Ending with Forever (21 page)

“Get up!” she yells indignantly at me like I’m some stupid creature that doesn’t deserve an ounce of her respect.

“I can’t,” I bawl, rolling on to my back to get off my injured shoulder. “My feet are tied.”

Bianca rushes over with her gun and a pocket knife.
Shit. I’m dead.
I spoke without her permission. “Stay still or I’ll fucking stab you in the heart,” she threatens as she crouches down to slice through Sasha’s pink robe tie around my ankles. “When I free your feet, you’re going to get up slowly and follow me.” I nod and my mother’s jade pendant falls forward, grabbing Bianca’s attention. “What a beautiful piece.” She covets and then rips it off my neck, scraping the skin along there. I don’t even notice the pain. My entire body is numb after everything that’s happened. “I’m going to keep it as a memento,” she wallows excitedly with eyes so disturbingly dilated that they can only belong to the sickest of all psychos.

“Please. Don’t take that. It’s the only thing I have of my father,” I beg, knowing it’s pointless. She doesn’t give a shit about me or anything that’s of value to me.

“Where you’re going, you won’t need it,” she cackles loudly. Her malevolent voice cuts through my core like a dull blade, serrated and excruciating. There’s no sign of compassion in her callous and menacing face. This is how I imagine a demon would look when he steals innocent souls. She grabs my bloody, throbbing left hand and glares at my ring with scorn before sliding it off my finger. “You won’t need this either. Besides, it’s really rightfully mine if you hadn’t fucked everything up for me.” She slips the ring down her finger and admires it. “See. It’s a perfect fit,” she flaunts, waving her hand side to side in front of me so I can’t miss it.

“I’m sorry I screwed things up for you. I didn’t mean to.” I tread gently on her emotions, hoping to lessen her hate for me.

“You didn’t give him up when I asked you nicely,” she counters, narrowing her eyes at me as she sneers.

“But I did.”

“Liar! You dirty little cunt!” she shouts and slaps my face for the second time, knocking me backward.
I hate her
. “I don’t know what he sees in you. You’re a cheap whore. You’ll never be good enough for him,” she whimpers, staring down at my ring on her finger. “I gave him two years and he never once welcomed me in his bed. He only touched me when he wanted someone to fuck and then left me alone, but I didn’t care because I loved him. I stood by his side, did everything he wanted and smiled even when he told me our marriage was for his convenience. Can you believe he’s never kissed me on my lips?” She breaks down and sobs pathetically.

For a split second, I actually have empathy for Bianca. I agree she might’ve been treated poorly. I didn’t know that cruel Carson she described and maybe if I did, I might have similar resentments, but I don’t. She’s holding me responsible for his wrongdoing which has nothing to do with me. I wish I can convince her otherwise but I know she won’t listen to me, so why even bother. It’ll only piss her off more, encouraging her to pull the trigger at her whim. My empathy fades as quickly as it appeared when the burning ache in my palms shoots up my arms. God. I’ve never felt this much pain in all my life.

“Get the fuck up!” she growls at me like a mad beast after pulling herself together. “I don’t have all night. I still have Sasha to dispose of.”
Thank God Sasha is still alive—at least for the moment
. As much hate as I have for them, I don’t wish them dead—well maybe Bianca a little bit. “Hmm…I wonder how long it’ll take Carson to get over you and for me to get him back into my bed.” She purposely thinks out loud, screwing with my mind. Now I want her dead. I pick my battered body off the ground and walk along with her. The wind is bitter as it creeps over my collar and under my coat to nip at my skin. I’m shivering head to toe from fear as well as from Mother Nature’s harsh temperament.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask, not caring that I don’t have her permission to talk.

“To a secret place, nine feet under. I hope you like confined spaces, filthy bugs and complete darkness,” she replies with pure satisfaction in her wicked voice.

“No. Please,” I wail as frightened as I can be. The thought of being locked up in a dark and tight place is worse than getting stabbed a hundred times. This can’t be happening. I fall to the ground like an anchor and refuse to move. She might as well shoot me here.

“You’re one stubborn bitch.” She grabs my bloody hands and wrings them forcefully with hate and vengeance, making me shriek uncontrollably. The pain is so unbearable that I almost pass out. She drags my body another foot and leaves me lying flat on my face. “You have two choices. You can climb down a rope ladder on your own or I can push you over the edge. Choose quickly or I’ll choose for you.”

