How I had known she had even been in there was still a mystery.
I exhaled. New footprints. I wasn’t the only one searching for a better life.
How many more steps it would take to get to her mattered not. Seeing her face was worth millions of footsteps.
Determined, I rose from my knees. “I’m coming, baby.”
CHAPTER TEN
Seeing Fates
In the final steps to Serenity, my shoes barely touched the ground. My skin tingled, sensing her so close. My heart prayed for her to remember me. She had to, right? Isn’t that what evermore meant? Never forgetting their true love?
Getting to the edge of the trees, Vice crouched down as he continued forward, informing us of how close we were. The appearance of dark grey walls had me taking a deep breath. I’m here, Lace.
The establishment was even more notable in real life than what I saw in Vice’s pic. We were only seeing the left side but could easily tell the castle-like home was beyond impressive in size. It was clear that, a very long time ago, an extremely wealthy family lived in this neck of the woods.
The lawn in between where we were—the line of trees and the building—was immaculate. All shrubbery along the castle walls was incredibly well maintained. Vice giggled as he pointed past a small parking lot that only had two cars, and to the front of the property that was in absolute shambles due to his knife. Little dirt mounds showed how a company had been digging to find mysterious leaks flooding the grass.
Still hunched over, Vice waved for us to follow him as he walked along the edge of the trees, carefully staying hidden. Vice knew this place best because, out of us four, he was the only one who had been here.
From the woods, as we turned the corner of the back of the building, I immediately recognized the electric fence. Seeing the webbed wires on Vice’s phone was one thing. Seeing it in real life, I instantly became agitated, feeling as though someone was imprisoning my girl.
Quietly, I asked, “Why are they caged?”
“It’s a good thing, kid,” reminded Dagger.
Lynx nodded. “It being hard for us to get to her means the same for others. Capeesh?”
On the inside of the fencing, there was an array of tall, pretty flowering bushes that would please almost any girl.
Vice kept sneaking us through trees. “We’ll have a perfect view of the courtyard over here.”
In the center of the rear of the fence, there was a break in the flowers. Beyond that break was a sight I had so desperately longed to see, that I didn’t stop walking. I even stood straight up, not caring if I were seen. That’s because everything, every goddamn tragic thing in my life faded away so that my destiny could shine as soon as Lacey was in my view.
Bam! I suddenly flew forward and crashed flat on my stomach.
Forced onto the ground by my friends—who were laughing and quietly cursing—I peered up and whispered, “Isn’t she beautiful?” while trying to break free of their hands.
“He’s a slippery little fucker,” chuckled Vice.
Grabbing my arms because I kept pulling them free, Dagger whispered, “This is because you spoil him, Lynx.”
Lynx, half on top of my back, kept grabbing for my hands that I kept reaching out toward Lacey. “Me?” he angrily whispered, “You’re the one making him waffles!”
“You videotaped it!”
“You watched that video twenty times!”
A pair of strong hands grabbed my ankles and started pulling me back into the woods. “Hey, can Mom and Dad get along while we save Junior from getting busted?”
More muffled chuckling took place as weight shifted on my back.
Smiling because my angel was in my sights, my fingers pulled at the grass to try to stop my retreat. “But you guys, it’s my Pretty Girl.”
Dagger grumbled, “If he reopens Doc’s fine work, I’m gonna kill a Saint.”
Lynx kept trying to quiet the laughter as he whispered, “Not sure, but I think killing saints is against biblical rules or some shit.”
Back in the safety of the trees, Vice plopped down to his butt but didn’t dare release my ankles. “Kid, this stakeout was almost over before it began.”
I couldn’t stop beaming. Still on the ground—under several heavy bikers—I asked Lynx, “Did you see her? Did you see what I’ve been talking about?”
He had a hold of my shoulder. “No. I was too busy taking down a moron.”
