Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
I shake my head, confused. "You know Jackson?"
"I owed him a favor. You're in the clear, no worries about this."
Hope surges in my chest. "And Gerard?"
"I'll make sure your name stays clean, Serenity. Don't worry. Someone's outside waiting for you."
He drapes an arm around me, escorting me out. The house's bright lights sting after days spent in darkness. Shielding my eyes, I peer around as we step outside. That's when I see him.
My heart leaps, and I run, shoving past officers, stumbling, but focused on one person. Jackson. He stands, sunlight glinting on his bronze skin, dark hair braided over his shoulders, leather jacket fitting snug. His colors are loud and proud, like a beacon drawing me to him.
I reach him and with a broken cry, I launch into his arms, burying my face in his neck, tears flowing. His arms wrap around me tightly, and in this moment, I wouldn’t care if I stopped breathing, and the world swallowed me whole. Dying in his arms would be enough.
"Baby," he murmurs into my hair. "My sweet girl. Never scare me like that again."
"Jacks," I sob, clinging to him.
"Hush now," he whispers, lips brushing my cheek. "I've got you."
I can't let go. I won't. I hold him until my tears dry. Only then do I pull back, kissing him deeply, fingers tangled in his hair, our lips and tongues intertwined. His hand presses against my back, pulling me closer, consuming me. Neither of us care about the people around, we’re so wrapped up in each other.
When he releases me, I look into his dazzling green eyes, grateful for him. He runs a finger down my cheek to my lips. "You look terrible, darlin'."
"I know, but I'm alive."
I scan the crowd, spotting Walker in a police car. He is sitting, staring out the window at us, a warm smile on his face. Like seeing Jackson and I together has fixed everything in his world. "He saved me, Jacks. We have to help him."
Jackson nods towards Walker, acknowledging him. Walker returns the nod. A silent understanding, yet a loud thanks.
"Don't worry, baby," Jackson assures. "He'll be rewarded for saving you. But first, you need a hospital."
"Ava," I insist. "I need to see my baby."
"Addison will meet us there with her, alright?"
I nod, hesitating.
A paramedic approaches with a warm smile. "Can I check you over, Serenity?"
I nod, still holding Jackson's hand.
I'm free. Truly free.
I look back at Walker, giving him a genuine smile. He returns it, a peaceful look in his eyes. Even though he’s in the back of a car, his entire life about to change, he looks calm. It’s as if the world has started spinning for him again, and it is exhilarating.
He's finally free, too.
26 – Jackson
Igaze down at Serenity, who's peacefully sleeping with Ava in her arms. She's been like this for two hours, but she needs surgery soon to stop the infection in her toe, which means I have to take my daughter from her. It's the last thing I want to do, but there's no choice.
"She's a tough one," Addison says, approaching with two coffees. "That girl could conquer the world and doesn't even know it."
I take the coffee, smiling at Serenity. "I think she's got a fair idea now."
Addison laughs. "Yeah, she's a warrior, that one. Have you heard anything about what's happening with Walker?"
"I'll handle it. I have some people inside who will ensure he gets out, or at worst, a light sentence."
"He sacrificed everything for us, people he doesn't even know. I'd say he's a good egg. You should patch him in when he's out."
I grin at Addison. "Your heart is too big, baby girl."
She snorts. "I wonder where I got that from?"
Good point.
"I'm going to take my sister home now so you can spend time with your woman. Let me know when she's out of surgery."
I pull Addison into a hug. "Grateful for you, yeah?"
She scoffs, but her smile is warm. "Yeah, yeah."
She gently takes Ava from Serenity's arms. Serenity, high on painkillers, only makes a soft sound before falling back to sleep. I kiss my baby girl on the cheek and give Addison a grateful smile. I don't know where I'd be without her; she's my rock.
My phone rings, and I see it's Ben, the police officer who once helped me out. He owed me after I got him out of some trouble years ago, and I knew he'd come in handy. Stepping out of the room, I bring the phone to my ear. "Ben."
"How's Serenity?"
"She's sleeping, about to go into surgery. What can I do for you, brother?"
"I wanted to let you know that Xander, the guard from the prison, put in a statement saying that Hound tried to kill him and escaped with Serenity. I figured you knew, but Serenity’s statement and Walker claiming he killed the two men to protect her means he may get out on self-defense. I'm working on it."