Chapter 16Sadie WildePOVWhen I woke up in the hospital bed last night, I could not help thinking how lucky I was. They could have killed us, I could have died if they really wanted to hurt us, I would have been hurt a lot worse than what I was.When I woke up my first thought was not how lucky I was, my first thought was where Beckett was. My last thought before they knocked me out was always if I would ever see him again.But itโs been a whole day and I havenโt seen Beckett yet, everyone from out station has been over to check on me but Beckett.Dante told me they only realized something was wrong because Beckett realized we were gone too long. He searched for us everywhere, he even asked for help from his brothers to look for us.They havenโt found the men who raided the ambulance van, but I donโt think theyโll ever find them. that was a planned raid that much I know; from the look of the parking lot they planned down to a tee. the fact that they signal jammers was just as alarmi
Chapter 17Beckett KingPOVStanding in front of Sadieโs apartment reminds me of the first time I visited her place, it was the reason for the current pain in my chest. The reason I had an embarrassing panic attack in front of my older brother yesterday.He is never going to let me live that down. The fact that he needed to rope Axel into helping me is what made it even worse. Axel would not stop teasing me this morning. The worst way to wake up believe me. what surprised me most was how worried my father was, Damon told me he sat by my side the entire night.So why am I here right now? Why am I visiting the woman who is the reason for that pain? Because I am a damn sucker for punishment. I almost turned and left ten times already. Why do I feel this way? Why am I even here? why do I still want to be close to her even if she wants nothing to do with being with me.I sigh and walk into her building, I greet her doorman like I always did, everyone is friendly as if they donโt know my he
Chapter 18One week laterSadie WildePOVโWhy donโt we go out for a couple of drinks? We havenโt been out in forever.โ Tia says over dinner.I shrug my shoulders. I wasnโt really in the mood, I can finally return to work tomorrow and Beckett can finally stop avoiding me, he hasnโt returned a single one of my calls or messages.โCome on, donโt be such a party pooper.โ She pouts.Dante kisses her lips, and she smiles at him.Iโm kind of annoyed with them right now, especially since it seems Beck is going to say no to me. Theyโre acting all lovey dovey, before this wouldnโt annoy me but for some reason its ticking me off.I change the subject and ask Dante about whatโs happening at the Station. He tells me everything is going well, the guys are working doubles, so they always have one of them on the ambulance because of what happened to us.โChief says theyโre trying to work on a system to stop hijackings, or a better system that alerts police when an ambulance vans GPS goes offline.โ D
Chapter 19Beckett KingPOVSo here I am standing in front of Sadieโs apartment once again. After the talk with Lex and Dan and then with my father. I knew I was making the right decision. So here I am standing in front of her apartment once more, one week later.I ring her doorbell.She opens her door happily and hugs me again like she did when I saw her last week.She lets me in, and I go to sit on the sofa. She was watching Naruto. โYou can watch this finished if you want. We can talk after.โ I tell her.She shakes her head. โIโll watch it finished after weโre done talking.โ She says.I nod. โOkayโฆโ I hide my smile when I see her anxiously tapping her foot watching me.โSo have you thought about it?โ she asksI nod. โI haveโฆโShe narrows her eyes at me. โAnd what do you think?โ she asksโWe can start sleeping together again, but I have some conditions we need to followโฆโ I tell her.She frowns. โWhy do we need conditions? What is this some type of contract relationship?โ she asksI
Chapter 20 Sadie Wilde POV FLASHBACK โCome on this is crazy Hunter let me goโ I try to reason with him. he has locked all the doors of the house, Iโm stuck here. He scoffs and crosses his arms. โI do not believe you. As soon as I unlock that door youโll run for the hills, and Iโll never see you againโ Hunter looks at me with mistrust. He has every reason not to trust me. As soon as he unlocks that door Iโm moving in with Tia and I plan to never see him again. โHunterโฆโ I try again. Hunter has lost his damn mind, he tried to kill me and him when I broke up with him while we were driving home. He cheated and my only crime was to trust him now his locked me in our old apartment when I tried to get the last of my things. โHunter if your bosses find out about this youโll lose your job, come on be reasonableโฆโ He glares at me. โShut up. Do not forget I have a gun.โ He reminds me. โI know you donโt believe me but I love you I do, just come Hunter unlock the doors, Iโll do anyt
Chapter 21 Third Person POV Sadie walks into her apartment after her run. She places her keys in the tray, she sees the key she gave Beckett there as well. she could not help but smile, she was excited to see him. Today was one of those days, so she needed a little down time, watching a couple of movies with Beck eating take out sounded like the best thing in the world. Especially after last nightโs disaster. She had no idea what she did wrong, but Beck looked upset. She tried sending him a few text messages last, but he only responded to those later that night. He did say he was going to have dinner with his parents but she didnโt think it would go on until ten in the night. Then she remembered all this brothers and him were all big, so they must eat as much as Beck did. Beck ate a lot, he worked out before and after every shift, he cared about his body but he burnt way too many calories if you asked meโฆ She thought to herself. She could not imagine Beckett even bigger. His brot
