Ending with Forever

by LLP, Lan

  Carson Bradley

  “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.

  Chapter 24

  Carson Bradley

  The 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.

  Lillian Ly

  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 gentlenes
s 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.

  “Carson, how is this fair? She’ll be free in no time,” I panic. “She’s not mental. She’s malicious, cunning, and evil. She won’t stop until I’m dead. She killed Edison, for God’s sake.”

  “Angel, she’s not going anywhere but straight to hell. Trust me. She’ll pay for what she did to you,” he assures me in a chilling tone. His jaw and fists clench furiously. “I don’t want you to worry about her a
nymore. She’ll soon be a bad nightmare that’ll fade away with time.”

  “I can’t help it. The second my eyes close, I see her repulsive face threatening me, pointing her gun at my head.”

  “Don’t give her that satisfaction. Don’t let her stay in your head. You’re strong. You can do this,” he encourages.

  “I’ll try,” I agree. Whether I’m capable or not is another thing.

  “Good girl. From now on, I promise you my face will be the first and last thing you see when you open and close your eyes. We’ll never be separated like that again.”

  Buttoning up my gown, Carson fluffs the pillows behind me before lowering my body carefully back. He lies on his side next to me, opposite of the IV line attached to my left arm, watching me with tender eyes, contemplating.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” I demand nosily.

  “Will our twins have your beautiful light brown eyes and gorgeous smile,” he replies, showing off my favorite dimple.

  “I’m really hoping they’ll have your hazel color and dimple instead,” I tell him, reaching for his cheek with my left hand. He turns his head to kiss the heart of my palm and then gently fold my fingers in and kisses along my knuckles.

  “We’ll just have to keep making babies until we both get what we want,” he winks.