This has to be fast, precise, and reckless. Even the slightest hesitation, could have either me or Slade getting hurt.

His eyes come back to mine and seeing my hand in place, he gives one firm, fast, nod and I don’t hesitate.

We move at exactly the same time.

My hand flies up to her wrist, grabbing hold and throwing it away from my body as hard as I can. Her hand flies out toward Slade, freeing me so I can throw myself to the floor, tearing my arm out of her tight grip.

Maria’s shocked gasp sails through the silent house as Slade dives for her and not a second later, Damian comes racing in, scrambling to get to me.

He grabs my wrist and gives me a hard tug, sending me sliding across the floor before protectively throwing himself down on top of me.

I push Damian off as best I can and flip myself onto my back, desperately needing to see Slade. I catch him just as his heavy body drags Maria down to the ground, crushing her beneath him as the cops race to his aid.

Slade groans low and my eyes bug out of my head.

Is he hurt?

It happened too quickly.

Shay and Nessa are at my side, someone tugging at my arms as someone presses a soothing hand to my throat. I don’t spare them a second, needing to make sure Slade is alright.

I pull out of their grip and scramble across the floor to get to him. Damian’s hand curls around my upper arm, holding me back as my heart races wildly in my chest.

The cops are at his side, one pulling him up off Maria as the other grabs the handcuffs from the back of his belt. The second Slade is cleared off Maria, the cop drops down, instantly flipping her onto her stomach and slamming a knee down into her back and making her shriek in protest.

She’s cuffed within moments and the second Slade is properly on his feet, he turns, desperately searching for me.

His hand goes to his waist and I let out a loud gasp as blood begins seeping through his white shirt and staining his hands, the knife lying carelessly on Shaylee’s living room floor.

Damian releases his grip and I run.

My body crashes into Slade’s and I look up, meeting his eyes as his other hand catches me, steadying me before curling protectively around me. Tears fill my eyes. “You’re hurt.”

He shakes his head, dropping his forehead to mine as he lets out a deep, relieved sigh. “I’m so fucking glad you’re okay, Virago. Are you alright? Let me see your throat. Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“Slade,” I cry, needing to repeat myself, annoyed that he isn’t listening. “You’re hurt. She stabbed you.”

“I know, baby. It’s fine. Just a flesh wound. I’m okay.”

I let out a breath. If it was anything more, he would have said so. I stay curled into his chest for another minute, listening to the sounds as the cops pull Maria up to her feet and begin reciting her rights.

One drags her to the door while the other stays behind and the second she’s cleared the threshold of my home, I feel as though I can finally start breathing properly. I step back, and grab the hem of Slade’s shirt, gently raising it to see the wound.

My face tightens into a cringe. “You’re going to need stitches.”

He nods, curling his hand around the side of my face, his voice low and soothing. “Then we’ll go to the hospital,” he murmurs as Damian, Nessa, and Shaylee crowd around, needing to check on him while Blake watches on with wide eyes from his home on the couch.

My eyes never leave Slade’s. “That was so freaking stupid,” I tell him, not needing to explain what I’m referring to. He knows.

A small smile pulls at his lips. “You didn’t think I was going to let us get this close to the end, only to lose you now?”

I shake my head, knowing there was no way in hell he would ever have let that happen.

“Whatever it took,” he promises.

I push up onto my tippy toes and brush my lips over his as Officer Lucock begins talking to Shay. Cops start pulling up outside and within moments, the house is swarming with police, noise, and yellow tape, yet I’ve only got eyes for him.

“I love you so much,” I whisper against Slade’s lips, finally feeling completely free, closing the last page in the story from hell.

I feel Slade’s lips pull into a soft smile as his hand presses against my lower back, pulling me back into his chest. “Forever, Skylah. I’m never going to let you go.”

His words hold so much meaning and it’s reflected in the love shining through his eyes. It’s a promise, a future, and finality.

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