Chapter 23 Beckett King POV It is a late Sunday afternoon, Damon took my mother and Jessica to the grocery store to get a few things. Axel took Anna God knows where. I have no idea how Damon could trust Axel with Anna; I wouldnโt trust that child with my Pinky toe. Anyway it leaves my father and I alone in the house which is rare in itself. I walk down to the living room, I wanted to speak to my father, rather ask the old manโs advice. The last time I asked my old manโs advice was when Damon convinced me my balls was going to explode because they seemed bigger. My father first laughed at me before he beat Damon for messing with his little brother. After that I quickly realized I preferred asking advice from my older brother than my father. but lately my older brother has been acting like his on his period. One would think he was the pregnant one. I sit beside my father, the old man grunts but says nothing, I switch on the hockey game. My dad continues to read his newspaper. The
Chapter 24Sadie WildePOVIt was Monday morning, I was at work, yesterday Beckett took care of me, when I was plagued by period pain, I know his naturally sweet but, Beck has been acting unnaturally sweet recently. He is kissing me on my shoulder when we wake up in bed together, buying flowers, taking care of me when Iโm on my period, if Iโm not mistaken not even boyfriends and husbands do that.But when I really think about it, itโs just who Beck is, his momma raised him right. Maybe thatโs how his mother taught him to treat all woman. Its so different to how I grew up, my father and mother loved each other but my mother and father barely talks to each other, my father was the cook in the house, my mother is a defense attorney so she spends most of her time and work, my father is a high school science teacher, so growing up my father was the person Vance and I went to for advice, or when we were having trouble with something.Iโm sitting outside across the street from the station, t
Epilogue two - Meeting after ten yearsEighteen years laterRiver was currently driving to a shoot, and she switched on the radio of her car. She was running late because sheโs always late. But she really tried to be on time this time. Itโs been hard since moving to LA and being without her family.Her favourite song came on and it brought her back to when she met the guy sheโs been in love with since she was a little girl. He was her cousinโs best friend. Joshua Riddleโฆ Joshua moved away when I was fifteen, and that was ten years ago, I havenโt seen him since.{Song โ Leave me in the dark by Alexander Stewart.}And she started thinking about the pastโฆ+++++++ fifteen years ago, +++++++"So, who do you like of all the girls in our class?" Barrett asks.I hide behind the door listening to them talk. I like Josh and I didnโt want him to like any of the other girls in our class."Leighโs cuteโฆ" Andrew says.I roll my eyes all the guys liked Leigh because of her blonde hair and her blue e
Epilogue 5 years later Axel and Anastasiaโs house "Mommy, Mommy. Daddy, Daddy wake up its my and Colbyโs birthday" Halston shouts running into her parentsโ room, waking her parents in the process. She jumps on their bed. Axel was less than pleased with this daughter. He was dead tired and butt naked under the sheets. "Halston, Iโve told you a hundred times. Youโre not allowed in mommy and daddyโs room so early in the morning. I'm going to count to three if youโre still here when I count to three, weโre not going out today." Axel said in a stern tone, he rarely used on his girls, but he needed to teach Halston some boundaries. What if Ana and him were doing it when she came in? Ana smiled at Axel but didnโt say anything. she hugged her youngest daughter. "Hallz bellz happy birthday." She gives her a kiss. She gets out of bed and leads her daughter out of the room. She winks at Axel before making her way out of the room. All the King children slept over last night. The house was
Chapter 36 โ I LOVE YOU.Anastasia KingPOVWhen I woke up, I knew I was in a hospital. When I tried to sit up, I couldnโt, what alarmed me was my flat stomach.โBeaton youโre away.โ Axel says in surpriseโฆI look up to see him rushing to me.โThe babies?โ I asked. Nearly chocked.He smiles. โTheyโre fine, theyโve been transferred to the hospital Damon works at. My mother and father went with to make sure they were fine.โ he explains.I let out sigh of relief. Then I remember what got me into this mess in the first place. โAxel, Itโs Gracie, you need to arrest her, she plans to kill Sadie, you need to protect Sadie.โ I say hurriedly.His eyed darken. โYour best friend Gracie?โ he asks in a low tone of voice.I nod. โI heard her over the phone asking if they were sure Sadie was dead. Iโm sure itโs her.โ I tell him.He nods but doesnโt say anythingโฆ It takes him a minuteโฆ โNow tell me what happened from the very beginningโฆโ he tells me.I start to speak when he stops me. โWait let me cal
