Page 56 of A Game of Survival

I shake my head, what the fuck am I thinking? “I’m getting you out of here.” I grunt, readying myself to stand.

“Linc–”

“No, Lucille. I won’t have it any other way. I will not risk your life anymore than it already has been.” I snap, causing her mouth to clamp shut.

I glance back over to Cole once more who catches my eye as Enzo subdues the bald guys by snapping his neck. Cole’s eyes flare when he looks at Lucille but he nods, understanding what must be done. He would do the same. Any of us would. There was once a time when neither Silas, Cole or I would have cared if we went into a situation that we stood every chance of not returning from. But now, since Lucille, everything is different. Now we live for her.

“Silas!” I bark, trying to get his attention over the noise, to let him know my intention.

Gunshots continue until silence falls and he shouts, “NOW.”

With that I spring to my feet, Lucille’s body bouncing against my chest as I make a run for the hole in the wall. Silas and Max fire into the remaining group of Ronan’s gang, covering us as we escape. I jump over the fallen rubble, ignoring Lucille's pleas to turn around and wait for everybody else. She can hate me, but I’d rather that than her death. I take the stairs three at a time, breaking out into the kitchen then swiftly making my way through the house to the front door before freezing at the sound of a bullet being chambered.

“Is he dead?” A cool voice has me spinning round to meet a face that has me instinctively holding onto Lucille tighter. I notice her body shift as she places a steadying hand on my chest.

“He’s dead,” she replies, matter of factly to the ghost standing before me. I’m confused, for the first time in a very long time. I feel completely blindsided. I notice the small flicker in his eyes as his gaze quickly roams over Lucille's exposed legs and it makes me want to put the fucker through the wall behind him.

I tense as he lowers his weapon, shifting his body to remove his shirt, revealing a FBI bullet proof vest.

“What the fuck is going on?” I demand.

He steps forwards, holding out his shirt, looking directly into my eyes.

“Cover her up,” he offers. I hesitate, but the thought of any other man looking at Lucille's compromised state has me reaching for the shirt and tucking it over her legs.

“Thank you, Marcus,” Lucille whispers softly, unsure of the words as they leave her mouth. I frown at the name, Marcus notices and smirks to himself.

“I’ll let Max explain…” he chuckles, waving his hand as he saunters off in the direction of the cellar.

“What the fuck was that about?” I gawp, utterly confused by what just happened.

“I don’t fully understand but it turns out Vinny had an identical twin brother.'' Lucille says slowly, like she’s finally realizing the information as she says the words out loud.

I frown, how could we not have known this? How was it not picked up on our background check? Then I realize he probably redacted the information himself when he became part of the FBI. Knowing the true extent of his brother's proclivities and the multiple convictions no doubt left him not wanting to be associated with such a piece of shit.

“I don’t like him,” I grunt, carrying Lucille out of the house to the van we left beyond the perimeter of the fence.

It wasn’t long until Silas, Cole and the rest of the group all came clambering back to the van. Cole looked even worse than I remembered, with blood soaking through the ragged bandages wrapped around his hands and multiple lacerations and bruises covering his face and body.

“Jesus Christ!'' I curse, noting the pale tinge to his skin and layer of sweat glistening across his face as Zack and Sully hoisted him into the backseat of the van, climbing in after him. Nobody else seemed to have sustained any serious injuries.

“Where…Where is Max?” Lucille asks, the question breaking at the end as she glances back toward the house. Oh fuck.

“He’s gone with the FBI to answer some more questions, they said it couldn’t wait but he’ll be back at the house as soon as it’s over.” Silas informs her, pulling her into a solid embrace before slamming his lips to hers, letting his emotions break out in one of the only ways he knows how. Lucille gasps as their lips part and I notice the way her skin flushes at the words Silas whispers in her ear before she directs her attention back to Cole.

I turn to Silas, pulling him in closer out of Lucille’s earshot as she assesses the damage to Cole’s wounded hands. “If we don’t get him to a doctor he’s going to be in trouble real soon.” I whisper hiss, mentally preparing myself to deal with what happens next. “Lucille needs a doctor, too. She needs to be checked over.” I add, catching a glimpse of anger in Silas’ eyes.

“Is the doctor still contactable?” he asks, rubbing his fingers into his eyes, smearing the blood from them across his face.

“He won’t have a choice in the matter.” I state, already firing out a message to the good doctor with instructions on where to meet us.

“That’s good, he can treat Cole at the house. Lucille will be going to a hospital though. I’ll take her there myself. He comes nowhere near her.” Silas says out loud, more to himself than me. I would never let Lucille back in the same room as that man let alone let him treat her. The thought of it leaves me tense but before I can ask any further questions, Lucille’s desperate voice calls out from the back seat.

“We need to get him to a hospital now!”

Chapter 29 Epilogue

12 months later

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