Chapter 196
Xena’s POV
Tatum rushed to the window, then turned back to me. “This isn’t over. I’ll be waiting for you. Just when you think you’re safe, I’ll catch you.” His threat came out as a whisper before he bolted out of the building.
Ryder had been right. Barely fifteen seconds later, flashbangs exploded, blinding white light forcing my eyes shut. I heard countless footsteps, doors being kicked in. I could sense people flooding in from different directions.
After a moment, I managed to squint through the brightness. Men in tactical gear surrounded us. The officer in front removed his mask, revealing William’s face,
Every pore in my body trembled. Finally, we were saved! I exhaled deeply, tears already forming in the corners of my eyes.
William and another pack member quickly cut through the chains binding Ryder and me.
“Ryder, her shoulder’s dislocated,” William said, trying to keep his voice low.
“Damn it,” Ryder cursed. “I’m sorry, this is going to hurt.”
“Let’s do both at once,” I said.
“What?” Ryder asked.
“Reset both sides simultaneously.”
“Luna… you-” William began.
“Just do it, William.” My eyes locked with his.
He frowned but nodded. Kneeling down, he positioned himself. “I need to touch you to do this.”
I nodded, and Ryder and William placed their hands on my shoulders and arms.
“One, two–CRACK!”
“Fuck!” I shouted as feeling rushed back into my arms. They gently pulled my arms back into place, then Ryder secured them against my body with bandages.
“Anything else dislocated?” Ryder asked.
“No,” I answered, feeling dizzy.
“Don’t fight it. Just pass out,” William told me.
“Not until I’m home.”
“Xena, you need-”
“No! Don’t you understand? Last time I passed out, I woke up here. No, I’m not sleeping until I feel safe.”
Ryder tried to stand but winced and sat back down. “Damn it.” He placed his hand on his side. “Broken ribs. Gritting his teeth, he stood up and grabbed my shoulders, helping me to my feet.
1/3
Chapter 196.
“Where’s Logan?” I asked.
“Watching over the pack,” William said beside me.
“How did you get him to stay behind?”
“It wasn’t easy.”
When we walked outside, cold rain hit my face. Wind tousled my half but seeing our vehicles and the personnel around was the most beautiful sight I’d ever witnessed. My body shook with emotion
“What day is it?” I asked as William opened the car door
“Thursday.”
Ryder helped me into the car, then slid in beside me. Someone was already in the driver’s seat, with William taking the passenger
spot.
“All set?” Ryder asked.
“Ready to move,” William answered.
“Ready for what?” I asked.
“That building where you were held is the place from the phone trace. Obviously, it’s not a business anymore, so we’re leveling it. We’ve also moved up another plan. Once you’re back home, we’re proceeding with the garage project, not waiting until Saturday,” Ryder explained as the car sped away.
The initial excitement of being rescued had slowly given way to exhaustion. I didn’t have the energy to ask further questions, just numbly accepting the new information.
We got on the highway, heading home. I could tell Ryder was uncomfortable, but he didn’t remove his hand from me. I was grateful
but worried I might hurt him.
“Can I lie down?” I asked. My stomach felt awful.
Ryder nodded, helping me lie down. My head rested on his thigh, my legs propped up. He put his arm back around me, securing my waist tightly against him.
“Xena, I’m sorry, but you need to tell us what happened,” William said from the front. The driver shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“William,” Ryder said in a warning tone.
“I’m sorry, Ryder, but you know as well as I do that her memory wont be as good as it is now.”
I took a deep breath, fingers curling against Ryder’s leg. The thought of recounting what had happened sent chills down my spine,
but they were right–the details were already starting to blur around the edges, folding in on themselves as my mind tried to protect
- me.
