Page 68 of Lust & Lies

I stood there, staring, attempting to make sense of what I was seeing. I should’ve been running in the opposite direction, trying to make it to Gertrude’s house. But my body wouldn’t move.

I was so damn tired. Up ahead, there was a three-on-three battle raging. Oh, wait. There was a body on the ground. I watched as the person on the ground slowly pushed himself up. He stretched his hand forward, reaching for something.

“Get down,” someone yelled.

Were they talking to me? Oh, shit. The guy on the ground was reaching for a gun. I dropped to the ground mere seconds before a gunshot rang out. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the pain.

The numbness was still there, but the aches were waking up from their nap as the adrenaline died down. Yet, there was no new, fresh wave of pain, so I didn’t think I’d been shot. Wait! That voice... had that been Aiden yelling for me to get down?

I forced my eyes open, fighting against the exhaustion wanting to pull me under. I lay there, staring at the crew that was battling it out. The man who’d been reaching for the gun had it kicked from his hand and sent flying into the woods by who I was pretty sure was Aiden.

Before he could finish off the guy on the ground, another man grabbed Aiden by the neck. My stomach clenched. I watched as Aiden bent at the knees, then flipped the attacker clean over his shoulder.

I guess those were his karate skills he claimed we’d learned together as kids. Impressive. He didn’t stop there. He straddled his attacker and punched him in the face repeatedly. I wanted to watch him fight, wanted to make sure he won.

But I was losing my battle against unconsciousness. My eyes started to drift shut again. No. I gritted my teeth and forced them open. I couldn’t pass out. I hadn’t made it to the orchard. I hadn’t reached safety yet.

I looked around, needing something to focus on. The SUV was still there, its headlights damn near blinding me. Just behind it was a black van with its front end smashed into the back of the SUV.

I was pretty sure that was one of the black vans I’d seen back at Aiden’s place. The battle was still raging. But Aiden was winning. That calmed my heart a little, which kind of made me upset.

Okay, Noe... quit lying around. You’ve got to get to the orchard.

I pushed upward, trying to stand up. But I wasn’t the only one rising. So was the wounded guy who’d had his gun kicked away from him. He’d pushed himself to his feet and was now limping my way.

The problem was, he had more pep in his limp than I did. Damn it. On my feet now, I started toward the orchard with my hand pressed against my side, holding my wound. I had no idea how much blood I’d lost, but I was pretty sure it was too much.

I glanced over my shoulder to find Aiden stalking toward the guy limping after me. Clutching my side, I stood there, watching as Aiden kicked the guy in the back, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The guy turned over just as Aiden lifted his foot and brought it down on the guy’s throat. That’s what I’m talking about. Do it again. As if he could hear my thoughts, he brought his foot down again, then again, this time connecting with the man’s face.

He continued, stomping until the guy was no longer moving, the man’s face now unrecognizable. Aiden’s actions were brutal. Ruthless. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten a chance to see my savage in action.

But when his gaze rose to mine, I realized I shouldn’t have stopped to watch. Those were the eyes of a madman. A psychopath. A true savage. And my battered heart and body weren’t beaten too badly to respond like a traitor.

With blood splattered on his face and his clothing torn, I should’ve been disgusted by what I saw. Instead, I wanted to run to him. To hold him. To thank him for helping me. My savage started in my direction. Oh, no. I took a step back.

“Don’t move,” he ordered.

Fuck that. I turned and started in the other direction, limping toward the orchard.

“Noelani Cartwright, don’t you run from me,” Aiden yelled.

“Oh, now, you know my name. Fuck you, with yo lying ass,” I called back, body so damn sore.

I was not going to make it to the orchard before he caught me.

I was already swaying. Fuck. I couldn’t walk any further.

Ahead of me, I saw a vehicle approaching.

Please, don’t tell me I’ve got to fight again?

Can I at least take a minute to rest? Can I request a time-out?

Not it? Something? A woman stuck her head out of the passenger side window.

“Noe!” Gertrude shouted.

I smiled, or at least I thought I did. I couldn’t be sure, since everything was starting to blur, and I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. Shit. I was pretty sure I was starting to fall.

“I’ve got you,” a deep voice told me.

Strong arms wrapped around me as my eyes drifted shut. And then I was being lifted up, swept off my feet. Oooh, this was so much better than standing. I felt like I was floating on clouds. Muffled voices filled the air.

“Aiden, you put her down right now,” Gertrude yelled.

“I’m never letting you go,” Aiden whispered for my ears only. “Don’t ever run from me again, Noe,” he told me, voice shaking. “I thought I lost... I woke up and you were gone. I thought I’d lost you.”

“You have lost me,” I whispered, eyes still closed. “I remember... my sister... your real wife...”

That was all I could get out. Even talking was exhausting. Aiden seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

“I never touched her, ever,” he told me, voice starting to fade. “You, Noelani Cartwright, are the only woman I’ve ever been with. The only woman I’ve ever loved. The only woman I will ever love. And you’re not allowed to leave me again. If I have to lock your ass up, I will.”

I wanted to reply. I wanted to tell him he was crazy. But the darkness was tugging hard on me. I gave up and let it pull me under. But my last thoughts were...

“If he never touched my twin, did that mean I could forgive him and get more of those forehead kisses? Or was this just another one of his lies? Please, God, don’t let this be a lie. I really need a forehead kiss right now.”