STOLEN VOWS, FORBIDDEN HEART

Chapter Eleven

LUCY POV

Pain stole my breath as it burned hot and pierced into my side. Will’s hands pressed firmly against the wound; his face was pale but focused.

He growled, "Lucy, please stay with me, Lucy.” His voice was rough with panic, warm and sticky blood soaked my dress, pooling on the grass beneath me.

Raymond stood over us with his gun aimed at the location where Nana disappeared into the darkness. The garden seemed like a trap because of the lengthy shadows generated by his car's headlights.

“Get a medic, Raymond!” Will yelled while maintaining eye contact with me. My throat burned as I tried to speak; words stuck in my throat.

My vision blurred, Nana’s cold smile haunting me. My pulse raced so fast that I couldn't control it. How did I miss it?

Raymond hesitated, scanning the darkness. “She’s gone, boss. We must relocate her immediately.”

"There is no time," Will whispered and raised me gently. Pain went through me as I gasped and clutched his shirt. "Hold on, doll," he said in a lower, nearly shattering voice.

The nickname struck me hard, stirring back better memories of those days we spent together, but he lied to me, Andrea Perkins, he took advantage of me. My heart aches worse than the wound.

As we staggered toward Raymond’s car, Will held me as if I was going to break down if he didn't hold me well. The crunch of gravel grew louder…more footsteps. I rasped, “They’re coming,” fear clawing at me.

Will clutched his. “Let them try.” Raymond rushed into the driver’s seat, gun still in hand. Then Will sat me carefully in the backseat, blood smearing the leather.

The moment Raymond sped out, his tires screeched. The mansion faded behind us, but the danger felt closer than ever.

"Where are we going?" My voice was faint as I asked. The world tilted, and my head spun about.

"Somewhere safe," Will replied as he applied a bandage to my wound after dragging out the button. His hands trembled a little, showing how composed he was. "Lucy, you are not going to die for me."

I wanted to yell at him or even hit him…about his lies, Nana’s plan…but the pain that I felt drowned everything. I turned towards Raymond, whose knuckles were white on the wheel, and asked, “Cullen’s men?”

Will's expression clouded. “And Nana. They’re in this together.”

My stomach dropped. Nana and Cullen are lovers. Schemers. I recalled Will staring at Cullen during the dinner, not at me.

He had some knowledge. "You knew about this?," I asked, my temper growing. "You were aware of her, but you kept it from me."

Guilt flashed in his eyes as he glanced at me. “I had suspected something, but I didn’t have evidence until this evening.”

"Evidence?" I coughed and winked. "Will, she shot me!" He looked away, his jaw tightened, “I’m sorry, Lucy. I thought I could protect you.”

Raymond slammed the brakes and cursed before I could retaliate. The vehicle veered, flinging me at Will. The headlights of a black SUV blinded us from behind, rapidly approaching.

"They are after us!" Raymond yelled and flooded the gas.

Will pulled his revolver, looking at the clip. "How many?" he asked in a chilly tone. "Two, maybe more of them," Raymond replied, looking at the rearview mirror. "Armed."

My heart skipped a bit. I was struck by a car, bleeding close to a man who had lied about his life. "Will, what is the plan?" Struggling to remain conscious, I demanded.

He fired at the SUV while leaning out the window without responding. Glass shattered behind us as the shots were so loud.

The SUV veered but continued to approach. My vision faded, and my head ached. I took hold of Will's arm.

"Please do not let me die," I muttered in a strong, low voice.

"You won't." He whispered.

My phone buzzed in my bag as Raymond made a fast turn, and the car lurched. With blood-stained hands, I fumbled for it.

*A text message from Grey: * "Avoid Will. He poses a threat. On the 5th, meet me in the former warehouse.*

My breath caught. Grey is alive? Not absent? Was he part of this? Or is he trying to save me? With my mind racing, I hid the screen from Will. Can I really trust Grey after everything?

“Raymond, go to the warehouse district,” I said firmly despite the pains in my arms.

Will's head jerked towards me. "What? No. We intend to visit the safehouse.”

I glanced at him and muttered, "I got a message from Grey, he wants me to meet him at the warehouse.”

Will rolls his eyes suspiciously. “Lucy, it is a trap. Cullen is tricking you."

"Or you are the one who is lying again," I retorted, my rage giving me courage. "I have had enough of being your pawn."

As he waited for orders, Raymond looked at Will. The SUV's engine roared closer now. Will raked his hand through his hair and cursed. "All right, drive to the storage facility. But, you are responsible if anything goes wrong.”

The SUV was right behind us as the car drove toward the city.

My wound throbbed while my head swam. I held on to Grey's message. Was he helping me escape, or was he putting me in danger?

As Will’s touched mine, my heart skipped despite everything that had happened. I still love him and detest him at the same time.

As we arrived at the warehouse, a dilapidated structure illuminated by a lone streetlight that flickered. Will pulled me closer to himself, his gun still in his hand, ready for anything. Raymond drove the car to a stop.

Behind us, the SUV screamed to a stop. Nobody left. Tension-filled everywhere, followed by silence that stretched around the place.

"Grey?" With a quivering voice, I called, but no response.

Will's hold became firmer. "Remain near," he muttered.

Grey was not the man who appeared from the dark. With his face gaunt but alive, it was my father, Hillary Jones, leaning on a cane.

"Lucy," he whispered in a feeble voice. "I am sorry."

My knees gave way. "Dad? Are you alright?”

The SUV doors opened before he could respond, and Cullen Dipson sprang out, brandishing a gun at my father's head. "Nobody moves," he added with a chilly grin. "Or the old man will see his grave right now.”