A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 22

Tyson's first instinct was to rush over to Celia and drag her out of harm's way.

But Winona remained rooted to the spot.

She knew she should move, but the scene unfolding before her was a brutal echo of the accident she'd suffered two years ago. In an instant, her entire body locked up.

"Nona!" Tyson's panicked shout rang in her ears.

Then, in a heart-stopping flash, a figure lunged toward her. Someone grabbed Winona, pulling her into a tight embrace with an urgency that left her breathless. His arm locked around her, nearly crushing her against his chest, twisting her away and staggering them both back—just in time to dodge the oncoming semi-truck.

Screams erupted all around. The massive truck screeched and shuddered to a stop, stalling out just before it smashed into the hospital building.

The driver tumbled out, face blanched with terror, babbling apologies. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! My brakes failed—I didn't mean—I'm so sorry…"

But Winona barely registered his words. The old trauma surged up, drowning out everything else. The nightmare from years ago crashed over her, seizing her mind in a white-hot wave of pain.

Everything hurt…

Her legs were ruined. She would never dance again.

Mom, are you watching me from heaven? If you knew I'd lost my chance to dance forever, would you be disappointed?

"Miss Thorne? Miss Thorne?"

Someone was calling her name, voice anxious and close. Winona, pale as a ghost, finally lifted her eyes and realized the man still holding her was Elvis.

It was him…

Her mind was still foggy. She wanted to thank him, but her voice wouldn't come. Her lips trembled violently.

Elvis frowned, a rare uncertainty flickering in his usually calm eyes.

"Are you all right? Miss Thorne? Winona!"

"Nona!" Tyson rushed over then, panic etched on his face. "What's wrong? Don't scare me like that!"

Then, without another word, he swept Winona up into his arms and strode toward the hospital.

Tyson's eyes widened in disbelief. His woman—how could another man just carry her off like that?

"Elvis! Put Nona down—!"

He started after them, but Celia suddenly grabbed his sleeve, desperate and teary-eyed.

"Ty, are you just going to leave me here?" she choked, her voice trembling. "I—I was so scared when that truck came out of nowhere. And now my wrist hurts again. Please don't go, stay with me, will you?"

"Celia, I…" Tyson hesitated, glancing after Elvis's retreating back, jaw clenched tight.

"Miss Thorne will be fine. She didn't even get hit," Celia sniffled, tears gathering in her eyes. "Ty, after losing that project to her, I'm already at my breaking point. If you leave me now, I—I don't know what I'll do…"

"Celia, don't say things like that." Tyson pulled her into a hug, his voice urgent. "I'm here for you. I promise, I'm not going anywhere."

Celia was right—Winona hadn't actually been hurt, just shaken up. She'd be fine in a little while.