Set Me Free

by Melissa Pearl

  "Just a small splash of this stuff on the gauze will knock him out." He pointed to the bottle. "Don't use too much though, you don't want to kill him."

  Taking the bag with a tentative grin, he mumbled his thanks.

  "Sorry for messing up your place."

  Alex looked around the room and shrugged. "It's just stuff, little bro."

  Zach nodded his thanks, stepping into a quick embrace with his uncle. He slapped him on the back twice before turning to look at Elliot.

  His friend, faithful as ever, gave him a nod and started for the stairs.

  "I hope you find her," Alex called after them.

  Zach wished for the same thing as he jumped into Elliot's car.

  His leg bobbed uncontrollably as they slowly drove the streets looking for Lucy. They didn't even know where to start and after two hours of pointless turns, Elliot eventually sighed. "This is idiotic. We just need to go home, okay? I want to go home."

  Zach kept his eyes out the window and gave a stiff nod. His mind hadn't stopped whirling since the second they got into the car. His reunion speech was perfected as he went over the words again and again. The only thing he was struggling with was how to start, but he was hoping once he saw her that it would all solidify in his head.

  He squeezed his eyes shut as Elliot turned for the bridge, silently praying they did find her so he could say his piece.

  Thirty minutes later they were pulling into the outskirts of Danville.

  "You know she might have gone back to get her stuff."

  "Yep." Zach's reply was clipped.

  "Dude, I hate this. Would you talk to me please? I'm sorry I got pissed with you over the AJ thing. I don't get the power this girl has over you and it bugs me that you're willing to write off your friends for her."

  Elliot still sounded pissed. Zach's smile was glum and pathetic as he faced his friend.

  "What can I say, she captured me and I don't know how to let go."

  "Look, I do get that. She is unique and amazing, but she's just one girl."

  "She's not just..." Zach shook his head.

  Elliot pressed his lips together, keeping his eyes on the road as he drove towards Zach's place.

  "What are you gonna do when you find her?"

  "I don't know." Zach scratched the corner of his mouth. "I've got to stop pushing though, you know. Ever since I found out the truth, I've been pushing, pushing, pushing for justice and totally forgetting the fact that I'm asking her to take on the guy who killed her parents, whose been hunting her for the last five years. He's killed everyone she's cared about."

  "Yeah, it's pretty heavy," Elliot muttered.

  "I don't know what to do. I mean part of me wants to yell some sense into her and tell her to stop running, but then another part just wants to hide her away from the world and tell her that if she runs, I’d go with her." He threw his hand in the air.

  "That's ridiculous." Elliot glared at him. "If you do that I'm gonna slap you so hard. Dude, I know you have a brain deficiency when it comes to girls, but she is taking you beyond that. I have never seen you like this over someone before."

  "She's not just someone, Elliot. She's Lucy. She's Dani. She's—"

  "Got enough identities to become a spy."

  Zach threw him a dark look. "Whatever she's..." He huffed, not really sure how to finish the sentence.

  "She's yours?" Elliot's dramatic voice made Zach grin.

  "If I can find her." He clenched his fist, tapping it against his knee.

  Elliot’s soft sigh and light punch told Zach they were cool and that he got it...sort of. As they turned into Zach's neighborhood Zach said, "I don't expect you to stick around and look with me. You go do your thing."

  "Yeah, I will. I'm...I'm gonna go see AJ."

  Zach tried not to flinch, sneaking a quick look at his friend out of the corner of his eye. "Uh-huh."

  "I need to make things right and I'll put in a good word for you too."

  With a cynical scoff, Zach shook his head. "Not sure if they'll buy it."

  "They'll come around."

  Zach smiled, noting the change of tune they were both having. A few hours ago it was Zach trying to convince Elliot of that fact.

  "Are you gonna tell them?"

  "If I have to."

  Zach nodded.

  "Lucy will just have to cope," Elliot said firmly.

  "Yeah, well, she may not be around to find out." Zach clicked his tongue.

