Page 55 of Choose Me

"Shit, I'm sorry. I am so sorry, Everett." I pressed my forehead against him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I thought you were dead. I was so fucking scared."

"Would you have missed me?"

"Are you stupid? Of course, I would miss you." I cried brokenly.

"I've got nine lives, babe. It will take more than a roofie to take me out."

"Why do you always joke? You weren't breathing; I had to do CPR. What if it didn't work? What if I couldn't bring you back?" Tears filled my eyes as I realized how close I had come to losing him forever.

"Hey, Hey. Look at me." He lifted my chin to look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry I made a joke. I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry."

"I can't lose you," I whispered.

"Come here." He pulled my body to him, and I rested my face on his neck, inhaling his cologne mixed with sweat. I let him hold me close, listening to his heartbeat and letting his chest's slow rise and fall calm me.

"What did I miss while I was out?" He asked.

"Nothing much. Just that she will take the baby when it is born or cut it out of me, kill you if I don't do what she tells me to do. These are the usual threats from a psycho."

"Pretty standard. They must get a handbook at a young age, "Psycho 101."

I giggled, appreciating his humor right now. "It's crazy how much she reminds me of Benjamin. They have the same dead look in their eyes. Like the world is whatever they make it to be." I lamented.

"James told me that she kills for revenge and a purpose. She is obsessive like Benjamin, but there's a reason she does what she does. Benjamin killed just to kill. Margaret seems more calculated and willing to do anything to get what she wants. And it seems that her motives are to get revenge for her brother's death by taking the baby of the woman and the man she feels is responsible."

"To settle a debt?" I shivered against him.

"I won't let anything happen to you or my little nugget."

I looked up at him, his handsome face staring down at me. It felt like the air around us was crackling. "Are you hungry?" I asked him.

He exhaled, "I'm fucking starving. I haven't eaten anything since we got here."

I pushed off of him and grabbed the tray on the table and two water bottles from the case she left for me. "It's not much, but you should eat."

"Ava, the baby needs this more than me."

"How about we share, then? Everett, you can't die of starvation or dehydration here. If you do, I'll never get out of here alive." I told him grimly.

"I know baby girl. I know. I'll get you out of here. You and the baby."

I nodded and split each food item in half, eating in silence. I drank the entire water bottle when the food was gone, and Everett did the same.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep? I'll watch over you." Everett said, his voice softening as he looked into my eyes.

I gave him a small smile. "I'm exhausted. Will you lay with me?"

His face showed surprise at my request, so I quickly added, "I promise I won't take advantage of you," I joked. "I just want you to hold me."

A look of understanding then flashed across his face. "Of course."

He moved closer and held my body against his, wrapping an arm around me securely as if to protect me from harm. His warmth was comforting and soothing. His hard chest was pressed against my back, and I felt I fit perfectly into that space with him. As I burrowed deeper into him for warmth and comfort, exhaustion washed over me, and I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

30

THIRTY

JAMES

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