by G N Wright
I sigh slightly, knowing I am going to disappoint her, “No princess, just me and the guys, but we are taking you home to mommy, okay?”
She takes in my words, then notices Lincoln as he moves into her view, “Superman!” she yells excitedly, and I am grateful for the distraction.
Lincoln drops to his knees by the bed, so he is eyeline with her, “Hey princess, miss me?” he asks with ease and she nods again with a huge smile on her face. The sight causes my heart to ache for a whole new reason. I wonder if she will grow up realizing how many people love her and would die for her in an instant. So much more than what Lincoln ever grew up with. Seeing him offer her such instant comfort makes me grateful to have him here with us.
“Good because I missed you too, but I’m gonna need you to be quiet, okay?” His tone is the softest I have ever heard from him, and I can tell he is trying his hardest to stay calm and in control for her.
“Like the quiet game?” She asks him and he nods.
“Exactly like the quiet game, remember what mommy told you about me protecting you?” She keeps nodding, “Well, this house is a very bad place for little princesses so we came to take you home, but to do that we need to get back to our car as quietly as possible, can you do that for me?”
“Yes.” She says and then immediately throws her hands over her mouth nodding dramatically and I can’t help the little laugh that slips out of me.
“That’s perfect,” Linc praises her, “now let’s go home.”
He looks at me and nods, before he stands and tosses the bag, we brought with us at me. I pull out the extra Kevlar vest along with one of her pink blankets from home.
“Okay, I am going to carry you little one, but I need to wrap this around you alright?” She nods once more, and I waste no time wrapping her up until the Kevlar covers as much of her body as I can manage with the blanket securing it in place. I move my arms to support her back and then stand lifting her as I go. Just the feel of her tiny weight in my arms makes my heart ache. So small, so innocent, so fragile, I will not stop until we get her out of here safely.
Lincoln moves towards the door and I follow close behind him, slipping the gun back out from my belt with one hand, while keeping Cassie secured tightly against me with my other arm. Her little breaths tickle my neck, and I am glad to feel that they are as steady and as normal as they could be, considering the bizarre situation we are in.
“Secured and leaving.” Lincoln speaks into his mic as Jace speaks into our ears.
“We got company.”
Lincoln curls his arm around the handle, just as shots are fired and we all tense as Cassie lets out a little squeak. I can tell she is scared and trying her hardest not to make a sound.
I lean my head back so I can look down at her, and her little sparkling blue eyes lock with mine, “You are safe with me okay princess? Pinky promise.” Lincoln grabs my gun so I can bring my finger to hers and curl them together. “Just hold on tight and don’t worry about any loud noises or shouting alright?”
“Everyone here is loud.” She replies, and I grind my teeth and I see a muscle lock in Lincoln's jaw. Neither of us want to think about what she may have seen or heard while being here.
“Ready brother?” he asks, and we lock eyes, knowing no matter what happens we will do anything to ensure we get Cassie out of here.
“Ready.”
He opens the door just as a guard is about to enter and before we are even seen Lincoln puts a bullet right into his skull. Cassie clings to me as tight as possible and I tighten my hold on her. As if keeping her as close as possible will make everything okay.
We don’t stop for even a second, stepping over the dead guard and moving out into the hall. Gunshots continue to go off from downstairs and we look at one another.
“Plan B?” he questions, and I nod my head.
“Plan B.” I agree, and we both turn left instead of going back the way we came.
“Talk to me.” Ash barks into our ear.
“Taking the secondary route, down the back stairs and through the kitchen.” Linc responds to him as we move quickly down the hall.
“Alright you have four heat signatures currently on that path.” His voice is tense, but it doesn’t scare me because I hear something else. He has just become the prince. The master of his darkness. On edge, but completely in control and prepared to do whatever is necessary for his daughter.
“Heard.” Is all Linc replies as we continue on our path.
