Divided (Unguarded #2)

by Ivy Stone

  She sighs and squeezes her tight. “You look beautiful, Mom.”

  Love steals my breath and it squeezes my heart. Goosebumps bring happiness. A lone tear rolls down Lindsey’s cheek. My sister is a mom. A mom to a girl who lost hers too soon. Just like she was to me.

  Charlotte breaks away and goes in search of her lip gloss. Oliver takes her place. He cups her cheeks and a look passes between them and it’s one I’ve always envied. Their bond, it’s special. It’s lasted nearly two decades. Through the worst and best times of our lives. It makes me think of Adriana and my heart hurts with how much I miss her.

  Oliver’s voice brings me back into the moment. “You always look gorgeous, Linds. But today… you’re something else. Let’s go get your man, babe. Limo’s waiting.”

  Lindsey checks herself over in the mirror and I grab our bouquets and purses off the bed. Oliver gives himself a once over after Lindsey, not that he needs it because in his usual Oliver fashion, not a hair is out of place on his perfect head. He also rocks a suit better than most men do. Charlotte calls us from the door and I double check to make sure we have everything as we leave.

  Mason paces across the top of the altar at the church where in just a few minutes, he and Lindsey will be married. He pulls out his phone and checks it for the twentieth time in the past ten minutes.

  “Dude, would you stop it?” I ask him, glancing around, taking in Mason’s parents and Trey and Cassidy in the first row. Their bright eyes and smiles are enough for a room full of people. The small wedding couldn’t be more perfect.

  He stops and looks up at Elias and me. “They were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.”

  I check my watch. “It’s only four o’clock now, what are you talking about?”

  “Exactly. It’s four, which means they should have been here fifteen minutes ago to be on time.”

  I roll my eyes.

  Elias laughs. “Mase. Chill. They’ll be here.”

  Mason’s cell rings from his gunmetal gray suit pocket. He pulls it out in a rush but his face deflates a moment later. I guess it isn’t Lindsey.

  “What is it? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

  His eyes become cold. His jaw ticks. “When? Okay, thanks. Let me know if they show up anywhere.”

  Unease winds through me despite the aura of lightness that accompanies weddings.

  “What is it?” Elias asks, the concern evident in all of us.

  “That was the Lieutenant. He wanted to let us know Enzo and Adriana were just recognized in a store a few blocks from here.”

  Elias’s face contorts. “What, here in Times Square?”

  “Yeah.”

  My eyes flick up to the huge arch window in front of me. The beautiful stained glass and old wooden trimmings of the church that’s stood here for over a hundred years no longer appeals.

  “You think it’s coincidence?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  Mason twitches the phone in his hand. “Since when do we believe in coincidences?”

  We don’t.

  Mase beckons Cassidy and Trey from the first church pew where they sit with his parents.

  Cassidy picks up on the vibe. “What’s wrong?”

  Mase runs a hand through his hair. “Adriana and Enzo were spotted not far away from here about ten minutes ago. Cops in the area followed up but they were gone before they got there.”

  “What?” Cass folds her arms up over her chest.

  “Just keep an eye out, okay? Let’s just get fucking married and get out of here,” Mason murmurs, just as the pianist starts playing to let us know it’s all about to start. The church doors open and we all look up. The priest asks us to take our spots and Mason’s phone rings again.

  I turn him. “If that isn’t the precinct turn it off. Whatever it is it can wait.”

  He checks it and presses the side of it to ignore the call. “Unknown number. Here, Trey can you take it, man?”

  Mason throws his phone to Trey who catches it and they retake their seats.

  Charlotte’s contagious smile lights up the church as she bounces down the aisle, long dark hair in curls over her olive skinned shoulders. She smiles from ear and to ear and when she reaches her dad, he bends down and kisses her on the cheek.

  “You look gorgeous, baby girl.”

