I Told You To Run But You Didn't (Georgia) novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

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Georgia’s POV

I gasped, trying to push myself up from the cold mud. ain flared everywhere. Mud and blood stung the cuts on my knees. Every single bruise screamed in protest. My body just wouldn’t cooperate.

I managed to get to my feet, swaying, trying to step back from the dark car. The driver’s door swung open. A figure stepped out into the storm, tall and imposing even through the driving rain.

My breath caught. My eyes widened in disbelief. Esteva.

He didn’t walk; he ran towards me, his long strides eating up the muddy ground. Before I could even process that he was really there, my vision started to tunel. The world tilted violently. My legs finally gave

Out

Just as I was about to collapse back into the mud, strong arms wrapped around me, catching me, pulling me tight against a solid, familiar chest.

The cold rain plastered my hair to my face, but all I could feel was the steady beat of his heart against my

ear.

“I got you…”

WW 11

And that was it. The fight finally left me.

The adrenaline, the fear, the pain – it all faded away.

Darkness closed in, soft and welcoming, and I surrendered to it, safe for the first time all night, held tight in his arms….

***

The next morning, I woke to the feeling of a warm hand holding mine.

I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the bright hopital lights, and found myself looking straight into a pair of intense, golden-brown eyes. Estevan.^

He was sitting right beside my bed, watching me with a bok of quiet, intense relief.

“Hey,” he whispered, his voice a low, gentle rumble, “Yo’re back.” He leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead.

I didn’t know what we were anymore-boss and employe? Captor and captive? Something more complicated? But in that moment, I didn’t care.

Having him, feeling his solid presence beside me, made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t felt in years. Protected. I weakly lifted his hand from mine and press d it against my cheek, managing a small, tired smile.

I glanced around the white room. Hospital. “How long have I been out?” I croaked, my throat dry.

“Just since last night,” he said softly.

It felt like days. Every inch of my body ached with a deep, bone-weary soreness.

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Chapter 72

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Just then, the door opened and Louiella bustled in, caring a cheerful basket filled with bright yellow flowers, fresh fruit, and snacks. Her face lit up when she saw I was awake, but then it crumbled as she took in my bruised face, the bandages on my arms.

“Oh, my Georgia,” she cried, rushing over. “Are you okay? Those… those horrible men… they…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence, tears welling in her eyes. She gently pulled me into a careful hug, mindful of my injuries. “Oh, thank God you’re safe. Thank God.” She pulled back, sniffling, already reaching for an orange from her basket. “Herc, darling, you need your strength Let me peel this for you. You need vitamins.”

“Thank you, Louiella,” I said, managing a weak smile as he handed me a juicy orange slice. I ate slowly, each movement an effort.

Estevan watched us from the armchair, his expression unreadable, but his presence a silent, steady weight in the room.

After a few minutes, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, gave me a brief nod, and stepped out into the hallway to take the call.

The moment he was gone, a different kind of tension filled the room – the tension of unspoken questions. My mind immediately went to Lucas. That absolute basard.

He hadn’t just tried to kidnap me; he had knowingly led Estevan’s enemies right to Louiella’s doorstep, endangering her, endangering Erina, all for his pathetic revenge plot.

He didn’t care who got hurt as long as he got what he wanted.

Louiella seemed to sense the shift in my mood. She gently took the orange peel from my hand. “That Lucas,” she said quietly, her voice laced with a disapproval she rarely showed. “There was something… cold in his eyes. And I am glad you are not with him anymore. Truly.”

She glanced towards the door where Estevan had disappeared. “This Estevan… he seems like a good man. A strong man.”

I almost choked. Good? Strong, yes. But good? Louiella learly hadn’t seen the monster beneath the charming facade.

“He kept us safe last night, you know,” she continued, her eyes wide with remembered fear. “When those men came… shooting… it was terrifying. But Estevan, he was so calm. He got us into his car, told us to stay down, and drove like a madman through the storm to get us away. He brought us straight here, made sure we were safe in another room before he went back out boking for you.”

My heart did a strange, complicated flip. He had saved hem. Even while I was furious with him, even while I knew the terrible things he was capable of, he had pro ccred Louiella and Erina.

“And Erina?” I asked, a pang of guilt hitting me. “Is she kay? I feel terrible she got caught up in all this.”

Louiella sighed, her expression sad. “She is safe, thank od. Estevan, arranged for one of his men to drive her back to the city this morning. The poor girl was ter fied, shaking like a leaf. She said she needed to go home, forget this ever happened.” Louiella patted my hand gently. “It is not your fault, Georgia. None of this is your fault. Evil men do evil things. We were just cky Estevan was there.”

I nodded numbly, staring at the closed door, my thoughts a tangled mess of gratitude, anger, and a deep, unsettling confusion about the man who had just saved us all.

“And now… are you going to leave with Estevan tonight? He said he’s leaving… but are you staying here?”

III

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