Forsaking All Others Read online

  “No.”

  Her words were soft, but firm as she stayed where she was. He cocked the gun, the sound of the click nearly deafening in the silent house. He felt her whole body stiffen against him.

  “I will use this. Don’t make me.”

  Danicah stayed where she was, knowing exactly what was going to happen. Devon was going to try to use her to get Julianna to come back to him. And she would. She couldn’t let that happen.

  Despite the fear that was causing a lump to form in her throat, Danicah remained where she was.

  “Danicah, you’re a lot of things, but I never thought you would be this dumb—”

  The words died on his lips as the front door opened. Danicah, seizing her opportunity, immediately cried out for her husband.

  “Jason! Help me!”

  That was all that she needed to say as her husband came running into the kitchen, his muscles taut. Of all the days for him to get tied up at work to not be at home waiting for her. He immediately advanced on Devon, who took a step back, dragging Danicah with him.

  “Ah, ah.” He raised the gun he had been pressing into Danicah’s back and placed it firmly against her temple. “Choose your next steps wisely.”

  Jason immediately halted as Devon kept the gun pressed against his wife’s head. Jason noted her wild eyes and the tears streaming down her face as he looked between Devon and the gun, doing his best to assess the situation.

  “Don’t do anything stupid. If she does what she is supposed to, she’ll come back to you. Hell, even if she doesn’t, she’ll make it back to you. Just in a body bag.”

  Devon grinned as he watched Jason flinch at his last comment. That one had cut him deep.

  Good.

  Devon cautiously backed away and opened the door behind him.

  “We’re going for a drive, and you’re going to call your sister. Tell her to get the fuck back here. Do what I tell you, and you won’t be hurt. If you don’t, know I will not hesitate to end your life.”

  He kept his eyes trained on Jason who stood frozen as Devon kept the gun aimed at his wife’s head.

  Pitiful. Too many people are driven by love.

  He was halfway out the door before Danicah bolted toward the front of the house which caused Jason to charge right for him. Devon cursed and trained his gun on her as he chased her throughout the home, with Jason not too far behind him. Decorative vases smashed to the floor and furniture was hastily pushed out of the way as Devon chased Danicah first through the hallway to the kitchen and then into the living room. He stumbled as Jason swiped at his legs but recovered himself as Danicah disappeared around the corner into one of their bedrooms. Jason was on top of him in a flash, trying to wrestle the gun from his hands when Devon kicked him in the abdomen, momentarily stunning him. It was all that he needed as he regained control of the gun, his chest heaving. He attempted to kick Jason in the face when Jason tackled him again. Annoyed, Devon jumped to his feet and trained the gun on Jason’s moving frame, which was coming right at him.

  This ends now.

  Without hesitation, Devon pulled the trigger, one, two, and then three times. A smile came to his face as he watched Jason crumble to the floor, unmoving. He felt something sharp and burning drive into his side, causing him to cry out loudly in pain. Danicah had returned with a weapon—he couldn’t see it, but immediately felt the point piercing into his side. She smiled triumphantly before bolting for the bedroom once again He cursed and aimed the gun at her, the intensity of the pain in his side increasing. He fired two quick shots and listened for any sign of movement. Then he felt warm fluid trickling down his side.

  Blood. This bitch will pay dearly for that.

  He cursed again as the pain continued to worsen, intense, boring, and deep. He started for the door. He needed to do something about the wound. She would have to wait. Before he exited, he screamed out into the house:

  “You tell that bitch Julianna to get back here. Ask her if hiding was worth her brother-in-law’s life. Ask her if it is worth yours. This isn’t over.”

  His exit was swift as he ran out into the evening.

  Julianna could barely understand her sister through her tears as Danicah screamed something hysterically into the phone. After a few times, it finally made sense.

  “He came for me. He shot Jason. I don’t know if he’s going to make it.”

  Julianna’s hand shook as she ran to the kitchen where Evan and Hudson were working, and she put the phone on speaker.

  This can’t be happening.

