Chasing Back My Billionaire Heiress

Glimpses from the past

Grant's POV

The sense that the circumstances had spun out of my grasp persisted.

As we sought to avoid the masked men who had invaded the ballroom, Eva was clutching my arm and her eyes were flying about the room. Her haste mirrored the beating of my heart, and for the first time in years, I experienced fear—not for myself but for her. My error was this. Maybe we wouldn't be here, running for a way out, if I hadn't pushed her away or if I had seen her for who she truly was from the beginning.

Whispering "Stay close," I looked at the exits.

Eva flashed me a chilly glance, but she stayed at my side, her hand sliding away from my arm as she sought to collect herself. "I can manage myself," she said sharply. "You do not now have to play the hero."

Her comments stung, but time was running out for argument. One of the males saw us and began to approach us, a dark glitter in his eyes. She looked up at me, defiant and amazing in a way that reminded me of everything I had thrown away, as I pulled her behind a column, hiding her view.

She growled, dodging as another gunshot fired and stopped staring at me like that.

"Like what?" More forcefully than I meant, I asked.

"Like you believe one great deed will solve all problems."

Unable to debate, I tightened my jaw. She was not mistaken, and I did not merit her pardon. That did not change the truth, though, that I would do anything—anything—to guard her. My voice was urgent but subdued. Eva, I am not letting anything happen to you. Not once again.

She muttered, "Save it, Grant," her voice harsh yet her eyes glowed with a flutter of something softer. Just get us out of here.

We hurried quickly through the anarchy, inching toward the side exit close to the rear of the space. But as we arrived, a tall man disguised by a black mask blocked our way. He raised his rifle and aimed it squarely at Eva, then I stopped momentarily.

The man spoke with a stinging rasp. Miss Kingsley, you possess everything we are looking for. Come with us, and nobody else has to suffer.

Eva stood stiffly next to me, her chin up angrily. I have nothing to owe you.

"You might think so, Miss Kingsley, but we know your secrets," the man hissed. "Secrets your ex-husband here neglected to probe sufficiently to find."

My heart accelerated. Whatever this was, he knew more than he ought to have. I moved forward, sandwiched between Eva and the man. “You don’t get to threaten her.”

The man laughed—a chilly, mirthless sound. "How virtuous of you, Mr. Lawson. But I would advise standing back. This comes between her and us.

I refused to back down. You will have to go via me if you wish.

Eva strained her voice and tugged on my arm. "Grant, avoid—"

But the man raised his rifle once again before she could continue, aiming between the two of us. Eva's hold on my arm tightened, the tension between us obvious, electric.

"Enough games," the man said abruptly. "Mr. Lawson here might not leave this room alive; Miss Kingsley comes with us now."

Eva's face turned stern, her eyes darting to mine, a wordless choice hovering between us. She responded, stepping forward and her voice harsh, "Fine." Let him go, though. He has nothing to do with this.

I had a flash of irritation, resentment, and something quite near to admiration. She was here, still shielding me while facing down armed men. "Eva, no—"—

"Grant, stay out of this," she urged, her voice sharp. "This is my fight.."

Smoking, the man motioned for her to follow. "wise decision, Miss Kingsley. Let us simplify this.

But I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back as Eva began to walk closer to him. " No. We're not doing this your way," I screamed, then without thinking I leaped at the man, knocking his rifle from his hand. We battled; for a split second, I had the upper hand until he kneed me hard in the ribs, sent me down to the ground.

"Grant!!" Eva's voice was keen with concern, but before I could respond another masked man showed up snatching her arm.

My body protested with every motion as I pushed myself to stand. Fury erupted in me. Swinging at the man carrying Eva, I landed a punch that drove him staggered back. But more of them were closing in; we had time running out.

I shouted, shoving Eva toward the door: "Go." " Now!,"

"I'm not leaving you!" she answered, eyes flickering with a mix of dread and rage.

"We have no choice, Eva," I said firmly. Right behind you will be me.

She hesitated, but I saw the instant she came to believe me. She turned and ran toward the door, and I followed, pulse thumping as I watched her. But one of the men fired a shot before we could get out; the bullet grazed her shoulder.

Eva staggered, and I grabbed her tight as I looked about the room for another exit point. Blood was slinking down her arm, but she clenched her teeth to hide any suffering. Typically Eva.

"Are you okay?" Whispering, I helped her get upright.

She responded, "I'm fine," teeth clenched, but I could see the suffering in her eyes.

The man who had shot her rushed forward, deadly precisely aiming his gun at us before we could resume movement. "Enough games," he snarled. You two are here with us.

I grabbed Eva more firmly, bracing myself. But as he fired, I watched a blur of movement and Max emerged, tackling the man to the ground.

"Go!," " Max yelled, surprising power helping him to fend off the masked figure. "Get her out of this place!"

I lost no time at all. Arm around Eva, I guided her through a side door into the cool evening air. Running toward the parking lot, the sound of gunshots and yelling vanished behind us.

I ordered "Get in," helped her into my car, then got into the driver's seat. My mind racing as I pulled away, I started the engine and turned to glance over at her. Blood soiled her clothes, yet her eyes were sharp, uncompromising.

Are you injured? With a quiet voice, I asked.

Just a graze, she said, wincing as she moved in her seat. "Nothing I am unable to handle."

Guilt biting at me, I grabbed the steering wheel. My fault was this. None of this would have happened if I hadn't been so conceited, so blind.

I muttered, "Eva," the words almost audible.

She looked at me, a nasty smirk pulling at her lips. "Sorry?" For what exactly Grant? Regarding excluding me? For never seeing truly who I was?

Indeed, I said, the truth ripping out of me. For all of it as well. I was stupidity. I still don't deserve you; I never did.

She turned aside, her face incomprehensible. About one point, you are correct. You deserved nothing. And you most certainly do not now.

Her words weight settled over me, yet I said nothing. Not sure what I could say to undo what I had broken. Still, I could shield her even if that meant keeping my distance.

My phone buzzed as we drove silently; the mysterious number blazed on the screen once more. I hesitated then answered, speaking softly. "Who is this?."

A distorted voice answered, icy and threatening. "Mr. Lawson, you were warned." You are meddling with events beyond your comprehension. You will go away now if you respect her life. Your last opportunity is this one.

I tightened my hold on the phone, resentment rising inside me. "I would make you regret it if you come near her once more."

The speaker laughed, a spooky sound that made my back shudder. "You are free to try. She has something we need, though, and knows this. Neither will we stop until we have it.

The call went dead, and I gazed at the phone, fear tumbling in my gut.

"Who was that?"? Eva asked, her voice calm even though she felt terrified.

Tucking the phone away, I said, "Someone who thinks they could threaten us." But Eva, I am not allowing them to harm you. It makes no difference what it takes.

She fixed me, a mixture of annoyance and something else—something softer, more vulnerable. But before either of us could speak another word, headlights showed up in the rearview mirror hurtling toward us.

Fear coloring her voice, Eva said, "They're following us."

Hoping to lose them, I slammed down on the gas and swirled down a side road, pulse pounding. But I knew escape would not be that simple as the car behind us closed in near proximity.

This wasn't over. Not exactly by chance.

One thing I knew as the automobile pursued us along the empty road—whoever was after Eva wouldn't stop until they had her. And this time I doubted whether I could shield her.