We make it down the hallway and stairs without incident, as the gunshots either die down or are now too far away to be heard. As we make it to the bottom, we hear footsteps coming towards us and ready ourselves. I crush my body into the wall as much as I can giving Cassie as much cover as possible. Lincoln then covers us both, as he stands and waits.
The first guard doesn’t even make it round the corner before Lincoln kills him. Without hesitation, without fear and without regret. My silent and brooding brother is deadlier than even I thought. His shot lands with precision and he is already moving to shoot the second guard, before the first one even hits the floor. Lincoln's second shot misses the kill slightly, only hitting the guard's shoulder as he moves to raise his own gun, but the next one hits him in the center of his chest.
Again, we don’t hesitate and quickly move on our way to bring ourselves closer to our escape. I keep a tight hold on Cassie, praying this is the last time she ever has to face something like this. She is being quiet, and I want to praise her for handling this so well, she is tough and resilient, just like her mother.
"Two down." Lincoln states simply, and I take another deep breath, so close yet still so far.
I follow him as we continue on, but a sound behind us has me whipping around and I shoot at the same time the guard does. His bullet flies past me, but I hear Lincoln grunt slightly as I kill the guard with a bullet to his chest, before he can shoot again. I don't wait for his body to fall before I turn around to check on Lincoln.
"You okay?" I question when I see him standing there rubbing his arm.
"Just a graze," he grunts, and I sigh in relief.
"Okay let's keep moving." I say quietly, checking on Cassie once more, but she has her eyes scrunched tightly closed.
Lincoln passes an alcove ahead of me and before I can warn him someone is kicking his gun from his arm and aiming their own. Linc is quick to disarm them, and he goes into hand-to-hand combat with him. They move quickly and I'm not able to get a clear shot. Not until Lincoln throws back his elbow and then ducks, giving me a clear aim. I fire at the guard, but not before he’s able to plunge a knife into Linc’s back causing him to cry out in pain.
"Fuckkk!" he ruffs out as the guard drops next to him.
"What the fuck is going on?" Asher barks into our ears at the same time Max speaks.
"Who's hurt?"
"Lincoln just took a knife to the back," I say, moving towards him as he begins to stand, "You okay man?" I ask and he nods.
"Fine" he grits through his teeth, but I can tell it hurts and the panic begins to swirl through my body even more. This isn’t good.
“You know you’re not allowed to die on me, right?” I ask only slightly teasing and he huffs a humorless laugh.
“Is that an order, boss?”
“You bet your fucking ass it is.” I toss back and then cringe slightly remembering Cassie in my arms, but there are worse things to worry about other than cussing right now.
We knew the risks in coming here, all of us more than willing to take them, but as I stare at the knife, I feel sick. His black clothing stops me from seeing the blood I know will be soaking there, but I know it’s there. My brother’s blood might as well be my blood. I can’t lose him. I won’t lose him.
I push my fear aside as I step towards him to check it out. "Want me to pull it out?"
"Don't even think about it," Logan's voice startles us both as it comes from behind us instead of in our ear as him and Elijah round the corner.
I see he has a bloodied lip and Elijah seems to be limping slightly, but apart from that they both appear unharmed.
"Uncle Lo?" Cassie asks tentatively and Logan immediately zones in on the bundle in my arms.
He moves towards me until he is close enough to peek inside the blanket, "Hey little one, you alright in there?" He asks with a big smile on his face.
"You got boo boo?" She asks and he reaches up and wipes his lip.
"Just a little one, but don't you worry about me, us Roytons are tough, aren't we?"
"Tough as nails," she replies, and he smiles widely.
"That's right, now let's go home, everyone has missed you." He tucks the blanket securely around her and nods at me.
Elijah speaks, "Let's get out of here."
Logan moves to Lincoln checking the knife sticking out of his back, you okay?" He asks as he steps in front of him bringing them face to face and Lincoln nods.
"I'm fine." He says in exasperation, not enjoying any attention as usual.
Logan smirks, "you certainly are."
