He couldn’t live without her.
Barely noticing the sun beginning to rise he continued running. He knew where Hasselman was, as he’d dragged Simone to the area only a month ago to show her what her life would be like if she continued on her path of destruction. Zach could only hope he got there in time.
He heard sirens in the background and, deciding he’d had enough of running, he changed into a bird. He could always change back into the wolf when he reached the house. He was going to enjoy ripping the bastard’s throat out. Though he didn’t know where exactly Deborah was being held, Zach was hoping he’d be able to sense her as he drew nearer. As he reached the area, he set himself down on the ground and changed back into the wolf. His chest burnt, his throat was dry, yet he didn’t stop.
The sirens grew louder.
Why did Hassleman Street have to be so damn long?
“She’s down the block. Forty three hundred.”
He glanced briefly at the car beside him and acknowledged the lieutenant with a nod then burst off faster. When she pulled out ahead of him, he cursed.
***
His arms clasped around her waist so tightly, she thought he might break her in two. It didn’t stop Deborah from fighting. Kicking her leg out, she slammed it into his foot at the same time she threw her head back, smashing it into his face. He lost his grip on her and it gave her the opportunity to run. With a brief glance, Deborah ran for the door to her right and hoped it took her outside.
She let out a loud blood curdling scream as the bullet snapped out. She felt it fly past her shoulder, tearing the shirt and the flesh in its path. She cried out in pain but it didn’t stop her. She continued to run until she was at the door. Grabbing the door knob, she twisted it, wincing as her shoulder screamed with pain.
“You’re mine!” Peter screamed just as she threw the door open. The sun struck her eyes, temporarily blinding her but she could make out shadows before her.
Someone was out there.
“Get down!”
“Deborah!”
As Zach’s arms came around her, Deborah began to shake. He’d come for her. He’d saved her. He took her down on the ground just as another shot rang out into the air. She screamed out.
“It’s okay. It’s all okay now,” Zach spoke soothingly as he kissed her head repeatedly.
“He’s down.”
“We need an ambulance.”
Deborah looked up and saw a woman kneeling over a body on the ground. It was then she noticed it was Peter. “Is he…dead?”
“Sshhh, don’t think about that now. Oh God, you’re bleeding.”
She looked into Zack’s beautiful blue eyes and the laughter began to bubble up. “I love you.” Then the world began to spin for the third time that night.
***
Deborah woke in a hospital room, unsure of how she got there. Her head felt heavy and her body felt…oddly, weightless. As she turned her head she felt as if she were wading through jelly. She saw Zach sitting in a chair beside her bed, his hand clutching hers, his head on the bed.
He was asleep.
Wasn’t that sweet.
“Zach—” she cleared her rusty throat. “Zach.”
His head flew up, his eyes wide. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She smiled.
“How do you feel?”
“Stoned.” She laughed and it sounded oddly distant.
“They gave you some heavy pain meds. The bullet only grazed your shoulder but your wrists are pretty bad. They can’t cast the one that’s broken until the wounds heal so they have it in a temporary cast but they say it should heal up just fine after some therapy.”
“Why are you talking so fast?”
He drew in a long breath then rested his head on the hand he still had in his grasp. “I thought I was going to lose you.”
“You saved me.”
He looked up at her, shook his head. “No. You saved you. I am so proud of you, Deborah. So damn proud.”
“I wasn’t going to let him take me this time. God, I’ve never felt so much pain in my life, but it was worth it.” She looked down at her bandaged wrists feeling no pain but knew the damage that had been done would not heal up easily. “You did save me, Zach. You may not have been in the room with me, but you saved me. If you hadn’t taught me how to fight for my life, I wouldn’t have been able to break free. You gave me that and…you gave me the will to fight because I love you and I want to spend my life with you.”
“I don’t ever want to lose you, Deborah.”
His lips were warm as they touched hers. She sank into him, melted with the kiss and she never wanted to let him go.
“Oh thank God you’re awake.”
She regretted it when Zach released her but she smiled up at Ginny as she came up to the bed. “Great timing.”
“You’ll have plenty of time for necking later. I can’t believe he found you. He could have…” she bit her lip and the tears slid down her cheeks.
“He didn’t. I’m safe.” She tried to lift her hand to reach out for Ginny but the pain of the effort defeated her. “Come give me a hug.” As Ginny leaned on her, Deborah let out a long breath.
“Everyone at the bar is waiting to hear how you’re doing. I should call them.” Ginny sniffled as she stood up. “God, I’m so glad your okay.” Shaking her head, waving a hand across her face, Ginny hurried from the room.
She turned to Zach, and though she felt if she closed her eyes she would drift off again she fought it. “I love you.”
He stroked her face, kissed her head. “I love you, too.”
“Is Peter…is he…gone?”
“He is. Don’t worry about that now. It’s over.”
Yes it was. This time, it was truly over. “What are the chances our kids will have your ability?”
Tilting his head to the side, Zach grinned. “Pretty high.”
“Good. I want a family—a big one. Is that okay with you?”
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her flat on the lips. “That is perfectly okay with me.”
“Perfect. I think I need to sleep now. I love you.” She drifted off as his lips caressed her head.
Biography
Raised on a rural farm in Saskatchewan, Shiela Stewart relied on her vivid imagination to fill her days. Never did she realize that her need to tell a story would someday lead to becoming a published romance author. In the fall of two thousand and six, Shiela published her very first book and hasn’t stopped since.
When not writing, Shiela spends time with the love of her life, William and their three children. She has a strong affection for animals which is evident in the five cats, one dog, three turtles and ten fish she owns. Some of her passions aside from writing are drawing and painting and proudly displays her artwork in murals in her home.
Her favorite time of day is sunset and loves to stargaze.
Other Books by
Shiela Stewart
Discovery in Passion: Passion Series Book 1
Escape in Passion: Passion Series Book 2
Mercy in Passion: Passion Series Book 3
Seducing the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 1
Desiring the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 2
Embracing the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 3
Charming the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 4
Tempting the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 5
Penetrating the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 6
Consuming the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 7
Surviving the Darkness: Darkness Series Book 8
hank you for reading books on Archive.
Shiela Stewart - [Darkness 08] Page 18