Guarding Hearts (Living Again #3)

by L. L. Collins

  “Sam, are you hungry?” he called.

  “Sure, Sean. Could you make me a salad?” Looking out the back window, she saw a flash of black in the trees. Narrowing her eyes, she figured she must’ve seen a bird or animal when she saw it again. Someone was out there.

  She began shaking, the anticipation of getting away from him making her mind race with possibilities. If she made a break for it now, she could be out the front door before he even realized she moved. The kitchen was far enough away that it would take him a moment to react. Then she would be safe. They could save her. She wondered idly if Ellis was part of the team outside.

  “Anything for you, sweetheart,” he crooned from the kitchen, and she rolled her eyes. She wondered for the millionth time what had happened to him that had made him become this person she didn’t know. He had always been the nicest, most kind guy while they were growing up, and one of the best friends she had ever had.

  She stood quietly, eyeing Sean as he cut up vegetables for her salad. Glancing back outside, she couldn’t see anyone but she just prayed that they were there. She had no shoes on, but she knew better than to try to get them. She was just going to have to make do.

  Sam started moving away from Sean’s eyesight, stepping closer to the door with every passing second. Her heart pounded and her hands shook. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and she bit her lip to keep her teeth from chattering. She had to get out of here. It was now or never.

  Looking back one more time, she sprinted for the front door, almost crying out in relief when it opened easily. He hadn’t thought to deadbolt her in, thankfully. She didn’t dare look back. She began screaming, her legs pumping wildly underneath her as she ran for the dirt road. She still didn’t see anyone, but it was too late now. She was getting the hell out of there, one way or another.

  “You stupid bitch!” Sean’s voice boomed across the yard. She whimpered, but kept running. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? You can’t get anywhere!”

  She heard him behind her, but she had a head start, and she was fast. Where were the guys she had seen? Had she just been seeing things? Was she that delusional? She weaved in and out of the trees, trying to evade him as he started gaining on her. He continued to shout at her, but she couldn’t make out his words over the pounding heartbeat resonating in her ears.

  She looked over her shoulder and almost cried with relief. She could see the men, dressed in black, running behind Sean. They weren’t saying a word, but she knew they were heavily armed. She hadn’t been seeing things. They were here to rescue her. Someone had found her.

  Sam turned, running along the edge of the dirt road. Her bare foot hit something sharp and she cried out, falling to the ground.

  Footsteps slowed and stopped behind her, and she willed herself to get up, to keep running, but blood trickled from her foot. “Well, that sure was fun,” Sean’s cold voice resonated in her soul, and she shivered. “You’re trying to get away from me? You’re my soul mate, Sam. You know better than that.”

  Ellis heard a shout, and his stomach fell into his feet. He knew it was her. He lifted the binoculars and what he saw made his blood run cold. She was lying on the ground, Sean leaning over her. No. Where were the guys?

  He didn’t wait to see them in the binoculars, he just took off running. Carl and Brian were calling to him, but he didn’t stop to answer them. He had to get to her, now. To hell with not helping with the rescue. He wasn’t going to stand by and let Sean hurt her while he waited for the team.

  It seemed like it took forever for him to reach the edge of the property, where he had seen her lying on the ground. As he ran, his mind raced a hundred miles an hour. If Sean hurt her, he knew he wouldn’t be able to control his reaction. Where were the other guys? How did she get out of the house? Why hadn’t they caught him yet? And worst of all, he wondered if Sean had a gun. He was obviously sick and would probably rather shoot himself or Sam than give up. Ellis had seen guys like him before. He couldn’t lose her, not now, and not like this. Sean was not going to have the last word.

