Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“You look beautiful,” I tell her, putting her on her feet.
“You make me feel beautiful.” She smiles up at me, giving me her dimple. My chest aches. Maybe I should tell her the full truth.
It's better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
“Little one. Lucy.” I pull her close to me, my heart and head conflicted over the right course to take.
“Oh my god,” I hear my mom gasp. I jerk around to see her standing in the front doorway, her hand over her mouth. My dad stands behind her, smiling.
“We have a problem.” The judge walk back over. “Her grandfather is on his way here. Cops in tow,” Barnes informs us.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
“My grandfather?” Lucy’s voice wobbles. She closes her eyes like she’s pained, her breathing growing heavy. She’s quiet for too long, and it scares me.
“Little one. Marry me now. Before he gets here. Then he can’t take you from me. Please. He’ll have no claim over you. You’ll be mine in the eyes of the law. I promise I’ll explain everything after. When I know you’re safe,” I beg her. I have no idea what will happen if they get here and he tries to take her from me. I think I’ll lose it. I’ll be the one in a jail cell for the rest of my life when it really should be him behind bars.
“I told you I would,” she responds instantly not questioning that we are already married so it shouldn't matter. “I want wedding vows that I remember with you.”
“Go,” I tell the judge. My mom stands there, eyes wide, watching everything happen. I’ve never seen her this quiet before. She really must be in shock. Probably because I’ve hated being around people since I returned home and now I’m pledging to spend my life with someone.
The judge starts. I stare down at my little one and repeat the words. She does the same, making possession pound down on me. She’s mine and there is nothing anyone can do it about it. When Barnes says we are now man and wife, I grab her and kiss her hard and deep, staking my claim on her. I can hear the sirens coming, but I ignore them.
“I love you,” I tell her, not letting her go. “No one will take you from me,” I vow. She wraps her arm around mine, holding me tight.
My parents come to stand by us. “I’m Claire, and this is my husband, Hank,” she tells Lucy in a whisper.
“I’m Lucy,” she tells them.
“Oh, we know. We’ve heard a lot about you.” My mom shoots me a glare because it wasn't from me she heard about Lucy. Even though I wanted to tell my parents about her, I had many other things going on. I needed more time because I knew my mom would be all over her. I wasn't ready to share. Hell, I’m not sure I’ll ever be, but I’ll learn to because I know Lucy lost her parents when she was very young. My mom and dad would be more than willing to fill some of that void for her if she lets them. That's just how they are.
“Don’t get yourself thrown in jail,” my dad says, and Lucy’s hold on my arm tightens.
“Orlando,” she pleads with me. “Promise you won’t do that.” I look down at her, and like always I give her what she asks for.
“I promise.” She gives a stiff nod.
Movement outside catches my eye, and I see two police cruisers come up the drive and park outside. They’ve barely come to a stop and Kurt Lockwood is jumping out the passenger side of one of them.
“That’s my granddaughter!” he shouts. Lucy doesn't move.
“You better cool your tone when talking to her,” I bark.
Kurt stills for a moment before he pulls it together. “Get over here, Lucy,” he commands, but again she doesn't move.
“No,” is all she says. She doesn’t let go of me. I lean down and kiss the top of her head.
“Judge,” one of the police officers says, standing a little taller at the sight of Barnes.
Barnes nods at the cop. “Lockwood,” he says, directing his attention back to Lucy’s grandfather. “Your granddaughter isn't missing, and I don’t think she wants to leave with you either.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“She doesn't know what she wants. She’s unstable. Look what she did to my arm.” He holds up his arm—it’s in a bulky cast.
“I was running from you after you beat me!” Lucy screams. My body goes rock solid. I knew why she was running, but hearing the words come from her sweet mouth hits hard. I fight myself from lunging at the man.
“See, she’s crazy! I need to take her back to Center Mental Care. She attacked me and I was defending myself.”