  “Danni, Danni, slow down. What happened?”

  There was a brief pause as Danicah sniffled. Julianna could hear her soft cries as she spoke.

  “Devon. He broke into my house. He tried to take me at gunpoint. He shot Jason—oh God, I don’t know if he’s going to make it!”

  Both men paused and stared at the phone in disbelief.

  “Shit.”

  Hudson’s voice was laced with disdain as he abruptly rose from his seat at the kitchen counter and paced. Evan raked a hand through his hair as he stood up from around the kitchen table and came closer to the phone.

  “Danicah, it’s Evan. Where are you? Are you okay?”

  After a few beats of silence, her voice returned, small and meek.

  “Yeah. I’m at the hospital with Jason. There’s police guarding the door.”

  “Okay. Good. How is Jason?”

  “Still in surgery.”

  Her voice broke as she erupted into sobs.

  “What did he want? Did he say anything at all?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was stronger now. “He said to ‘tell that bitch to come back here’ and asked if Julianna running away was worth Jason’s life or mine.”

  Julianna’s legs buckled, and she sank to the floor, erupting into sobs.

  “Danni. Danni. I’m so sorry.”

  “You can’t come back here, Julianna. He’s lost it. Something changed in him—he’s acting different, as if he’s above the law. He’ll kill you if he gets a hold of you, Julianna. Don’t come back. Please.”

  “I have to.”

  Julianna closed her eyes as more tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks. This couldn’t continue. Devon had now escalated to a point where she drew the line. He had come for her family.

  “Julianna—”

  “—if I don’t, he won’t stop. Look at what he did to Jason,” a sob escaped her throat, but she continued, “and what he almost did to you. This has to end, Danni. Especially when it involves you two.”

  Danicah cried softly on the line as Evan spoke once again. His voice was gentle.

  “We will come back. She’s not doing this alone. That fucker will pay.”

  He glanced over at Hudson, who gave a sharp nod before he turned on his heel, disappearing around the corner and down the hall. His eyes met Julianna’s as he reached for her, and he pulled her close.

  “Stay safe, Danni. Don’t leave without anyone with you and please keep me posted on Jason. I will come back as soon as I can.”

  For Danicah’s safety, she hadn’t disclosed her exact location. She’d hoped that would’ve been enough. The old Devon would’ve been too painfully aware of his social status to actually do something like this. Now, he was acting like a man unhinged. They ended the call and Evan gently tugged on her arm towards the stairs.

  “Gather a few things. We need to move.”

  “When do we leave?”

  Evan glanced over his shoulder at Hudson, who was standing near the door with a bag slung over his shoulder.

  “Now.”

  33

  Devon ignored the call for the third time as he fought the urge to toss the phone across the room. He really was taking a chance meeting Adela here at a hotel while the police were actively looking for him. He enjoyed the thrill. He’d told her that his house was undergoing renovations, and he preferred to meet her at a hotel to avoid the mess.

  She readily complied. Just like he knew she would.
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  He reclined on the chaise near the window as she glanced over her bare shoulder at him, her expression shy.

  “No one has ever made me feel the way you do, Devon. I can’t believe you’re still single.”

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  “It’s because no one is me. I was married, but I wasn’t appreciated, so I had to end it.”

  She nodded. “I’ve heard. What about anyone else? Nothing ever panned out?”

  He feigned deep thought as he wrinkled his brow. “Okay. Promise not to say anything?”

  She sat up, pulling the covers over her bare chest as she nodded.

  “Michelle. She and I were almost a thing.”

  Adela’s eyes grew wide, and it was all Devon could do not to laugh.

  God, the woman’s innocence would be the death of her.

  “Michelle? It’s such a shame what happened to her. The police are now calling it murder.”

  Devon mentally rolled his eyes. Adela was referring to the breaking news that Michelle’s body had been found, badly burned, at the bottom of an undisclosed lake.

  “Yeah. I was so distraught, especially after knowing we almost had something. Shame they found her end at the bottom of Lake Greco.”

