Love Ignited (Hollywood Series Book 2) Read online

  The dog lunged between Nathan and the monster, sinking his teeth into Phillip’s neck. I heard a scream and a crack, and then it was over. Phillip’s body hit the floor with a sickening thud. Ivan lay across my body, blood dripping from his jowls. Nathan fell beside him.

  I got to my feet, stumbling for the phone to dial 9-1-1. As soon as I did, I went to my heroes. Nathan was semi-conscious; Ivan was awake but weak from the sedatives. Phillip was dead as a doornail.

  “Nathan, help is on the way, baby. Stay with me.”

  “Thank you,” he spoke softly.

  “For what?” I let out a humorless laugh laced with tears.

  “For loving me.”

  I put more pressure on the wrist that was bleeding the most. “How did you cut your wrists?”

  “I was in a hurry.” He smiled weakly.

  “You should’ve just told me to get the knife instead of cutting yourself up.”

  “I needed you to run.”

  “You just wanted to be my knight in shining armor, didn’t you?” I said, trying to keep him awake.

  “I love you,” he said before he closed his eyes.

  Chapter 12

  I left Nathan only long enough to let the paramedics through both gates.

  They ran to the monster first. “Leave him. He’s dead,” I screamed. “Help Nathan!”

  “Ma’am, calm down,” one guy said. “We need to take you,” he said, wrapping a blanket around me, reminding me that I was still nude.

  “I’m not leaving him!”

  “Calm down, ma’am. Let us do our jobs.”

  They continued checking Phillip. I couldn’t stand it, “He’s dead! I killed him! Help this man over here, please! He’s bleeding out.”

  “I’ve got a pulse,” one of them said over Phillip’s body.

  “No…” I shook my head. No way… I heard Ivan crush his windpipe. There was no way. More paramedics ran in with police officers, and the place was suddenly full. They were treating Nathan. Someone wrapped a blood pressure cuff around my arm, but I couldn’t stop staring at the monster who had terrorized me for years. If he lived, he would be declared incompetent to stand trial and go back to the institution, where he would surely escape.

  I suddenly remembered him saying that Anna and Frank wouldn’t be “bothering us” anymore.

  “There are more up at the other building. My friend, Anna, and my employee, Frank, are up there. You have to send someone up to them,” I told the busy bodies around me.

  “They are outside, dear,” a female officer said.

  I dropped my head in my hands, “Are they…?”

  “They’re fine. They had no idea any of this was going on.”

  “Fine…” I repeated lamely. “They’re alive?”

  “Yes, they are fine.”

  Now all of my focus was on Phillip, who was being loaded onto a gurney. They’d performed a tracheotomy on him and a tube fed him oxygen. Otherwise, he would’ve been dead.

  “Will he make it?” I asked, motioning toward Phillip.

  “We don’t know how badly the internal injuries are from the stab wounds, but it’s possible. Listen, you don’t worry about that right now. I just need you to tell me what happened.”

  “I…”

  “It’s okay, dear, take your time.”

  I sat there watching them wheel the monster out…I couldn’t… I leaped up, streaked across the room, and snatched away the tube. I managed to bring my fist down on his neck, ruining the opening before the police pulled me away.

  I felt a needle in my arm. I knew they were trying to sedate me. The meds took effect immediately, and my eyes started to roll back, but not before I saw them scrambling to reinsert the tube. As soon as I felt confident that they wouldn’t be able to, I let sleep take me.

  ****

  I awoke in a dimly lit room that smelled of antiseptic. The first word that came to mind was “clean.”

  I was alone. If Anna was okay like they’d said, why wasn’t she here?

  Nathan… The vision of him lying there in a pool of his own blood hit me so hard it hurt. I tried to get up, but something stopped me. I was handcuffed to the bed… “What the f…?”

  “Miss Maddox,” a voice called from the doorway. I jumped. No one had called me that in years.

  “Lindsey,” I corrected. “I’m Dr. Lindsey.”

