Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 561

Nora struggled violently. She brought her stiletto heel down hard on her captor's foot. The man let out a muffled groan, his grip loosening for just a split second. Seizing the opportunity, she wrenched her wrist free and dove headfirst into the chaotic crowd.

She had no idea how long she ran.

The screams slowly faded, and the dense crowd began to thin out, but she didn't dare stop. She had lost her phone and was separated from Olive...

Rounding a corner, she stumbled down a short flight of stairs and ducked into a relatively quiet alleyway.

Nora leaned against the rough brick wall, gasping for air. Her knees were trembling so violently she could barely stand.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the other end of the alley.

"She's over there! Get her!"

Ignoring the sharp pain in her feet, Nora turned and ran like a madwoman.

...

"I've noticed that ever since you got to San Francisco, you've been a little off..."

Jude Winslow noticed Finnian Fairchild looking him up and down, his expression carrying a hint of casual scrutiny.

"Have I?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" Finnian shot him a half-smile. "You were completely out of it during lunch. What's wrong? Aren't you happy that Hudson succeeded with the Vanguard Microchips?"

"Of course I am."

"I thought so." Finnian chuckled. "Which makes your weird mood lately even more suspicious..."

He paused, his voice dropping slightly. "Jude, do you... have a crush on someone?"

Jude's expression faltered for a fraction of a second before returning to normal. "No."

As he spoke, he turned his head toward the street corner and accidentally caught a glimpse of a figure stumbling frantically.

Her steps were messy, her cardigan sliding off her shoulders, but she was sprinting as fast as she could before vanishing around the bend.

Jude's fingers curled into his palms.

He didn't know how he recognized her from half a street away.

But he did.

"Give me a minute."

Finnian blinked. "What?"

Jude didn't bother explaining. He turned and strode briskly across the street.

Finnian stood there in utter confusion, watching Jude's retreating back as he merged into the bustling crowd. He frowned.

He had never seen Jude like this.

The always gentle and composed man was actually rushing.

What was going on?

Was he really in love?

...

Meanwhile, as Nora rushed down another set of steps, her ankle rolled. She pitched sideways, her knee slamming hard against the edge of the stone stairs. The pain was so intense her vision went dark.

Gritting her teeth, she forced herself up and kept running.

She instinctively tried to look up, but a hand gently pressed the back of her head, keeping her face buried against his chest.

Through the soft fabric of his sweater, she could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing and his reassuring body heat.

She smelled a clean, crisp scent of cedar.

"The people chasing you passed by. Don't look back."

Nora's eyelashes fluttered.

She didn't dare move, leaning stiffly against his embrace as she waited for her racing heart to calm down.

The music blared, the lights spun, and the people on the dance floor laughed and clinked glasses.

In the midst of all that chaotic excitement, the two of them stood perfectly still, like a tiny, isolated island.

After a long moment, Jude released her.

He took a half-step back, putting a respectful distance between them, as if afraid she might feel uncomfortable.

"I apologize. It happened so fast, I didn't have time to explain."

Nora looked up, finally seeing his face clearly.

The club lights cast flickering shadows over his features. His expression was as gentle and composed as always, though his breathing was slightly faster than usual.

"Mr. Winslow?"

Jude gave a small nod. His gaze swept over her before his brow furrowed. "You're hurt."

Nora looked down at her knee. Her tights were torn, and a small trickle of blood beaded at the edge of the scrape. It wasn't too serious, but it looked painful.