Hold Me Tight(62)

“But we have to consider that Lauren and her stepfather might be trying to work both fronts,” Will argues back. “By outing Ryan and implicating Ben, they destroy Tim’s credibility. He’s the last viable link back to Cassidy. He’s the only one she confided in about her baby’s paternity. Discredit Tim as Ben’s pissed-off brother and the story dies with her. No one will believe a word he says. Everyone will think he’s just out to get the Prices and avenge his brother.”

I jerk, hearing a car door slam. “Wait a minute. Guys, did you hear that?”

They both fall silent, straining to listen as Will hurriedly turns off the TV.

Creeping stealthily toward the door, Eric peers out. “Shit. It’s Lauren, and she’s got Tim with her.”

“What?” Will and I utter in unison, hardly believing what Eric just said.

“But something’s wrong,” Eric continues. “Tim’s moving kind of funny. He’s walking real slow, and she keeps jabbing him in the back.”

Will looks out the window over Eric’s shoulder, watching their approach. “Stay back, Ivy,” he warns. “Until we find out what’s going on.”

“Ease the door open gently,” Eric instructs Will. “I won’t leave Tim hanging, no matter what she has up her sleeve.”

“Once he’s in, want me to slam it in her face?” Will asks, glancing at Eric.

“I don’t think she’s going to let him get that far away from her. She’s practically glued to his side,” Eric responds, and I can see the muscles in his back and shoulders tightening.

“What the fuck is this, Young?” Will groans as he twists the lock.

“I have no idea,” Eric grumbles, sliding into position behind him, blocking me from view. “Be prepared for anything.”

“Here goes nothing,” Will says under his breath as he turns the knob.

“Get in there, and don’t do anything stupid,” I hear Lauren snarl even though I can’t see her face.

“I don’t think so, Lauren,” Eric replies, holding his ground. “It’s my home, and I’m not too keen on you dragging this piece of shit across my doorstep.”

“You’re not fooling anybody, Eric.” Lauren stomps her heel, getting mad. “I already know he’s been here and that he’s been working down at the garden center. So cut the crap.”

She bulldozes her way inside, shoving Tim right through Will and Eric. I take a step back, bumping up against the couch. Inadvertently, I clutch my stomach, wishing I could escape as Shep growls at my feet.

The look on Lauren’s face is frightening. She’s gone all Cruella de Vil kind of psycho. Her red lipstick is smeared. Her hair is frizzed out. Her ivory coat is stained. I’ve never seen her in such a state of disarray.

But the expression on Tim’s face affects me more. He’s sweating profusely, and his cheeks are bright red, but not from the cold. His breathing is erratic like he’s trying to hold something back. But his eyes are what kill me. They’re full of such remorse, and I don’t know why. I extend my arms, urging him to come to me, but he doesn’t move. It’s like he’s frozen in place.

He turns slightly, and that’s when I see the gun Lauren has pointed straight at his back.

Eric and Will are staring at it too. Then they exchange a quick glance with each other. Lauren is clearly unhinged. I don’t know what she’s doing here or why she kidnapped Tim, but this is it. The moment of reckoning has arrived.

“Lauren, what are you doing?” I ask her cautiously before my eyes fly to Eric.

“Don’t even think about it!” Lauren yells, glancing quickly behind her. “One move from you and he’s dead.” She waves the gun back and forth, and my heart skips a beat as she hastily aims the barrel in Eric’s direction.

I sink to the floor, unable to stand, holding on to Shep’s collar for support.

“Ivy!” Eric cries out, rushing forward.

“I said don’t move!” Lauren screams, preventing him from coming to me.

“Stop it! Just stop it,” Tim begs her. “It’s me you want, not them. Just do it already.”

“Tim, don’t—” I say, looking up at him in horror.

“Like I’m going to make it that easy for you,” Lauren seethes, pistol-whipping Tim across the face.

I flinch as he reels to the side, blood flowing from his mouth.

“You caused this! All of this!” Lauren rants on. “You couldn’t keep your mouth shut. You had to go and tell a secret that wasn’t yours to tell!”

Tim doesn’t even have time to stand upright as she cracks the butt of the gun across the back of his head, causing him to stagger to his knees.