Chapter 35 - Anastasia is found.Two hours earlierโฆAxel KingPOVI look at the asshole in front of me, giving me attitude. I wanted nothing more than to strangle him, even if he didnโt know where Beaton was, he deserved everything coming.I open his file. โSo, Gavin Grangerโฆโ I pause looking at him. โYou know youโre going away for a very long timeโฆ Youโll die in here, thereโs no way youโll see the outside of a jail sell for the rest of your sick life.โ I tell him calmly.I promised how the police chief I wouldnโt kill the guy or blow this case. Weโve been working on getting these guys for months. I wanted nothing more than to nail them, knowing they know where Anastasia is, is the only reason I havenโt tried to kill him yet.โYou want to know something funny?โ he asks with a smirk on his face.I humor him. โWhat?โ I sit back crossing my arms.โYouโre going to regret thisโฆ Iโll be out of here in an hour tops.โ He crosses his arms mimicking me.My smile widens. โGod youโre stupidโฆโ I t
Chapter 34 โ She escapes.Gracie AlmadaPOVMy burner ringing causes me to frown. Who would call me on this cell? I donโt have any numbers saved. I havenโt even given the number to anyone yet.I was planning to call Gavin later with it. that was the only reason I had it with me.I answer, but I couldnโt hear a word the other person was saying on the other line. Frustrated I nearly strangle Francis.So, I walked out of the cabin, I make my way further away.โWhat did you say?โ when I finally have signal, I ask.โGavin and the rest have been arrested. I cleared all contact between the two of you. You need to lay low for a couple of days. Make sure the girl doesnโt have anything on her that can be traced. We canโt let them find you. Iโll deal with Gavinโฆโ She hangs up soon after.I frown and throw the phone against a tree. That stupid idiot! He got himself arrested! Why would he go on a job now when the police are all over?I knew he was useless. I wasnโt done using him yet and he got hi
Chapter 33 โ The arrest. Gracie Almada POV Whatโs taking them so long? Why arenโt they here yet? Anastasiaโs brothers and Axel just left my apartment. Glad I wasnโt dumb enough to actually bring her here. Gavinโs bright idea to bring her here was wrong. I knew Axel would come to me. Honestly, I didnโt think he loved Anastasia that much. The panicked look on his face told me he loved her a lot. Which worried me. He wasnโt going to give up until he found her. I clench my fists in anger. If she wasnโt a damn busy body. Listening in on my phone call. She thinks I didnโt notice her behind me when she tried to back away? I donโt know how much she heard, but the way she rushed out of here, I knew she knew I wanted to kill Sadie. She couldnโt live. I was going to wait until she gave birth to kill her, but I couldnโt wait any longer. If she told anybody I would be as good as dead. If it wasnโt for my fast thinking and asking Gavin to get her before she got to her dadโs place she would h
Chapter 32 โ Axel canโt find Ana. Axel King POV We had to call it inโฆ Anastasia is now a missing personโs case. Anastasia Beaton โ King is missing without a trace. Because sheโs a cop as well theyโre having other stations help look for her. I know weโll find her. We have to find her. Anastasia is pregnant. but sheโs still a cop. Sheโs still a cop through and through. She can handle it herself. At the same time thatโs what worries me most. I keep asking myself. Why did she ask to meet me? Everything that happened today worried me. Her phone was found on the side of the road. Sheโs just gone missing into thin air. Thereโs no trace of her. The team seems to think the rapist took her. It had to have been them, said Lucy. She said that theyโd been following her for months. So, it had to have been them. Iโm worried for Beaton, sheโs at least six months pregnant. I know she could defend herself in normal circumstances but sheโs pregnant. Iโm worried she might get hurt protecting the b
Chapter 31 โ Ana overhears Gracie on the phoneโฆAnastasia KingPOVGracie and I have been hanging out at her apartment for about an hour now, weโve talking about what weโve got planned for the future. Gracie has plans to be an EMT now because she doesnโt like the station, sheโs at. I one hundred percent support her in whatever she chooses to do. Thatโs what friends are for.We went shopping this morning. I got a couple of things for the twins now that I know the genders. I got a couple of pillows and blankets. What shocked me most was how happy Gracie seemed today. I think sheโs got a boyfriend. She wouldnโt tell me, but Iโm not going to push her into telling me, Iโll wait until sheโs ready. She went crazy with shopping she got a couple of sexy lingerie and a bunch of low-cut dresses and went to get her hair done.It was a bit weird for me, because I couldnโt step into the salon without feeling the urge to throw up, so I waited in the car. Her hair looks really great. She bleached her
Chapter 30 โ Sadie is hurt.One week laterAxel KingPOVIโve been feeling down lately, while not down, upset. Since seeing Beaton with that guy, these weird thoughts keep running through my mind. Like confronting her and asking her who the hell that guy is. Locking her in the house and never letting her leave. You know those kinds of thoughts.โYo, Axel check this out.โ Lucy calls from across the room. I look over and see her eyeing her computer screens.I walk over. โWhatโs up?โ I asked her.โI found this guy. He dated five of the victims. He is pretty crafty; he deleted all the posts with him in it. I found him while checking their friendsโ social media. How he deleted it from the victimsโ pages is beyond me. Theyโve got to have someone tech savvy amongst themโฆโ Lucy goes on to talk but Iโm eyeing the punk on the screen. He is with two of the victims.โWho is this punk?โ I ask.โThe names Hank Walters. Heโs got no criminal history, the only link we have is that he knew five of the