He laughed, and it was anything but jovial. “She wouldn’t have gone far. She was mine.”
“Is that why you had her killed?” She sucked in a breath when his face shifted and the anger was clear in his eyes.
“That hit was meant for Vic. I had no idea she was going to be with him at that hotel, if I had…” Marshall drew in a deep breath. “It’s his fault she’s gone.” He grabbed the radio that sat on the floor. “And now it’s time for him to pay.”
“Where did you get that?” It looked like the radio she always saw in Vic’s cruiser. “Small towns are such a wonder. I took it from Victor’s car, which wasn’t locked.” “What are you going to do?” she asked in a shaky voice. “I’ve got something he wants,” Marshall said, sliding his hand over Julia’s hair, making her cringe. “He doesn’t want me anymore. He threw me out right after he found out who I really was.” “We’ll see. We’ll just see.”
***
There was nothing here, not even a damn fingerprint. Kent had scrubbed his hotel room down to the surface to hide his being there. And what he hadn’t cleaned, the maid had taken care of. Damn it, if only he’d gotten here sooner.
There was that if only again.
Closing the hotel door, Vic made his way to his car. When his radio clicked on, he slipped it from his belt, hoping it was word on Julia.
“Paging Staff Sergeant Davis.”
His body stiffened, hearing Kent’s voice. Staying calm, Vic responded. “Where is she?”
“She’s fine, for now. We need to talk.”
“Not until I hear her voice.” Vic heard shuffling noises, then breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Julia’s voice.
“Vic, don’t do what he asks.”
“If you want to see your sweetie alive, you’ll come to the old abandoned shack just off Highway 5. Alone. One hour, Vic. Or she dies.” The radio shut off, and Vic cursed. Jumping into his car, he slammed it into gear and sped off. At least she was alive.
***
“He’s not going to do what you said.” Marshall shifted and Julia’s body shivered with his cold stare. Was that what her sister had seen, was that the reason she finally decided to leave him?
“He’s too smart not to. I think Victor has learned his lesson. He’ll do what I say because he’ll want to protect you.” Pulling the Smith and Wesson out of his belt, he cocked it, his eyes never leaving Julia’s. “Now, the question is, how much do you value your life?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your parents grieve for their lost child. Losing Michelle was brutal for them, wasn’t it?”
Julia swallowed the sorrow. “You know it was.”
“Losing another child would devastate them, wouldn’t it?”
She narrowed her eyes, inside her body was shaking with fear. “I don’t want to die, Marshall.”
“That’s just what I wanted to hear. What would you do, Julia, to stay alive? Anything? Kill someone else?”
“No!” She would never kill anyone.
He slid his fingers along the barrel of the gun while he spoke. “Not even in a life or death situation?”
“No.”
“Then you’ll let your parents grieve for another child. That’s pretty selfish of you, Julia.”
“What do you want from me?” She swallowed the tears, biting her lower lip to prevent it from quivering.
“I want you,” he leaned down so that their eyes met, “to kill Victor Davis.”
“No, no, I can’t. Please, don’t make me do it.” Now the tears fell, sliding like warm rain down her cheeks.
Lifting the gun, Marshall held it to her heart and with absolutely no emotion on his face, he spoke. “Then I guess you die.”
“No!” Julia cried out, squeezing her eyes tight. “Okay, okay, I’ll do it,” she opened her eyes, blurry with tears. “I’ll kill Vic.”
Smiling, Marshall straightened and disengaged the gun. “I knew you would see it my way.”
***
“I want the perimeter surrounded. Go on foot, leaving your vehicles on the side of the road. Weapons ready,” Vic instructed his officers while he checked his weapon for ammunition. He’d called them all in, including his next in line. He wanted all the manpower he could get. “No one goes in until I give the okay.” His eyes lifted with complete sincerity. “We’re getting her out, safely.”
“I don’t like you going in alone,” Sergeant Peterson stated.
“I’ve got my vest on, and the radio will stay open so you can hear me. I won’t be alone, not with all of you near.”
