I scream and scream and scream until I tear up my throat and taste iron on my tongue.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” Arturo asks with a sneer. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a picture. It’s blurry, the camera quality lackluster, but the photo is very clearly of two people locked in a passionate embrace, standing at the front of a chapel room before the altar.
I can barely make out the details through my tears.
It’s Zane and me.
What—
“It took my private investigator a while to put it all together,” Arturo explains as his guards restrain Zane and me. “When Willow returned home, I got to work re-arranging her wedding. Imagine my surprise when the wedding license was denied because my dear girlwas already married.”
My throat squeezes shut. I can’t breathe, I can’t think.
“Married?” I echo in disbelief. “But that’s impossible—”
My memories of that night suddenly burst forth. I remember everything now. We celebrated Heath and Darlene’s wedding earlier that day, got sloshed, and then Zane and I…
I’m overcome with a wash of emotions, confusion being key among them. But there’s also a trace of joy, of relief. The thought of being married to Zane makes the butterflies in my stomach flutter. I may not have known him for very long, but I know for a fact he is a far more honorable and kinder man than Esteban will ever be in his lifetime.
And what about Joseph Marrones? Is he really my uncle? Am I somehow related to my father’s worst and most dangerous enemy? Whatever answers he might have died with him.
But there’s no time for these thoughts to settle, no chance to make sense of everything that’s happening. I’ve been hit by a tsunami of realizations, and there’s a very good chance I won’t live to see tomorrow now that Arturo has returned.
“Shoot him,” my father says coldly.
“No!” I plead at the top of my lungs.
I’m restrained on either side by armed men. No matter how much I struggle, I can’t break free. All I can do is watch in dismay as one of Arturo’s closest guards raises his pistol. I refuse to give up. I won’t stand idly by as they shoot my one and only protector. My fight or flight instincts kick in, taking control of my body as my brain goes into overdrive.
I turn and bite the shoulder of one of my captors, sinking my teeth hard enough to break skin. He yelps loudly, rearing back in pain. The moment he lets go from the shock, I throw my weight against the second guard, driving my knee straight into his groin. He keels over like a house of cards, wheezing in agony.
I throw myself in Zane’s direction, landing hard on my knees as I wrap my arms over his head and shoulders. I’m not big enough to shield him completely, but I hope I’ll at least make it difficult for my father and his men.
“Stop!” Arturo screams. “Stop! Don’t you dare hurt her!”
I’m running on pure adrenaline at this point.There is only one thought on my mind:survive.
The ear-shattering screech of tires rips through the chaos, a black SUV barreling straight toward Arturo and his men. They manage to jump out of the way, but just barely, scrambling and disorganized to get out of the way. The car stops right in front of us, the passenger-side window sliding down.
“Get in!” Heath shouts from behind the wheel. “Hurry!”
Zane and I rush to our feet, dashing into the backseat just as Heath slams on the gas.
So much for trying to be discreet.
Chapter 22
Willow
We drive for what feels like hours. I have no idea where we’re going, and I quite frankly don’t care as long as I never have to go home. The stakes are too high. I not only have a target on my back, but I’ve put Heath and Zane in the line of fire, too.
Zane, myhusband.
He’s seated in the back with me, several large bruises and nasty cuts riddling his face. my father’s men really did a number on him. At least he’s conscious.
“This is nothing like Operation Falcon,” Heath grumbles from behind the wheel.
When I look out the window, I notice a big highway sign that reads:Arizona, the Grand Canyon State Welcomes You.