  "Or she might." Elliot slowed to a stop outside the Schultz home and pointed to the front step.

  Zach expelled a sharp breath and scrambled for the door handle.

  "I'll catch you later, man." Elliot grinned.

  "Yeah, yeah, see ya."

  "Good luck."

  Zach barely heard his friend's farewell, he was too intent on the brunette with the blotchy face sitting on his doorstep. Pulling in a slow breath, he stepped towards her. No matter what she was about to tell him, he was determined to get in the first word.

  Chapter 22

  LUCY

  He strode towards me as Elliot pulled away. I was kind of relieved we were on our own. I didn't know what to say to Zach and I'd spent the last hour-and-a-half sitting by his door trying to figure it out. I'd come up with so many different speeches they were now a jumbled mess in my mind.

  In spite of this, I opened my mouth to begin. I had to get this over with.

  Zach raised his hand.

  "Before you say anything, can I just go first?" He tipped his head, looking sad and a little angry.

  My stomach clenched, but I nodded.

  "Lucy, no matter what you say to me right now, it's not going to change how I feel, okay?"

  "Okay." My voice was barely a whisper.

  Taut muscles that had been holding me together felt ready to snap as he drew in a breath.

  "I'm—" He paused, looked up to the sky and then let out a breathy scoff as if suddenly changing his mind on what he wanted to say. "You know what, honestly? I'm kinda mad at you." His hands spread wide before dropping to his upper thighs. "I get that you want to protect me and my friends, I really do. I even admire that about you. But it just makes me so irate that you won't let me do the same for you!"

  I swallowed, annoyed that I was finding his emblazoned voice such a turn on. His eyes were sparking like crazy and the way his muscles strained just made him look hot. I dropped my gaze, pinching the side of my neck.

  "I want you to be happy. If I really think about it, that is ultimately what I want, even if it means losing you." His voice dipped, but then rose with passion as he kept talking. As hard as I tried, I couldn't take my eyes off him. "But I just can't see how you will ever be truly happy if you don't end this thing with Tenner. I want to set you free, Lucy. I care about you so much. And I hate that at the end of the day staying or going is still your decision. I want to tether you to my side, but then what does that make me?" His hands spread wide again. "Freedom means choice, right? And I have to respect yours, even if I think it's the wrong one." Sticking out his chin, he went for a brave expression, but his voice gave him away. The heated passion was nudged aside by a soft heartbreak that tore my insides to shreds.

  "So I guess I just want you to know that if you're about to say goodbye, no matter where you run to, I'm gonna think about you and no matter who I end up with, I'll always wonder where you are." He met my awestruck gaze with a tender smile. "You'll stay with me forever, Lucy, because...well, I love you."

  Tears were lining my lashes as I pushed off the ground and stepped towards him. My lips were trembling so much I could barely form a smile. Stepping into his space, I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered, "I love you too. And I don't want to leave you."

  His arms, which had slowly snaked around my back suddenly squeezed tight, hope strengthening his grip.

  "If you're not beside me I'm thinking about you. I just want to be with you." I pulled back so I could look at his face. My hands rested on his cheeks, his rough
stubble grazing my palms. "I know I'm stupid and slow and I have the role of scaredy-cat perfected." I grinned and sniffed at my tears. "It's just the risks are so high, you know. I can't seem to get over my fear of what might happen. But when I was making my way back here to get my stuff, I couldn't stop imagining what it would be like to leave you. Zach, it'd kill me. And I know that sounds dramatic, but what's the point of fighting for a life I don't want. Tenner has taken everything from me and I don't want him to take you as well. But if I leave, that's exactly what he's doing.

  "Our plan tonight is not flawless, but it's a plan. It's a chance. So I'm here and I swear I'm not going to run again. No matter what happens tonight. I won't leave you. I'll do whatever it takes to stay, even if that means telling your friends."

  His smile was dream like, so filled with gratitude his eyes were practically shining.