“The vest can’t protect your head,” Peterson reminded him.
“It’s the chance we all take. Remember, move in, but move in slowly and quietly and not until I enter the building.”
“How can you be sure she’s still alive?” Peterson asked.
Vic’s heart skipped a beat. Wasn’t Peterson full of optimism today? “We go in believing she is. Let’s roll.” Slipping his gun into its holster, Vic headed out, his officers on his trail.
He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t lose her.
Vic pulled onto the dirt road leading to the abandoned shack and saw Marshall’s car parked near the door. Easy access to get out and get out fast. Vic parked his car directly behind and across to prevent that from happening. He slid from his vehicle, tapping the radio twice to let his officers know he was heading in, then slipped his weapon out. The steps to the front door sat crooked and looked like they would collapse with one step. He tested them cautiously before taking the three to the door. Hanging off its hinges, the door was barely closed. Lifting his fist, he knocked. His breath caught in his throat.
She had to be alive.
“Come on in, Victor,” Marshall called out, and Vic pushed the door open with the butt of his gun. His ears tuned to any and all sounds, he entered the shack with the utmost caution. He knew damn well it could be an ambush.
“Julia.”
“In here, Vic.”
He let out a breath but stayed on his guard as he followed the sound of her voice. He stopped cold when he saw Julia standing, feet spread, weapon in her hand. Aimed at him.
“Welcome to my humble abode, Victor. Do come in and make yourself comfortable.” Marshall smiled like an evil snake.
“Julia?” What the hell?
“Do as he says, Vic.”
He didn’t like that look in her eyes. Detached. “What are you doing?”
“What has to be done. I’m sorry, but I can’t put my parents through that again.”
“Put the gun down, Julia.”
“She’s not going to listen to you, Victor. See, I sent her here to kill you, but she just couldn’t do it. All she needed, though, was some incentive.” Marshall ran a hand over her hair. “It came down to her or you. Guess who she chose?”
“You.” Julia turned, her gun aimed at Marshall. “It’s time you paid.”
“Julia, no!” Vic called out, raising his weapon to Marshall’s head.
Marshall lunged for the gun in Julia’s hand and Vic’s first instinct was to fire his weapon. The shot rang out and Julia and Marshall went down.
Chapter 30
“Julia!” “Vic? Vic, talk to me. Move in, move in now,” Peterson ordered through the radio.
His gun fell to the floor and Vic rushed to Julia’s side. Marshall lay sprawled over her, and he could see blood, so much blood, coating her side and pooling on the floor. “Oh, Christ, Julia.”
“Vic?” Peterson called out, rushing inside.
“Call an ambulance. Now!” Vic shoved Marshall off of her body and gulped in a shocked breath when he saw her shirt covered in blood. “Oh, Christ, Julia. What have I done?”
“Vic, back off and let me process this. Vic.” Sergeant Peterson grabbed Vic by the arm and yanked him to his feet. “You need to back off now and let me do this,” he demanded, and Vic pulled his eyes away from Julia to look at Peterson.
“I think I shot her.”
“Let me
do this,” he released Vic and knelt down to the bodies. “She has a pulse.”
“Oh, thank God. Julia, Julia, open your eyes, doll. Come on, please.” He’d give anything just to see her open her eyes and look up at him. When he saw her lashes flutter, Vic sunk down onto the floor, his legs giving out on him. “Oh, thank God. Julia, can you hear me?”
“Vic?”
“Yes, yeah, I’m here, honey.”
“I never intended to shoot you.”
“I know, baby, I know. Ambulance is on its way. You’re going to be fine.”
“There’s no wound,” Peterson said after checking the blood on her chest. “It’s not hers; it’s from him.”
“Are you sure?” Vic moved closer, but Peterson held him off.
“Positive.”
“I’m not shot,” Julia stated and tried to sit up. “I think I hit my head though.” She looked over, then up to Vic. “Is he…”
“He’s gone,” Peterson informed
“Did I…?”
