Chapter 41: The Perfect Plan
1030 Words
Ryker's POV
"No."
I blinked, looking at Lucy with confusion.
"No?" I asked, my voice low but rough. "Lucy, you heard what my brother said. They’re not backing down until I’m dead. This isn’t a fight we can win head-on."
She crossed her arms, the fire in her eyes burning brighter than I’d ever seen.
"I know. I heard what he said," she replied, her voice calm but firm. "But I’m not running away just because the odds are looking slim. That’s not who I am. And it sure in hell is not who you are either."
I stared at her. This was the woman carrying my children. She stood tall like a warrior.
"Lucy, if we stay, they’ll destroy everything. They’ll destroy you." I stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"And if we leave?" she said, "What will we come back to? I would rather fight to the end than run away and come back to nothing. I won’t let fear decide for me—not this time."
My chest tightened, not with fear but with pride. Damn it, I love this mad woman not just for her beauty or because she was carrying my pups. I loved her because of this fire, this unbreakable spirit.
I cupped her face in my hands and stared deep into her eyes. "I’m so lucky to have you. You’re so strong, Lucy. Even stronger than I am. And I swear, I’ll do everything I can to protect you."
Her eyes softened, and as I stared into them, I couldn't help but admire them. I tilted her head slightly, reading the room, and made a move.
I crashed my lips into hers, slow and not forced. It was soft. It deepened quickly, turning rough with a touch of desperation. Her arms wrapped around my neck as mine pulled her closer, and from then on out, we didn’t need words.
“Ryker… the twins,” Lucy managed to mutter out between kisses
"I'll be gentle, I promise,” I said in response. I was finally having an almost intimate moment with Lucy, and I wasn't going to miss this opportunity, at least not again.
I gently carried her up in my arms, taking her all the way upstairs. She clung to me, not for once letting go.
“There we go," I said as I slowly put her down on the bed, placing a pillow over her head for extra comfort.
We continued where we left off, I put my hands on her belly, gently giving it a massage, with the way her eyes rolled back in pleasure, I knew she was enjoying it. She slid her hands under my pants and grabbed a hold of my d**k.
As much as I enjoyed the feeling and wanted to go further, I had to stop there, reminding her of her pregnancy.
I didn't want to do anything that'd hurt the babies. Lucy understood, and then she lay down beside me.
We lost ourselves in each other. In the safety, the warmth. And eventually, we fell asleep in each other's arms.
*******
Lucy’s POV
I woke up to the light of dawn shining through the curtains. The spot next to me was empty, R.ker was gone.
I smiled, remembering last night. The way Ryker held me was like I was the most precious thing in the world. The way he kissed me was like he was trying to literally inhale me.
I rested my hand on my stomach. The twins kicked lightly, as if reminding me they were still there.
"I need to see Eli," I whispered.
I picked up my phone and called Kara.
"Hey, Kara. How's Eli doing?"
"He’s doing better," she said. "He’s in rehabilitation now. The doctors are pushing him, but he’s fighting it."
"I’m coming to see him. I’ll be there soon."
The drive to the hospital was quiet. My thoughts kept bouncing between Ryker, the twins, and Eli. So much had happened, I could hardly catch my breath.
When I arrived, Kara was already waiting for me.
"He’s in the rehab wing," she said as we walked. "There’s been some sort of progress."
Through the glass window, I saw Eli. He was sweating, his body trembling as he tried to shift. His muscles rippled with tension, and just as it looked like he might do it, one of the doctors barked at him.
The doctor hit him.
Eli let out a growl, and for a split second, claws sprang from his fingers. Then he collapsed, panting.
My heart clenched. I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed the door open and stormed inside.
"Lucy?" Eli's eyes widened. He stood, unsteady, and rushed into my arms.
He was trembling.
"It’s okay," I whispered, hugging him tightly. "I’m here."
Kara followed us back to his room. As soon as Eli sat down, something changed.
He screamed.
His eyes rolled back, turning completely white.
"A war is coming," he said in a strange voice. "A war is coming. A war is coming..."
"Eli!" I shouted, shaking him. "Snap out of it!"
Kara tried too. "Eli, it's me! It’s Kara! Come back!"
But he just kept repeating it, louder and louder.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed.
It was Ryker.
"Lucy," he said, his voice urgent. "You need to get back to the house now! Bring Eli. Bolt the doors and don’t let anyone in."
"Ryker, what’s going on?" I asked.
"They’re coming. My brothers. And they aren't coming alone. They're bringing a whole damn army."
My blood ran cold.
"We’re on our way," I said. I hung up and turned to Kara.
"We need to go. Now."
Kara didn’t ask questions. She helped Eli to his feet as I ran ahead to call the staff.
"Lock down the mansion," I said into the phone. "We have incoming. I want all staff evacuated immediately."
We rushed to the car. As I drove, the sky began to darken with heavy clouds, and thunder rolled in the distance.
A war was coming.
But this time, we wouldn't be running from it.
We would be taking it head-on. And we would be ready.
- Writer