  She giggles. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  I stand tall, hands clasped together in front of me. Gold shimmers in the light from the windows and my heart steps when my gaze falls on Ali. Her long blonde hair frames her face as it cascades over her gold dress that sparkles as she moves. It comes in under her growing breasts and falls over her baby bump. It swirls around her feet and thanks to the design her swollen stomach looks bigger than ever—not that I’d tell her that. My cock twitches. She’s never looked more beautiful than what she does right now, carrying my child. Healthy. Happy. She glows like her dress, and when she walks passed me to her spot on the other side of the aisle I mouth I love you, to her. She mouths it back and not even the worry of two fugitives on the run can dim the lightness shining from everyone in this moment.

  I hear Mason gasp beside me, from where I stand as his best man.

  His best man.

  My best friend.

  My partner.

  He’s about to marry the one and only woman he’s ever loved, and I couldn’t be more excited to be the one standing at his back. My eyes widen as I take in Lindsey. There’s no doubt she’s a beautiful woman, but now I see what Mason sees. She’s stunning. The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. But the breathtaking beauty isn’t her dress, her hair or her make-up, it’s in the softness of her eyes, behind the adoration all directed at Mason. Every set of eyes in the room are on her, but all she sees is him.

  The priest’s voice echoes through the church and he begins the ceremony. It’s slow and half way through I glance at Trey and Cassidy who are flicking between one another and the church entrance.

  We’re almost at the end and the pressure on my chest starts to lift. The nerves unwinding as the room relaxes while everybody concentrates on Mason and Lindsey.

  Car tires screech outside. We all turn toward the church front doors. Dread squeezes my insides. The doors swing open. Bullets start flying. It all happens so fast, yet, it’s as if time has slowed and we’re racing against the clock. My head spins to Ali. My feet move before I can think. I call out her name and lunge over to her. Every second it takes to get to her, our life together flashes before my eyes. I grab her shoulders pulling her under me and we land on the floor. My heart smacks against my chest. I lift my head up and find Mason, covering Lindsey and Charlotte on the other side of the aisle while he yells to Oliver to get Charlotte out. Somehow Oliver manages to get himself and Charlotte to the side door on our left and slip out unharmed. The first row of wooden church pews blocks us from the shooter. But as my chest heaves and the bullets stop. My stomach drops. We weren’t all so lucky. Elias huddles on the ground behind the church pews. Elias’s matching gray jacket to the rest of us is no longer covering his shoulders it’s wrapped around his hands as he presses it to the chest of the priest who’s bleeding out on the ground. He must have got hit.

  Another shot ricochets off the walls.

  A voice roars. “Lindsey! Alison!”

  Lucio.

  My hands ball into fists. Anger fills my veins. Red—I see red. I pinch my lips together and yank out my gun from my ankle holster. The noise catches attention on the other side. I hold it up to Mason and Elias. They get my drift but both shake their heads. They’re not carrying. Had there not been any known enemies in our midst, I wouldn’t have been either. Guns are prohibited in the church.

  I click off the safety. Adrenaline shoots up my back. Mason juts his head toward the side door behind us. He flicks between Elias and me to make sure we understand. We nod. He obviously wants to get the priest out while he’s still alive and savable. It’s the perfect opportunity if I can hold Lucio off. Maybe we can somehow get the othe
rs out too. My pulse thunders in my ears. Another four shots fill the church. Chips of wood fly from the pews in front of us as Lucio aims at us. They stop. It’s brief, but it’s all I need.

  I jump to my feet, aim and fire. And the moment I shoot I thank the Lord above that Cass and Trey must have Mason’s parents safe down on the ground. Elias and Mason lift the priest up. But halfway to the door I see them backtrack in the corner of my eye. I keep shooting. Round after round until my shots mix with more from behind me. I duck and swing around. Enzo and Adriana come in, guns up, shooting hard and fast—and not at us. Lucio fires back and I jump down, hiding. Waiting. Sweat gathers on my forehead. Elias managed to get the priest and themselves shielded again and Mason is hiding Lindsey where they were a moment ago.

  “Adriana.” Ali goes to stand but I hold her back. Her eyes round and sad. But as she winces and stays put I know she understands.

  Adriana yells out, “It’s over Lucio. I’m not letting you hurt them. Not anymore.”

  Lucio’s maniacal laugh sends a chill down my spine. Ali recoils into my arms at the sound of his voice. “Oh, my dear sister. You’ve got no idea. Do you?”