Vic took her hand in his, but before responding to her, he pulled her into his arms and just held her. She felt so right, and when her hands came around him, he knew just what he wanted. He held her out at arms length and looked her straight in the eyes. “I can’t live without you, Julia. Damn it, you scared the hell out of me when I thought I’d lost you. What the hell were you thinking?”
“Vic—”
“Not now, Peterson.” He was oblivious to the commotion in the room as the officers filed in. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Vic—”
“Damn it, Peterson. What is it?”
“She’s bleeding. Her head.”
Vic’s eyes went wide as he turned back to Julia. She buckled in his arms, and it was then that he saw the gash. “Damn it.” Scooping her into his arms, he ran for the door.
***
He was in agony, waiting to hear about Julia’s condition. He’d been pushed out of the room so fast he hadn’t had time to protest before the door had been shut in his face. Damn doctors were so fucking pushy.
Left with no other choice, Vic paced the waiting room floor, chewing his nails and worrying. What the hell was taking so damn long?
“Vic.”
He turned and felt a tiny sense of relief at seeing his best pal.
“Any word yet?” Tom asked, taking Vic by the arms.
“No, it’s been too damn long. What’s taking them so damn long?” Tired of waiting, Vic headed for the sign-in desk. “What’s going on with Julia Davis?”
“Wilson,” Tom corrected, putting a hand on Vic’s shoulder.
“Sorry, Wilson.” Vic shook his head clear. “What are the doctors doing in there?”
“The doctors are working on her. If you take a seat in the waiting area, we’ll notify you the instant we learn anything.”
“I’m tired of waiting. Do you see this badge?”
“Vic, come on.” Taking him by the arm, Tom led him away from the frightened nurse. “Threatening the staff won’t get you anywhere. She’s in capable hands.”
“I know that, but damn it, it’s taking too damn long.” He didn’t want to sit and continued to pace.
“These things always take forever. Do you want some coffee, or—”
“I should have just shot the bastard when I first came in.” He shook his head. “I never should have let her go in the first place. Damn it, Tom. I love her with all my heart and I just can’t see past it. I know she lied, I know she hid who she was from me, but seeing her with all that blood on her, holding her in my arms after she collapsed, I just didn’t give a damn.” Vic looked to his friend, suddenly feeling completely drained. “I just love her.”
Tom walked to Vic, resting one big hand on his shoulder. “Tell her that.”
“Vic.”
He turned as Max rushed into the waiting area.
“How is she?” Max asked, a little breathlessly.
“I haven’t a fucking clue. They’re working on her.” Vic rubbed a hand across his face, feeling the stress of waiting.
“Her gun was cold. Sergeant Peterson wanted me to tell you it wasn’t her weapon that killed Kent.”
“It was mine.”
“Yeah.” Max confirmed.
Vic sunk now, onto the floor, Tom and Max were right at his side. “Shit.”
Tom knelt down right beside him. “You’ve been through a lot, Vic. You need to sit.”
“I am sitting.”
“In a chair.” Lifting him was no problem for Tom. He set him in the chair while Max ran for a cup of water.
“I’m okay. I guess it all just…damn.” His head felt heavy and a little woozy. But he saw clearly enough when the doctor came walking towards him. He stood, rushing forward. “Julia?”
“I’m sorry—”
“No, no, no.” Vic grabbed the doctor by the arms, shaking him. “She is not dead. No, damn it, not Julia.”
“She’s alive. I only meant to say I was sorry it took so long.”
Vic released him, hearing the words “she’s alive” and dashed past him to find her. “Julia?” he called out, thrusting open one curtain after another in his search. “Julia?”
“I’m in here, Vic.”
Vic turned and saw her poke her head out of the curtain behind him, and it was the most glorious sight he had ever seen. He didn’t walk; he ran to her and, scooping her into his arms, spun her in a circle.
“Whoa, room’s spinning.”
He stopped, set her down, but didn’t release her. “I thought I lost you twice now. Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Okay. I need to sit down though, because the room’s still spinning.”
