Chapter 145 Saved
Chapter 145 Saved
“J… Jonathan?”
Her voice cracked as it slipped out.
“It’s me. You don’t have to be scared.”
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When her panic faded enough for her to see him clearly, Jonathan gripped her and hauled her up from the soaked ground where she had been curled tight.
Anneliese’s legs gave out beneath her.
Jonathan steadied her with one hand, then wrapped his arm around her narrow waist and pulled her into his chest. In the same motion, he drew a knife and slashed through the rope biting into her wrists.
“Your legs feel numb?”
Her cheek rested against his chest. His shirt grew wet from her tears, and she stayed quiet, unable to speak. His deep voice came from above, heavy with
concern.
“Yeah,” she whispered. Her nasal voice broke into a weak sob.
Jonathan exhaled hard. “Hold the umbrella.”
She followed without thinking. The handle felt clumsy in her grip until he added,
“Both hands.”
“Okay.” She shifted her grip, but then her body lifted off the ground.
Jonathan bent low and scooped her into his arms. Shocked, Anneliese clutched the umbrella, the canopy wobbling as she tried to balance it.
Rain streaked down his face. She fumbled to raise the umbrella higher, nerves written across her face.
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Chapter 145 Saved
“Keep yourself covered,” Jonathan told her in a low voice.
Headlights cut through the rain, sweeping across the road.
Anneliese bit her lip, tense again.
Jonathan spoke quickly.
“That should be Zion.”
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The car rolled close. It was Zion. He jumped out fast and pulled open the back door.
Jonathan carried Anneliese over and slid into the seat with her in his arms.
Her breathing eased, but she clutched his arm. “What about Rory? Jess and the others are still with him.”
“Ms. Sweeting and the detective are safe. They were being held at Rory’s place outside the city. We’ve already pulled them out. You don’t need to worry.”
Relief poured through her, draining what strength she had left. She slumped against the seat, worn out.
“Mr. Fullbuster, you should head out. I’ll take care of this.”
The rough voice came from the window. Anneliese turned and saw the man who had been driving the G–Class earlier.
Even though he had crashed Rory’s car, he stood there unscathed. Her chest loosened at the sight.
“Alright.”
Jonathan’s reply was flat. He rolled the window up.
Zion clapped his shoulder once, circled the hood, and slid into the driver’s seat. He shifted the car into reverse.
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Chapter 145 Saved
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Anneliese twisted to look back. She caught a glimpse of the stranger dragging Rory
out of the wreckage.
Then a thick, dry towel dropped over her head.
It blocked her vision and wrapped her in warmth.
“Dry off,” Jonathan said as he rubbed the towel gently over her hair.
“I can do it myself,” Anneliese mumbled from under the fabric.
Water dripped from her hair, so she patted it dry quickly.
She pulled the towel away and glanced at Jonathan. His dark hair was wet too, and guilt mixed with gratitude inside her. She leaned closer, reaching toward him.
“Your hair’s soaked too. I’m sorry.”
Her sudden nearness threw Jonathan off.
When he turned, his eyes landed on her sweater plastered to her skin.
Her scent was faint but sharp, curling under his senses.
The thin knit clung tight, the dark green lace beneath barely covering her. The outline beneath shifted with each breath like fruit heavy on the branch.
Jonathan’s throat tightened. His fist closed over his knee, and he adjusted his coat before speaking, his voice low and raw.
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Oh, sure.”
Anneliese drew back to her corner, hugging her shoulders as she shivered lightly.
“Ms. Claude, there’s a blanket and clean clothes in the bag. See if anything helps.”
Zion’s voice carried from the front as he passed a heavy duffel back.
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“That’s really kind of you, thank you.” She took the duffel back.
“It was Mr. Fullbuster’s idea. I only carried it out.”
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Anneliese opened the bag and pulled out a soft cashmere blanket. She wrapped it around herself, holding it tight.
She couldn’t change inside the car, given that there were other guys around, but with the heater running, the cold no longer bit as hard.
Her gaze drifted to Jonathan. His leather coat still dripped. She spoke softly.
“Jonathan, take your coat off. You’ll
get sick.”
She tugged at the edge, but he pushed her hand away, unwilling to let it go. He only wiped at the water with the towel and kept the coat on.
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