"Just get the fuck out of there," Asher snaps into our ears and Logan smiles even wider.
"Yes sir," he replies before tossing Lincoln a wink, "don't worry baby, I'll take care of you when we get home" He purrs at him and I don't miss the slight tip of Lincoln's mouth at Logan's words.
"Let's just get out of here alive," he grits back through his teeth and I can see he is panting through the pain from his wound.
Elijah takes the lead as I follow right after him, leaving Lincoln and Logan at the rear. We hear grunts and shots every so often through our earpieces. Numerous threats being dealt with by the rest of the guys, but thankfully we make it back to the tunnel the others entered through, without coming across anyone else.
As soon as we enter the tunnel, we all break into a run, we have probably been inside the house for no longer than ten minutes, but it feels like a lifetime. I don't think of anything other than putting one foot in front of the other as I cling on to Cassie with everything I have. Almost there. When we get to the entrance of the tunnel Elijah halts us all.
"Leaving the nest with package in hand and three allies." He says into his mic and waits for a response.
Max responds almost instantly, "moving through the west tunnel with all remaining allies."
We all collectively breathe a sigh of relief as we exit the tunnel and move into the trees at a quick pace, not stopping until the van is in sight. Liam flings open the door as we approach, and we all climb inside awaiting the others. It isn't long before they clear the trees on the other side. Oliver jumps back into the driver's seat as Mason slides in next to him and Max, and Jace dives in the back with us
The van doors close behind them and Oliver tears out of there like a bat out of hell. I look at each of the guys ensuring everyone is okay and apart from the knife in Lincoln's back it seems that there isn't more than a black eye or busted lip between us
I shake my head in disbelief at the feel of Cassie in my arms and all of us back here and alive. I lean down into Cassie and take comfort in the fruity smell of her hair.
We did it.
Chapter 19
ELLE
Ifeel weightless, like I am floating towards consciousness, but not fully there yet. I push myself to try to open my eyes, but they feel as if someone has glued them shut. What the fuck? My head is pounding, and I feel the nausea swimming around between my stomach and throat. I am probably going to throw up any minute, but I can barely move. My limbs feel awkward like I don't have control over them, and I begin to panic.
No. No. Please. Not again.
The first thing I remember is that Zack is gone. He's dead. The grief slams into me all over again and suddenly I don't want to open my eyes anymore. I don't want to wake up and exist in a world that my brother no longer breathes in. But I have to. My brother may be gone, but my daughter isn't. She is still here somewhere, and I need to get to her.
I know the Donovan’s want me alive, want me as a fucking Donovan, but I know them too well. I know they don’t really care about my wellbeing or her’s. I know Greg is beyond help and his sick twisted mind knows no bounds. Wanting me as a wife is just another way, he thinks he can torture me again. I think of the soulless smile on his face as he fucked me, the bruising grip on my arm from his buddies and the stench of blood filling the room as I tried to block it all out. I was helpless then, didn’t have the power to fight back, the will, but I’m not the same girl I was back then.
I hear a door open, and I know it's time to fight again, I'm so tired, so weak, but that won't stop me. I can't let anything stop me. I have come too far, gotten so close. It's time.
I force myself to open my eyes and the unfamiliar room confuses me. It is not what I expected at all and that is when I register that whatever I am lying on is comfy and warm. Nothing like the last place I was in when I woke up from a drug induced haze. Guess I hold more value to the Donovan's now, no longer a whore for sale, but an heir producer. I want to laugh, but I don't have the energy.
I move to roll onto my side and am pleasantly surprised that my body obeys my mind's intent. That surprise ends when I lock eyes with the last person I was expecting.
"Ash?" I scrunch my eyes closed and then open them again to clear my blurry vision until it's back to normal, yet it doesn't change what I'm seeing.
"Yeah, Hells Bells, it's me." He smiles a relieved smile as he stalks towards me and drops to his knees at my bedside.
I'm so confused, "Where am I?"
