Chapter 168: Freeze!

Chapter 168: Freeze!
Third person

It took Matthew half the time it would normally take to get to the bunker. He parked his car at a safe distance before running over to the location. 

And with each step he took, his mind raced, his heart pounded with anxiety. He couldn't afford to lose her now that he was so close. They'd literally be leaving the country today. 

Valerie please be there, please be there, Matt murmured, his legs moving faster.

A half-relieved sigh left his lips when he reached the entrance and saw that the door was still locked—She was still here. His trembling fingers sifted through his bunch of keys, his breath gaspy and he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his palm.

Matt unlocked the door and then pushed it open forcefully. His eyes blazing with anger and anxiety found Valerie immediately. She was curled up at a corner, her cheeks stained with tears and her hands and feet shaking.

"What have you done??!" he growled, his voice venomous.

She frowned in confusion, even though the voice in her head told her that Matt probably knew what she did. “What are you talking about?” She asked softly, trying to keep her voice steady.

Matt didn't have time for any games. He moved over to her and yanked up by her arm. “We're leaving,” he declared.

“What? Why? To where?” She breathed uneasily.

“Far away from here,” he rasped, already dragging her away. “Someone told the police that you're here.”

As they emerged into the bright sunlight, her eyes scanned the surrounding area and her mind reeled. She was processing what Matt had just said.

So it worked, Valerie thought happily. But then her joy was short-lived. If she leaves here without that necklace, then they might not be able to find her again. 

“Stop, stop!” Valerie wrenched her hand from him with all her might. There was hope now and she had to fight for it. “I'm not going anywhere with you.”

She turned and had barely taken two steps when Matt reached for the gun tucked in his waistband, aimed at the sky and fired. The sound was deafening and had Valerie stopping in her tracks. 

Val turned around to face him, her entire body trembling from the effect and her eyes wide with shock. She didn't expect that.

“Don't make me use it on you,” he gritted out and aimed for her head. “I trusted you enough to untie you, I already regret it.”

“No, you wouldn't kill me,” she reminded him. “You said you love me, you won't kill someone you love.” She'd willed her voice to come out confident but it was shaky as hell and her fingers vibrated as though she had a vibrator in hand. 

It was just an attempt to manipulate him, but even she wasn't sure of her words. She wasn't sure whether or not Matt would pull the trigger.

“Think again about what you just said,” Matt chuckled dryly, his gun still pointing at her. “Do I love you? Yes. Can I kill you? Again, yes.”

He paused, his eyes raking her form briefly. She didn't say anything. I mean, what was there to say?

“Why?” He continued. “Because I'd rather you be dead than be with another man. I'd kill you and then kill myself… Easy,” he finished.

She swallowed hard. “Y-you wouldn't do that,” she stuttered. “You're not like that.”

He threw his head back slightly—in a way that he didn't lose focus on his prey—and a maniacal laugh ripped from his throat. 

Matt's laughter stopped as quickly as it started. He scratched his chin, a thoughtful expression etched on his face. “Let’s see… If we're going by your analogy, then I wouldn't have kidnapped you in the first place since I love you, isn't that right?” He used his free hand to air-quote the word ‘love’.

He moved to her slowly, but once he was in front of him, she swung her knee and hit him on the balls. He clutched his legs together. “Damn you!” He growled.

She made a run for it but he was faster. There was only so much her weak body could do. Matt reached for her hair and pulled at it hard.

Valerie cried out in pain. 

He pressed the gun to her temple. “Don't you fucking tempt me.” He shifted his weight from one leg to another to ease the pain between his legs. 

Just then, his phone rang out, slicing through the tension. With his hand still wrapped tightly around Valerie's hair, he answered his call. 

The call was very brief and once it ended, Matt's lips curled into a big smile. "Our boat is ready. We're leaving the country right now,” he announced. 

Val bit her lips to suppress the pain radiating from her scalp. But the pain was nothing compared to the way her chest ached with despair. “I'd rather die than be with you,” she cried. “You're a beast!”

“One that you'll learn to love,” he retorted, pulling her away. “And I don't think you'd rather die, especially since you're pregnant.”

Valerie's throat went dry, her face paled, her eyes widening with horror. She had noticed the signs; the nausea, the way she'd been sleeping more often, fuller breasts… Though she'd suspected, after all this wasn't her first pregnancy, but…

Matt had only made a lucky guess after his encounter at the drug store earlier, but her reaction right now was all the confirmation he needed. He clenched his jaw in annoyance, this wasn't the first time she was taking in for another man. What happened to birth control?

“Don't worry about that, we'll take care of it when we arrive there,” he gritted out finally.

“Take care of it?” A wave of dread coursed through her. “What do you mean?” She rasped anxiously.

He scoffed and just kept pulling her away. Valerie’s feet stumbled as she tried to keep up with his pace. “Let me go!” She screamed.

They'd just turned around a corner, when a gunshot rang in the air. Matt was quick to dodge but the bullet grazed his arm slightly.

Matt retreated instantly, using the wall as cover. He groaned in pain, his grip on Valerie's hair tightening. 

“Let her go right now!” Lucas growled, a gun in his hand as he prepared to fire at Matt again.

Slowly, Matt pushed Valerie forward, using her as a human shield. The nuzzle of the gun still pressed against her temple, Valerie's horrified eyes locked onto Lucas's, who had his gun pointed at Matt.

Matthew stopped in his tracks and pressed the gun harder to Valerie's skin, his gaze finding Lucas's. “I swear if you take a step further, I'll blow her brains out.”

“Babe,” Valerie whimpered, her lips trembling with fear. “You're here.”

Lucas's eyes softened, his chest aching as he stared at his woman. “I'm here,” he whispered back, his gun still pointed at Matthew.

Just then, the sound of police sirens filled the air. Soon, uniformed men filled the area. “Freeze!” a voice shouted.

Matt’s eyes darted around. “Anyone moves, I'll kill the lady,” he snarled, his voice wild with desperation.