If I fall, I might not die instantly, so it’ll be even more unbearable to die slowly with broken bones. What choice do I have but to climb down myself? My little sprout might have a chance of surviving if Carson somehow miraculously finds us. At this point, I don’t have any hope of anyone finding me alive. This pit didn’t dig itself. Bianca constructed this elaborate plan for me, so I’m sure she’s thought of all the angles to keep everyone as far away from me as possible.

“I’ll go down myself,” I surrender.

“That’s the smartest thing you’ve done all night,” she ridicules me and then brushes a swell of dried branches aside with her foot. A round lid of some sort is revealed. The wood looks fresh as if it had been cut from a matured tree with sappy veins that run the length of each board. “Lift it,” she demands with the gun pointed at my head. I squat down on my knees and tuck my thumbs under the lip of the cover. “Lift! Damn it!” she grunts. It’s heavy, but I manage to raise it above my head and over.

Peering down, I can’t see a damn thing. It’s an abyss—a gateway to my hell. “Please. I beg you.” My lips quiver “Don’t make me. I’ll do anything you ask of me,” I weep unrestrainedly. Death doesn’t scare me as much as being trapped down there all alone waiting to die.

“Anything?” she repeats in a sparkling, almost playful spirit, contrasting the hateful tone she’s been taking with me all evening. She acts like she might reconsider her decision.

“Anything,” I agree desperately, wiping the unending tears from my cheeks with my bloody sleeves.

“Will you give Carson up?” She tests, appearing as if she might offer me a bargain.

“I will,” I lie to appease her.

“It’s a little too late. Don’t you think?” Her voice turns hard again. “Since you made sure I couldn’t have him, I’m making sure you can’t either. Good-bye, Lillian.” She heaves me toward the round, swallowing pit, my demise, as I resist her, clutching on to her arms with my raw hands. This would be my last fight for survival. My defiance blows her short fuse even faster. She’s really pissed now. The dreadful air and mood around us is crueler than imaginable. Her bleak azure pupils are barely visible as her lids narrow lethally. Without warning, I feel the sharp point of her boot kick into my back. The impact is excruciating—more than my body can absorb. I can’t physically handle another blow like that.

I give up. “Stop! I’ll go,” I screech and crawl to the flimsy ladder attached to a metal loop. Throwing my body over the opening, I wrap my aching fingers around the rope lattice and descend one step at a time. Darkness awaits my soul. Little by little it consumes me until I finally reach the bottom floor. Now I’m in the deepest depth of its gut waiting to be digested.

“Rest in peace, bitch,” she shouts down before slamming the lid shut to my coffin.

I lower my bottom on top of a mound of unwelcoming, cold earth and hug my arms around my abdomen with my eyes sealed tightly, blocking my fears out. It wouldn’t make any difference if I had them opened. Pitch black is all I see. I try to replace it with Carson’s face and dimple smile instead. It helps, but the silence is unnerving. I start to hum Gerry Rafferty’s song “Right Down the Line,” the one Carson and I danced to on the yacht. He sang the lyrics tenderly to me, opening his heart up and letting me know how much he loved me early on in our relationship. I’m comforted somewhat, but the bitterness of winter is unforgiving. My fingers are not spared. They’re freezing. When I stick them into my coat pockets to find refuge, I discover a surprise in there. It’s Carson’s tie I slid off his neck last night. I pull it out and inhale his scent, my drug. He’s with me always. With our enduring kind of love, nothing really separates us but physical distance.

“Mr. Bradley, the male suspect, Edison, has been identified. He’s dead with three gun-shot wounds in the chest,” Beta reports outside my SUV. I heard the word dead, but I ignore it.
Lil’s still alive
. I have to believe that in my heart or I’d have no will to continue on. “The tracking devices are no longer at the same location. Miss Ly’s bracelet signal is stagnant while her necklace is heading back to Boston. We believe the suspect is fleeing from the crime scene.”

“How far is the bracelet’s signal from here?” I ask. My gut tells me Lil’s not far. I know this place. It’s my fucking nightmare come true. I recognize the neglected field and the latent shrubs and trees.

“Nearby,” he replies, looking down at his monitor. “About fifty feet away, sir.”