Lacey was sitting on a little decorative black iron chair in front of a matching table. Her long-sleeved arms were crossed over her chest, but she did, indeed, look somewhat relaxed. I couldn’t tell how well she was being fed due to her sweatpants, but her cheeks weren’t sunken, like the time she stopped eating after the brothers…
“Look now,” I begged Lynx. I think I needed someone to confirm I wasn’t dreaming. “I won’t crawl away.”
Smirking, he gazed up. Then his body sighed. “Oh, yeah, I get it, Pup. She’s a little gem.” Then he whispered over his shoulder, “Like for real. She’s tiny.” He asked me, “How old is she, again?”
Across the table from her sat a man with greying hair. He was talking to her, but she was gazing off into the woods. In our direction. Yet her blank stare showed she wasn’t seeing us. I wondered what she was thinking about. If she was asking herself where I was. “She’s seventeen.” She needs me. If only these heavy men would get off me.
There were only a few other people—who looked to be patients—sitting in chairs around more little fancy patio tables. One orderly, in an all-white uniform, stood by the back door watching over them.
From my feet, Vice joked, “So, uh, hang here for a bit?”
Lynx smacked me on the back of the head. “Behaving now?”
Only until I get a chance to run to her. I nodded. “Yeah.”
Letting me go, Lynx sat on his butt. “No apology?”
“I will never apologize for wanting to be right by her side.”
Rolling off me, Dagger coughed, “Lynx Junior.”
Lynx exhaled through a chuckle. “I know. I know.”
Not letting Lace from my sight, I sat up and curled my legs to my chest, so I could try to trick my arms into believing my legs were her. Full of gratitude, my arms wrapped around tightly, warning that they would only act fooled for so long.
I hear ya, but we gotta ditch the old guys before getting the real thing.
When the man at Lacey’s table tried to get her attention again by touching her hand, Vice told me, “His name is Doctor Vincent Landon.”
“Well, he needs to not touch her.”
Dagger was very amused. “Lil’ Saint getting jealous?”
My head snapped to him as I pointed toward Serenity. “She’s mine.”
To Lynx, he sounded like a scorned mother. “Are you really just going to sit there and let him talk to me like that?” His head bobbed with attitude, which was hysterical with his beard and eyepatch.
I muffled laughter. “You make for an ugly woman.”
“Finally.” He rolled his eye. “Some good news.”
Resting my chin on my knees, I sighed. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
Lynx exhaled, too. “We need to come up with a plan so you can start your wooing someday soon.”
Oh, it begins today, my friend. “Yeah, any suggestions?”
While they discussed scenarios, I did what Lacey was doing; blocking out those trying to talk to me. I was more interested in studying how long the patients were allowed to be outside before being guided back in. I suspected Lace’s turn was coming up next. As soon as I had the chance to go talk to her, I had to take it. I just needed the doc to walk away.
I jolted when Dagger backhand-tapped the side of my shoulder. He said, “Oh, sorry, I was just wondering why Lacey keeps pulling at her neck and shoulder?”
Resting my chin back to my knees again, my throat tightened. “She’s not. She thinks she is playing with her hair. It’s a nervous thing she did.”
�
��Jesus. H. Christ.”
I nodded, fighting tears. That action was telling. “Yeah. It seems she believes she still has those long locks.” As my mind played out the memory of Damien hacking away at her hair, my eyes slammed shut.
When I opened my eyes, I noticed the orderly talking to someone through the now open door. Here we go. I slowly slid a foot under my butt, hoping the smart bikers didn’t read my mind or body language. Fortunately, they didn’t, so I secretly curled my toes up so I could nonchalantly sit on the ball of my foot as I watched the orderly walk to the doc at Lacey’s table. Please call him away. Please call him away. My stomach tightened with anticipation as my body prepared for action.
After listening to the orderly, the doctor said something to Lace, then got up from the table.
Please let her stay. Please let her stay. Adrenaline slammed through me.
The doc said something, Lace nodded, and then he headed for the door, following the orderly.