  "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for staying." His hand cupped the back of my head, pushing me towards him. Our lips crushed together, our tongues finding each other easily. I ran my fingers into his hair, pressing my body against his. I couldn't get close enough as I lost myself in the kiss. I wanted to cling to him forever, freeze time and never look back...or forward. I just wanted to be.

  But I couldn't just be until this was over...which meant we had work to do.

  As delectable as his tongue felt, I forced myself to pull back. The way my limbs were tingling made it hard to think straight. I let out a breathy laugh, pressing my nose into his cheek and closing my eyes. I couldn't let his delicious scent and strong muscles undo me now. I had to focus.

  Kissing him on the cheek, I wriggled out of his embrace and stood back.

  "So, are you still up for tonight?" I put my hands on my hips.

  "Are you?" He cocked his head.

  My nose crinkled, but I nodded. I could do this. It was the thing I knew all along, but wanted to deny. Thanks to Shorty's training and Marlin's tricks, I could pull this off. Now all I had to worry about was keeping my boyfriend safe in the process.

  Unable to control myself, I stepped back into his arms, pressing my forehead against his. Lightly gripping the back of his neck, I looked into his steady gaze. "Promise me you'll do everything I say."

  "You have my word."

  "Okay, so for the sake of everyone else, let's go and quietly do this thing. If it all goes bad then it'll just be the two of us."

  He squeezed my waist. "At least we'll be together."

  His cute grin forced a smile out of me.

  He loved me.

  Part of me couldn't quite believe it. I hadn't been truly loved by someone since my parents died...well, maybe Marlin and possibly Shorty, but this was different. Zach loved me and it was a different kind of love...something I'd never experienced before.

  The way he told me, the desperate tone of his voice, the way he studied me, the way he touched me...it made my heart sing. He loved me. And because I loved him, I was going to make tonight work.

  I bit the corner of my mouth. "Are there any good dress shops in Danville?"

  "What kind of dress are you looking for?"

  My eyebrow arched as a smile teased my lips. Zach's hands clenched my waist as he read my expression. He drew in a sharp breath through his nose and grinned. "Let's go."

  Chapter 23

  ZACH

  The music was already thumping down the Tenner's driveway. Zach stood on the sidewalk with Lucy, his heart pulsing in time with the beat. It was hammering through his head as nerves got the better of him. Jiggling his wrists, he pulled his shirt and tried to get comfortable. Lucy had forced him into clothes he'd never usually wear - a pair of tight jeans that hugged his butt and a dark shirt that she said accentuated his muscles. He'd never been able to compete with the jocks at school, I mean sure, he swam, but he was lean. The idea of him even having muscles to accentuate seemed ludicrous, but the way Lucy's eyes traveled over him when he came down the stairs, ready to go, told him there must be a little something there.

  She'd cleared her throat and looked flustered, but Zach had barely noticed. How could he when she was standing there dolled up in a short red dress that only just covered her ass? She might be skinny, but this dress highlighted every little curve she had and they looked perfect on display in the sequin number that strapped behind her neck, leaving her back bare. She'd pinned her hair up too, which only made it worse...better. Zach nearly fell down the last few steps when he caught a glimpse of the plunging neckline and her cleavage.

  "How do I look?" She ran her hand down her dress.

  "Edible," he whispered.

  "Perfect." She grinned, reaching for the doorknob.

  Before he could think better of it, he grabbed her arm and swung her back around, kissing her with an unleashed passion. Pushing her against the door, he pressed himself against her so she could feel how much she was affecting him. She crumbled into him, letting out a soft moan that fueled his own desire. He nearly said, "Let's forget the party." But then he remembered why they were going in the first place and forced himself to step away. Her eyes were on fire as she gazed at him, her skin glowing. If she could have had him now, she would have. The very idea made his skin tingle, fervor spiking through him.

  Confessing their love for each other just made him want her that much more and it was obvious the feeling was mutual.

  "We should go." It was an effort to get the words out.

