Page 49 of Ours

“He was going to kill me and our baby girl,” she stated matter-of-factly.

Nodding once, Kade stepped down the long driveway towards the parked car. Noticing that the driver’s door of the black sedan was wide open, he stopped dead in his tracks. He knew for a fact that it was closed when he arrived at the house.

“Fuck,” he said.

Perking from his obscenity, Lexi glanced around in the darkness. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Opening his mouth to answer, he heard the unmistakable sound of someone cocking back a Glock behind him. Cursing himself for tucking his own pistol in his waistband, he gave Lexi a look of warning before slowly turning around. There was only one other person besides himself that carried that particular weapon.

“You don’t want to do this, Val,” he said, his deep voice steady and calm.

Letting out an annoyed sigh, Valentine aimed her gun at Kade’s forehead. Leaning her head, she studied his expression in the moonlight. In all of the years she had known him, this was the first time she had seen a look of true fear on his face. He finally had the family he needed, and he was on the verge of losing it. If she had a heart, it would be breaking for him.

“We all have to do things that we don’t want to do, Kade,” she replied. “You know that.”

Licking his lips nervously, he took half a step forward towards the statuesque blonde. “Please, Val... after everything we’ve been through together. After everything I’ve done for you, you owe me.Please...just let us go,”he begged. “You know damn well that I would let you go if you were in my shoes!”

Holding in her breath, Lexi toggled her gaze back and forth between Kade and Valentina. She could’ve sworn she saw her face softening. It was smart of him to play upon the affection she clearly harbored for him.

Clearing her throat, Valentina shrugged her shoulders. Now wasn’t the time for her mind to replay all the tender moments they had shared. She had orders to see through. “No one escapes your father, you know that,” she replied.

Adjusting Lexi in his arms, he took another step forward. She was on the verge of cracking; she just needed a small incentive.

“Yeah, I know that’s what’s been drilled into us since we were old enough to walk but think about this for a second. With me gone, you’ll be next in line. And don’t give me any shit about ‘but I’m not a man.’ The whole ‘male heir’ thing he likes to scream is complete bullshit. The sex of our baby never mattered, he was going to kill Lexi and our baby no matter what. This whole fucking thing was supposed to be one giant mindfuck lesson for me,” he said, his deep voice edged in anger. “But he fucking confessed to me when I woke up from my coma that he was planning on naming you his heir. With me gone, you’ll be next in line. You’ll finally have what you’ve always wanted. Bloodbayne has a soft spot for you, he always has. You have nothing to lose, here.”

Mulling over his words, Valentina’s resolve slowly melted away. She always knew in her heart that Bloodbayne’s misogyny was a lie. On more than one occasion, he had whispered his plans on bequeathing everything to her. She has always written it off, telling herself that they were the desperate words of a man who would say anything to lose himself inside her. But perhaps Kade was telling her the truth? Besides him, she was the only one competent enough to run the Organization. With him gone, there was a real possibility that Bloodbayne would have her take over when the time came. It was a chance she was willing to take.

Reluctantly dropping her weapon, she squared her shoulders. She couldn’t believe what she was about to agree to. I’ll give you a twenty-minute head start, Kade. Nothing more, nothing less. I suggest you run and run quickly. I won’t be able to stop them if they ever find you,” she warned.

Blinking his dark eyes, he silently thanked God. He knew she wouldn’t slaughter them. There was still some compassion inside of that steely shell of hers. “Thank you, Val,” he replied.

“Don’t thank me, yet. They’ll be here any second. You need to hurry if you want to keep breathing,” she urged.

Nodding an acknowledgment, he gave her one last look of gratitude before turning away. Carrying Lexi a handful of steps towards the waiting Lexus, he stopped when he heard his friend loudly clear her throat behind him.

“Kade. Aren’t you forgetting to do something?” Valentina asked.

Pursing his lips together, he turned his beaten face to Lexi. Leaning in, he gave her a loving kiss on her forehead. “I just need to put you down for just a second, ok? This will only take a minute and then we’ll get the fuck out of here.”

“Ok,” she replied, not understanding what was going on.

Gently setting her down on her feet, he waited for her to find her balance before facing Valentina. Reaching for the gun tucked into his waistband, he flicked off the safety and pointed the weapon at his former partner.

“Make them clean,” she ordered, straightening her posture.

“Only for you,” he replied.

Wanting to make it as quick and painless as possible, he fired off two shots from his gun; one round aimed at her upper left arm, and the other at her left calf. He hated to shoot her, but it was a necessary evil. If she went back to his father without a scratch on her, she would pay dearly.

Falling to the ground, Valentina screamed an obscenity. Even though they weren’t mortal wounds, they still hurt like a bitch. Lucky for her, he was an impeccable marksman. Just a few stitches and she would be as good as new.

“GO!” she yelled.

Not needing to be told twice, he tucked his gun back in his waistband and turned back towards Lexi. Scooping her up into his arms, he ran the rest of the way to the Lexus.

Glancing over his broad shoulder, Lexi kept her blurry gaze on Valentina. She had given them the most precious gift, and she would never forget it. She only wished she had the chance to thank her.

Making his way to the passenger side of the car, he opened the door and gently eased her into the leather seat. Grabbing the seatbelt, he wrapped it around her rounded body and buckled her safely in. Letting his hand drift over her midsection, he was relieved to feel his daughter kick against his palm. Both of the girls he loved so dearly were safe. He could finally breathe again.

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