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I bolt upright and wheel around to face the door, recognizing Lilian easily, in spite of the cheap blonde-haired wig on her head and the hoodie pulled up to obscure half of her face. Her blood-red lips curl into a sneer as she steps further into the room and kicks the door shut behind her.
“It’s only going to be a matter of minutes before they realize you’re here,” I tell her, struggling to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Carter, in particular, has been dying to get his hands on you.”
Lilian takes off the wig and shakes her hair out. “Oh, I know he is. And once you’re out of the picture, the two of us can finally be together.”
I snatch the buzzer by the side of the bed and press it. “I suggest you leave, Lilian.”
Lilian throws her head back and laughs, the sound low and humorless and full of anger. “That’s not going to do anything. All the nurses are a little occupied with the surprise I left for them.”
My heart misses a beat. “What are you talking about?”
Lilian stops laughing and straightens her back. “Let’s just say that, unlike you, I’ve come prepared. I know they can’t have eyes on you all the time, not with a war brewing, so I left them all a little distraction.”
I drop the buzzer and clasp my hands behind my back. “What do you want?”
Lilian takes off the sunglasses, and I see the crazed gleam in her eyes and the dark circles. I immediately recognize her desperation. “I thought that part was obvious.”
She and I both know the truth. But I have to keep her talking, at least long enough for help to come. Although I pray it isn’t Sam who walks through the door.
I clear my throat. “Carter doesn’t love you. He’s never loved you. Why would you want him back when he’s never going to be yours?”
Lilian’s eyes flash, and her expression darkens. “The only reason he isn’t mine is because you’re in the picture. I’m the only woman he came back to a few times, and I can do it again.”
I take a few steps to my right in the direction of the bathroom. “Why waste your time? There are plenty of men out there, Lilian, and you’re an attractive woman. You wouldn’t have a hard time finding someone else.”
Lilian takes a step in my direction and pulls her coat back, revealing the knife and syringe there. “I know what you’re trying to do, Isabella, and it’s not going to work. You’re not going to be able to convince me to leave. I want what I came for.”
I take another step in the direction of the bathroom. “And what’s that?”
Lilian gives me a slow and chilling smile. “To eliminate the threat, of course. Without you in the picture, Carter and I can finally be together, just like we were meant to be. But do you know what the problem is? You’re like a fucking cockroach. I’ve sent several people after you, and you still managed to elude them all.”
I dig my nails into my palms. “You’re the one who sent those people to kidnap me from the hospital.”
Lilian takes a few more steps in my direction. “They were supposed to make sure you were sold to some sleazeball like the whore you are. But even the best-laid plans don’t work out well. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”
Fear washes over me and settles into a hard knot in the center of my stomach. “You’re not going to kill me.”
Lilian is still advancing on me. “Oh, but I am, and I’m going to make it look like an accident too.”
I dart into the bathroom and swing the bathroom door shut. At the last second, Lilian’s foot darts out, and she keeps the door from closing completely. I use the full force of my weight to push her away, but she is heavier than she looks, and she manages to shove the door the rest of the way. I stumble back, my heart jumping into my throat now. As I glance around for something to use, the door thuds open, hitting the wall opposite it.
Lilian is still smiling. “Why are you making this harder? We both know how this ends. If I’m not the one who gets you, Carter’s enemies will, and they’re going to make it so much more painful for you.”
I throw the plastic bag at her, and Lilian grunts in surprise. In the next instant, I sail past her and back into the room.
I don’t make it far before Lilian pulls me back by my hair, sending little jabs of pain through my skull and up my spine. When I’m close enough to her, I throw my head back and headbutt Lilian. She lets out a low howl and doubles over. I’m panting as fear and adrenaline race through me. My hand is on the knob when Lilian yanks me back again and throws her body against mine. I’m pinned to the ground, thrashing and gasping as Lilian tries to pin my arms behind my back.
For a small woman, she’s got a lot of energy and power.
Her mouth is next to my ear when she talks to me. “Don’t worry. It won’t take effect right away. You’ll be able to feel every single thing that happens to you, and I’m going to be there to watch it.”
I kick my legs out, and she loses her grip, but it’s not enough for me to stand back up. There’s a rustling sound, and Lilian is muttering to herself now.
Using every ounce of energy at my disposal, I fight her. I fight her for my baby, for myself, and for Carter.
When I finally manage to throw Lilian off, I stagger to my feet and fumble for the doorknob, half-blinded by fear. The door swings open, and my heart sputters and crashes when Sam steps through, carrying a tray. The smile immediately falls from her face as I snatch the tray out of her hand and swing it at Lilian. She yelps, and it avoids her by an inch.
“What the hell is that bitch doing here?”