  "Yeah." She nodded, her gaze still lit with passion.

  They didn't say another word as they got into the car and it wasn't until they neared the bridge that Lucy seemed to find her sense and reeled off party details.

  And now they were here, about to embark on the most dangerous thing Zach had ever done. He took in a quick breath as Lucy reached for his hand.

  "So remember, it's Sasha and you're Denim." He cringed, not loving the name, but he guessed it was kind of cool. He just didn't feel very much like a Denim. "You're cool and aloof," Lucy continued. "You don't care about me that much, but you don't necessarily want me openly cheating on you at a party." She turned to whisper in his ear, pressing against him as if she were already a little drunk. "Once you see me go, you have to follow quickly so you know where we are. I need you in that room to knock him out before things go too far."

  "I'll be there." He promised, squeezing her side probably a little too hard.

  "Don't stress about that. I have to let him kiss me, but he's not getting under this dress. Please, trust me." She pulled him into the shadows of the front yard. "I'm not going in there until you tell me you can."

  "I can do this." He confirmed in a clipped tone.

  "I'm talking about you trusting me."

  He swooped in with a solid kiss, snatching her to him. "I trust you," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. "Now let's get this over with."

  The moonlight let him glimpse her open eyes as she gave him one last look of admiration before becoming Sasha. She pushed him away with a bored frown and swayed passed him.

  She swanned through the door looking as if she owned the place. The party was a mix of high school students. It was obvious Billy was all out to impress his peers. None of them seemed to care too much about their host, they were just there for a good time.

  Zach tried to act cool and aloof as Lucy pulled him through the crowd smirking at the guys and eyeing up the girls like competition. She pressed her lips against his ear.

  "Billy's by the window over there. Let's grab some drinks and we'll approach as a couple, but then I need you to lose interest and start chatting up the girl to his left."

  Zach swallowed, not sure how he was supposed to do that. He wasn't exactly a stud.

  "Trust yourself. You look hot, Denim. Just act like the jocks at Monte Vista High and go for it."

  He grinned, her faith in him a major confidence booster. Zach let her lead the way, sauntering after her as if he'd been to far better parties in his lifetime.

  "Hey, Billy." Lucy crooned, holding out a beer.

&
nbsp; He spun at the sound of his name, his expression lighting like a beacon as he drank in her sexy form. He downed the last of his bottle and handed it to the girl beside him before stepping towards Lucy with a leering smile. Taking the drink from her hand, he pressed it to his lips and took a swig before saying, "You ready to tell me your name yet?"

  She giggled and bit her lip, looking hungry. "Maybe," she whispered leaning towards him, "it could be our little secret." Her dancing blue eyes suddenly jerked towards Zach and she looked a little miffed he was standing right there.

  He gave her a sardonic glare as if challenging her that two could play at this game. With a cocky smile he turned to the blonde girl at their left and introduced himself.

  She gave him a slightly awestruck smile as he leaned over her and asked her name. Her tittering giggle was annoying and it was really hard to concentrate when he couldn't stop watching Lucy out of the corner of his eye. The blonde girl was harping on about the summer camp she was leaving for after Fourth of July, but all Zach could focus on was Lucy's hand. Her fingers were on Billy's arm as she whispered something in his ear. His eyes grew wide with pleasure before looking across at Zach. His thumb flicked Zach's way as he asked her a question, but she just shrugged and tipped her head as if she didn't care.

  Billy chuckled, gliding his arm around Lucy's waist.

  Zach felt sick. She was way too damn good at this. He almost believed her when she threw one more scornful look over her shoulder as Billy guided her out of the room.

  Chapter 24

  LUCY

  I wanted Zach to hurry up and follow us as Billy dragged me through the party. I was squished against his side, feigning that it was a turn on. The little squirt of a kid was good looking, sure, but he was so arrogant and cocky it actually repulsed me. He had nothing on my Zach.

  I paused at the bottom of the stairs, trying to buy some time and give Zach a chance to see which way we were going.