“Good. We’ll track ours and let Kevin chase after Marcus’s target. Have him pick up that bitch and hold her for me. I’ll deal with her after I find Lillian.” God help me if Lil is…
Stop! Don’t you even think like that!
I swear my vengeful face will be the first and last thing Bianca sees when she takes her last living breath.

“Yes, sir,” he replies and speeds back to his vehicle parked in front of mine.

I’m losing my fucking mind. My rambling thoughts are that of an insane man who’s lost his only will to thrive. Lil’s suffering out here somewhere and I can’t help her. I don’t want to accept that she could be dead when I find her. I can’t. But if she is, I want to be the first person her spirit sees. Her soul will wait for me. It sounds fucking crazy, but I know it will. I’ll give her my heart to keep until we meet again and kiss her lips one last time. This is what I have to do.

“Luke, when we get there, I’ll need a moment in private with Miss Ly. Please let everyone know that,” I instruct with a heavy heart.

“Yes, sir. I understand,” he replies softly as emotions creep in, letting me know that he sees Lil as a friend and not just as a target that he has to secure every day.

T
he tracking signal tells me she should be right here, but she’s not. I see nothing but dormant grass, leaves and broken twigs and branches under my feet from the hibernating trees claiming this desolate area as their haven. The only sound discernable to my ears is the chilling wind whispering through the tree limbs, rattling them above us. They appear like decrepit arms swaying and clawing at souls to ensnare, painting a grisly picture in my mind.

“Carson,” Wes calls, approaching me. “I’m going to tell you something that’ll probably freak you out,” he warns as his eyes skim the unwelcoming area with apprehension.

“What is it?” I ask, forcing away my doubts of him. Why should I trust a Montgomery? They’re reared to be ruthless and gluttonous. It’s in their genetic makeup.

“This place,” he begins. “It reminds me of a really bad dream I keep having of Lillian. It started about two weeks ago.”

Did I hear him right? Did he just tell everyone he has nightmares with Lil in them? Why would she even be in his subconscious? “What were they about?” I growl, drawing all startled eyes on me.

“She was trapped underground, crying and begging for help. I couldn’t see or reach her,” he pauses, debating whether he should tell me the rest of his dream. His indecisive eyes search for Bridgette for direction. Fuck! That can’t be a good indication for a happy conclusion.

Why are my night terrors haunting him of all people? “Go on,” I urge, ignoring all the staring eyes on us.

“I ran the opposite direction but then came back to complete silence. I searched the area and eventually find her body on the ground covered in…,” he ends his sentence there. And my mind continues where he leaves off. The gruesome images of Lil’s corpse rip at my soul, tearing at it painfully. Inescapable, burning tears drift toward the inner corners of my eyes, but I won’t allow them to spill over. I order them to cling on.
Be strong
.
Weakness isn’t an option
.

At least in my nightmare, Lil’s voice was loud and clear which gave me hope that she was still alive, holding on, waiting for me. There’s just dead stillness—the eerie kind, to confirm that my fears could be real. The beating organ in my chest that people call heart takes a plunge, writhing under the cold earth in agony.
Please God. Let it not be real
. Again, I beg Him to spare my lover’s life. Will He listen to me this time or will He forsake me again? A tear escapes my control, falling on top of my black leather shoe. As my eyes follow the wet glistening pattern, I spot traces of bloody prints running along a circular path. It has to be Lil’s. They’re purposely inconspicuous. Someone has put forth effort to conceal them, to fool me. Stooping down to the ground, I brush away the remnants of fall debris to find the prints are attached to a wooden edge. Someone has used their bloody hands to lift this thing. Beta and Wes rush over to help me uncover a trap door or lid with three sturdy padlocks. Kappa uses a crowbar to pry open the cover without delay, snapping the metal locks free. In an earsplitting crash, the wooden top lands several feet away. I’m left with a deep, ghastly hole. My beating heart is unrestrainable as I open my ears to hear for any evidence of life.

“Please. I need a moment,” I murmur past my quivering lips before shining a flashlight into the inferno that’s been slaying my nights for weeks. Everyone backs away respectfully, offering me my privacy. Peering over the edge, I follow the ray of light all the way down to the underbelly. Lil’s body is coiled in the fetal position, motionless.

There’s light. I’m not surrounded by utter darkness anymore. My eyes tell me as they flutter open and closed against the sun shining through the window. The ground beneath me isn’t hard and cold, covered with creepy, crawling bugs. I’m surrounded by softness of clouds and warmth as cozy as a hot summer day. Am I in heaven? This obviously isn’t hell.