  “You’re the only one leaving this church in a body bag, Marino,” Mason’s voice explodes through the church. He holds himself back, gritting his teeth.

  Something on Adriana’s face changes. Her eyes drop to us. To Ali. The color drops. Her face turns ashen.

  “You never planned on leaving here alive,” her voice comes out just above a whisper. It’s directed at Lucio, but the whole time she stares at Ali. Face contorted with agony.

  “Correct, dear sister. Now get out of my way before I shoot you.”

  He shoots again. Enzo grabs Adriana around the waist and narrowly misses Lucio’s death threat. They drop with a thud beside us.

  Adriana lifts her head. Her pained expression tells me everything I don’t want to hear.

  “You need to get her out of here. He doesn’t want to leave alive. But he won’t leave without taking her with him.”

  A sob ribs from Ali, but it doesn’t overpower the sound of the bullets flying through the church. I squeeze her tight, close my eyes and kiss her hair. Giuseppe Marino stole my mother from me. Lucio Marino was not about to do the same with Ali.

  I breathe in courage and fear. I breathe it all in and let it surge me forward. Standing I shoot, and a roar rips from me. I keep shooting but Lucio’s gaining on us. He runs up the aisle getting closer Cass, Trey, and the others. I break away from Ali. Her cries filter somewhere behind the anger ruling me. I have to kill him. I won’t let him take her. My feet pound the floor.

  “No. Roamyn!” Ali yells.

  It pierces my ears I turn back to her.

  She runs.

  She runs after me.

  Lucio stops. He smiles. He aims.

  My eyes widen. My heart stammers. My lungs constrict. The world stops spinning. Everything becomes slow. I hurl myself back at Ali.

  A shot rings out.

  We land on the floor in a heap. Our breathing is the only sound in my ear. Our breathing. Our breathing. She’s alive. She didn’t get shot. I lift myself up from Ali and touch every part of her.

  She nods through heavy breaths. “I’m okay. I’m okay.”

  I place a kiss on her stomach and spiral around to see who got shot. Lucio Marino lies in a growing pool of his own blood. It soaks beneath him from the bullet wound in his chest. He’s dead.

  He’ll never hurt Ali again.

  He’ll never hurt anyone again.

  Relief forces air into my lungs without a moment to prepare. It hurts. But it’s nothing compared to the five seconds in time where I might have lost Ali. My eyes drift from Lucio to the gun. The gun in Lindsey’s hands. Her arms are still up. Not shaky. Steady. There are no tears. No aftermath of emotion from killing a man. She stares down the gun at where Marino stood a second ago. Shock renders us all silent. Everyone stares between her and Lucio. Mason rubs her back and whispers something in her ear. She hands him the gun and peers behind him. Her shoulders fall with relief. She lifts her dress and runs over dropping to her knees and curls Ali into her arms. The flood gates open and Ali cries into her neck.

  Lindsey soothes her. “It’s okay, sweetie. It’s over. It’s finally over.”

  The moment—it tears my heart apart and everyone else’s in the room. There’s never any preparing for the moment when you witness two survivors find solace. We couldn’t begin to imagine what these two women had been through at the hand of monsters. We didn’t need to. Not now. Their relief was enough to twist our stomachs. It was sufficient to send our minds wandering to dark places with the kind of nightmares we’ve witnessed over the years in our job. Goosebumps scatter over my skin. After a life of terror, they’re finally free.

  I give the girls time alone and wander over to Elias. We stand around the priest, somberness falling on our shoulders.

  Elias murmurs, “He’s gone.”

  Trey and Cassidy come up behind us along with Mason, who’s walking back from checking on Charlotte, Oliver and also his parents.

  He stands with his hands on hips and tries to catch his breath. “Oliver and Charlotte are okay. I asked him to keep her outside. I don’t want her to see this.”

  He glances to the priest.

  I flick back to the girls. Then to Mason who—while he’s still in shock at it all—

  He’s not surprised that his fiancé just made a perfect kill shot.

  I point at Lindsey while looking at Mason, confusion in my tone. “Do I even wanna know how Lindsey knew how to make that shot?”

