by Maddie Wade
Eyeing the talc and trying to visualise the bedroom, she took a breath and readied herself. If this didn’t work, she was dead because she wouldn’t go with him willingly or allow him to touch her ever again. She’d worked too hard to be free, to see herself as worthy of the love of a man like Gunner.
Her heart broke as she thought of him. He’d blame himself if anything happened to her, his sense of guilt too strong. It was one more reason for her to get herself out of this mess. She wouldn’t allow him to go through life as he had; she wanted to be by his side, showing him they both deserved happiness.
Carmine hammered on the door, making her jump. “Hurry it up.”
“Just coming.” Lacey quickly washed her hands and took a breath as she grabbed the talc and removed the lid. She had one chance at this, and it had to work.
With the lid off and the powder behind her back, she opened the door using the darkness to disguise her intent. Carmine turned to grab her, and she brought her hand forward quickly throwing the fine powder at his face. He screamed, and she ran for the bedside, snatching the lamp and swinging with everything she had. Carmine screamed and went to his knees, but he wasn’t out, and she knew she had to run.
Lacey ran for the stairs, her feet slipping on the wood flooring in her haste. Getting to the bottom, she grabbed the handle and realised the front door was locked. She could hear Carmine moving and knew she had seconds to make a choice. Running for the back door and away from the boarded-up windows at the front, she sighed in relief when she saw the keys in the back patio door. Turning the key and flicking the switch she could have cried when the door slid open, the cold night air bathing her skin. Feet on the stairs had her bolting out into the night and towards the woods and the river.
Twigs cut into her bare feet, painfully tearing at the wounds already there. Branches lashed at her arms and face, but she still ran, knowing to stop would mean the end for her. Carmine was behind her, closer now as she heard the running water of the river up ahead. Making a split-second decision, Lacey headed for the water. She couldn’t outrun him, but she could definitely outswim him.
Standing on the bank watching the river rush past with only the moon to see, she panicked over what to do but the sound of Carmine moving closer reached her and she knew she was out of time and slipped into the frigid water.
Already up to her waist at the bank, she could feel the current pulling at her legs as she sank lower and began to swim for the other side, knowing Carmine wouldn’t follow.
“Lacey, you won’t escape me.”
Lacey turned and saw him on the bank of the river watching her and then felt horror as he followed her into the water. The water was deep as she reached the middle, and she’d misjudged the impact of the earlier rainfall and how bloated the river was with rushing water.
Her arms began to tire, and her legs ached as she kept swimming, turning just once to see Carmine was in trouble. His body flailing as he tried to fight against the current, but he seemed to be caught on something, and his head kept going under.
“Lacey, help… help me.”
He went under again, but Lacey couldn’t help him; she was fighting for her own life. Keeping her own feet up so as not to get caught on anything in the river, she turned to swim at a forty-five-degree angle to the current and hoped it helped push her to shore as her body began to tire.
Focusing on that, she didn’t see the log coming at her quickly until it hit her, and she went under, the black swirling murk of the water sucking the air from her as it rushed at her so fast she couldn’t fight it. Her body was sucked under as her need for oxygen began to overwhelm her.
Black spots tinged her vision, and her lungs burned with pressure to take a breath that would hold nothing but the water that would flood her lungs. As the desperate instinct to breathe won out, she opened her mouth, and the world went black.
Chapter 27
Gunner raced past the house towards the woods, his only worry getting to Lacey. Bebe had arrived moments before him and pointed toward the woods. “She ran for the river.”
Gunner knew Lacey was a good swimmer and once inside the woods made a split-second decision that could either save her life or cost them both. He had little choice, but to track someone in the woods at night took time and patience he didn’t have.
A sense of urgency rode him as he felt Waggs right behind him, covering his six. He heard a man say her name up ahead and knew he was on the right track and picked up speed. His feet eating up the ground beneath him as he pushed harder and faster. He just needed her to hang on and not give up. He was coming, he just prayed to God he was in time.
The trees opened up, and he saw the rushing river in front of him lit by the moon. A sound to his left made him turn, and he saw Carmine Russo in the river fighting to stay above the swollen body of moving water. Looking past that he could make out the blonde hair of the woman he loved about ten metres ahead also fighting the current. His heart skidded to a halt as she turned, and he saw a large fallen tree limb hit her, sending her under.
Without another thought, he rushed into the water and swam as fast as he could, even with his strength finding it hard going against the force of mother nature. He passed Carmine without a shred of guilt as the man continued to be pulled under but not moving downstream, indicating he was stuck. Carmine wasn’t his problem. All he cared about was Lacey.
Getting to the spot where she’d been struck by the log, Gunner dove, reaching out into the dark and finding only water. His lungs were fighting for air he swam for the surface taking a giant gulp of oxygen before he dove again, swimming further downstream and sweeping his hands out in an arc and finding dead space.
Twice more he did this, his panic swirling like a massive beast ready to condemn him and then on the third go he felt it, the silk of hair on his fingers. Reaching for it, he dragged her into his arms and swam for the surface. Sucking in a lungful of air, he tipped her to her back and found her body lifeless.
