Page 68 of Searching for Love

Diego’s eyes turned harder. “She’s mine. My blood. I can do what I want⁠—”

“No! You can’t! Lucas shouted. “She’s not yours. Never was. You can’t own someone. You can’t take what you want, just because she’s your daughter.”

“It’s not like that. We’re… I’m meant to…” He shook his head, seemingly confused. “I never laid a hand on her, boy.” His father sneered as if he was back under control. He was switching between confusion and control, making Lucas wonder if the man was mentally unstable. “You know it. You lied to get me locked up.”

“I didn’t lie,” he said softly as he took a step backward. “And you will never see her or me again.” Just as his father raised the rifle towards him, Lucas jumped back into the darkness and the bushes that surrounded the cottage. He landed in the soft sand just as two shots rang out. The first bullet hit the cobblestone pathway a few feet away from where he’d just stood. The second bullet hit his father directly in the chest, dropping him to his knees.

“I never touched her,” his father said several times before falling face first into the pathway. Seconds later, Aiden and Tom appeared from the cottage door. Weapons were drawn and aimed at his father’s body. Tom quickly unstrapped the rifle from his father while Aiden rolled him over and started administering first aid.

“Lucas!” Avery shouted from somewhere behind him.

He climbed out of the bush he’d jumped into and caught her in his arms as she came flying towards him.

“You’re okay?” she cried, holding onto him.

“You’re okay?” he asked, desperately wishing that it were lighter so that he could see for himself that she was unharmed.

“I’m fine.” She touched his face. “I’m sorry,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“You scared me.” He pulled her back into his arms.

“I had to get him away from everyone,” she said into his chest.

“Yeah, I know.” He sighed. “I should have thought of it myself.”

“Are you okay?” Wyatt said, stopping near them.

“Yeah,” he answered, just as a group of people rushed towards them.

“Was that a gunshot?” someone asked.

“Are you okay?” Yolanda rushed to Rico.

His entire kitchen staff huddled around them, along with a handful of wedding guests.

“We’re all fine,” Avery said, getting everyone’s attention. He felt her shake in his arms and knew she needed a moment to compose herself. Most likely, she didn’t want anyone else’s evening to be spoiled. “Now, everyone please head back inside. Let’s leave Tom and Aiden to do their job.” She nodded at her dad, who walked past them so he could help apply first aid to Diego.

“Later, we’re going to have a serious talk about you putting yourself in danger,” her father said as he passed them. Then he turned to him. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Can you have someone go check on my grandfather?” he asked, then rattled off his address. “That’s his gun.” He motioned to the weapon Tom held.

“Sure, we’ll let you know,” Tom answered. He relayed Lucas’s grandfather’s address into his radio.

“You don’t think…” Avery started.

“I’m not sure,” he said, taking her hand in his.

“Come on.” Avery tugged on him. “You have a lot of guests to serve dinner. Until we know, at least we can keep busy.”

“Right.” He walked back down the pathway holding her hand and felt the moment they both stopped shaking.

“Do you think he’ll survive?” she asked when they reached the door.

“I don’t care.” He sighed. “Either way, he’s never going to get out now.”

“No, I don’t suppose so.” She smiled. “I love you.”

He tilted his head, then smiled. “I love you.” He kissed her.