  As he got closer, he heard the distinct shouting commands of the SWAT team as they closed in on Sean. Sean left Sam’s side and started running, but Ellis knew if he continued on the path he was running, he would head Sean off before they would. He wasn’t getting away. Not while Ellis had anything to do with it. Ellis knew he wasn’t supposed to be over here, but there was no way in hell he could listen to her scream and just stand there. As Ellis got closer to him, Sean registered who he was and turned to try to head him off, but Ellis was too fast. He tackled Sean easily, both of them rolling on the ground together before Ellis ended up on top.

  His chest heaved with the exertion of running full speed and the anger rolling off of him at this man that was supposed to be Sam’s friend. Her whole life, no one had ever tried to see her for who she really is, not even Sean. He was obsessed with her, loved her for the vision in his head of who she was, not who she really was.

  Sean gasped underneath him, clearly not in as good of shape as Ellis. “Get off me, asshole. She’s mine, now. You weren’t good enough for her and we belong together. She doesn’t love you.”

  Ellis stood up, hauling Sean to his feet. He glared at him, his fists clenched at his sides. Sean looked over Ellis’ shoulder, and he knew that the rest of the team must be approaching. “You’re fucking delusional,” Ellis seethed. “If you hurt one hair on her head…”

  Sean cackled. “What are you going to do about it, pretty boy? Why would I hurt her? I love her! Those supple breasts, that curvy backside…”

  Ellis saw red, and before he knew it, his fist connected with Sean’s cheekbone, throwing him backwards onto the ground. He pulled him up by his shirt and hit him again, keeping him still with his one hand like he was a punching bag.

  “How dare you speak about Sam like that,” Ellis spat, the veins in his neck and forehead bulging. “You were her friend. Her friend! Look at what you did! You kidnapped her and kept her locked away from the world? Did you really think that would work? She trusted you, Sean. We all trusted you to keep her safe, and all along, it was your sick bastard self.”

  Sean blinked, his eyes rolling back in his head. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth, and he had a split in his cheek from the force of Ellis’ knuckles. The only thing stopping him from continuing giving Sean what he deserved was the team walking up behind him and his need to know where Sam was and if she was okay.

  “She’s my soul mate,” Sean slurred, dropping to his knees just as the team descended, grabbing a hold of him and radioing for medic. “You can’t have her. We belong together.”

  Ellis ignored the desire to pound him until he shut up. “Where is she?” he asked. One of the officers pointed to the spot where he had seen her while he was running, where other officers were surrounding her. He took off running, scenarios going through his head of what Sean could’ve done to her. She had been so brave, trying to run away from him. But what had been the price?

  It seemed like it took him forever to reach her. He had no idea what he was about to see, and his stomach recoiled at the thought. He had seen so many things in his career, but one that he knew he couldn’t stomach was seeing Sam injured.

  The men parted from around her, and Ellis sighed with relief when he saw her leaned up against a tree, her foot wrapped in some gauze. He dropped to his knees in front of her, and her wide eyes met his. He gripped her hands, wishing he could say everything that he needed to say to her, but nothing would come out. He had never been more relieved in all of his life. Scanning her body quickly before meeting her eyes again, he saw that she wasn’t injured except for her foot.

  “Ellis,” she breathed finally, a small smile playing on her lips. “I knew you would come.”

  He pulled her into his arms and she wrapped her arms around him. He couldn’t help it, he started sobbing into her hair. As his body shook with emotion, he felt her tears against his neck as she buried herself into him. “I love you,
Samantha. I never got a chance to tell you, and I thought I might never see you again. I love every single thing about you.”

  “Ellis,” she cried into his neck. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry, for everything. I’ve been so scared. I can’t believe it was him this whole time. I love you, Ellis Warner. I have from the moment I laid eyes on you. You’re here. This is really over.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about,” he said, pulling back so he could look into her face. “I’m the one that should be sorry. I was a complete fool to leave you like that. I did what I always do. I ran away. But never again will I walk away from you, Sammi. This is my solemn promise to you.”

  “You told me you loved me,” she said through her tears. He nodded. “Say it again.”

