The North Star | COMPLETED ✔️

Chapter 42~ Bear Hunting

Chapter 42

The sound thundered through the room and shook the door on its hinges. Bard burst into action. He grabbed me, flipped me to the side, slid down to the floor and reached beneath the couch, then stood just as fast holding a shotgun.

My eyes widened as he shook it in one hand, and the resounding click of a cocked weapon echoed the room. Panic set in. The moment had arrived, and my heart was racing faster than I ever thought it could.

But it wasn't because of Drake.

It wasn't because I was afraid of my own death.

Bard was here, and he wouldn't run.

I could tell by the look on his face, by the way he held the gun, by the way his eyes carved into me as if taking a piece to keep with him.

Bard would fight until they killed him.

A hundred and one emotions filled the space between us.

Bard's jaw clenched as the banging sounded once again. His free hand reached forward and jerked me to my feet, then before I could even recover my balance, his lips hit mine.

He pulled me close with that one arm, and the kiss was nothing like the one we'd shared the moment before. It was as if he were trying to take a lifetime's worth all at once. Rough. Desperate. It held no promise... only...

Goodbye.

Moisture pricked my eyes. A Goodbye. The end. I shut my lids tight. This was it.

I'd dragged Bard down with me.

The door shook again, more thunder sounded, even louder than before.

Bard pulled back and locked me in a hard stare. "Run, Jessie. Don't look back."

I shook my head.

No. I wouldn't do that. He couldn't ask me to do that.

He gripped my chin and stilled me, eyes blazing. "Yes, you will. You're going to do what I fucking said, and you're going to live."

I glared at him. "No."

His teeth gritted and bared. His eyes sharpened again and scanned the room, cut to the door, searching... for an escape? A plan?

But the next set of thunderous knocks was accompanied by a voice. "Police! Open the door!"

My breath caught, and a million 'oh fucks' ricocheted around my skull.

Officer Jones.

I forgot.

Again.

I didn't just forget.

I broke probation by skipping town.

I'm going to jail.

"Actually," I whispered. "Running doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Bard held me in place. "Let's see what he wants."

I gaped at him. "He wants to lock me up. That's what he wants!"

"Ms. Murphy," Officer Jones deep baritone boomed. "While I should be taking your ass straight to lock up, luckily for you, I owe your employer a favor. However, if you do not open this door, I may just change my mind."

Bard stepped around me and slid the shotgun back beneath the sofa.

"What if he's lying?" I whisper hissed at him.