  “No,” the man in the suit said, “you are Elena Maddox, formerly of Louisiana.”

  I didn’t confirm nor deny. Instead, I said, “Where is Nathan Bradley? How is he?”

  “Let’s talk about you, Miss Maddox.”

  “Tell me how he is. And where is Anna?”

  “What happened at your house this morning? I would like to get your version of events.”

  “Look,” I said desperately, “I will tell you whatever you want to know if you will just tell me what happened to Nathan, Anna, and Frank.”

  The man relaxed back in his seat, crossing his legs, “Mr. Bradley is being cared for.”

  “He’s alive…” I said. “Is he going to be all right?”

  “That’s all I’m authorized to tell you at this time. That’s all I know, Miss Maddox.”

  “Doctor,” I corrected again. “I am Dr. Elena Maddox.”

  “Whatever you say. I find it intriguing that you haven’t asked why you’re handcuffed to that bed.”

  I lay back staring at the ceiling. “I know why.”

  “Let’s talk about that.”

  “Because I—”

  “Hey there, Ella.” I sat up when I saw Richard enter the room. I hadn’t seen him in a while. He looked different. He looked worn. “Detective, you wouldn’t be trying to question my client without representation, would you?”

  “I was just…” the detective stammered.

  “Because it looks like you’re attempting to interrogate Dr. Lindsey. Shame on you, detective, after the day she’s had.”

  “As I was saying, I was trying to figure out what happened. That’s it.”

  “Why on earth is she handcuffed to the bed?” His eyes narrowed. I knew better than to answer him. He wasn’t talking to me. If Richard had taught me anything, it was that, when it came to cops, you were only to speak when spoken to and nothing more.

  “So I take it that you are an attorney?”

  “I am,” he answered. Used to be, I thought to myself.

  “You should know that I have witnesses.”

  “Witnesses to what, exactly?”

  “She tried to murder a man.”

  “Tried?” I yelped, desperately. “What do you mean tried? He’s alive?”

  “Ella,” Richard shouted.

  The detective smiled knowingly. “Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Maddox.” He stood and walked out. I was stupefied.

  “Richard,” my voice was full of emotion as tears clouded my vision. All professionalism I had gone out the window.

  “I know, honey.” He wrapped his dad-like arms around me, holding me.

  “Nathan?” I whispered.

  “Mr. Bradley is in surgery. He sustained some significant stab wounds.”

  I didn’t even know what to say. It would’ve been nice if I had another dose of whatever they’d given me to knock me out so I didn’t have to feel this fear running through me. I feared for Nathan and myself.

  “What’s going to happen?” I asked him, flopping back on my pillow.

  “Well, I think since Mr. Rhodes survived, coupled with what you’ve been through, I can get this handled.”

  “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

  “I know…”

  “He’ll keep coming for me.”

  “He’s in really bad shape, honey. If he pulls through, he’ll be institutionalized…” I shot him a glare. “I know,” he said with a nod. “But this time, we’ll…I will make sure he’s locked up for good. You really meant to kill him, didn’t you?”

  “Yes,” I said without remorse. “I meant to see him dead. He came for me, Rich
ard. He found me through you. He will never stop.”

  Richard let his eyes drift to the floor. I could tell that he was deeply regretful that he’d led the monster to my doorstep. “If I would’ve known, I would’ve never—”

  “Hey, don’t do that. It’s not your fault. I’m happy for Anna and you.I’m just glad that she wasn’t injured. I’m really happy no one else got hurt.”

  “Honey”—he took my hand with tears in his eyes—“Anna—”

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “Don’t say it. They said she was fine. They said Frank and she were fine!”

  “I’m so sorry, Ella.” His voice cracked, and he leaned on me, shuddering with tears. I felt like I was slipping into shock. I didn’t even know what to think.

  “What happened, Richard? What the fuck happened?”

