The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 274

"Hop on. I'll carry you."

Lavinia hesitated, her hand gripping the stair railing. "I can walk myself..."

"Get on. I'm faster." He glanced back at her. "People need your help."

Lavinia pressed her lips together and climbed onto his back. His shoulders were broad. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he hooked his hands under her knees, effortlessly hiking her up to secure his grip.

As she clung to him, she suddenly realized just how tall he was.

Her feet dangled far above the dark water, making her feel incredibly safe.

The old lady at number 16 had a bruised arm from a falling lamp. The child at number 22 was burning up with a hundred-and-two-degree fever. Number 31 was a middle-aged man living alone; he had sliced his calf on broken glass while trying to shut a window during the worst of the storm. Lavinia brought her medical kit and skillfully treated each of them.

By the time they left the last house, it was well past 3:00 AM.

The wind had died down completely. The water levels had dropped significantly, revealing the pavement, making it safe to walk home.

They splashed through the shallow puddles as they headed back. The streetlights were still out, but the moonlight was brilliant, casting a silver sheen over the wet asphalt.

As Lavinia walked, her steps began to slow. Adrenaline had carried her through the emergencies, but now that the rush had faded, exhaustion hit her like a truck. Her legs felt like lead.

Charley noticed. He reached over, took her hand, and laced his fingers securely through hers.

Back at the house, Lavinia lit a few candles and took a warm shower. Charley stayed over to keep her company, taking the guest room for the night.

Lavinia climbed under her covers, sinking into the comfortable mattress. Even without power, just knowing he was in the next room made her feel completely safe.

***

"Garnett! Garnett!"

Garnett walked briskly down the hallway, his footsteps echoing sharply against the tile floors.

Sigrid chased after him and threw her arms around his waist from behind.

"Garnett, don't go! I need you! Please don't leave me!"

"Garnett..." Sigrid clung to him desperately, her tears soaking through the back of his dress shirt.

"Don't do this. We just managed to calm your mother down. If she finds out you ran out in a typhoon to check on Lavinia, what is she going to think? What about me?"

Garnett turned around to face her.

"Lavinia has PTSD. With the power out and the house flooding... if she's trapped there alone, she could go into shock."

He paused, trying to keep his voice level. "Sigrid, be reasonable. I just need to go see if she's okay."

"I won't let you!" Sigrid's voice cracked, rising in pitch.

Her lips trembled as tears streamed down her face. "You two are already getting a divorce! Can you just stop caring about her?"

Garnett froze.

His heart gave a sudden, sharp twist. The pain radiated slowly through his chest.