Page 81 of The Watcher's Bride

Chapter 50

Leo

My hunch that the house might be rigged with explosives was correct. I just hope that by triggering them from a safe distance, I’ve bought myself some time and that Quinn won’t see me coming. I won’t let myself entertain the possibility that Nora and Tatiana could still be inside.

I head in the direction of the pier, hoping Quinn might be taking Nora somewhere by boat. I keep telling myself that he needs her alive to use her as leverage against me. The flames from the house illuminate the beach and the pier in the distance. I see a familiar figure climbing into a boat.

Tatiana.

But she’s alone.

Confused, I scan the beach.

My heart stops when I see two bodies. Quinn lies in a pool of blood, half of his head blown clean away. Beside him, Nora is completely motionless, half submerged under water.

My world ends at that moment.

I’m too late.

She’s gone.

And with her, so is my heart. Looking from Nora to Tatiana I suddenly realize what’s happened. If Nora is dead andthere’s no danger, why is she leaving? Unless she’s part of this. She must have killed Quinn. My instincts tell me she’s the mole, she’s the one who betrayed us.

“Tatiana!” I shout as I run forward onto the beach and fire my gun again, but she’s still too far away.

“Nora doesn’t have much time, Leonid!” Tatiana answers. “You can come after me, or you can save her. It’s your choice.”

Hope fills me that I’m not too late.

I don’t even have to think about my choice. I’ll get my revenge one day. I sprint down the beach toward Nora, aware of the distant sound of the boat’s engine as Tatiana makes her escape.

The tide is coming in fast, it’s almost up to her neck.

“Nora!” I shout as I skid to a stop at her side.

I pull her limp body further up the beach, out of the water, as I frantically check to see what’s wrong. Her eyes meet mine and they fill with tears.

“Leo, thought… you… died,” she gasps, her voice coming out barely more than a whisper, the words mumbled as she can’t move her lips. She’s almost lifeless in my arms and I realize Tatiana must have given her a drug. I just pray that the effects aren’t permanent.

“I’m here, Nora, I’ll get you help,” I reassure her even as I’m overcome with fear.

I hold her close, pulling her onto my lap. She’s soaking wet and icy cold to the touch, so I desperately try to warm her as I call our trusted doctor, instructing him to come as fastas he can. He’ll be quicker than an ambulance, and this isn’t something easily explained to the police. The distant sounds of fire engines tell me we don’t have long before they arrive to inspect the explosion.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you here. I’m so sorry…” I repeat, blaming myself. It’s my fault she’s like this.

I left her alone and vulnerable with Tatiana. I should have known she was the traitor. I never trusted her, always saw through her acts to see the narcissistic, ambitious sociopath she hid so well.

“S… okay. Not your fault…” Nora manages to get out.

“Shh… save your energy. It’s okay, everything will be alright,” I promise, hoping with all my heart that my words are true.

I hold Nora tightly. She might be hurt, but she’s here, she’s alive. I have to hold out hope that she’ll get better.

As I wait for the doctor, I watch as our home burns.

From along the beach, I see a dark shape approaching. For a moment I wonder what it is, then as it gets closer, I see. “Josef, you’re alive!” I say with relief as the cat purrs and winds itself around Nora’s feet.

If cats have nine lives, I pray that god can grant Nora a second and save her.

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