  “I love you, Samantha.” She shook her head no, and he raised his eyebrow at her. “I love you, Sammi.” She pulled him to her, and despite the fact that they were surrounded by an entire team of SWAT men, he kissed her for all of the kisses he thought he’d never have again. When he pulled away, he saw the paramedics standing behind her, Brian and Carl next to them.

  She started giggling, and he couldn’t help but laugh along with her. “I think she’s fine,” Ellis joked. “I checked her vitals.”

  The men all laughed, but Ellis moved to the side, still holding on to her hand. “Sammi, this is Carl, the only dad I’ve ever known.” Carl stepped forward and shook her hand.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said. “My son was very worried about you. We all were.”

  “He came from Florida to help with the investigation,” Ellis explained. Sam smiled at him, then at Carl.

  “Thank you,” she said softly. “For loving Ellis, and for helping find me.”

  “Sam,” Brian stepped forward. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

  Sam shook her head. “There was no way for you to know. None of us knew. But, Brian, did you know that he-he,” her voice broke, and Ellis squeezed her hand.

  “He killed Amelia. I know,” Brian said, a tear escaping down his cheek. “I’m so glad he didn’t hurt you. He didn’t, did he?”

  She shook her head. “He wanted me to-to…”

  “He didn’t touch you, did he?” Ellis growled. He would go back right now and finish what he started.

  “No. He rubbed himself on me and he showed me his-his… but no, he never forced himself on me.”

  Ellis blew out the breath he had been holding, waiting for her answer.

  “Where are my parents?”

  “They’re at the police station, along with Lacey. The team wouldn’t let them come. We’ll call them and tell them you’re okay as soon as the paramedics check you out.”

  The men moved back to let them check her injured foot, but Ellis stayed right next to her the whole time. She gripped his hand and he used his thumb to trace the inside of her palm. Every few seconds she would look over at him, and a knowing smile would cross over both of their faces. As they finished and declared her foot didn’t need any stitches, just a bandage, Ellis leaned over and pressed his lips against her ear.

  “I love you,” he whispered again. The funniest feeling came into his chest when he said that. It almost tickled. He liked it.

  She turned her face so her nose was touching his. “I love you,” she whispered back. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

  “Can we get her out of here?” Ellis asked. The team didn’t need her for anything at that time, though she would have to give her testimony again at the station. They were sealing off the house to finish their investigation and she was free to go.

  She slid into the backseat of the SUV and moved as close to him as possible, even though they were the only two in the car besides the driver. Carl and Brian had ridden with one of the other guys to give them some privacy. He put his arm over her shoulders and pulled her into him. She rested her head on his shoulder. Ellis kissed the top of her head, grabbing her hand and entwining their fingers together.

  “I can’t be close enough to you,” she whispered, tilting her head back to look at him. “I missed you so much.”

  Ellis rubbed his nose against hers, breathing in the smell of her. Feeling the warmth of her body next to his made him feel intoxicated. He rested his forehead against hers. “Sammi.”

  “Tell me again,” she whispered against his lips.

  “I love you,” he repeated, knowing what she meant. Those three words had always been so hard for him to say, but he found no trouble in them right now. “And I love the song you sang. The new one.”

  “You heard it?”

  “I was there, Sammi. I was in the audience. Your dad let me in backstage after the show. I was going to tell you everything then, but you were gone.”

  “You were there?” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You heard the song? You came back for me?”

  He cupped her face, looking into those gorgeous brown eyes. “I was miserable. Devin and Andrew finally forced me to come to you. I knew I had pushed you away long enough. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for what I did to you, to us. I’m sorry.”

  “If you had been back there five minutes earlier,” she cried, tears dripping onto his hand.

  “I know,” he said, wiping the tears as they came. “I know, baby.”

  “I had no idea what he was going to do to me,” she admitted. “I had to play along with him, because he was so unhinged. How can someone I’ve known for my entire life have fooled me so badly?”

