Page 107 of An Eye For Illusion

Colin grunts as he shifts again. “So, I didn’t need to be kidnapped and held hostage? Nice.” My heart stops for a moment when we both look wide-eyed at the man laying battered and bruised on a gurney, but then he grins. “I’m joking, Princess. I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant freeing you from Elliott.”

I scoot forward on the small seat and lean over the stretcher to kiss him gently on the lips.

“And hopefully make you mine,” he whispers against my lips.

A blush spreads across my cheeks. “Of course,” I whisper in reply.

“You fucked up everything. Everything!” Elliott’s rage filled voice comes out of nowhere and interrupts this perfect moment. He’s in handcuffs and being escorted by a police officer to an awaiting patrol car.

My father turns to block Elliott from being able to see me. I didn’t fuck this up; he did. He ruined his own life and was willing to take me down with him on his one-man crusade for more money and power.

I feel ashamed that I fell for his bullshit to begin with. If I’d trusted my gut and hadn’t been so hell bent on saving myself from real, true love, none of us would be here. But that also means I might never have met Colin.

It’s a bittersweet truth.

“See ya, dick!” Colin calls out in a surprisingly strong voice before wincing as Elliott is involuntarily dragged past the ambulance, ranting and cursing us until he’s out of earshot. Colin chuckles and then groans before offering me a smile. He hisses, and his eyes close as the EMT goes for the second stick, this one successfully flashing with blood.

“Got it!” the EMT says triumphantly. “You’re gonna feel better really soon.”

Colin sighs with relief. “I’d offer all of you some, but I don’t think I’m allowed to share with the class.” I look at him incredulously, and he smirks with his swollen lips. “It’s over, Princess. We did it.” He repeats his earlier sentiment as he squeezes my hand.

We have so much we need to talk about and hash out, but all of it can wait. Right now, all that matters is Colin is safe and with me.

“It certainly is,” Donovan offers from his leaning position against the ambulance, guarding his best friend. “Elliott is going away for a long time, and Vincent Maggio is dead.” There isn’t a drop of remorse in his voice.

“It was you that fired the second shot?” Colin asks Donovan with a smirk.

“Yep, Vinny never saw it coming. I couldn’t let you go out like that.”

“Thanks, D. I can always count on you to have my back,” Colin says weakly.

“You know it. I’d fist bump you, but your tour bus is full,” Donovan quips.

Colin lets go of my hand long enough to raise it slightly. “Air high fives?”

Donovan quirks a brow. “Hey, discount doc, you give him the good shit yet?”

The paramedic shakes his head, chuckling at the discount doc comment. “Not yet.”

D snorts as he looks back at Colin. “Oh, so he’s just naturally that stupid. Got it.”

Colin takes my hand again and smiles. “Shut up.”

“No, you shut up,” Donovan fires back, but it holds no bite. It seems like an inside joke.

Dad’s hand squeezes my shoulder. “I’m just glad you’re safe. I’m so sorry you went through all that, sweetheart.”

I think the realization of everything is really hitting my dad. He never knew how much danger any of us were in because I didn’t want to worry him. I would’ve given my own life if it meant protecting his, and I know he feels the same way about me. I’ll always be his little girl.

“She has an entire security group watching her back now, too, sir. Not to mention the best damn private investigator I’ve ever known,” Donovan adds. Colin’s wide grin makes Donovan shake his head. “But he’s a cocky little bastard.”

“I appreciate both of you looking out for her. And Jade, you and I are going to have a long talk about communication and us being honest with each other.” My dad speaks sternly, but he’s right; none of this would’ve happened had we put our worries about how the other would react aside and talked like a father and daughter should.

“Time to roll,” a petite, brunette EMT announces as she stands at the back of the ambulance across from Donovan. She rests her hand on one of the open back doors.

I look at Colin and then at my father and Donovan. “I’m riding with him.”

Dad smirks. “I’m right behind you.” He kisses the top of my head before stepping out of the ambulance.

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