from before happens. I’m still scared, terrified, shaking with fear. But I’m angry, too. Not just angry, butfurious. And with my anger comes determination.

I don’t have to let this happen. I’mnothelpless. If I could get away from Rylan and Leo, I can get away fromthisman, who has way less training than them.

Shoving my fear to the side—it’s hard but my fury helps me do it—I remind myself of the lessons Rylan taught me. Head down, sweep of my foot around his leg, then a sharp turn while putting all my weight into it.

And it works.It works. The man falls on the floor, but I know he’s only down for a second or two, so I do one of the other things Rylan told me. I leap away from the attacker, grab what I can, which in this case is the entryway table, and I throw it at him as hard as I can.

The corner of the table glances off his head—good—and then I do the next thing I was taught. I scream at the top of my lungs, snatch up my car keys, and fling myself at the door. Still screaming, I sprint for my car, jabbing at the unlock button frantically.

It works the first time—thank God—and I literally throw myself into the car and hit the lock button with a wheezing sob. I can’t bring myself to look back at the house, to find out if he’s right behind me, I just need to get away as fast as I can.

I get the car started and slam my foot to the gas, tires screeching as I peel out of the driveway. I desperately want to keep speeding down the road, but it’s a residential area and the last thing I want is to hit someone. So I force myself to keep my speed normal, even though it’s going against every instinct.

Calm down, I keep telling myself,calm down. I’ll end up in an accident if I don’t get my shaking hands and gasping breath and rampaging panic under control. I need to just get somewhere safe, some place I can gather my wits about me. Then I see it. A Cumberland Farms, the parking lot filled with people getting gas and coffee and I think—I hope—I’ll be safe if I stop here.

I find a parking spot and put the car into park, checking to make sure all the doors are still locked. Then I reach into my back pocket and feel my phone still there and a few tears of relief spring free. Trying not to cry because I know once I start I won’t be able to stop, I hit Leo’s name and wait breathlessly for him to answer the phone.

Please don’t be in the shower, I beg silently,please.

“Georgia. Hey sweetheart.” Leo’s voice wraps around me and I almost collapse from the comfort of it.

“Leo—“ My voice cracks, “I… someone…” My breath is coming faster and faster and I have to take several deep breaths before I can speak again. “In myhouse.”

“What?“ His tone drops, now low and urgent. “Georgia.What happened?”

“There was someone in my house.” The words come out in a shaky whisper, and I dig my nails into my hands to keep from sobbing. “He attacked me.”

“Fuck!“ Leo never curses, and I almost drop the phone in startled surprise. “Shit.“ He takes a deep breath and his voice evens out, strained but softer. “Where are you now? Are you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt.” At least, I don’t think I am. Nothing more than a bruise, if anything. “And I’m at the gas station, in the car.”

“God, Georgia.“ Leo sounds shaken for the first time since I met him. “How did you—nevermind, it doesn’t matter. You need to get to the police. I’m coming to get you.”

“I used the headlock thing,” I tell him, my voice shaking. “Like Rylan taught me. Then I threw a table at him. I grabbed my keys and got in the car and came here.”

“Shit.“ Leo sucks in a shuddering breath, then breathes out, “Sweetheart, I’m so proud of you. I’m going to leave right now. You just need to wait for me. It’s going to be okay.”

Wait? Be stuckherefor another two hours? Where the attacker could come for me at any moment? The panic I’ve barely managed to hold back slams into me in dizzying waves, and I gasp, “No! Ican’t!”

“What?” He sounds confused.

“I can’t stay here, Leo! Ican’t! I don’t feel safe. He could be coming after meright now.”

“Sweetheart, just go to the police.” Rattling and footsteps travel over the line. “I’m leaving right now.”

“No, Leo.“ I’ve never been more certain of anything. My instincts were right in the house, and I know they’re not wrong now. “I’m coming to you. I won’t feel safe until I see you. Ican’tstay here.”

My words are tumbling over each other, each one raising higher than the last. I set the phone down on the console and hit speaker, then shift the car into gear. “I can’t wait here, Ican’t,Leo. I don’t trust the police. I don’t trust anyone but you and your team. I’m coming to you.”

“Sweetheart. It’s not safe. Driving like this, you’ll get into an accident.”

“I won’t.” I’m adamant. Focusing on a task—driving to Leo—allows me to shove the panic and fear to a corner of my mind to be dealt with later. “Stay on the phone with me, if you want. But I’m coming to you. Ihaveto.”

“Okay.” Leo sighs, resigned. “Please, be careful, Georgia. And keep the call going. I’ll be here with you the entire time.”

“Okay,” I whisper, biting my lip hard enough to make it bleed. “I’ll be careful. I just—Ineedto see you.”

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

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