CHAPTER19
1049 Words
LUCY POV
“Give me the drive, Lucy,” he said, stepping closer, his smile cold. “Or I will finish what Nana started.”
The man commanded as he removed the mask that was covering his face.
I saw it was Cullen; his voice was sharp as a blade that cut through the smoky room. His gun was aimed directly at me as he stepped closer.
Despite my heart racing fast, I held the flash drive tightly in my hands, and I fell to the ground. Grey held me up, my wound throbbing with every move. Ellen pulled Nic behind her, despite the chaos, her eyes fierce.
The smoke grenade choked the air, alarms blaring faintly in the distance. The hospital room was a haze.
“Lucy, hand it over to me peacefully,” Cullen said, his smile sharp. “That drive will end my world, and if that happens, you don’t walk away.”
My grip tightened on the drive, Nic’s words echoing in my head, ‘Dad, tied to Will’s parents’ murder.’ Was this true? With Cullen’s gun pointing directly at me, I couldn’t think straight, and my strength was fading.
“You’re not touching her, Dad.” Grey stepped in front, his voice low.
“You’re not a son of mine, Grey.” Cullen chuckled, cold and cruel. “Siding with her? So pathetic.”
Ellen moved, shielding Nic and me. “You’ve lost, Cullen. The police are coming, so it is best for you to drop the gun.”
He didn’t flinch, “Last chance, Lucy.” He said his eyes were fixed on me.
My legs trembled, but I stood taller. “Go to hell,” I spat, clutching the drive.
The smoke thickened, stinging my eyes. Footsteps echoed, more of Cullen’s men? My heart raced, trapped between fear and hope.
Grey tensed, ready to lunge, but Ellen grabbed his arm, pulling him backward.
Bella burst through the smoke, her face stocked with tears but fierce. She held a fire extinguisher, swinging it hard at Cullen’s arm. The gun fell from his hand, clattering across the floor.
“You!” He yelled and held her hair, but she kicked his shin, breaking free from his grip.
“Bella!” Ellen yelled, tears rolling down her face as she rushed to her daughter. Bella staggered into her arms, panting but defiant.
“I followed him,” Bella gasped. “I knew he’d come for you, Lucy.”
My jaw dropped. Bella was the one who leaked the documents, now saving me? She’d been playing her own game, braver than I’d ever given her credit for. Cullen rushed for his gun, but Grey moved fast, tackling him to the ground. As the smoke swirled around them, they wrestled, fists flying,
The device still in my hand, I staggered forward, “We need to go,” I said, voice weak, my vision blurring. Ellen nodded slightly and pulled Bella towards the exit door. With my hands trembling, but I tried to keep my steadiness, I grabbed the gun Cullen dropped.
Nic hesitated, his eyes darting towards the drive. “Lucy, give it to me. I’ll get it to the feds.”
I looked at him, and doubt bubbled in my head. “No. I’m doing this myself.”
His face charged, anger evoked in his eyes, but he didn’t argue. The alarms grew louder, footsteps approaching closer. Police or Cullen’s men? I couldn’t tell.
Grey pinned Cullen, but his father fought like a trapped animal, elbowing Grey’s face. Blood sprayed, and Grey stumbled back.
Cullen scrambled up and grabbed a piece of broken glass from the floor. “You’re all dead,” he hissed, lunging at me.
My hands were shaking as I raised my gun, but I held it firmly, and before I could pull the trigger, a shot rang out from the doorway and hit Cullen’s shoulders. He collapsed, eyes wide, lifeless, as blood spilled from his hand.
Will stood in the doorway, Nana tied and gagged behind him. His face was hard and sunken, and when his eyes met mine, it was filled with guilt and fear. “Lucy,” he muttered, voice low. “I’m here.”
I took a deep breath, relief, anger, love, all at once. He’d saved me again, but he used me and lied to me. And now Dad’s name was on the list of people who killed his parents, and I am with the flash drive. I don't know how to face him.
I whispered, “You’re too late,” my voice trembling. I put my gun down, my strength fading away.
“I’m not. You’re alive.” Will kicked Cullen aside and stepped closer to me.
Cullen staggered out of the room before I could react. I wanted to stop him, but my mind was on the flash drive, thinking about what Will would do to my Dad if he found out about him.
Nana mumbled through her gag, her eyes wild with rage. Will ignored her, reaching for me. I pulled back, clutching the drive. “You knew about Dad,” I said, my voice shaking. “You knew he was involved with your parents’ murder.”
He's changed. “I wasn’t certain about that, and I didn’t want to believe he was one of them,” he muttered.
Grey stood, “She needs a doctor, Will. Now,” wiping blood from his face.
Bella and Ellen nodded, supporting me as my knees buckled. The police sirens were deafening now, lights flashing through the broken window. Will grabbed Nana, pulling her toward the door. “We’re getting you out,” he said to me. “All of you.”
As we rushed up the stairs, a low rumble shook the building. A voice echoes throughout the hospital’s intercom. “Lockdown initiated. All exits sealed.”
My blood froze. Ellen gripped Bella tighter, Grey cursed, and Will’s eyes darkened, scanning the hall. Nana laughed through her gag, her eyes gleaming with malice.
“Will, what’s happening?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
He untied Nana’s gag, grabbing her throat. “Talk. Who’s doing this?”
She smirked, unfazed. “You thought Cullen was my only ally? You’re trapped, Andrea. And Lucy’s the prize.”
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