  “He’s sick, Sammi. That’s the only explanation. But it’s over now. He’ll never bother you again.”

  “How do I trust anyone though, Ellis? I’m in the position in my life where people want to use me, to get to me. How do I even know who anyone is anymore?”

  Ellis wondered if she included him in that. Before he could wonder for long, she kissed his lips softly. “The only thing I know for sure is that you mean everything in the world to me. You took my heart the moment I met you, before I even knew what an amazing guy you really are. I know that I only know what I’ve heard in the news about your past, but it doesn’t matter, Ellis. There are things we both need to talk about, but I’m not worried about what happened to you ten years ago or ten minutes ago. I only want you, right now. Please, don’t ever shut me out again.”

  He couldn’t stop himself one more moment. He pushed her against the door and devoured her lips, pushing his tongue into her mouth to meet hers. She whimpered, and he moaned into her mouth. He momentarily thought about the guy driving the SUV, but he couldn’t care less. He kissed her for so long he felt dizzy. His hands ached to touch her everywhere he could, but he knew he had to draw the line in a vehicle driven by a guy he didn’t know.

  He broke away, hugging her tightly to his body as they both regulated their breathing. He couldn’t wait to be alone with her. Tonight.

  Ellis opened the door to the precinct, Sam tucked to his side. He hated that she had to go through another interview, where she had to spell out what another freak had done to her. This time, it was worse because it was her lifelong friend. He couldn’t imagine how she must be feeling, but you couldn’t tell. She was so strong and held herself with such grace. He wasn’t sure he could be that strong.

  “Samantha!” Her parents rushed from the waiting seats and wrapped their arms around them.

  “Oh my god,” Ella crooned, crying into her daughter’s hair. “I was so scared. Are you okay?”

  Sam nodded. “I’m okay, Mom.”

  Samuel ran his hand over her hair, her face. “I can’t believe it was him all along,” he said, tears filling his eyes. “If something would’ve…”

  “Dad,” she said, smiling. “I really am okay. You guys saved my life.”

  “Brian figured it out,” they told her. “And Ellis wouldn’t give up, no matter when we had no leads or not.”

  She looked over her shoulder at Ellis, and their eyes connected. Just like every other time, he felt the current that belonged just to them run through his body. He smiled at her, then turne
d as he heard another cry come from the hallway.

  “Sam!” Lacey cried, throwing herself into her arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve been freaking out for so long, I swear I wanted to kill him myself.” The friends clutched onto one another. Ellis watched them, a strange feeling overcoming him. He wanted a friend like that. Devin had always been there for him, but he had never let him in enough to be that kind of friend. For the first time in his life, he craved it.

  “Ms. Kerrigan? Is it okay if we get the interview done?” The detective smiled at the reunion happening in the lobby. She nodded and turned to Ellis.

  “Do you want me in there?” he asked.

  She shook her head no. “I’m okay,” she answered. “You don’t need to hear it.” She stepped forward, then stopped. Turning back to him, she put her hand on his arm. “Don’t leave.”

  He deserved that. She didn’t trust him. The last time she had been in there, he had walked away and refused to talk to her for weeks. “I’m not going anywhere ever again, Sammi. I’ll be right here.”

  She smiled, then hugged her parents and Lacey. Following the detective down the hall, he watched her until she disappeared into the room again.

  “Can I talk to you?” Lacey said. He looked at her, then her parents, who were smiling.

  “Of course,” Ellis answered, knowing he didn’t really have a choice. Whatever she wanted to say, he knew that he needed to hear it. And if he was going to be part of Sam’s life, he had to know that her best friend supported it. “Want a terrible coffee?” She smiled and nodded.

  He turned back to her parents. “If she comes out, just tell her we’re in the other room. Don’t let her think I left.”

  Samuel and Ella both nodded, and he followed Lacey to the small room that housed a few coffee makers, a vending machine full of snacks, and a soda machine.