He sighs, "We’re at a safe house."
His answer does nothing to ease my confusion. The last thing I remember was going to the Donovan estate, did I make it there? I’m almost sure I did. How did I go from there to wherever I am now?
"How? Why?" My words come out a little slurred as the effects of whatever's in my system continues to flow.
“We had to take some precautions so they could go get Cassie.”
I gasp, “What, who?" I’m in full on panic mode right now. Is he even serious?
“Everyone. Marcus, Jace, Lincoln, Logan. Max and his team. They've all gone to get her.” He delivers the words casually, but I can see the undertones of panic in his tense shoulders and clenched jaw.
I force myself up and my fear allows my rapid movements, even against my body's protests. "They can’t do it alone, they're gonna get themselves killed.”
He laughs, “Oh, kinda like you were, you mean?” I can tell from the bite of his words that he is angry with me, but I don't have time to deal with that right now.
“Greg doesn't want me dead!” I snap loudly and it hurts my head.
He doesn't back down, “He isn’t stable enough to know what he wants!" He yells back at me. It's the first time he has ever raised his voice towards me, but he is past caring, as he continues. "He never has been. My brother is a fucking psychopath that would have relished in having you again and yet you were about to walk right back into his fucking hands.”
I feel the tears on my cheeks, but I ignore them as I force myself to stand up, "of course I would, he has our fucking daughter Ash!"
“You don’t think I know that? That I haven’t been suffering with that truth every fucking day!” He screams back, “I know more than anyone what my family is capable of.”
"Told you she'd be pissed." Another voice cuts into our argument and my legs almost give out when I hear it. It can't be.
I turn around and a shocked cry bursts out of me as I say his name in disbelief. "Zack?"
He smiles from the wheelchair, "Miss me, Sis?"
My legs move before I can even tell them to, like my body has taken over everything and I find myself in front of him in a second as I launch myself at him. He grunts as I throw my arms around him and sob into his chest.
When I remember his injuries and register his grunt I try to pull back, "Oh my God. I'm sorry."
He hugs me tighter to him, "Don't be, the pain of your hug is a very welcome one indeed, swee
theart."
The word sweetheart molds around the shattered pieces of my heart like it could piece them back together in one swoop. A word I never thought I would hear again from a voice I never thought I would hear again. My lungs burn as my heart races faster than I have ever felt, I think I could go into shock, but Zack begins to rub his hand up and down my back, like he knows I need the comfort. He’s here, my brother is here.
I don't know how long we stay in each other's embrace, but I do know it could never be too long. Not when I know what it feels like to think I had lost him for good. I don't want to ever know that feeling again for as long as I live.
I pull back and look him over, checking every inch of him like I can't believe he is really here. When my disbelief still doesn't subside, I choke out one word, "How?"
Asher answers first, "You can thank your precious Max for this one." He grits out, and I can tell there hasn't been much improvement in Ash's opinion of Max while I've been gone. He continues, "When we set on a final plan to get Cassie back, we needed a way to bring you home. He thought telling you Zack was gone would bring you back. Clearly, he doesn't know you well enough. They got to you just in time before you ruined our whole plan."
The mention of Cassie jolts me from my relief about Zack, "Cassie" I say, barely above a whisper. "I need to go get her." I stand up on shaky legs and stumble from the room with Asher quick on my tail and Zack wheeling further behind.
Ash grips my arm and drags me back, "They've got it handled, Hells Bells, leave it be."
I rip my arm from his, "Like hell." I push away from him and continue through the unfamiliar surroundings. I reach the living room, but it's empty and when I see the curtains pulled back, I notice how dark it has gotten. Fuck what time is it? How long was I out? How much time have I wasted?
I keep moving until I find the front door and move towards it, throwing it open, but Ash's hand finds my arm once more. He pulls me back until he has me blocked in against the open door. I fight against the dizziness trying to cloud my eyes and the nausea swirling in my stomach.