  Adela froze. Her face went white.

  “How did you know which lake it was?”

  Devon feigned confusion as he furrowed his brow.

  “What do you mean?”

  She was now sitting up, searching frantically for her clothes.

  “The name of the lake. The police didn’t disclose it. How did you know?”

  Shit.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I heard it somewhere. I don’t even know why I said that in the first place.”

  Adela wasn’t convinced as she stared at him, now hastily trying to button her jeans.

  “How much of a ‘thing’ did you and Michelle have? The woman always hated me. I never stopped to think about why until now.”

  Devon sighed. He really didn’t have the time to be dealing with this shit. Instead of responding, he shrugged again.

  “Minimal.”

  “You know, I have a hard time believing that. I think I’m going to go home now, if you don’t mind.”

  She started for the door, and quickly shrank back when Devon stood in front of it, crossing his arms across his chest.

  “And what do you think happened? That I had something to do with it? And if so, do you really think I would just let you leave?”

  “You killed her.”

  Adela’s eyes were as round as saucers as she backed away, tears already forming in her eyes.

  “Please. Just let me go. I won’t say anything.”

  “About? I haven’t admitted to anything.”

  “Then why won’t you let me leave?”

  “Touché.”

  She made a mad dash for the bathroom when he caught her around the waist and dragged her back to him, slamming her roughly to the floor.

  “When have I given you any reason to fear me, Adela? I’ve never done a mean thing to you.”

  “You killed her. You killed her!”

  That was all that she said as she continued to thrash around, kicking scratching, biting to get him to leave her alone. Devon warded off each blow with a sigh until he finally struck her in the face. Hard. Her body immediately went limp. He fished around in his duffel bag he’d thrown carelessly in the corner for a shirt which he used to tie her arms and legs. Then he placed a towel in her mouth and tied it tightly behind her head before he gathered her up into his arms, making his way outside. He was grateful for the heavy cover of the night as he tossed her into the trunk of her car and drove away. For too long he had opted not to act on his first instincts, but this now felt exhilarating. Doing whatever the hell he was destined to do.

  Devon took his time driving, deciding his next move as he made his way to an abandoned warehouse at the far end of town. It was inconspicuous and remote. It also had everything he needed. He had surveyed this very warehouse on several trips for work, so he knew its ins and outs. Who would have thought how useful this place would end up being to him? His phone rattled in his pocket as he picked up. It was his little brother, Darius.

  “Devon. Oh, thank God. You finally answered. The police came by. They’re looking for you. What’s this about you trying to kill your ex-brother-in-law?! Where’s Julianna? Is she okay? What is happening? Talk to us. Please.”

  When Darius paused, Derek, his older brother came onto the line. “Dev, talk to us, man. You’ve had a lot on your plate lately, and we are here to help you. We can’t do it if we don’t know what’s wrong.”

  Devon laughed. Hard. As if they ever needed to worry about him.

  “Honestly, I’m fine. You two worry about yourselves.”

  “Devon—”

  He cut the phone off and sat in the car, enjoying the slight chill of the night before he pulled the car into the building, hiding it from outside view. He opened the trunk where Adela was still unconscious, and strapped her to a low table, replacing the old shirts with lengths of rope. He kept the towel in place as he walked the expanse of the space. His phone rang again as he answered it.

  “Devon.”

  Julianna. Anticipation soared in his gut. He knew she would contact him after what had happened with Danicah. He grinned and leaned against the wall.

  “Julianna. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  She sighed.

  “This has to stop.”

  “You can stop it all.”

  “I know.”

  “So come.”

  “Tell me where.”

  Devon’s eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Any funny business, including the police, and you will regret it. I don’t think you’d want two lives on your conscience.”

  “Who do you have with you? Just let them go—”

  “20113 Eglesdale Road. If I see anyone with you at all, she’s dead. And you will be too.”

  He ended the call without another word and immediately smashed the phone against the wall. He’d had enough use for that phone, and it was now time for him to become anonymous. Plus, he now had to prepare for his wife’s arrival.