“Lil, I’m here, baby,” a familiar voice to my heart, much like Carson’s, assures me. “You’re home and safe with me.” His hand cups my face and then his silken lips press on my temple. It’s Carson, sitting by my side. I know his lulling touch against my skin and his heady scent, unique to only me. But how did he find me when it was hopelessly impossible?

“I’m not dead?” I cry, checking my bandaged hands and the IV line attached to a clear fluid bag hanging from a pole.

“No, angel. You’re alright and so are our twins,” Carson tells me as tears drip from his doting eyes, enfolding me with his love as always.

“Twins,” I whisper elatedly, caressing my palms lightly over my belly. Immediately, I try to picture their sweet faces. Will they take after me or Carson? “How do you know?”

“Dr. Laurent confirmed it last night with ultrasound. He found one small peanut for you and one for me.” He smiles contently at me.

What a blessing from God. I’m going to be a mom to two adorable, little Carson babies. After all that I’ve been through, I truly believe there’s a balance of goodness and badness in life. I pray that the badness is behind me now.

“Carson, I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you,” I whimper, shifting my body under the sheet. “My stupidity put us all at risk.”

“Shhh. Don’t cry, baby. It’s over. You’ll never have to deal with her again,” he soothes while placing his arm gently around me. “She’s out of our life—forever,” he whispers into my ear.

“What about the others?” I ask, concerned for his researchers. I wonder if Sasha was able to escape Bianca’s madness or not. She was next on that crazy bitch’s chopping block.

“Chandler Montgomery is behind bars with more than a billion-dollar bond, waiting for his trial. Sasha is also in jail and Edison, whose real name is Tyler Sullivan, is dead. My two researchers have been safely recovered and are home with their families.” He doesn’t mention the evil beast’s demise. I can’t imagine he’d allow her to get away without some kind of retribution. Carson has an ominous side I know Bianca will eventually meet, if she hasn’t already. His expression may be consoling and kind to me, but behind that gentleness there’s vengeful hate that’ll need to be fed until it’s satisfied.

“Where am I?” I inquire, looking around at my surrounding of pale walls and furniture. Everything appears pristine. I’m not familiar with this room. It reminds me of his place in Chicago with its sterile and empty feel. The only splash of color I see is an abstract painting of a violet ribbon floating fluidly, uninhibited by illness or suffering. I think of Emily’s spirit right away.

“We’re in my bedroom at my parent’s place,” Carson discloses, adjusting the crisp, white bedding around my chest, fussing over my comfort.

“Why am I here?”

“Because there are too many damn reporters snooping around the penthouse. My mother insisted you stay at their place. She wants to make sure you’re well taken care of.”

“That’s very kind of her.”

“She loves you and already considers you a Bradley.”

“She does? That’s wonderful,” I tell him, overjoyed. Kat and I didn’t have a smooth beginning thanks to Bianca, but since then, we’ve become much tighter. It’s assuring for me to hear that she loves me like family. “I love her, too, like I love you,” I tell him. Reaching for his hand, I clasp it against my cheek and neck. I have this constant need to hold on to him, fearing that if I let go, I might lose him again.

“As soon as you’re fully recovered, I’m going to marry you. It’ll be quaint and only about us like you wish,” he declares.

“I want that more than anything. It sounds perfect,” I accept. Being put in a life-and-death situation like I’ve been through, my priorities are straight and crystal clear to me. I won’t waste another day questioning Carson’s love for me. I’ll spend every day loving him instead.

“It will be,” he confirms with a peck on my lips. “How are you feeling? Are you up for a quick visit from some anxious guests?”

“Sure,” I agree, brushing off the throbbing ache in my right shoulder, the one that fell into a bed of gravel blades.

Carson gets up and walks across the airy room to open the door. Peering out a small gap, I see a crowd of people. I didn’t think I had that many friends here in Boston. Among the cluster are Belle and Hayden, Nikki, Andrew and Stewart, Kat and Mr. Bradley Sr. and
Bridgette
. I wonder what she’s doing here.

“If you can all try to make it brief, I’d appreciate it. Lil needs her rest in order to recover quickly.” Carson instructs before opening the door completely.

“How are you doing, darling,” Nikki inquires, leaning into my cheek to leave a red print of her lips.

