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)
“Kicking someone in their stomach while they are on the floor isn't defending yourself,” I growl. The cops are unsure what to do. Now I’m starting to wonder how much she’s remembered.
“You have no idea what you're talking about. Trust me, I have the records that say she’s crazy. I’ll take her back and they will hand over conservatorship to me.”
“No,” I correct. “As her husband, that power would go to me.” I look down at Lucy. “I’d never do that to you,” I tell her.
“I know,” she replies. Her voice is stronger now.
“Her what?” Kurt yells. His face is turning red. “She’s mine.”
I go to take a step towards him, but Lucy pulls on my arm, reminding me of my promise to her to not get my ass thrown in jail.
“Listen, you sick fuck. She’s nothing to you, and by the time I’m done with you, all the shit I’ve been finding on you you’ll be nothing to anyone but whoever your cellmate is.”
“You don’t have shit.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Lockwood. If I were you, I’d go home and get my affairs in order. Your clock is ticking.”
“I’ll testify. Tell you all he’s done over the years.” Lucy releases her hold on me and steps towards her grandfather, her back straight. “Did you think I wasn't paying attention? I know all your dirty little secrets.” I can hear the smile in her voice as she delivers that blow to him.
I take my own, realizing that she remembers everything. When did it come back to her?
“You little—” Kurt lunges for her, but I’m on him first, my hand connecting with his jaw, and he goes flying back, hitting the floor hard. I hear a loud crack. He doesn't move to get up.
One of the cops rushes towards me to hold me back. I don’t fight him.
“Let him go. He was defending his wife,” the judge says. The cop does as he says. “Take him to the hospital and have him held. He obviously meant to harm the girl when he lunged for her. Hold him on that for now.”
The cops peel Lockwood from the floor. “Let the media know that Lucy is no longer missing. That she is fine and was only away with her husband. They don’t need to know anything.”
“Sure thing, Judge,” one of the cops says as they all leave.
I look to Lucy, who is staring at the floor. “How long have you remembered?” I ask, not caring that we still have a small audience.
“Can we talk about this later?” She glances around at Judge Barnes and my parents.
“Of course.” I reach for her. Thankfully she doesn't pull away from my touch. I wrap my arm around her.
“Thank you, Judge. I’ll send everything over when I get the rest of the information I’m collecting.”
“Good. I want to put that man away where he belongs.” He stops in front of Lucy. “I’m sorry for all that you’ve gone through. I should have kept a better eye on your grandfather. I knew he was a bastard I just didn't know he had a young girl living with him.”
“It’s okay. Thank you for everything,” Lucy tells him. With that, the judge leaves.
“Mom, Dad, I know you’re dying to know everything, but right now I need to be alone with my wife.”
“Of course,” my dad says. My mom clamps her mouth shut, only nodding, probably because if she opens it she won’t be able to stop the barrage of questions I know she wants to ask.
“We’ll see you later son,” my dad says. My mom breaks away from Dad and gives me a hug. Next, she goes for Lucy, holding her tight and whispering in her ear. Then she kisses her on the cheek and she and my dad head out.
Leaving Lucy and me all alone.
“Orlando. I—”
I cut her off, crashing my mouth down onto hers, kissing her with everything I have, scared that this might be the last kiss I ever have with her. No, fuck that. I won’t let it be. I’ll do whatever it takes so she doesn't leave me.
I scoop her up into my arms and carry her up the stairs and into our bedroom, slamming the door behind us. It’s then I realize that she is kissing me back just as intensely as I’m kissing her. When she pulls away, we are both out of breath.
“You really wanted to marry me, didn't you? You didn't do it just to protect me, did you?” Her words take me by surprise.
“I wanted to marry you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my whole life,” I rumble. I don’t like her thinking I married her for any other reason than because I needed her more than I need air.
Chapter Twelve
Lucy
My heart pounds in my chest. His words fill me with so much relief. After everything came flooding back to me, I started putting things together. Like the fact that Orlando is a wonderful man and would do anything to protect me. Including marrying me, if that’s what it took to keep me safe.