With another muttered fuck, she ran toward Groot’s still body.
I stood on the spot, suddenly devoid of life. Of hope.
Ronnie… Groot… What did I—
“He’s alive,” Lila called. “I need to get him to a clinic ASAP.”
The words spurred me into action.
I ran over to where she crouched down beside the young Doberman and did exactly what she told me to do. For the next ten minutes, I did nothing but what I was ordered to do by Lila. It was the only way, at that moment, I could get through the nightmare my wedding day had become.
Someone had taken Ronnie. Someone with a personal vendetta against me. Someone with enough money to destroy our wedding with a helicopter and armed goons.
I had no idea who that someone was. Which meant I had no way of knowing how to get Ronnie back. Not knowing had the potential to break me, unravel what little rational humanity I had. I needed that rational humanity to save the woman I loved.
For a terse ten minutes, I didn’t listen to the screaming in my head to destroy the world and find Ronnie. I only listened to Lila. I let her brusque instructions as she set about tending to Groot occupy my mind.
A distant part of my mind noticed Fluffy was dealing with Janice and William Underwood. And by dealing with, I meant, he kept William away from me and kept Janice calm. Tannah didn’t stray far from his side.
“Okay, Lucas.” A gentle hand on my arm jerked my stare up from Groot—currently trying to lick my fingers as I knotted the sleeve I’d ripped from my tuxedo jacket around his ribcage. As temporary bandages went, it was the best we had at the beach.
The faint sound of sirens wailing high on the humid air announced the imminent arrival of first responders. Lila would deal with any shit from the cops, but I didn’t want to be here when they arrived.
I had a record. Who would believe I had nothing to do with the shots fired, let alone the bullet hole in the retired Marine’s shoulder?
“You need to go,” Lila muttered, maneuvering Groot onto the remains of my jacket. “Fluffy can help me from here. Or Ronnie’s dad.”
I swallowed, and a hot lump filling my throat. Wild rage was gnawing at my control, fraying it, creeping into my mind.
When I didn’t move, Lila lifted her focus from Ronnie’s dog and locked a steady gaze on me. “Get the fuck out of here, Pratt. Now. You won’t be able to get Ronnie back locked up.”
I don’t know what crossed my face, but she reached out a hand and squeezed my shoulder. “It’ll be okay,” she whispered. “I promise. I’ll make sure of it. Just get back to your suite. I’ll be there soon.”
Gut a cold knot, I nodded and straightened to my feet.
Groot let out a soft yap, tail wagging a little.
I bent and gave the top of his head a gentle stroke. “I’ll get her back, pal.”
“We will,” Lila agreed. “Now get out of here.”
I did. With a quick nod to Fluffy, I ran from the beach.
William shouted my name, demanded I come back, his voice indignant, but I didn’t.
I didn’t slow down until I arrived back at the suite.
Closing the door behind me, I scanned the luxurious room.
Ronnie had gotten dressed in here. I could still smell her perfume on the air, delicate and taunting.
Chest tight, I walked into the bedroom.
My chest squeezed tighter. My breath caught in my throat. On the bed, where she’d no doubt tossed them after taking them off that morning, was the Iron-Man T-shirt and cut-off shorts she’d worn to breakfast.
Just there. Waiting for her to either pack into her suitcase or put back on after I’d fucked her brains out after we were married.
There.