“I’m here,” I answer, ignoring the sting in my hands when I place my weight on them to push my body forward into a sitting position.

“As soon as you’re all better, I have a hundred wedding details to go over with you.” She winks at me and Carson. “And a nursery for two to design,” she adds. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”

“Thank you. What would I do without you?”

“You’re stuck with me now,” she giggles. “We’re going to be family soon.”

“Stop hogging all our time, Nik,” Belle kids with a hip bump. “I need to give Lily a piece of my mind.” Oh boy. Here comes the brutal lecture from my best friend. “What were you thinking? I should bend you over my knee and spank you for Carson.” She ribs and folds me into her chest, sweeping her hand up and down the back of my head—thankful that I’m here with her and not still missing somewhere in the dead middle of winter. The pain in my back from Bianca’s kick is unreal as I shift my body around, but I force the wince on my face to subside. They’re already worried enough for me. I don’t need to add any more to their grief.

“Lil, thank God you’re home. You gave us all one hell of a scare,” Hayden speaks up.

“Yes, you did, sweetie,” Andrew adds coming around the other side of the bed with Stewart to set his bottom down next to me. “Don’t you be that naughty again, missy,” he scolds and kisses the top of my head.

“Lillian, listen to Andy.” Stewart winks. “I do and it’s kept me out of a heap of trouble,” he grins slyly.

“I will, Stewart. Thanks for coming,” I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze, expressing my gratitude without words.

“Of course. Anything for you. Godspeed with your recovery.”

“Excuse me, everyone. I think Lillian should get some rest now,” Kat suggests in the background. “You’re all more than welcome to come again later today if she’s up for another visit.”

One by one each person exits with hugs and kisses until I’m left with Carson and his parents. Bridgette doesn’t come into the room. She only smiles reservedly from the entrance and then departs with Andrew and Stewart. I’m very curious about her presence here, but my brain hurts too much to ask for details.

My body is now depleted of any spunk and my discomfort has become more unbearable. This fact hasn’t been oblivious to Carson. His eyes never once wavered as I accepted each aching embrace from my visitors. Sharing my pain, they’ve been watching me force back my cringes as I swallow my agony.

“Lillian, let me know if there’s anything you need, sweetheart,” Kat offers. “I’m just a phone call away.”

“Rest up, my dear,” Mr. Bradley Sr. advises me, kissing the top of my head. “I’m glad to have you back with us, kiddo.”

“Thank you for everything,” I tell them gratefully.

“Don’t think anything of it. Just get well soon, dear,” Kat insists, closing the door behind them.

“Lil, back down you go, babe.” Carson signals for me to lie flat on the bed, being his dominating self. “That might’ve been a little too much too soon.”

“Come lay with me,” I persuade, patting the empty side of the bed.

“That’s a given without your invitation,” he trifles. “I think your pain is more intolerable than you lead me to believe. Am I right?” he questions me.

“Yes,” I agree and nod, adjusting the pillow behind me.

“May I?” Settling down next to me, he begins to unbutton my nightgown, skimming his afflicted eyes carefully over my bare shoulders, chest, abdomen and thighs, tagging all my abrasions and bruises with the tip of his index finger. When he reaches the small of my back, horror bleeds into his burdened expression. It must be as awful as the agonizing pain that radiates from there.

“How bad is it?” I ask. Maybe it’s better that I don’t see it.

“Really bad,” he answers solemnly, appearing as if he’s punishing himself. “It must be excruciating for you.” His eyes seal briefly. “It kills me to look at the atrocity of it. I blame myself, Lil. None of this would’ve happened to you had I dealt with her sooner.”

“No. Please don’t blame yourself,” I plead, framing his face with my hands. “I did this. You didn’t. How could anyone have possibly known that she’s capable of this?”

“I should’ve known,” he states, gripping my wrists gently. “I’m sorry, angel.”

“Where is she?” I finally ask.

He hesitates before answering, “She committed herself to an institution for crazy criminals, right before I found you. She knew it was the only place that could keep her safe from me. Her psychiatrist confirmed her insanity with years of documentation of all her sessions with him.”

That isn’t what I expected to hear. I thought she’d be rotting in a prison cell for all the shit she’s put me through. She’ll probably be on probation within a month with a highly paid attorney. People with money can get away with almost anything. Oh God. My nightmare isn’t over. Terror swallows me whole. She’ll come after me and my babies again.