Page 33 of Sworn to Defend

“Don’t be so childish.”

“What a dick,” Silver muttered.

“We heard it,” Iron said. “Headed toward the back of the building now.”

He didn’t answer, but completed the walk to the bar and ordered a scotch. They’d looked at the floor plans to the building and scoped it out when they arrived. If Vivienne went down the hall toward the restrooms, there was a back exit. He could only hope that was what Vivienne was thinking and could make it out quietly. As the minutes passed, Scott seemed to grow more agitated. He stood up and crossed the room to Rochelle. He couldn’t make out what he was saying but Rochelle scurried out of the room and Agatha and Donald approached him. It didn’t take long for a commotion to brew. The guests began speaking in hushed tones, eyes searching the room for the bride-to-be. Rochelle returned and was speaking to the bridal party. Hannah’s father approached him, cheeks red with anger.

“Where is she?”

“Stepped out to get some air with Collin.” He leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his drink.

“That’s not what I mean.”

Agatha had joined her husband. “I’m so sorry, everyone. Our grandson has wandered into the woods and the bride and her sister have gone after him. As you may know, he has autism and has to be found as soon as possible. We appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to celebrating Scott and Vivienne at tomorrow’s wedding.” There were some hushed murmurs. Some guests stood and began to leave, while others offered help.

He stood up and walked straight out of the building, heart pounding. “What’s your location?”

“We’ve got her. Headed toward the freeway.”

“Do you have Hannah and Collin?” He glanced around the front of the building as tension seeped like ice through his veins. Quickening his pace, he walked around the back of the building. Nothing.

“No. That wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Did you see them outside? They went out for air. I can’t find them.”

Iron swore. “Silver. Brakes!”

The squeal of tires filled his ears. A car door opened and slammed. “What are you doing out here? Where’s your mom?” Silver was saying.

The blood rushed to his head, roaring in his ears. “Aunt Regina. Aunt Regina.” He could hear Collin repeating the name over and over as he raced toward the tree line. Those sick fucks had something planned to divert the attention from their runaway bride and there was nothing that garnered more sympathy than a tragedy.

Chapter Seventeen

“Run, Collin! Run!” Hannah didn’t recognize the shriek that ripped from her throat. Regina had snagged her foot on a dried branch and Hannah used the opportunity to lurch forward and tackle her. The gun flew out of her sister’s hand and into the dried brush. She glanced up, heart pumping furiously. Collin had listened to her. Thank God. No hesitation, only trust. Hunter would find him—of that she had no doubt.

Regina had approached them outside. She’d seen Vivienne climb into the SUV with Silver and Iron—not that she knew who they were. She’d raged at Hannah, and then when she’d tried to push past Regina, she’d pulled a pistol out of her silk satchel and told them to walk into the wooded area behind the venue. That was her big mistake. She never should’ve let her sister lead them into the woods, but one look at Collin with a gun pointed in his direction made her choke on fear. She would’ve done anything she asked, and that was right where Regina wanted her.

With her sister on the ground, she started to run. Fingers closed around her ankle and she barely had time to get her hands in front of her before she slammed into the ground face-first. The wind was knocked out of her and she silently gasped, waiting for air to fill her lungs. Regina yanked on her leg, dragging her down the sandy hill. Something sliced into her arm, tearing open her skin. Her sister crawled toward her on her hands and knees and drew her arm back. She tried to roll away when she saw the rock in her grip, but Regina had a hold on her leg. She brought the heavy stone down hard on Hannah’s knee. The crunch of bone was followed by a pain so piercing, she could do nothing but open her mouth in a silent scream. She was paralyzed in pain as Regina scurried into the brush. Don’t find the gun. Don’t find the gun.

She returned with the weapon in one hand. “Between that heavy dress and your knee, you won’t be coming up from the bottom of the lake.” Regina stood up and dusted off her dress, then yanked Hannah up. When her crushed knee hit the ground, her cry pierced the air.

“Shut the hell up.” Regina dropped her back on the ground, grabbed the hem of the mermaid dress, and began to drag her. With each movement, the fragments of bone in her knee slid and scraped together. She tried to breathe through the agony in short pants. Passing out when Regina wanted to drown her wouldn’t give Hannah much of a fighting chance.

“Why?” She had so many questions. Ones she couldn’t get straight in her head with the sand and gravel biting into her exposed skin.

Regina looked back at her, eyes wild. “Think of how much trouble you would’ve saved if you didn’t care so much about poor Vivienne’s goddamn feelings. Our family has never been the same since you screwed everything up.” Regina was breathing heavily. “People gossip about us, because of you! Wasn’t bad enough that you had to go and get knocked up, but then you throw in that he was a caddie? You have no idea how much embarrassment—”

“So,” she panted through the pain. “You killed him?” Her voice was a breathless, anguished whisper.

“What?” The outrage in her tone was ironic seeing she was dragging Hannah down a steep hill with intent to murder. “I wouldn’t waste my time on him. He was a nobody.” Regina stopped, let go of her dress, and bent forward with her hands on her knees. She was gasping for breath. Maybe she’d pass out before they got to the lake.

The red stain from her wounded knee was spreading through the fabric of the dress like spilled wine. She took a gulp of air. “His death wasn’t an accident.” Her voice was so weak, she thought Regina had missed it.

“No shit,” she said through clenched teeth. “That was just one more blow you left us with. When Dad went to offer Russell money to disappear from your life, he was already dead. His parents had come into some money and put it into a bank account for him. Russell’s uncle ran them off the road to gain custody. He couldn’t let him survive with a baby on the way, because that’s who would stand to inherit the money. Imagine killing someone for a measly hundred grand?”

“How do you know all this?”

“Because Russell’s uncle has been blackmailing our family ever since. Dad was over the house, so his prints were on everything. Then Russell’s uncle forced him to help take the body to a boat. I don’t particularly like you, Hannah, but I didn’t want to have to kill you. This is on you.”

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