Page 47 of Claiming Liberty

“You realize all the casualties from tonight were our doing, right?” Peter scowls, not letting Kingsley reply before continuing. “How many women do you think you’ve already killed? If you want Layan off this island, sacrifices are going to have to be made.”

“Liberty is one of us.”

Peter huffs, his head turned toward Kingsley. He’s as distracted as he’s going to be.

The gun is still aimed at my head, but I take a deep breath and ready myself to take a chance. I shoot my arm up and shove the gun away. A blast rings out, and I scream, my eyes closing.

A thump sounds, and something heavy lands on my foot. I open my eyes to see Peter on the ground, groaning as he touches the back of his head. Layan stands above us holding a rock.

“No one else is dying tonight,” she says matter of factly before tossing the large rock in her hand onto the ground and picking up the gun.

I pull my foot from beneath Peter, gasping like I’ve just sprinted here as I look at Layan, hoping she can see the gratitude I feel if my voice can’t manage it. “Thank you.”

“Lib?”

All our heads move to look at the source of the voice. My heart seems to recognize it before my brain with the way it pauses.

“Is that really you?” Elsie asks, her voice cracking.

“Elsie,” I say her name in a whisper, but when my brain accepts her presence, I jump up. “Elsie!” I scream, running to her. She meets me halfway where we throw our arms around each other.

She digs her face into my shoulder, and I hold one hand over her head as if that will give her extra protection from this world. I sob as she does and breathe her in. I cry harder when I don’t smell the shampoo that always scented her hair. Instead, it’s the same stuff I washed my hair with when I was at the manor.

She’s here. She’s really here.

I knew she would be, but a small part of me hoped she wasn’t. Hoped this was somehow all a mistake, like we’d had it wrong.

She’s here.

She’ssafe.

For now.

I force my sobs to quiet, although my breaths still catch, and my lungs feel like they’re shaking. “I love you so much,” I whisper.

She hugs me tighter, and I plant my lips to her pretty blonde head I’ve missed so goddamn much.

“Umm, Liberty?” Layan calls.

I don’t turn around, instead squeezing Elsie like I’m afraid she’ll be pried from my arms if I don’t.

“Liberty,” Layan repeats more forcefully.

I quickly swipe a hand beneath my eyes and look over my shoulder. She’s pointing the gun at the dirt by Peter’s body. I can’t tell if he’s passed out or just laying there, but I don’t focus on him long. My eyes lock onto what has Layan’s attention.

Angel is sitting up, groaning as he touches his head.

“Shit,” I let out on a breath. I turn back to Elsie and plant my hands on both sides of her head. “Els.”

“No.” She shakes her head and squeezes me. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m right here,” I whisper, smoothing her hair. “I’m right here, but I need to check on a friend.”

She pulls back and looks at me with her glossy eyes. “Mr. A?”

A wave of nausea passes through me as reality knocks me in the face. He was takingElsieback to his house.

A lump forms in my throat, leaving me unable to answer with words, so I simply nod.