Page 198 of I Never Stopped Loving You

“Stop…Please. Leave him alone,” I gasp through the waves of nausea. My head feels like it’s going to explode.

“Where the fuck are you, Killer?” James screams.

My heart races. I need to figure out how to get out of here. I need to run. I need to…

“Willow.”

A soft whisper comes from behind me, and I nearly scream, but a hand quickly covers my mouth.

“Shh. It’s me. I gotta get you out of here.”

“Jeremy?” I whisper when he removes his hand. “No. You need to kill him. You need to save Noah.”

“He’s going to be okay. I found him, and he’s hidden right now, but I need to get you to safety first or else Noah will fucking kill me.”

“But my father…”

“It doesn’t matter. Just let me get you free. Can you run?”

“Yes,” I whimper.

"Good. When I get you free, I need you to run. Go out the path ahead of you and turn right, then at the divide go left, then another left. When you get to a spot, you can go straight or right, go right. Feel along the wall on the left side at your hip level until you find the handle. I'll take care of your dad."

“Killer! I’ll fucking find you!” his scream is crazed as he continues to look for Noah.

The lights suddenly go out, plunging us into darkness. I can’t see a single thing, not even as I look down at my body.

“Stay quiet. I think Noah turned off the lights,” Jeremy whispers as he continues to fumble with the ropes around my wrists. “You’re going to be okay. Do you hear me? I’ll get you out of here first then I’ll take care of your dad.”

He says it so confidently I almost believe him, but I know without a doubt, until my father is dead, we aren’t getting out of here alive.

CHAPTER 85

NOAH

That beautiful, soft strawberry blond hair. She has it pulled up in a tight bun. A couple of strands hang loosely against her cheeks. Those lush forest green eyes are hidden behind dark-framed glasses making her look beautiful and smart. She’s barely wearing any makeup, yet she’s still the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.

When she stepped onto this elevator, I thought I’d seen a ghost. Her lips are pursed as she stares at the lights. It’s been two seconds since the doors closed, yet she’s been bouncing the entire time.

She glances at me out of the corner of her eye before redirecting her gaze to the doors in front of us. When the doors open, she bolts without even a second glance behind her. My breath catches as her perfume hits me. That sweet vanilla scent that I love.

It’s her. I can’t believe it…It’s Willow.

My Willow.

I follow her as she makes her way down the hall to my father’s firm's office. I hesitate for a second and pinch myself because I honestly can’t believe this is real. That this isn’t just a dream. It’s really her.

“Excuse me?” I ask. My throat is finally allowing me to speak.

“Yes?” she says with a bit of a bite in her tone as she continues walking and doesn’t look back.

“Are you here for an interview?” I ask, and she nearly trips over my words.

I catch up to her as she finds her footing, and she turns to me.

“What gave it away?” she asks with only a small tone of irritation.

Her eyes glance over me, head to toe, before resting on my face. Does she recognize me now? There’s no way she doesn’t remember me…Right? This is her. I know it’s her. So why is she looking at me like I’m a stranger?