Forsaking All Others Read online

  She flinched, her eyes never leaving Devon’s. If he was going to end her life, he would have to look her in the eyes when he did it. She would never cower under his anger ever again. That would be the Julianna she wanted him to remember.

  “But you did everything to fight that. I thought you would be different, unlike the others, but here we are.” Devon laughed again. “I have nothing to lose, but all of you do. Say, Evan. How long can your brother hold his breath?”

  It was the first time Evan had shown any emotion other than anger. Alarm spread across his face. He glanced behind them, his anxiety mounting.

  “Gas. I pulled the lever right before I ran out here. Unfortunately, he’s trapped back there with nowhere to go. Clever, huh? I needed to have a few tricks up my sleeve with you two.”

  Evan’s grip on his gun wavered slightly as his brow furrowed, now in concern. The sound of Hudson’s coughs were loud, strained. Desperate.

  His eyes locked with Julianna and she registered the fear in his eyes. And in that millisecond of fear, Devon toward Julianna.

  He raised his gun. Evan released a spray of bullets. One caught Devon in the upper back as he lunged for Julianna. He cried out as another bullet pierced his left leg, causing him to fall several feet from her.

  Julianna watched Devon’s body on the floor. He lay in front of her, unmoving. She locked eyes with Evan and nodded as he pointed to the door for her to run. She knew he would go back for Hudson. He needed to. She turned to run just as she heard Devon’s laughter.

  Why wasn’t he dead yet?

  “Too much love and sentiment get people killed.” There was blood flowing freely from his chest. “One day, people will understand.”

  Evan changed his direction, coming full speed toward Julianna and Devon.

  “I said forever, baby. And I meant it.”

  Julianna’s legs sprang into action. Devon raised his hand to press a small device. Evan was in front of her within seconds as he pushed her out of the way, hard, before his body was flung through the air.

  “Bror!”

  Time seemed to stand still as she watched Hudson emerge from the darkness, his voice filled with pain as Evan’s body flew through the air.

  The last thing she saw was the horror on his face before she descended into darkness.

  35

  Julianna awoke with a start some time later and glanced around at her surroundings. The dingy walls, the dilapidated boxes, rotting wood—she was still in the warehouse. Her head was throbbing.

  She squinted and made out a figure with dark hair. He was crouched over and yelling, the sound of pure agony in his voice. She struggled to her feet as he turned, his eyes wild. It was Hudson. He was standing over something, but she couldn’t make out what it was.

  He raced to her side. “It’s Evan. I don’t know—he won’t answer, he was so close—oh God, I don’t know.”

  Her vision cleared, and she finally registered what Hudson had been doing. He had been crouched over Evan’s body.

  Oh God, no.

  Julianna was at Evan’s side within seconds. Tears poured from her eyes as she stared down at him. His eyes were closed, and he wasn’t responding. There was blood from a gash on his forehead, but that was all that she could see.

  “What do we do?” she asked.

  Hudson was visibly shaking as he continued to call out to his brother, his anguish growing with every unanswered call. Sirens were wailing in the distance, and they were soon surrounded by emergency personnel as two men bent over Evan. She wasn’t sure who had called for help, but she was grateful for it.

  “We have a pulse! It’s faint, but it’s there.”

  Relief flooded her body and Hudson dropped to his knee.

  “Please! That’s my brother. He’s all I have.”

  One paramedic nodded and placed a reassuring hand on Hudson’s arm. “We will do everything we can.”

  Although Hudson nodded, he remained beside them, his eyes never leaving his brother as they assessed him. Julianna struggled against two other paramedics who were attempting to assess her as she tried to glance around them. She didn’t want to leave Evan. She had to know he was okay.

  “Ma’am, you may have a concussion. I need you to cooperate.”

  She finally sat down and allowed them to check her, her eyes never leaving Evan. He still lay on the ground, unmoving. Hudson was also right beside him; his paramedic had backed off after Hudson glared at him and refused to cooperate.

  He made eye contact with Julianna, his eyes filled with pain. She numbly sat as the paramedics told her they would take her to the hospital. She adamantly refused to be put onto a stretcher, but instead wanted to ride with Evan.

  Once outside with the sun rising, she could assess the damage. A portion of the warehouse was on fire, its brilliant orange and yellow frames licking at the fading night sky. Two cars were situated several hundred feet from the ambulances, with approximately half a dozen people looking on. Surely, it had to have been one of them who had noticed the fire and had called the police. Julianna averted her gaze from the onlookers. Hudson was already jumping into the back of the ambulance before he helped her inside.

  “We can only accommodate one of you.”

  Hudson glowered down at the two paramedics, who nervously glanced at each other and shrank back. They didn’t say another word as the ambulance took off with the three of them.

  Evan released a groan as he forced one eye open, then the other. His head pounded from the bright light filtering into the room. He slowly glanced around, hindered by the sharp jolt of pain in his neck as he did so.

  He registered the regular beeping of monitors in the room. He was in the hospital, but what he wasn’t clear on was just how long he had been there, or the extent of his injuries. He slowly wiggled all four extremities, ignoring the pain he felt, feeling pleased that he could. The last thing he remembered was the explosion. At that, he sat bolt upright, ignoring the severe stab of pain in his midsection.

  Julianna. Hudson. Were they okay?

  He eased out of the bed when a nurse, an older woman with a pleasant face, came into the room as alarms went off.

  “And just where do you think you’re going, young man?” She placed her hand on her hip and waited for his reply. He was still trying to get out of the bed as she came closer and gently nudged him back with her hand.

  “But my family. I have to check—”

  She cut him off with a shake of the head. He felt compelled to comply as he allowed her to pull the covers back up around him.