No eyes on her, I took off with no warning. My body sprinted like an Olympian.
“Shit!”
Darting across that perfect grass, I heard three bodies hitting the ground as if each of them had dived to recapture me. Sorry, boys.
Their frustrated cursing had me hoping they wouldn’t be too angry when I returned to them, but I had to do it. I had to get close to her. There was simply no way of not seeing her up close. I needed my air. I needed her in my lungs…
Noticing me, Lacey’s eyes found mine.
As she stared, my heart called out to her; Lace… But then those hazel eyes started to show fear. Oh no. No, no, no… There was not one ounce of recognition toward me.
My feet almost stumbled as the bitter truth punched my heart.
Pretty Girl doesn’t know her Tate anymore.
A part of me wanted to turn and run in the opposite direction to avoid seeing the painful reality, but I didn’t. The growing man in me, and the little boy who once loved Lucey, both refused to give up. I had found this beautiful soul twice in my life. My heart told me three’s a charm. So, I kept facing the possibly hopeless challenge and picked up speed.
We had taken a vow.
One I would never surrender.
Even if she was no longer my Lacey.
Whoever she was now—or would turn out to be—damaged or not—she was still mine, and I wasn’t letting go.
Ever.
Evermore…
To not alarm her, I smiled as I got closer. She had always loved my dimples. I hoped she still would.
Once to the fence, which I was careful not to touch, I quickly squatted. Hiding next to a bush, I repeated our first words that I had said long ago… “I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful you are.”
I waited. I prayed…
Finally being near her again, my eyes soaked in all of her beauty as if seeing her magical aura for the very first time. She may not have had her usual glow, due to stress and loss of memory, but she was still entrancing and remarkable. Even her not knowing who she was, her natural essence shined. Everything about her mirrored her endless kindness. Soft ivory skin. Dainty nose. I could practically smell her sweetness as delicate blond eyebrows bunched. But this time her eyes softened, releasing fear. I believe a part of her, subconsciously, recognized me, even as she asked, “Who are you?”
Hope was all I needed. So, in our first conversation in weeks, I would continue to repeat more words from our past. “Willing to find out?”
Lace’s precious hand rested on her chest. I had missed her touch so much I was willing to be zapped by the fence just to feel it, but didn’t dare spook her or alert anyone to me being there. I couldn’t have anyone knowing of the young man who would be back, every day, for as long as it took, to make her love me again.
The angelic smile I had adored for years slowly appeared. “I think I am.”
My hands opened and closed, wanting to hold her. The need was so intense, but I stayed strong, denying myself anything but words. I fucking love you so much…
Her body sighed. “I’m Vera.”
Wait. Who? V-Vera? Trying to stop my gaping mouth, I stuttered, “I-I I’m Tate.”
She smirked, “Are you sure?”
That made me have to swallow down a laugh, to not be overheard. “Are you mocking me?”
‘Vera’ thought for a few seconds, then said to herself, “Maybe I’m funny.”
She was trying to figure out who she was. That crushed my heart. I wanted to happily scream about all her wonderful qualities, tell her anything she wanted to know about herself, but she was making new footprints. I had to let her walk that path at whatever speed she needed.
Hating to see her confusion, I asked, “You’re not sure either?” Movement to my right caught my attention. It was three leathered and pissed guys, gesturing for me to get my ass back over to them. They had returned to the trees at the side of the property by the parking lot.
When I quickly looked back at Lacey, her eyes were almost vacant again. She stared at me while playing with hair that didn’t exist. Her tender voice was so timid. “No.”
“Hey, don’t be sad.” I went to touch her—offer comfort—but stopped myself when remembering the electric fence.
“How do you know I’m sad?”
Because I know you better than anyone. “That incredible smile disappeared.”
She sighed. “I haven’t had much to smile about.”
Jokingly, I pfft. “Now, that is downright shameful. Hmm… Maybe I should visit you again and bring a vanilla shake.”
