most homes had the circuit box, if it wasn’t in the garage.
They would use the front door to escape.
Emilia wrapped Gretchen’s arm over her shoulders. “Here give me the knife.”
She took the weapon. It was a double-edged blade. Emilia tested the weight and adjusted her grip. “Let’s get out of here, Gretchen.”
She half pulled, half carried Gretchen across the kitchen floor. The house had been framed but the drywall was missing. The front door was forty feet away. Emilia glanced over her shoulder. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and everything inside her urged speed.
Emilia tried to pick up the pace. It was difficult with her injuries and Gretchen’s.
Twenty feet.
Windows rattled with the wind.
Gretchen screeched. The woman’s whole body shook.
“It’s okay.” Emilia didn’t stop her forward momentum. “Keep moving. I’ll protect you.”
Ten feet.
The door flung open. A dark shadow stood backdropped against the rain.
Gretchen screamed and reared back, nearly taking Emilia to the floor. She scrambled to put herself in front of the other woman as John lunged toward them.
Emilia lashed out with the knife. It caught John on the throat and he howled. She followed it up with a second swipe that cut his arm. He reached for her, and she dodged. Her head spun as a wave of nausea slammed into her. Emilia’s vision clouded.
Gretchen grabbed her arm. Emilia sucked in a breath and held on to the other woman. Her dizziness passed. She lifted Gretchen to her feet. They scrambled to the other side of the room.
John roared with anger. Emilia felt rather than saw him coming after them.
Back door. They needed to get to the back door.
Something moved on the opposite side of the glass a moment before the back door swung open. A dark form appeared holding a flashlight and a gun. “Police! Freeze!”
Sheriff deputies in bullet-proof vests poured into the room from different entrance points. Several grabbed John and tackled him to the floor. He screamed in frustration.
They were safe. Emilia sank to her knees, relief making her head spin again. Gretchen clung to her, sobs racking her body.
Emilia wrapped her arms around the other woman and rocked her like she would a child. “We’re safe. It’s over.”
Claire appeared at Emilia’s side. Her gaze swept over her. “Get EMS in here. Now!”
“I’m okay. It’s Gretchen who needs help the most.” She grabbed Claire’s arm. Emilia’s throat tightened making it difficult to force out any words. “Bennett? Is he—”
“He’s alive.” Claire’s mouth twitched. “And madder than a hornet because I wouldn’t let him participate in the takedown due to his injuries.”
“Guys, move.” Bennett's voice carried across the room. “Or I will knock you out of my way.”
It was the first time Emilia had ever heard Bennett raise his voice. Fresh tears rolled down her face. Claire pulled Gretchen aside so the EMS could attend to her. Emilia stood on shaking legs.
Deputies parted, creating a path for Bennett. He was limping and blood soaked the left leg of his pants. A homemade tourniquet encased his thigh. He was wearing someone else’s jacket. Scrapes covered his face and hands, and he smelled like a mixture of fish and rainwater.
He’d never looked better.
Emilia flung herself into his arms. He held her tight and then kissed her, making her heart race and her head spin again. Cheers and claps went up from the deputies standing around them. Bennett pulled away long enough to remove the jacket he was wearing. He wrapped around her shoulders before pulling her into his arms again.
“You’re alive.” She placed a hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat. “But you need a hospital.”
“I need you more.” He kissed her forehead. “My leg came free when the truck fell into the water. I was able to escape just as Claire arrived on the scene.” Bennett found the bracelet on Emilia’s wrist with his fingers. “We were able to track you using the GPS charm.”
He’d saved her life. Again.
Emilia met his gaze, and oh, she could drown in his green eyes. They held warmth and desire. They held forever. “I love you, Bennett Knox.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you too.”
Fifteen
One year later
Bennett weaved his way through the gathering at his parents’ home. Friends and extended family were partaking in food and chatting in small groups. The wedding rehearsal had gone off without a hitch. Tomorrow, Bennett would marry the woman of his dreams.
Speaking of, where was Emilia? He hadn’t seen her for the last five minutes.
Claire, almost