Never Stop

34. Ander

Chapter thirty-four

Ander

" B aby, look at me," I say softly, pulling the gun from her hand as the love of my life stands there trembling before me. "Rosie, please." I cup her chin, forcing her eyes to peer up and meet mine. "I'm here, baby." I plead with her to recognize that she's safe now.

She lunges forward and buries her face in my chest as I pull her into me, and the sobs rack from her body uncontrollably.

She lets go.

She lets go of everything she's held in for the majority of her life. She lets it run out of her through the tears.

"Ander," she cries as she fists my shirt with both of her hands, crying harder.

Not a second later, as if the spell of shock had worn off, she pulled herself from me and looked me over, seeing the evidence of the fight between Liam and me.

"You're hurt." She deadpans, sadness laced in her words, as she examines my face, clothing, and arms.

I manage to muster out a small, dry laugh,

"Nah, Rosie, he's hurt," I say, nudging my chin and gesturing her to look at Liam.

"You did that, baby; you took control of your life. I'm so fucking proud of you."

I'm pissed she's here, but knowing she needs the reassurance right about now, that's all I will give to her. We can fight about the rest later.

I take her perfectly beautiful face between both of my hands and kiss her forehead tenderly before pulling her back into me.

"You're okay?" She asks more pleading than not.

I nod over her head, "Yeah, my Rosie, I'm okay. We got into it when we were in the other back-pasture barn. It got ugly. He got the better of me for a bit; then the coward tazored me and then tied me up." I shake my head, saving her most of the details.

"The stupid fuck doesn't know how to tie a good knot, it took me a bit, but I was able to get out of it. I didn't know where he went or that you were even here until I heard your screams as I got closer."

I run my hands through her hair, pulling her head back to look up at me.

"I came as soon as I heard you, baby. I promise."

She nods into my chest, sobs starting to settle.

Liam stops thrashing around below us, but he's still breathing. She looks down and winces as she does.

"He. . . has to die, Ander," Her voice is soft now.

"He will, but not with you here."

"Ander, you—"

"There is no arguing here, Olivia." I plant another kiss on her forehead as I remove her from me, taking a step back, gun still in my right hand.

"Listen to me," she says, shaking her head and shutting her eyes.

"I can't let you do that, Ander."

"God damn it, woman, I won't let you . That will not live on your conscience. It will eat you alive. I won't fucking stand for it."

Her eyes search mine, a plead in them. I won't hear it.

She isn't asking me to spare him.

She's asking me to spare myself.

She thinks taking his life will destroy mine. Little does she know, I may take a little too much pleasure in ending this demented fucker.

Taking another step back, growing colder without her touch and seeing how he's done even more damage to her physically than before, I'm seething.

"Where is everyone else?" I ask dryly.

"b-back at the house, I don't think they figured out he was back here just yet." She chokes out softly, barely audible.

"Go to them."

"Ander, I'm not leave—"

"Now!" I demand, my tone direct and harsh.

"No. . ." She cries, begging me with her tear-filled eyes as she searches mine.

"Oliva, Go now! You don't need to see this. When you get there, call 911."

"Ander—"

'Damn it, woman, NOW!" I shout. She jumps in response, startled by my outburst.

"NO!" She deadpans back, taking a step toward me.

"V—"

"Anderson," She shoves at my chest; the sadness, fear, and shock have morphed into what now appears to be anger, and it's radiating off of her, directed at none other than me.

"This fucker has controlled me, abused me, stolen my family from me, stolen you from me. . ." She chokes out a small sob but quickly gets control of it.

"I will not leave. I have more right than anyone than to watch the blood drain from his black heart."

We stand silently for a few beats, neither of us backing down.

Finally, I nod in agreement. She nods in return and steps beside me, grabbing my left hand and holding onto it for dear life. I squeeze hers back.

When I pictured my life, I never thought I'd be here. I never thought I'd have it in me to take a life, but I do, and I will. She will never be safe with him alive; Via and I both know that. I'll be damned if I let this fucker take anything more from her.

I raise the gun, and everything around me goes black as my hands shake viciously with the gun in my grasp.