  He collected himself as much as possible for a man who had just lost the woman he loved. “Apparently, Mr. Rhodes has been posing as your deliveryman for the past several weeks. He’s been on the property several times. The actual deliveryman was found in the trunk of an abandoned vehicle, in a parking lot, the other day. I guess that’s why Mr. Rhodes felt he had to make his move.”

  “This is just too much, Richard. I can’t take anymore.”

  “I understand how you feel,” he whispered, and I knew he did.

  “Turn me loose.” His head snapped up at my words. His sky blue eyes met mine, unblinking. The wrinkles of his face seemed to multiply with the passing moments. “Turn me loose, Richard. I know I’ve asked a lot of you over the years, and I won’t ask you for anything else, but I need you to…”

  He broke eye contact, slipped a small key from his briefcase, and took off the handcuff.

  “He’s two rooms down. There is an officer at the nurse’s station listening out for both of you.”

  “Lie on the floor,” I told him. He looked at me like I was crazy. “I won’t have you held culpable for this. Tell them I attacked you.”

  “Ella—”

  “That will be my story, Richard. It’s best to agree.” He nodded and lay down on the floor.

  I was surprised how easy it was to get out of my room and find his completely unnoticed. There had been an officer at the nurses’ station. He was too busy flirting to notice me.

  When I got there, I stared down at him in disgust. “I hate you, Phillip. You’re disgusting.” I spat on his face, even though he was unconscious.

  As soon as my saliva hit him, his eyes sprang open. He looked confused for a moment but reached out and grabbed me by the neck, effectively throwing me across him. I hadn’t expected him to be awake. I hadn’t brought anything…

  I slapped at a nearby metal tray with instruments, hoping to find something sharp. The noise brought people running. I heard them hit the door. I heard them screaming at me, at him…but all I could think of was Anna, Frank…my daddy. I grabbed a scalpel and plunged it up his nose as hard as I could.

  When the police pulled me off of him, I kicked the scalpel straight up into his brain. I felt it.

  Even as the fresh round of sedation took hold, I felt a sense of satisfaction. Lobotomies by Ella. Even if he survived, he wouldn’t remember a thing.

  Chapter 13

  Six weeks later

  I glanced back into the place I had called home for the past few years before closing the door. It was like turning the page on a chapter of my life. A chapter I was happy to see come to a close.

  The property would be in good hands. I had signed it over to Richard. It would be a safe haven for others, like me, who needed a place to hide from those the law could not protect.

  I had been so grateful to learn that Richard had been lying about Anna. He’d lied to me for her safety. As long as that monster sought to harm her, he aimed to protect her…even if that meant keeping her from me. That was no longer a problem. I had been successful. We were never going to have any more problems from that. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been lying about Frank. Frank had been stunned with a Taser and murdered trying to protect us. He was a hero. His sacrifice had given Anna a fighting chance.

  I would never forget that or take it for granted.

  I would never take anything for granted again.

  Even though Phillip succumbed to his injuries, Richard was able to present enough evidence on my behalf, that due to the mental anguish I’d sustained coupled with the fact that Phillip had attacked me, no charges were filed. His and my career remained intact despite the lies we’d told. Richard was hailed a hero by his peers for the lengths he’d gone to protect me. He was a hero. I was glad he was finally getting some recognition.

  I was even happier that Anna was getting her happily ever after. She deserved it. As did I.

  I climbed up in the old beat-up Ford truck that I used to haul the horses, the trailer with Fierce and Sparkle hitched to the back.

  “You okay, babe?” Nate asked, running his fingers through my now short blonde hair.

  “I think we will be.” I smiled. Ivan sat between us but allowed us a kiss.

  “Are you ready for this?”

  I laughed. “Are you?” His expression fell. “Hey, chin up. It will be fine.”

  “I feel like having you by my side makes everything fine,” he said. I smiled, hoping he was right.

  We were going to reunite him with his parents in Idaho. They were desperate to make things right after they had heard about everything that had happened. Nate was too.

  I didn’t know where we would end up after that, but I knew wherever we went and whatever we faced, we would get through it together.

