My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 417

Heavy, ragged breathing echoed behind her.

Alarm bells blared in Emily Blair’s mind, her heart pounding and blood pressure surging. She held her breath, nerves screaming, and sprinted for the run-down apartment complex she called home.

As she ran, her mind raced—who could be after her?

If anyone held a grudge, it was the Lane family or the Austins.

But hadn’t she moved here to escape them? Why couldn’t they just let her go?

Behind her, the footsteps and harsh breaths grew louder, closing in fast.

Almost right on top of her.

Emily gritted her teeth.

This building was packed with tenants, every wall paper-thin. If she shouted for help, half the neighborhood would hear.

She drew a desperate breath. “Help—!”

The heavy breathing stopped. Before she could finish, a pale hand shot out of the darkness and clamped over her mouth, silencing her.

Bang!

“Mmph!”

She was yanked backward, an arm like an iron bar locking around her waist. A blast of heat pressed against her back—a man’s body, burning with feverish energy. His presence swallowed her up, smothering her cries and breath beneath his broad palm.

Emily’s eyes widened. She snapped into action, twisting and fighting, driving her elbows into his chest again and again.

Each blow landed with a dull thud; she heard his grunted pain with every hit.

Sweat trickled down her forehead as she struggled like a trapped eel, but his grip never loosened.

Her mouth and nose were sealed tight. The air in her lungs ran thin. Her face flushed crimson as panic and suffocation peaked—she was running out of time.

“Mmm! Mmm!”

The man’s breathing was growing harsher, as if he wanted to speak, but his voice came out raw and strained. “You…”

Emily was certain—she’d never heard this man’s voice before.

Suddenly, a creak split the night.

Emily’s heart leapt. She knew that sound—a window opening. She’d lived here nearly a month; she could recognize it easily.

She darted a glance toward the source.

Emma George!

Emily’s eyes flew open wider. She thrashed harder. “Mmm!”

I’m right here!

In the darkness, Emma’s expression was impossible to read, but Emily saw her turn, as if she was about to look their way.

She’s going to see us!

Hope surged in Emily’s chest.

But before she could act, the arm at her waist tightened even more. Her feet left the ground.

Her eyes darted—he was burning up, his breathing and voice thick with suppressed need. It hit her then: someone had drugged him. That explained the ragged, desperate gasps.

The realization made her tense all over again.

A drugged man was as unpredictable as a starving animal, and right now, she was the only prey in sight.

He was tall, strong, easily overpowering her—if he wanted to hurt her, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

Slowly, she shook her head, trying to show she wouldn’t scream.

His forehead still pressed to her shoulder, his hand clamped over her mouth.

Emily frowned, uncertain if he understood.

Seconds ticked by, her legs going numb.

At last, the man spoke again, his voice barely a rasp. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I need you to take me to a hospital.”

Emily said nothing.

He panted, then pressed, “Did you hear me?”

She nodded, hard.

His hand eased away from her mouth. Emily reached out, trying to steady him.

But before she could touch him, his body went rigid. With a burst of strength, he shoved her arm away.

“Don’t touch me!” he barked, voice raw.