  He smirks at her over my shoulder. “Nope.”

  The sea of tears calm. The waves crash me with relief. Roamyn’s arms are tight around my neck, right where I need him to be. He’s my beacon of light in this hurricane I call life. My safety. My hope. My path to home.

  Lucio is dead. It’s all over. The fear of waiting for him to appear dissipates. At least now, he can only haunt me in my sleep.

  Mason interrupts us, phone in his hand. “I called it in.”

  He turns to Adriana and Enzo, who are beside us. “I don’t know how the hell Lucio Marino knew we would be here. I also don’t know how you two knew he’d be here. But you’ve got three, maybe four minutes until the cavalry arrives.”

  I let go of Roam and Adriana’s gaze catches mine. I walk over to her and she smiles. Her lips flatten and I follow her eyes to Enzo. The air carries our conversation. Understanding passes between us. She loves him. And she can’t come back. She’s in love with a killer. She’d become one herself the day she saved my life. They’re two wanted fugitives. I nod and hold back tears. And then I embrace my very first friend for the last time.

  I could still see the blue and red lights flashing behind my eyes. Except now they aren’t police sirens, they are strobe lights illuminating the dance floor of the private area of a club we’re celebrating the last hour of Mason and Lindsey’s wedding. The day hadn’t gone to plan, but in our world it never does. The police had come and gone. Lucio’s body was taken away. Mason and Lindsey finally got to exchange their vows and become husband and wife. I’d spent a few hours in the hospital having myself and the baby checked over. We’re okay. And amongst the crazy, Enzo and Adriana got away unnoticed. As the night got darker and time got later Charlotte’s grandparents decided to take her home to Mason and Lindsey’s apartment. Now, it’s just us. Talking. Laughing. Just being. Living in one of the moments we’ll spend forever remembering. Because through the bad, the good and the downright crazy, we accept each other without judgment. We love each other, including our flaws. And we’ll always fight for one another, even if we fall. Our stories are still unfolding onto unwritten pages. I don’t know what the next chapter holds. But wherever life leads us, we’re in it together until the very end.

  Mason and Lindsey sit tucked into one another on the opposite side of the booth. Mason whispers sweet nothings in Lindsey’s ear, she steals another quick kiss.
Oliver and Elias yell out to them to get a room, and Trey and Cassidy egg them on. Trey’s arm is hanging loosely over Cass’s shoulder and it’s not yet been amputated because she’s too busy staring longingly at Mason and Lindsey. I relax back and Cass sidles up to me.

  “Hey I have to tell you something,” she tries to whisper in my ear, but it’s more a yell over the music. She eyes Roamyn off beside us, but he’s not paying us any attention because he’s ordering us another round of drinks. Strictly apple juice for me. She leans in close just as Elias and Trey yell out to two long, leggy women passing by. They spin around and one’s eyes widen in shock and her hand lands on her chest.

  Trey’s on his feet, pale as if he’s seen a ghost. “Layla?”

  I try to concentrate on Cass but the tension thickens within the group almost straight away. Everyone’s flicking between Trey and the mystery woman. His face turns into a scowl.

  Elias pipes up, breaking the awkward silence. “Trey, who’s this?”

  His eyes find Cassidy’s, he winces before turning back around. “Guys, this is Layla,” he grits out. “My wife.”

  I hear a gasp from beside me, everyone is quiet for a moment and Trey storms off with Layla. Everyone sits, not knowing what to say and I turn to Cass. “What were you going to say?”

  Her face falls. “I slept with Trey in Vegas.”

  My mouth widens and I slip an arm around her. “Oh, Cass.”

  She stops me from comforting her and shakes her head. “It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m just going to slip outside for some fresh air.”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  Snuggling into Roamyn beside me, I worry for Cassidy. But the moment I sink into him and he sweeps an arm around me, everything calms. I sneak a glance up at him. He grins, dimples and all.

  I swoon. I smile. Not a pretend one. Not a half one. Not a forced one. But a real one. Our lives are far from perfect. They’ll never be easy, but they’re raw and they’re real. And after a life of hidden truths and addiction, I can finally say, real feels fucking amazing.