  The End.

  I hope you enjoyed Ella’s story. Here’s a sneak peek at book three in the Hollywood Series that is available for preorder by clicking HERE.

  Chapter 1

  “Come with us,” they’d said.

  “I don’t really think it’s my thing.” I spoke shyly with my hands clasped in front of me.

  “Maddie.” Logan Mason had called me by my nickname. I hadn’t been called that since I’d left my hometown, so to be called that by one of the biggest stars in Hollywood got my attention. “Maddie, come with us. Come on. For me?”

  I gave a slight smile and got in the limo with him.

  Logan was gorgeous. He was about my height, but he had the overall package with blond hair, blue eyes, and the whitest smile I’d ever seen. I hadn’t even had a hit song yet when he’d started coming to my shows. One night after a show, he’d stepped on stage and asked me out in front of the small crowd. He’d taken me out several times.

  We’d been dating for about a month during my stay in New York City when he and high-profile celebrity couple, Jackson Jacobs and Lacy Waters, had shown up at one of my shows. They were going to an “exclusive” club and asked me to join them. I’d had no idea what I was getting myself into. Logan and I had barely kissed, just a peck once or twice. I wouldn’t have ever expected where he took me that night.

  The memories flooded back as I sat on the stage of the morning talk show. It was like having a flashback.

  “Logan, this doesn’t look like any nightclub I’ve ever been to,” I said as I assessed the large mansion we’d pulled up to.

  “It’s not like any club you’ve ever been to, Maddie, but trust me; it’s the best kind of club.”

  We got out, and he knocked on the door in this special way, as though it were some kind of secret knock. As it turned out, it was.

  “Mason, party of four,” he told the guy at the door. The guy welcomed us by holding out a basket full of cell phones. They dropped theirs in the pile. After an encouraging look from Logan, I followed suit.

  Logan ushered me into a room off of a long corridor away from the other couple. It looked like a fancy locker room with wooden cabinets and a velvet sofa.

  “What is this?” I asked.

  “Do you trust me?” I nodded, not because I trusted him but because I wanted to be his girlfriend and I thought if I did what he asked, I would be. “Put this on,” he said, hold
ing out a plush white robe.

  “What?” I took it from him, confused.

  “Just trust me, Maddie. Lighten up.” He walked behind a row of cabinets and came out moments later with a robe on. I was still holding mine. He kissed me softly, running his hand from my cheek down my neck to my shoulder, where he slid the strap of my sundress off. “This is going to be amazing for both of us.”

  At that, apprehension flew out the window. I’d been wondering if he would ever make his move. We’d been seeing each other for a month, and he’d kissed me only a handful of times. This was what I’d been waiting for! I wanted him. Every woman wanted him, but I could have him. He was right in front of me.

  He stepped out of the room, sending me a gleaming grin. I immediately undressed and slipped into the robe. When I stepped out, I was met with another kiss right in the hallway. This one was more aggressive; passionate. It was more intense than any kiss he’d given me before.

  A security guard interrupted us. “Logan, man, I need to see her ID.”

  “I’m twenty-two,” I told him. Logan nodded to confirm. The guy looked at me intensely for a moment but took me at my word.

  “I’m about to show you a whole new world, Maddison. My world. Are you ready to join?”

  I nodded nervously. He took my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine, and led me down the corridor to a large set of double doors, which were guarded. I looked at him nervously, but he seemed completely at ease.

  “Relax, dollface. You’ll love it if you just let yourself.”

  When the doors opened, I stood there stupefied. He tugged my hand in vain.

  “Maddie, come on. Don’t be like that. Just try it. Come in and play. If you don’t like it, we’ll leave, okay?” I didn’t say anything. “I promise, you’ll like this if you let yourself,” he repeated.

  I stepped into the large open space. I had to admit that I was intrigued.

  “Let’s go have some fun,” he said with a wink.

  “Miss Royce? Are you okay?” the talk show host said, pulling me from the memories.