Page 66 of Searching for Love

“That’s good news,” she said, stopping outside the kitchen doors.

“It is, except they can’t seem to find the man to haul him back to prison,” Ryder said. “Which is why George wanted to warn Lucas.”

“Yeah, that’s bad news.” She opened the door. The two of them stepped inside the kitchen at the same time. When Avery saw the scene inside, she gasped and then was shoved behind Ryder.

Every person in the kitchen, all of the new staff that she’d hired and Lucas, stood frozen in place. Diego stood in the middle of the room, dressed in black from head to toe, a large rifle strapped to his chest with enough ammo on the two belts wrapped around his hips to take out everyone in the entire town of Pride.

When they had stepped foot in the kitchen, Diego’s head jerked towards them for a split second.

“You don’t want to do this,” Lucas said quickly, getting his father’s attention again with his hands up in the air. He was standing so close to Diego. Too close.

Avery wanted to shout at him to back away. To run. To hide. But she was frozen in place. Frozen with fear. In all her life, she’d never imagined something like this happening.

“Tell me where they are, boy,” Diego slurred. “I just want my family. I want what’s mine.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Lucas said, calmly. “They’re out of your reach.”

No! she wanted to shout at him. Tell him something. Anything to get him away from here. Away from the man she loved.

“You think you’re so goddamned smart? You think you’re better than me?” Diego shouted. “You owe me. You lied to them all those years ago and sent me away. Ten fucking years I rotted in jail. All because you lied.” He jerked slightly, moving the butt of the weapon higher so that the gun was now aimed at Lucas’s legs. “You owe me,” he growled.

“Then take it out on me. These people”—he motioned around the room—“have nothing to do with us.”

Diego seemed to realize for the first time that there were other people in the room other than Lucas. A sneer formed on his lips.

“If you don’t want anyone hurt, you’d best start talking,” Diego hissed as he raised the gun to Lucas’s chest.

“No!” Avery shouted, stepping in front of Ryder. “I know where they are,” she screamed. “I’ll take you to them.”

“No!” Lucas shouted.

She avoided his eyes. “They’re in a cabin not far from here. It’s…” She turned slightly and glanced at Ryder, locking eyes with him. “It’s just a short walk from here.” She tugged on Ryder’s arm as the man tried to pull her backward. “I’m taking him to Robin and Kara’s cottage,” she hissed at Ryder. His eyes grew wide, and he nodded with understanding. “That’s where Emily and your daughter are,” she said to Diego. “Will you come with me?”

Diego jerked his head. “You’re that bitch that was there that day with him.” He nodded at Lucas.

“If you lay one finger on her…” Lucas started, but Avery jumped in.

“Yes, I was there, and I know where Emily and Sophia are.” She started walking slowly towards the back door. “Follow me.”

To her shock and surprise, the man did so, as if he were in a daze. When he got closer to her, the reek of alcohol almost caused her to double over.

Before she reached the back door, Ryder was out of the kitchen, no doubt heading to get the help they needed. As she stepped out the back door, into the now cool evening air, she glanced back one last time at Lucas. His fists were balled together, and she could tell he was trying to figure out how to take out the man armed to the teeth and ready to go on a killing spree.

This was the only way she knew how to get him away from the people she loved. To sacrifice herself for the many that she loved.

Her entire life had been one big sacrifice, hadn’t it? She’d jumped from job to job, all to help those in need. If it meant giving herself to save every single person in the other room, everyone in the building, in Pride, then she’d gladly do so. Even if it meant losing everything she’d recently gained. Lucas’s love. Her one chance at her very own happy-ever-after. It was worth the price.