This incident was so similar to the day Milla had been hurt, not in how it happened but the water, the feeling of absolute terror and panic, he could hardly bear it. Waggs met him halfway and helped him drag Lacey to the shore.
Laying her on her back, Waggs began CPR and Gunner held her hand and prayed.
“Come on, Lacey, breathe. Don’t you leave me. I can’t do this without you, I love you so much, Cosmo. You saved me from the darkness. Don’t you dare die on me.” He could feel the wetness on his face, not from the river water but the hot tears that flowed from him.
Every second that Waggs worked on her became an hour as he willed her and begged her to come back to him, knowing his life would be over without her in it. She was the one. The person everyone searched for, and he’d never thought he’d find that. She was his miracle, and he wouldn’t lose her now.
Memories flooded him of watching the same life-saving manoeuvre being preformed on Milla, and the outcome from that weighed heavy. Like history repeating itself in a cruel and tormenting sequel to the events of the past.
His heart almost stopped when Lacey jerked and coughed, river water spilling from her lips as Waggs turned her onto her side. Gunner felt the knot of fear release as he took in the sound of her coughing and breathing, but he was unsure if she’d been affected by the lack of oxygen.
It made no difference to whether he loved her or not if she was harmed in some way. He’d spend eternity caring for her but as she looked around and her eyes fell on him, and he saw the smile she gave him he knew that his Cosmo was going to be just fine.
Hauling her to him as Waggs moved out of the way he held her tight, not ever wanting to let go.
“I knew you would come.”
“I’m so sorry he got to you.”
Lacey looked up with determination in her eyes and if he hadn’t already been head, over heels for her seeing that look in her eye would have done it. “No, this isn’t on you. This is Carmine’s doing not yours.”
“I love you, Lacey Cannon.�
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“I love you too, thanks for saving me.”
“I didn’t save you, you saved yourself.”
“Well, not entirely.” She cocked her head at the river where Waggs was dragging Carmine’s lifeless body onto the bank.
“Is he dead?”
“Yes, Cosmo, he’s dead.”
He could hear the sounds of people coming toward them and turned, surprised to see Roz walking toward them.
She stopped and looked down at them. “You good, Lacey?”
Lacey nodded in his arms. “Yeah, I am now.”
Roz crouched and dipped her head before she looked up at both of them, focusing mostly on Lacey. “You saved my son’s life, and for that, I will forever be in your debt. Zenobi is at your service any time you need us, you hear.”
“Anyone would have done the same.”
“No, they wouldn’t have. He got the drop on me but you saved me and the people I love. There are bad people in this world, but you, Lacey, are one of the best.”
“You’re an exhausted new mother, Roz. Go easy on yourself.”
“I should have protected them.”
With that, Roz stood, and they watched as she walked toward Carmine’s body and looked down on him before bringing back her boot and kicking his lifeless body hard.
“That’s for threatening my son and anything else you did. I will see you in hell, asshole.”
Then she walked back into the woods and disappeared.
“I am so glad she likes me.” Lacey laughed, and he chuckled thinking only minutes before that he’d never smile again.
“How about we get you checked out at the hospital and then go home? I think we deserve a few days off?”
“That sounds like an excellent plan.”
At the hospital, they checked Lacey over. It was the same doctor as she’d seen before, and Gunner’s calm exterior cracked a little under the strength and fortitude Lacey showed. The police came to take statements, but Aubrey, the detective in charge and Will Granger’s fiancée, shooed them away and said she’d come out to the house and take it tomorrow when Lacey had rested.
Gunner got word that everything had gone smoothly at the Palace and at Sandringham House and the press office would announce a new Deputy in the morning after the sad news of the recent Deputy’s death. Waggs had stayed with them until the doctor had given Lacey the all-clear then he’d left to go back to Eidolon. He would help Lopez find Frederick Granger, who it seemed had disappeared without a trace but not before they’d found out he’d been the one helping and hiding Carmine Russo.
The news that his father had helped Carmine would gut Jack and Gunner knew he’d hunt his father down, and not give up until he found him. Jack was a man with integrity and loyalty, and he’d take this personally because what could be more personal than your own father trying to ruin you.
Gunner vowed to be beside Jack every step of the way, and he knew the others would too. Eidolon had come through for him when it mattered, and he knew nothing would shake the new bonds that had been forged through betrayal and pain.
As before, the hospital waiting room was full of people who loved Lacey and him and he felt so fortunate to have that, but it was the call he received from his amma that brought him to his knees and showed him how loved he truly was.
“We saw on the news that Lacey nearly drowned. Please tell me she is okay.”
Of course a woman like Lacey getting hurt would always make the news, and she’d decided to be open about Carmine Russo and what he’d done to her in the hopes that it would help others in her situation feel less alone and maybe find the courage to get away or seek help.
“She is fine. It was close, but she’s going to be alright.”
“Oh my, Gunner. How awful for you both. It must have been so horrible for you reliving the fear from what happened with Milla.”
“I’m fine, Amma.”
“I know you say that, but for a lot of years, you were not. I know you blamed yourself, but nobody else did. It was a terrible accident that couldn’t have been foreseen. I’m so glad you have Lacey, and she has you. Please give her our love and bring her by to see us soon. We miss you, sweet boy.”