Vic helped her to the bed, pulling her against his side and just held her. “Sorry. Are you okay? I mean, really okay?”
“Nothing a few stitches couldn’t remedy.” She lifted her head from his shoulder. “Was it me that—”
“No. It was my bullet that killed him.”
She blew out a rush of air. “I never intended to kill you.” Julia looked him in the eyes. “I let him believe I would, but I just couldn’t do it, Vic. I love you too much. I would rather give up my life than lose you.”
“Sshhh.” he silenced her with a kiss. “Don’t talk like that.”
“It’s true. I didn’t mean to hurt you; I didn’t mean to lie to you. I love you so much, Vic; it’s all consuming.” She cupped his face in her hands. “Don’t push me out of your life. I’ll do whatever you want; I’d sleep on a bed of nails if you asked me to, just don’t push me away. Please, forgive me.”
Vic took her face in his hands now, smiling. “Bed of nails, huh? Sounds kinky.” He kissed her when she sulked. “I called you Julia Davis.”
“Huh?”
He shook his head, laughing. “I like how it sounds. I don’t want you to sleep on a bed of nails for me, or anything else for my forgiveness because you have it. As long as you say yes.”
“Yes to what?”
Vic wiped the tears sliding down her cheeks. “To marrying me.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You want—”
“You as my wife. Shit, we started out so crazy in lust. You blew my mind—”
“Among other things.” Julia smirked slyly.
He grinned. “Oh yeah. The sex was—is—phenomenal—”
“And then some.”
“But it’s not everything. I like waking to you in my bed. I like coming home to a home cooked meal and sharing it with you at the table while we discuss our day. I like having your things lying about the house. I like having you in my house. We started out crazy; why not keep up with the crazy. Marry me, Julia.”
“Yes.” Julia took his face in her hands and plastered a hard, mind blowing kiss to his mouth. “Say my name.”
“Julia Davis.”
“You’re right. That does sound pretty damn good.”
“Damn good indeed.” He scooped her into his arms and took his soon to be wife home.
Epilogue<
br />
“Push, Julia.”
“I am pushing. You try doing this. It’s not so damn easy.”
“I know it’s not easy, but I also know you’re a tough cookie and this is only a small—”
“Shut up, Vic, and help me push this kid out. Oh, man, here comes another one.”
“Push, doll, push.” With a hand braced on the small of her back, Vic rubbed as she bore down with the contraction. “That’s my girl.”
“I can see the head,” the doctor announced, and Julia collapsed on the bed, panting heavily.
“I’m done, no more, please, no more.”
Taking the cold cloth by the bed, Vic dabbed it over her face. She was never more beautiful to him than she was now. “It’s almost done, baby, almost done. Just think, a few more pushes and you’ll have yourself a baby.”
“I change my mind; I don’t want kids.”
He laughed, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Too late, babe, much too late to turn back now.”
“One big push, Julia, and you should have your baby.”
“You said that last time,” Julia growled at the doctor. “Oh, man, here it comes again.”
“Big breath in and push.”
“That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you. Come on, Julia, you can do it.”
“Oh…God,” Julia screamed with the last push, before collapsing on the bed, exhausted.
The sweetest sound he had ever heard was the sound of his child crying. His eyes darting up to the mirror on the ceiling, Vic’s face lit with joy. “The baby’s out, Julia. You did it, you pushed it out.”
“ It would be a boy,” Doctor Lyndel added, holding the crying little boy in the air. “Mommy and Daddy, say hello to your new son.”
“Oh, Julia, he’s beautiful.” Eagerly, Vic took his son in his hands and tears welled up in his eyes. “Look at him.” Vic placed him gently on Julia’s chest.
Julia sobbed, touching her son for the first time. “He looks just like you.”
“He looks pink and wrinkled.” But Vic smiled proudly, stroking the fine downy blond hair on his son’s head. “Hello, Justin Michael.” Both he and Julia had decided to name him after Michelle as a tribute to the woman who had brought them together.
Escape in Passion Page 18