Chapter 18
1034 Words
LUCY POV
I felt pain pierce my side as I opened my eyes, buzzing monitors grounded me, and a clean fragrance filled the hospital bed. What happened at the warehouse flashed across my mind: Will's lies, Nana's treachery, and Cullen's knife.
Touching the bandage on my side made my heart race fast. ‘How long was I sleeping?’ I mumbled under my breath.
As I turned on the television to listen to some news, the first news that flashed on the screen was my picture labeled "kidn*pped," and behind it was Will’s picture, captured as a criminal. I felt sick to my stomach. Grey sat close to my bed, eyes tired, face battered. His voice was quiet yet strained as he replied, "You are awake. I was afraid you would not wake up."
"Where is Will?" I asked my throat, "And Dad?"
Grey's mouth clenched. “Bella and Mom are at the police station, so Hillary is safe. Will is no longer there. He took Nana and disappeared before the police arrived.”
Wincing, I sat up. “Gone? Grey, he did not kidnap me. Cullen did.” Grey's eyes grew gloomy. "The police do not think so. His framing by Cullen. Nana is also supporting his account.”
My blood froze. My mother, Nana, had shot me and betrayed Dad, and now she was assisting Cullen in blaming Will for everything? Anger rushing through me, I clutched the bed rail. "We must find him," I stated. "I was saved by him."
Grey spoke softly as he leaned in. "He is Andrea Perkins, Lucy. He has been trying to reach my dad through you. He poses a threat.”
Pain be damned, I shook my head. “He is not the monster now, your family is.” Grey winced as I spoke, but I did not mind. I am done with being a pawn in their game.
We both jumped when there was a knock on the door. A nurse took a quick look. “I have a guest for you, Mrs. Dipson. She claims to be family.”
My heart skipped a beat. Dad? However, Grey stood and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Remain calm.” He whispered before stepping towards the door.
Nic entered with a polished suit and a smooth smile. Not at the police station, not with Cullen. But right here in my front. He ignored Grey and looked directly into my eyes, which made my stomach turn. His tone was too nonchalant as he said, "Lucy, you look rough, and I am glad I am here to make things plain."
Grey moved ahead of me. "What on earth, Nic? You should be with your father.”
Nic grinned broadly. "Dad is occupied, and I’m done following his orders.” He pulled out a flash drive from his pocket and tossed it on the bed. “That included the Jones Group structure, Dad's transactions, and Nana's ledger. For years, I have been collecting it. I am giving it to the federal government.”
My mouth fell open. Nic, the faithful son of the Dipsons, betraying Cullen? With trembling hands, I grasped the drive. "Why?" With a stern voice, I asked. "Why now?"
Nic's grin dimmed. "Because I cherished your mom, Lucy, the authentic one. To keep her company, Nana and Dad killed her. I was too weak back then, but not anymore.”
Grey lunged, grabbing Nic’s collar. "You are telling lies! You are only protecting yourself.”
Nic's eyes were serene, and he did not fight back. "Grey, check the drive. Everything is there.”
My wound was aching as the room whirled. Murder of my mother? Is Nic in love with her? My thoughts were racing as I gripped the drive. Everything would be altered if this were true. But could I put my faith in Nic, another Dipson?
Ellen stormed in, her face enraged, and her shoulder bandaged, as the door exploded open. She spat out, "Nic, you coward!" and pushed him up against the wall. "You believe you can now play the hero? You assisted Nana in concealing Lucy's mother's true identity!”
I gasped. Did Ellen also know? Her eyes softened, but were intense as she turned to face me. "Lucy, Nic is not innocent, but he is not lying about the driving either. To keep Bella safe, he filled in for Nana. Only because Cullen is losing, he is coming clean, pretending to be nice.”
Nic's expression stiffened. “I did what I had to, Mom. For Bella.”
Grey was freed. Nic took a step back, clutching his fists, "You all lied to me." He said, his voice breaking, "My entire family."
The tension was oppressive, accusations flying like bullets. I gripped the flash drive, which was my only leverage in this mess. Will was out there, framed, maybe dead. Dad was safe, but for how long? Dad is safe now, but for how long will that last? And Nana and Cullen were still pulling strings.
We need to get this to the police,” I said, my voice firm despite the pain. “Now.”
Ellen nodded, but Nic grabbed my wrist, his grip tight. “Not so quickly. There’s one more thing on that drive. Something about Will. He has a list, so he is not just after Dad. Every name is connected to the killing of his parents. And Lucy, your dad’s on the list.”
My heart stopped beating. Dad, involved in Will’s parents’ death? I gazed at Grey, then Nic and Ellen, their faces a blur. “That is not possible,” I muttered, doubt evicted in my voice at me.
The hospital window shattered before anyone could speak. A black-gloved hand tossed a smoke grenade inside.
“Lucy!” Grey screamed, pulling me from the bed as smoke filled the room.
Ellen coughed, grabbing Nic. My wound hurts me more, but I clutched the drive tightly and staggered towards the door.
A man in black appeared, through the haze, with his gun raised. “Give me the drive, Lucy,” he said, stepping closer, his smile cold.
“Or I finish what Nana started.”
- Writer