  Evan drove quietly in the car, his anxiety mounting with each mile they got closer to their destination. Hudson had taken another car and was not far behind them as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He hadn’t wanted Julianna to return to this place until he knew for a fact that Devon had been handled, but their arm had been twisted. He’d come for her family. After that, he knew there was nothing he could say would convince her to stay. Hell, if he were in the same situation and he knew his brother’s life was on the line, he would’ve done the same thing.

  He watched her out of the corner of his eye. She wrung her hands nervously as they got closer. He’d gotten Julianna a disposable cell phone from which she’d called Devon. He wanted to meet her alone and had alluded to holding another person captive—whose life he’d threatened if Julianna didn’t arrive alone. Of course Evan wasn’t going to let that happen, but he knew he had to create the illusion she would arrive alone. Her life and the other person’s life depended on it. Him and Hudson wouldn’t be far behind her, ready to approach if anything seemed to go wrong.

  A knot formed in the pit of his stomach as he thought about leaving her all alone even for a millisecond. He loved her. And he would die before he let something happen to her.

  He clenched his jaw and blew out a sigh. Being with Julianna had shown him a glimpse into a future he had never known he could have, and it was something he desperately wanted with her. He needed her in his life, and she gave him the motivation to keep going. Finally, he parked the car far down the deserted gravel road, darkness as far as he could see. The area was remote, covered with unsightly high grass and weeds, with no further buildings—no other signs of life readily available. He sighed. Now, he was supposed to get out and follow her on foot. Hudson would join him soon. They’d gone over the plan, but even now, he
hesitated at the thought of putting her in harm’s way.

  “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Julianna leaned in for a kiss and looped her arms around his shoulders. “I know.” Her voice was soft.

  “I want a future with you.”

  She chuckled softly and looked up at him with a smile.

  “Me too.”

  “Like one where you’ll marry me. Have my children.”

  Julianna’s eyes went wide as she stared up at him, but he placed a finger to her lips before she could respond.

  “Save your answer for after all of this. Then, you can tell me.”

  She nodded her head slowly as he brought her face to his, tenderly touching his lips to hers. She clung to him as they kissed. He didn’t want the moment to end. If anything were to happen, it would be this moment he would remember; the warmth of her skin, and the taste of her lips. Just them. Slowly, he withdrew, opened the car door and got out, his legs heavy as he did so. This was already proving to be the hardest thing he ever had to do. Despite his trepidation, he leaned into the car once more and pointed to the shiny metal of the gun that now sat beside her. In his desperation to keep her safe, he’d given her a crash course in gun handling, needing her to have some way to protect herself.

  “Don’t be afraid to use that.”

  Her eyes followed his to the gun, and she gave a somber shake of the head.

  “I won’t.”

  “Even if you can’t see me, I’ll be there.”

  “I know. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He stepped back, a searing pain already settling in the middle of his chest as he watched her drive off slowly into the night, right into the face of danger. It was killing him, but he knew whether he approved or not, it wouldn’t have changed her mind. Devon had come for her family. He now dangled the life of another individual over her head if she didn’t comply. He’d already proven what lengths he would go to with what he’d done to Jason, who was still in critical condition in the hospital. He had been shot a total of three times; two bullets to the chest and one to the abdomen, but luckily, he had survived. Jason still had a long road to go; he was currently hooked up to chest tubes to drain the fluid in his chest and a ventilator that he relied on to breathe for him since he couldn’t do it on his own. He could have easily lost his life, but thankfully, for now he was holding on. Evan balled his hands into fists as he walked along the gravel road, watching the taillights of the car become smaller and smaller in the distance. Hudson pulled up beside him, his jaw clenched, his body teeming with anxiety. Evan got into the passenger side of car and embraced his brother’s silence. Finally, he looked over at Hudson, who now pulled the car off of the gravel road and into the high grass that was flanking them on both sides. The grass engulfed the rental, providing the perfect cover. Hudson’s face was also set in determination as he exited the car.