Page 37 of Conner's Choice
Without warning, his head exploded with pain. He saw tiny pinpoints of light and then…darkness.
Nothing pleased Kevinmore than taking Elizabeth’s arrogant lover by surprise. Hefting him to his feet, he threw Conner onto a chair and secured him with zip ties. Before he killed them, he planned to enact some of his fantasies and make them suffer. He had plenty of time. No one knew he was here or how he’d found them. It was almost too easy. He laughed aloud. Punching Conner hard in the gut, he shouted, “Time to wake up!”
Conner opened his eyes and moaned in pain. His head throbbed. He tried to move but found himself secured to a chair in the middle of the living room. He lifted his head and came face-to-face with Kevin. He leveled a gun at his chest.
“Warner. How did you find us?”
Kevin ignored his question. “How long have you been sleeping with my wife, O’Donnell?” He hit him in the stomach again. “Call for her.”
Relief swept through Conner as he realized Elizabeth hadn’t been hurt or worse. He shook his head. “No.”
Kevin struck Conner on the side of his head with the butt of the gun. “Now, O’Donnell.” He pressed the gun against his temple.
Conner didn’t flinch. “You’ll have to kill me—” His voice broke off as his eyes fell upon Elizabeth.
She stood in front of them, legs slightly apart, holding a Glock trained on Kevin. To Conner, she appeared remarkably at ease in her two-hand stance. He wondered where she’d gotten the gun.
“What the hell are you doing? You don’t know how to use that thing. Toss the gun, Lizzie, or I’ll put a bullet in his brain,” Kevin threatened.
Elizabeth didn’t say a word. She pulled the trigger. Her aim was true. Kevin screamed as the bullet tore through his right hand and the gun flew from his grip. Blood spurted. She shot him again, this time in the leg. Kevin howled and dropped to the hardwood floor, writhing in pain.
Rushing forward, Elizabeth cried, “Conner! Are you hurt?”
“Damn, Elizabeth! You could have given me a heads-up. What if he’d pressed the trigger when you shot him? My brains would be splattered all over the wall.”
She cut the zip ties and helped him to his feet. Blood from his head wound trickled down his neck. “I’m sorry. I had to catch him by surprise. Kevin never knew Dad taught me how to handle firearms. When he moved the gun a little away from you, I had to take my shot. I couldn’t risk him killing you.”
Conner wrapped an arm around her and kissed her hard. “You’re amazing, Elizabeth, but where in God’s name did you get that gun?”
“Dad slipped it into my duffel bag.” She looked down at Kevin, who lay bleeding and glaring at them. “Two for two, Kevin. You’re going to prison, where you’ll spend the rest of your life with your half-brother, Ray Farmer. I know about your affair with Tanya Parker. She was pregnant with your child, and you killed them both. You disgust me.”
“How?” Kevin moaned. “How did you know about the diamond necklace?”
“Chinese take-out for dinner. Remember? The night after my birthday.” Elizabeth smiled at him. “You shouldn’t have underestimated me, Kevin. It was a mistake you’ll live to regret.”
While they were speaking, Conner called the police. Within a few minutes, they heard sirens blaring in the distance. Half a dozen officers burst into the cabin. Conner and Elizabeth automatically raised their hands as one policeman asked, “Conner O’Donnell?”
“Yes, sir. I’m a lawyer from Denver, and Elizabeth Warner is my client. Her husband Kevin Warner tried to kill her. Twice.”
EMTs treated Kevin while Conner and Elizabeth spoke with the police captain. After he took their statements, he noticed the blood dripping down Conner’s neck. “Get that head wound looked at, Mr. O’Donnell.”
Conner tried to shrug it off, but Elizabeth wouldn’t let him. Embarrassed, he was loaded into a second fire and rescue truck while she followed him to the hospital in the rental car.
Conner and Elizabethstayed in Vermont long enough to see a U.S. Marshal take Kevin into custody. They flew back to Denver on the same plane as Kevin and the U.S. Marshal and faced a media firestorm. The couple refused to answer any questions as they hurried through the terminal and found Christian waiting for them. He offered to take them to his place, but they wanted to return to the cottage.
Alone, Conner stared at the woman who’d captured his heart and soul and gently brushed her face with his hand. He still couldn’t believe she loved him, too. “I love you, Elizabeth. You’re the woman I’ve always wanted. Brave. Beautiful. Loving. I’ll be yours forever.”
Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes. “I love you, too, Conner. So much. Every time you told me you had my back, I felt safe and secure. Now I can tellyou. I’ve got you, my love. For eternity.”
No more words were needed. Conner lifted Elizabeth into his arms and carried her into the master bedroom. They made love passionately, savoring every kiss, every caress, knowing their hearts were safeguarded by each other.
Conner murmured in the afterglow of their lovemaking, “I know this is sudden, but I want to marry you, Elizabeth. Under the circumstances, I should be able to get a judge to expedite your divorce. So, will you marry me?”
She burst into tears. Conner whispered soft words of comfort and apologized for his impromptu proposal. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. For making you cry. It’s too soon. I shouldn’t have asked you to marry me.”
Elizabeth’s head snapped up, and she gazed at him through stormy gray eyes. “Don’t you dare take it back, Conner O’Donnell! It was sweet and romantic and perfect. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you!”
She cupped his face and molded her mouth against his in a hot kiss that led to another bout of lovemaking.