“I love you, Amma.”
“Oh, I love you too, so much.”
When he hung up, Gunner smiled realising that his past no longer had control of his future. He’d always regret what happened with Milla, but he wouldn’t sully the gift of life by wasting it on guilt.
He looked at the woman in a hospital bed sleeping in his arms and realised he had a future and that it was just beginning.
Epilogue
Lacey smiled as she looked in the mirror and smoothed the pale blue lace of her dress down. Today she’d stand up and promise God that she’d guide Deacon in life and protect him. She and Gunner were both shocked when Roz and K had asked them to be godparents, but Roz was adamant that her son wouldn’t be there without her.
Lacey wasn’t sure that was true. Roz would have found a way, she was that type of woman, but it was still an honour. Gunner walked in, looking handsome and sinful in a navy suit with a white shirt and blue tie. Her body reacted instantly, her pulse rate rose, and she felt her nipples tingle with need.
He slipped his arms around her waist and rested his lips against the pulse in her neck. Lacey leaned into him, tilting her head so that he had easier access to her neck. “Hmm.”
Gunner raised his head, and his slumberous sexy gaze caught her own in the mirror.
“Keep making noises like that, and we won’t make it to the christening.”
“How can I help it if you are sexy as sin and that suit makes me want to rip it from your body?”
His eyebrows rose, and a smirk crossed his face. “I think wearing a suit every day could work for me.”
Lacey laughed and turned in his arms, looping her arms around his neck. “You’d be crazy in a week, and you know it.”
“True. Maybe just weekends then?”
“You’re nuts, you know that?”
“Nuts over you, yes.”
Lacey felt the place in her heart she thought was already full with her love for this man expand even more. Her feeling for him seemed to grow daily, and she wondered if one day she’d be so full of love, her heart wouldn’t be able to take more. She’d shared her thoughts with Skye, who told her love didn’t work like that—it was infinite and endless.
“I keep thinking I can’t love you more, but then I do, and I wonder how I ever lived without you.”
“You won’t ever have to find out, Lacey, because I’ll never leave you. I wasn’t living until I met you. You opened my eyes to the beauty I could have if only I reached for it, but I was afraid. Only you reaching down into the void that was my heart pulled me back to living.”
Lacey felt tears prick her eyes. “Gunner, that’s beautiful.”
“No, Cosmo, it’s the truth.” He carried on looking at her his eyes dark with desire as he lowered his head and kissed her until she could hardly breathe, the feel of his hands on her ass making her pussy ache to feel him inside her.
He kissed his way down her neck, the tickle of his beard adding to the eroticism as he grazed her breasts through the lace of the dress and she’d have done anything to rip it off and drag him back to bed.
As Gunner got to his knees and looked up at her, she felt so much love for this big, kind man who’d fought so many demons and won.
“I wasn’t going to do this now, but I can’t wait another second.”
Lacey frowned as he reached in his pocket and then her heart stopped as she saw the tiny red box. Tears pricked her eyes as he opened the box to reveal a huge, square-cut diamond. Gunner gently took her hand in his. “Lacey, from the moment we first met, I knew you were special, but it would take years for us to finally find each other again. When we did, I was a man on the brink of despair. You pulled me back and saved me with your love and acceptance, showing me what life could be like. I love you with all my heart and promise you I�
��ll always be there when you need me. I promise to be by your side no matter what. To make you come multiple times a day, to love you, to fuck you when you need it and cherish you when you don’t. Please say you will marry me?”
Lacey fell to her knees, not caring about her dress, only the man in front of her and threw her body at him. He caught her and held her to him as she cried before he pulled her back.
“Give me words, Cosmo.”
“Yes, I will marry you.”
His smile lit the room of the barn conversion they now called home. The other property now owned by Bebe.
Gunner slid the ring on to her finger and then dipped his head so his lips touched hers, and her breath caught at the scent and feel of him like she knew it always would.
“Which will it be, Cosmo?”
Lacey frowned.
“Cherish or fuck, because I’m not leaving this house until we’ve done one or the other, not after I just made you mine.”
Her answer was to take his hands and put them back on her ass and squeeze.
“Fuck, good choice.”
Then her man fucked her hard, and she loved it because she knew when they got back home, he’d make love to her as if she was the most precious person in the world, because to him she was.
Sneak Peek: Waggs
Aiden Wagner and Willow Yates
Tipping the bottle back, Waggs drained the beer before placing it on the headstone with the other full one. It had been five years had passed since his brother had been laid in the ground at the Camp Nelson National Cemetery, close to his parents’ home in Lexington, Kentucky, and not a single day got easier.
Waggs sank to the cold ground and propped his elbows on his knees as he read the headstone.
Aaron Wagner
9th June 1982–8th November 2015
A loving son and brother.
Waggs hated the epitaph that, not for one-second, captured the essence of his twin brother. All of the things written there were true, but Aaron had been so much more than just a son and brother. He’d been a friend, the best damn friend anyone could ever ask for. His best friend. They’d shared everything from the first moment their hearts had begun to beat—first steps, first words, first fight, first girlfriends.