  He lay his head back down with a defeated sigh as he turned to her. “My family. Please.”

  The nurse, Laura as her badge stated, sighed and smoothed the covers. “You mean your wife and brother?”

  Evan nodded. “How are they? Are they okay? Please tell me.”

  He was trying to control his anguish when the door burst open. Hudson strode in, followed by Julianna. Behind them was a worried-looking nurse who threw up her hands and walked out after Hudson continued to ignore her.

  Relief surged in Evan’s gut as Hudson came closer, a deep scowl on his face. He quickly scrutinized Evan before he cursed at him in rapid-fire Norwegian. When he was finished, he turned and settled onto the couch situated under the window, his scowl deepening. Laura looked at him with concern in her eyes, but Evan shook his head with a soft laugh.

  “I love you too, Hudson.”

  Hudson grunted and focused his gaze outside, but his features softened as he sat there, silent and pensive. He knew Hudson wouldn’t be leaving his side any time soon.

  His gaze then went to Julianna, who had been standing at the foot of his bed, fighting back tears during the exchange between him and his brother.

  “Hey, baby.”

  “Hey.” Her voice was hoarse. Her right arm was bandaged, and she had bruising to her face, but she looked okay.

  She’s okay.

  “How bad is it?”

  She shrugged, a few tears escap
ing her eyes.

  “You broke your right leg. Your right wrist is sprained. Broken ribs. Bad concussion. Internal bruising with liver and spleen lacerations.” She jerked her head over to Hudson. “Hudson has a few broken ribs and a few other bumps and bruises. Thankfully, the gas didn’t seem to have caused any damage.” She paused. “The gas was contained in the back of the warehouse. If it had escaped…”

  “And you?” Evan couldn’t hide the impatience in his voice.

  She shrugged again, wiping the tears free-falling from her eyes. “I’m here. Just a concussion. I broke my right arm. You saved my life.”

  “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Evan glanced up again. “And Devon?”

  “Dead.” Hudson’s deep voice filled the room.

  It was over. It was finally over. Julianna was safe.

  “Come here.”

  She went to him, gingerly wrapping her arms around him as he breathed in the scent of her—a subtle smell of soap and flowers. He brought her face up to his.

  “Never scare us like that ever again, Ev.”

  He pressed his lips to hers. “I won’t.”

  Hudson grunted once again in response.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Julianna.”

  He covered her hand with his and he tugged her into the hospital bed with him. She lay with him, gingerly, as he laced his fingers through hers.

  “So, what’s your answer?”

  She turned to look at him, tears glittering in her eyes. He had come to her when she hadn’t been looking for love, but she’d fallen, anyway. With Evan, she’d found confidence, love, and understanding. It was with him she’d come to understand the true definition of love, which was expressed to her each day she was in his presence, and each time she looked into his eyes. This was what she’d been searching for her whole life and she was dandify she was about to let it go.

  “My answer is yes. To all of it. I want the future where I get to be your wife and have your babies. I want it all. With you.”

  Evan grinned.

  “Then you have me, baby. Forever.”

  THE END

  About the Author

  Emery C.F. Bryant is a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic. Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Emery is currently a physician in Georgia. In her time off, she enjoys cooking, writing, gardening, singing, and of course, time to daydream. You can find her on any given day chasing the sunsets with a pencil in her hand and ideas in her heart, and always willing to daydream.

  Also by Emery C.F. Bryant

  Raiyne - A BWWM Contemporary Romance

  Raiyne Kerns gets what she wants. Whether it’s from her burgeoning business as one of the nation’s most sought-after ad executives, or in her love life, she’s never the woman who aspires to be the neck of the household.

  She’s the head. The alpha.

  But when Elliot Milton walks into her office seeking her renowned expertise, she immediately feels the spark. Eventually, that spark turns into a full-blown flame and, no matter how much she tries to deny it, her attraction to him begins to surge past the physical. But she didn’t get to her position in her career by being vulnerable. And despite the secrets she keeps hidden deep within her past, Raiyne isn’t sure if she’s willing to relinquish all of her power to the dark eyed, powerful man slowly claiming her body…and her heart.

  A Second Chance Christmas: An IR Collaboration

  Enchanted Christmas by Emery C. F. Bryant

  Kennedy Watkins finally decides to take the plunge and chase her dreams, which includes moving to another state to get a fresh start. Unfortunately, what she doesn’t expect is for her aspirations to be upturned by a serious accident, which brings the handsome, yet brooding Zane Reilly into her life.

  After the universe determines that “happily ever after” is just not in the cards for him, Zane decides he is better off alone. It would take a miracle for him to change his mind, especially after the cards he was dealt, but then he meets Kennedy.

  Zane opens his home to help Kennedy recover, whom he suspects is all alone for a reason. But the universe is determined to make amends for what was taken from him and redefine what a “Christmas miracle” truly means.

  Includes: Unexpected Christmas by K. Alex Walker

  Publish With Us

  Loved this book as much as we do?

  Join us!

  ZachEvans Creative Publishing is an independent, small press publisher located in the diverse, historically rich city of Tampa Bay, FL. We are currently seeking dynamic authors of Contemporary African American, BWWM-Interracial, and Urban romantic fiction. This includes multicultural, historical, paranormal, fantasy and magical realism, contemporary, crime/suspense/thriller, and erotica.

  Send your one-page query letter to [email protected] outlining a summary of your story, attach the first three chapters of your work, and please allow up to 2 weeks for a response.

  Special Thanks

  Emery at the rest of us here at ZEC would like to extend a special thanks to Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, and Phyllis Wheatley. We are who we are because of them.