Page 30 of Ours (The Possession Duology #2)

Letting out an annoyed sigh, Valentine aimed her gun at Kade’s forehead.

Leaning her head, she studied his expression in the moonlight.

In all of the years she had known him, this was the first time she had seen a look of true fear on his face.

He finally had the family he needed, and he was on the verge of losing it.

If she had a heart, it would be breaking for him.

“We all have to do things that we don’t want to do, Kade,” she replied. “You know that.”

Licking his lips nervously, he took half a step forward towards the statuesque blonde.

“Please, Val... after everything we’ve been through together.

After everything I’ve done for you, you owe me.

Please...just let us go,” he begged. “You know damn well that I would let you go if you were in my shoes!”

Holding in her breath, Lexi toggled her gaze back and forth between Kade and Valentina. She could’ve sworn she saw her face softening. It was smart of him to play upon the affection she clearly harbored for him.

Clearing her throat, Valentina shrugged her shoulders. Now wasn’t the time for her mind to replay all the tender moments they had shared. She had orders to see through. “No one escapes your father, you know that,” she replied.

Adjusting Lexi in his arms, he took another step forward. She was on the verge of cracking; she just needed a small incentive.

“Yeah, I know that’s what’s been drilled into us since we were old enough to walk but think about this for a second.

With me gone, you’ll be next in line. And don’t give me any shit about ‘but I’m not a man.

’ The whole ‘male heir’ thing he likes to scream is complete bullshit.

The sex of our baby never mattered, he was going to kill Lexi and our baby no matter what.

This whole fucking thing was supposed to be one giant mindfuck lesson for me,” he said, his deep voice edged in anger.

“But he fucking confessed to me when I woke up from my coma that he was planning on naming you his heir. With me gone, you’ll be next in line.

You’ll finally have what you’ve always wanted.

Bloodbayne has a soft spot for you, he always has. You have nothing to lose, here.”

Mulling over his words, Valentina’s resolve slowly melted away.

She always knew in her heart that Bloodbayne’s misogyny was a lie.

On more than one occasion, he had whispered his plans on bequeathing everything to her.

She has always written it off, telling herself that they were the desperate words of a man who would say anything to lose himself inside her.

But perhaps Kade was telling her the truth?

Besides him, she was the only one competent enough to run the Organization.

With him gone, there was a real possibility that Bloodbayne would have her take over when the time came.

It was a chance she was willing to take.

Reluctantly dropping her weapon, she squared her shoulders. She couldn’t believe what she was about to agree to. I’ll give you a twenty-minute head start, Kade. Nothing more, nothing less. I suggest you run and run quickly. I won’t be able to stop them if they ever find you,” she warned.

Blinking his dark eyes, he silently thanked God. He knew she wouldn’t slaughter them. There was still some compassion inside of that steely shell of hers. “Thank you, Val,” he replied.

“Don’t thank me, yet. They’ll be here any second. You need to hurry if you want to keep breathing,” she urged.

Nodding an acknowledgment, he gave her one last look of gratitude before turning away. Carrying Lexi a handful of steps towards the waiting Lexus, he stopped when he heard his friend loudly clear her throat behind him.

“Kade. Aren’t you forgetting to do something?” Valentina asked.

Pursing his lips together, he turned his beaten face to Lexi. Leaning in, he gave her a loving kiss on her forehead. “I just need to put you down for just a second, ok? This will only take a minute and then we’ll get the fuck out of here.”

“Ok,” she replied, not understanding what was going on.

Gently setting her down on her feet, he waited for her to find her balance before facing Valentina. Reaching for the gun tucked into his waistband, he flicked off the safety and pointed the weapon at his former partner.

“Make them clean,” she ordered, straightening her posture.

“Only for you,” he replied.

Wanting to make it as quick and painless as possible, he fired off two shots from his gun; one round aimed at her upper left arm, and the other at her left calf. He hated to shoot her, but it was a necessary evil. If she went back to his father without a scratch on her, she would pay dearly.

Falling to the ground, Valentina screamed an obscenity. Even though they weren’t mortal wounds, they still hurt like a bitch. Lucky for her, he was an impeccable marksman. Just a few stitches and she would be as good as new.

“GO!” she yelled.

Not needing to be told twice, he tucked his gun back in his waistband and turned back towards Lexi. Scooping her up into his arms, he ran the rest of the way to the Lexus.

Glancing over his broad shoulder, Lexi kept her blurry gaze on Valentina. She had given them the most precious gift, and she would never forget it. She only wished she had the chance to thank her.

Making his way to the passenger side of the car, he opened the door and gently eased her into the leather seat.

Grabbing the seatbelt, he wrapped it around her rounded body and buckled her safely in.

Letting his hand drift over her midsection, he was relieved to feel his daughter kick against his palm.

Both of the girls he loved so dearly were safe. He could finally breathe again.

Closing the passenger door, he raced to the driver’s side.

Hopping his large body into the sedan, he closed the door behind him and laughed to himself.

Sitting in the center console was the key fob, exactly where he expected it to be.

Maddox was the biggest moron for always leaving his fucking keys in the car.

Pushing the luxury car’s ignition switch, he gave Lexi a warm smile before tearing down the driveway towards the road. Time was of the essence; he had to create as much distance as he could. They would be running for the rest of their lives, but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle together.

“Where are we going?” she asked calmly, moving her gaze to look at Kade.

“I have a safehouse in Georgia that only I know about. I don’t have any ties to that area, it won’t even be on their radar.

Once we get out of town, we’ll find another car and head to Macon.

We can stay there until our daughter is born.

..then we can go over our options. But know this, I will do anything to protect you. Anything ,” he replied.

Melting into her seat from sudden exhaustion, she hummed a reply.

She knew they were far from being safe, but was comforted to know that he meant it when he said he would protect them.

After everything they had experienced together, she finally had the one piece that was missing in their twisted relationship.

With every fiber of her being, she now trusted him completely.

“I love you, Lexi. I love you and I love our daughter. More than anything in this fucking world. I’ll never let anything ever happen to either of you,” he said confidently, pulling onto the main road.

Nodding her head, Lexi smiled through the pain brought on by the flexing of her facial muscles. He had made declarations of love to her before, but this time was different. He finally believed his own words...and so did she.

“I know, Kade,” she replied, reaching over to the gear shift and covering his large hand with hers. “I love you too, and I’m so happy to be yours.”