Her mouth parted. Her little pink tongue touched her lips.
Is she remembering?
I teased, “Haven’t you heard? Sugar fixes everything.”
Afraid she would say no—and that Lynx and Dagger were soon going to stroke out—I quickly added, “I could come tomorrow night.” I pointed up and behind her.
She peered over her shoulder at her bedroom window. “Oh, I don’t think Doctor Landon would approve.”
“Yeah, sure. I understand. I guess I can drink the vanilla shake by myself.”
Lost in thought again, fingertips touched her lips. “Sugar.”
Remember me… “I mean, I’m totally cool with sharing. And, you do have bars on your window, so I couldn’t hurt you or anything.”
Her pointer finger grazed the scar on her left palm. “I think I’ve been hurt before.”
Vice pacing, and Lynx and Dagger losing their parental shit, told me my time was up. Doc was returning. I had no time, so I took a huge chance. I held up my right palm. “Me too.”
After seeing my scar, a little gasp escaped her… Then she nodded. “Tomorrow night.”
The institute’s door opened…
My eyes snapped to Lynx. His hand was up, telling me to wait.
After hearing metal scrape against stone, I heard Lacey say, “Doctor Landon, I have a question…”
Suddenly, Lynx was madly gesturing for me to run to him. So, I did, thinking to myself, Wow, even with no memory, she’s still helping me.
Not slowing down, but ready to drop to the ground if it would help me not be discovered, I surveyed the men I was headed to as they watched my back.
As soon as I broke the tree line, Lynx grabbed my t-shirt and yanked me to him. Hard. As he held me there in a voracious embrace, his body shook violently.
Not letting go, he walked us farther from the sight of Serenity—him backward, me forward. Then, his deep voice growled in my ear with such a warning my blood ran cold. “You are new to the world in which we are immersed, so listen very closely. The vow you took with your girl is similar to the one I have given you. You are one of mine. That means I. Will. Kill anyone who means you harm of any sort. Do. You. Understand?
From over the shoulder I was pressed against, I looked at the doctor that I had almost gotten killed. “Yes, sir.”
“You must respect the power behind you now or innocents can die.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You are the younge
st I have ever had. That seems to be making me a little extra trigger happy.” His arms were so tight around me, breathing was a bit challenging. “Do. You. Feel. Me?”
What I felt was a man on the verge of going on a murdering spree. “I feel you. It won’t happen again.”
“Thank you.” He kissed the top of my head, then shoved me away.
A bit ashamed, I looked to Dagger and Vice. They were both sighing and wiping sweat from their foreheads as if relieved Lynx didn’t lose complete control. That made me gulp and look back to Lynx as he began walking away.
Up to this point, his mostly casual and playful behavior had hidden how dangerous he truly was. Now, taking the time to study him—his leather, his body that outweighed mine by at least seventy pounds, and his abundance of weapons; guns and a large knife—I realized I had been a fool.
Not only had my dad sent me a guardian angel, but he sent me the deadliest one of them all.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sharing Memories
After rumbles of dragons left the garage and roared into the night, and the door rolled down, Lynx returned to the kitchen. “Just you and me, kid. Wanna call the Old Lady?”
Dagger and Vice were headed to the Colorado clubhouse. Lynx said he was tired of the two horndogs and ordered them to ‘get some ass’.
As he walked past me, I innocently asked, “Do they have girlfriends there?” I was truly not able to conceive being with anyone other than Lacey.
“Not exactly.” He headed to the living room while pulling his cell from his pocket. Then chuckled, “Not that it matters.”
“Then why didn’t you go with them?”
“First, I have my kid to watch over. Second? Once you’ve had excellence, no other taste can compare. So—”
Nodding, I finished his sentence. “So why bother.”
With a proud smirk, he said, “That’s right, Pup. You feel me, for sure.” He was almost to the couch before remembering… “Shit. Kid, grab me a beer, would ya?” He plopped down with a tired sigh.
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