Chasing Back My Billionaire Heiress

Into the Lion's Den

Eva's POV

As we went down the twisting road, my heart hammered; the headlights of the pursuing automobile grew stronger, closer, unrelenting. My mind was racing even as I gripped the armrest and tried to keep my breath regular. Whoever was following us was not merely out for intimidation; this was a deliberate chase, a play with an ending I could not quite put together.

Grant tightened his hold on the wheel, his eyes concentrated on the road, his jaw closed as he negotiated tight bends. Beside me was a terrible comfort entwined with memories I had so valiantly attempted to forget. Still here we were, thrown back together by uncontrollably strong forces. I could not ignore the twist of emotions—the anxiety, the traces of wrath, and an unquestionable need to lean on him at this one moment.

"Are you all right?" he questioned, eyes flickering momentarily toward me.

I turned back and wanted to dismiss him. Just keep your eyes on the road.

"I'm serious, Eva." Should you be injured— "

"It's a scratch, Grant," I said, sounding both annoyed and terrified at the same time. "Give losing these guys top priority."

He nodded, his expression focused and tight as he swirled onto a smaller side road. The headlights behind us wavered for a time, and a sliver of hope started in my chest until they returned, nearer than ever.

"Who are these individuals??" I said, annoyance and anxiety mixing as I watched our attackers close the distance once more.

Grant's mouth grew tighter. "I am not sure. Whichever they are, though, they represent business.

I looked sidelong at him, partly wanting to blame him for this disaster. "You're ignorant?" What then—this is simply a random hit?

His knuckles white, his hold on the wheel tightened. "You suppose I planned this, Eva?"

Would not be the first time you undervalued me.

A flicker of agony passed his face, rapidly covered. "You believe me to be the same man you left a year ago?"

"Prove me incorrect."

A sharp collision drove us forward—the automobile behind had collided with us, its force yanking us ahead before he could react. I held my seat and suppressed a gasp as Grant battled to preserve wheel control.

With a sharp, protective voice I hadn't heard from dad in years, he said, "Hang on!" The car bounced fiercely as we raced over the uneven ground, he strayed off the road onto a gravel path.

Feeling the sting of panic and helplessness I had left behind with my former existence, I closed my eyes. But Grant's fingers stretched out, momentarily covering mine, ground me with a force that pierced through the tumult.

His voice low and consistent, he said, "You don't have to do this alone."

The words came out too often. I wrenched my hand away, my mind ablaze with a thousand sharp retorts, but before I could say anything, the car jerked as Grant rapidly applied the brakes. Rising, I saw we had stopped on the brink of a cliff.

From across the little road, the pursuing car's headlights pointed at us. Grant's voice pierced the quiet, low and tight. " Eva, get ready to run."

"Run?” I responded, looking about. "Where precisely do you think we are headed?"

He didn't reply; his hard stare fixed on the car in front of us. The door of the other car opened gradually, and a figure silhouetted in the strong light. Though I couldn’t see their faces, I could feel their eyes fixed on me.

"Eva Kingsley," the man said, voice as cutting steel. "You felt you could simply turn away from all and start over?"

I swallowed, a frigid terror engulfing me. Whoever this was knew me, knew my past, not just wanted money or retribution.

Grant got out of the car, his motions under control but every muscle in his body stiffened. "Let her leave if you want to chat. Not her struggle.

The man laughed, a dark sound that made my skin prickly. Mr. Lawson, I believe you are mistaken. It is rather much her struggle. She possesses something we require. And should she refuse to participate, then... collateral damage can be unpleasant.

Grant's palm closed into a fist, his face fixed in a mask of rage and something I hadn't seen in a long time—protection. You will have to pass through me first.

Another laugh, but this one was full of scorn. "Isn't that what she did a year ago?"

The words started me to twist something I had buried inside. Grant's eyes were fixed on me, a silent query, but I could not afford to stare at him right now.

"What do you wish for??" I asked, moving ahead and my voice calmed even inside the whirl.

"Oh, Miss Kingsley, you know," the man said, stepping closer. "You and I both know that the empire your father built is not as safe as it first seems. And we want to assert what ought to have been ours from the beginning.

The reference to my father's Empire chilled me. They were pursuing the legacy of my family, not me. Years of secrets, relationships, promises kept in smoke-filled chambers suddenly coming to light.

Rising taller and not showing weakness, I responded, "I don't have access to his assets." "You are squandering your time."

"Then maybe it's time we gave you a little... incentive," the figure snipped, pointing to someone behind me. I hardly had time to respond before two hands pinned my arms from behind.

Grant moved quickly, his fists flying with a measured wrath as his body crashed on the assailant. Still, too many of them existed. I battled against the hold of my captor, the horror biting at my breast as Grant battled, his face contorted with both fear and will. He was battling for me; he had little regard for himself.

I couldn't let him accomplish this, though, by himself.

Using the heels of my shoes to tread on my captor's feet, I twisted with every last bit of might to create enough of a diversion to break free. My eyes locked Grant's as I staggered forward, battling two men simultaneously.

He yelled, reaching out for me, but I could sense his power withering and that we were both outnumbered.

Adrenaline driving me, I inhaled shakily and ran toward him, my fingertips brushing his just as another man loomed before us. But a hand gripped on my arm whirled me backward before I could react.

"Let her leave!" Grant spoke raw, desperate, and I watched him push forward only to have one of the attackers knock him down.

I battled, but my arm was under relentless control. The man in front of me leaned forward, his whisper caustic. "We are all quite familiar with you, Miss Kingsley. Your secrets, the kingdom of your family—it will only be ours in due course.

Grasping at him, I battled the panic growing inside me. You do not know me as well as you believe.

"We know enough," he said, snarling. "And except you want Mr. Lawson here to suffer, I suggest you start cooperating."

Looking at Grant, I saw the terror in his eyes and the same helplessness that reflected mine. I realized then that whomever these guys were—that they were merciless, ready to wipe out everything—including everyone—that I cared about obtaining what they wanted.

I refused to give in, though. Not in this manner.

Finally, I said, pushing the words out and detesting the fragility in my voice: "I'll do what you want." Let him go, just let him.

Grant answered, "Eva, no," with a raw ferocity that twisted my heart.

The man snapped at him then turned back to me, his smile keen and smug. Quiet. That is more like it now. We are going to have a little ride. You will join us; Mr. Lawson can depart unhurt.

Clearly, I was the only one they needed. Grant was not having it as I looked at him, a mute apology in my eyes.

"No," he answered, attempting to get to his feet with facial bruises. "I am going too if she is going."

The man shook his smile shrugging. "Good. Ask Mr. Lawson, have it your way. Surely, we can come up with original uses for you both.

My heart hammered as they guided us toward a waiting van, terror and resentment mixing into a single will. I knew one thing, but I had no idea what was ahead.

I was not going to let go without struggle.

Bound and caught in a van traveling toward an unknown fate, I could feel Grant's palm brush my, a quiet vow to face whatever came next together—even if it meant confronting the deepest truths from my past.