Run To Me (Lazarus Rising #4)(69)

***

“You really think he’s going to come after Elizabeth?” Flynn demanded. They were in the hospital corridor. Sawyer had stormed away, probably to go and make sure that Elizabeth was safe.

Jay shook his head. “I think that’s a strong freaking option, but I’m not going to wait around for him to show up.” Because every second that passed, that was a second that Willow lost. “Where’s Reva?” After he’d woken up from surgery, he’d learned that Reva had survived, too.

“Two rooms down. She’s—”

He was already rushing away. Guards were in front of her room, but Jay hurried past them. He threw open the door and found Reva lying in bed. Her face was devoid of makeup. She looked younger and more fragile than he’d ever seen her.

And West was at her side.

What? The actual fuck? This is where his brother had gone?

West glanced up at him. “Tell him, Reva.”

“I-I called him.” Her breath stuttered out. She winced, as if in pain, and her hand flew to her side. “To let Lucas know that you were going to be at Wander, I called him. His number is on my phone—”

West threw the phone at him.

Hell, yes. Jay’s fingers locked around the device.

“I’m figuring you can work your magic with that. You can find him.” West nodded toward Jay. “You can get Willow back.”

“Damn straight I can.”

***

“Willow? Willow?” Lucas yanked back his hand. She wasn’t moving. Wasn’t breathing.

Her head lay limply, and he knew he’d killed her.

His breath sawed in and out of his lungs. His fingers shook.

She’ll come back. She’ll come back. It will be different this time.

He just had to wait. If he waited long enough, she’d come back.

His phone rang. He ignored the peals and vibration. Stared at Willow. “I was just so fucking mad,” he whispered. “You don’t love him. It’s me. Always me.” And to hear those words come from her beautiful lips…

She’d ripped him wide open.

The phone stopped ringing.

He had to get Elizabeth Parker. He’d snatch her. Kill the fools in his way. Then she’d help him administer the formula. When he was done with Elizabeth, he’d end her, too.

Then it would just be him and Willow. A fresh start. She’d never talk of loving anyone else. She’d belong to him, always.

His phone started ringing again. He grabbed the phone, ready to toss it against the wall. He’d given the number to Benjamin Larson, when he’d been trying to get close to that bastard, but no one else should—

Reva.

Her number was on the screen. Only Reva was dead. He’d killed her. Hadn’t he? His finger swiped over the screen. “Who the hell—”

“Deal’s…off,” Reva gasped out.

“What are you talking about?” His gaze was on Willow. She still wasn’t moving. How long would it take her to come back? She would come back.

“Not working w-with you…”

“Sweetheart, didn’t you get a clue when I put a bullet in you? I’m not paying you a dime.” How had she survived? She’d been a limp rag doll the last time he’d seen her. When she’d been in Jay Maverick’s arms—

Jay. “Tell me he’s dead,” Lucas barked.

Silence.

“Tell me he’s dead!” Now he was yelling and Lucas didn’t care.

“He’s not…” Her voice was lower. “He’s…coming for you.”

He threw the phone against the wall. It hit with a clatter. Impossible. He’d been careful when he left with Willow. No one had followed him. Jay couldn’t track him down that fast.

He went to the bed, scooped up Willow. Just in case, he was getting them the hell out of there. Jay might triangulate the cell signal from the call Lucas had just taken and find them—eventually—but they would be long gone before then.

He slipped the cuffs off Willow’s wrists. If anyone was in the parking lot, he’d just say that Willow had drank too much. That she was sleeping it off. The cuffs would attract attention. He didn’t want attention.

He wanted to get away. To plan.

“We’re going, Willow.” He kissed her cheek even as he opened the door. She was in his arms. Cradled carefully. He edged outside, his gaze still on her. “He won’t find you—”

“Guess again,” Jay Maverick drawled. And the bastard was right there. Standing just a few feet away. “Your dumb ass was hiding less than ten minutes from the hospital. Of course, I found you. I had you long before Reva made the call. She was just the distraction while I got close. I hear getting close to you is the trick, you see.”

No, no—

“I can do anything with tech. Things the government doesn’t even know.” Jay smiled. “I had you, and—”

Jay’s gaze fell on Willow. He blanched.

Willow is his weakness.

“Too late,” Lucas taunted him. “She’s dead.” Then he dropped Willow. Just let her fall.

Jay immediately surged forward, and that was the guy’s mistake. Lucas yanked out the knife he kept strapped to his waist, and he drove it up and toward Jay. It sank deep even as Jay grunted.