Chapter 365: Book 5: Maddox’s Game

Maddox had very little time on hand. He called Declan for help. He had no idea how to make wedding arrangements. Although he had agreed to marry Lucille, he knew what he would do.

“Hey, bro! What’s up?” Declan’s voice brought him out of his thoughts.

“Can you get a marriage license issued by tomorrow morning, dude?” His sly brain had devised a foolproof plan already. He would get a marriage license issued in Iris’s name.

Declan groaned at his desperation. “Why so soon? She won’t pop the baby out tomorrow morning. You have nine months to get married, right?” He chuckled heartily at his joke.

Maddox smiled half-heartedly. If only it had been so simple. “It’s complicated, bro. Lucille has kidnapped Iris and kept her imprisoned somewhere. She’ll set Iris free only if I marry her tomorrow morning. I have only twelve hours to plan this and save Iris’s life.”

Declan gasped with horror. “Shit, man! Will you really marry Lucille?”

Maddox wanted to tear his hair out of frustration. This time, she had really cornered him. “Never! I’d rather die. But Iris and my baby are at risk here.”

“Then? There has to be a way out. You can’t marry that bitch and ruin your life. Do you think Iris will accept your decision? She’s expecting your child, Maddox.” He could sense the hopelessness in Declan’s voice.

“There’s a way. Lucille’s gang is stalking me. Let’s go to the marriage registrar’s office and get the license. It’ll bear my name and Iris’s. We can use an image editor to replace Iris with Lucille’s name. I’ll forward the updated certificate to Lucille. When she lets down her defences, we can get her arrested and rescue Iris.” Everything was planned to perfection. He would marry Iris instead.

“Brilliant plan. Then meet me at the LA County Registrar’s office in Beverly Hills. We can select an appointment for a Marriage License and Express Ceremony to get married promptly.”

After fifteen minutes, Maddox reached his destination. He knew Rebekah was following him in a silver Jaguar, but he pretended not to see her. Declan was already there, and he hastened the process. After an hour, Maddox drove away, feeling satisfied with his plan. He knew Rebekah was following him home. She wasn’t aware of Officer Shelby's shadowing her every move.

At home, Maddox sat at his laptop and used a photo editor to make the modifications. Soon, he had the license he needed. Forwarding it to Lucille’s number, he sat back waiting for her response. After five minutes, she sent him a smiley face with a message.

Great! I’ll see you at the altar. Where will we get married? – Lucille.

Maddox smirked, knowing he had fooled her.

I’ll forward the details only when you let Iris go – Maddox.

Strangely, Lucille didn’t respond. Wasn’t she planning to release Iris? Maddox was now sure she wouldn’t keep her end of the deal. Lucille Hartley wasn’t one to be trusted. Neither did she trust him nor love him. Then why was she hell-bent on marrying him?

This was a question only she could answer.

Time was running out, and there was nothing he could do but wait. He wanted to find out if Rebekah had led Officer Shelby to their hideout. Ever since Bruce’s last call, he had received no updates on the matter.

His phone buzzed with a call from Bruce. Maddox’s heart pounded in apprehension, and he accepted the call immediately. “Yes, Bruce! Where are you?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Laurier. I’m at the hospital. They were armed and shot me when I tried to rescue Ms. Hansley.” He sounded so crestfallen, Maddox had to go to see him. Maybe he could find out more about Iris’s whereabouts.

“Oh, which hospital? I’ll come down right away.”

“California General Medical Centre, Mr. Laurier. The cops will be here for my statement.”

Maddox left in a rush. Thankfully, Rebekah’s car was nowhere around. He drove over to the hospital and met Officer Stewart on his way in. “Officer Shelby is tailing them to their new hideout. They’re armed, and we can’t make a move now. We have to exercise caution, or they will kill Ms. Hansley.”

Maddox understood the gravity of the situation. Nothing was beyond these evil women. “Yes, you’re right. I’ve agreed to Lucille’s condition and announced our wedding on social media. I hope she buys it. Once her attention is diverted, we can attack.”

“What about the marriage? Are you really planning to marry her?” They walked out of the elevator together.

“No, I have issued a marriage certificate in Iris’s name instead. I’ve edited it, changed the name to Lucille’s and forwarded it to her. Thankfully, she bought it. I’ll send her the details once she releases Iris.” They walked towards Bruce’s room.

“I doubt she will. I’ve sent the team to rescue Iris.”

Maddox released a sigh of relief. If only he could be there for her. She was already unwell. “She isn’t keeping well because of her pregnancy.”

Officer Stewart nodded with a sad smile. “I’m aware, Mr. Laurier. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone in this. I promise to rescue her at all costs.”

His phone buzzed with a message, and he checked it excitedly. It was from Lucille, but not what he had expected.

Ask the cops to stop tailing us. I won’t spare your bitch if they continue. My next message will be a photograph of her dead body. – Lucille.

Maddox froze with fear, unable to walk another step. He stared at the message with dread. Lucille never gave out useless threats.

“What happened? Whose message is it?” asked Officer Stewart, stopping beside him.

Maddox showed him the threat.

“Shit! This is dangerous. I have to call back Shelby, or she’ll kill Ms. Hansley.” Officer Stewart walked away to make the phone call while Maddox entered Bruce’s room. He felt helpless. How would they rescue Iris now?

A strange fear gripped his heart. What if his plan failed? What if Lucille found out about his plan to marry Iris instead of her?

“Mr. Laurier?” Bruce’s tired voice brought him out of his thoughts.

He focused his attention on the man who had protected Iris with everything he had. Now he lay on the hospital bed with a bullet lodged in his shoulder and another in his arm.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t save Ms. Hansley. I hadn’t expected them to possess weapons. It happened in the blink of an eye, and they escaped with her. I couldn’t follow them on my motorcycle.” Bruce tried his best to raise himself.

Maddox sat beside him to comfort him. “It isn’t your fault, Bruce. They were four and armed. Were they torturing Iris? Tell me what happened.”

“They took her to a house on Wilmington Avenue, Watts. I followed and kept watch on them. But they saw me calling you. The call got disconnected. My phone had only 3% charge, and I had no time on hand. I called the cops and updated them. My phone battery died, and I had no way of connecting to you, Mr. Laurier.”

“Oh, I was wondering why you hadn’t called back.”

Bruce nodded and took a sip of water. “They overheard my conversation with the cops. Within minutes, I saw them carrying Iris to their car. I was so worried, I rushed forward to rescue her. Two of them took out their guns and shot me at the same time. Before I could get a grip on myself, they sped away with Ms. Hansley. The locals helped me reach the hospital.”

Maddox frowned at the bodyguard. “Why were they carrying Iris? Had they harmed her?” His heart sank with dread at the thought of something untoward happening to Iris.

“She was unconscious, I think. Despite the gunshots, she didn’t stir.”

It got Maddox worried. He left Bruce and strode out to message Lucille.

If you harm Iris, I’ll cancel the wedding right away. The cops will seek you out of hell. – Maddox.

After two minutes, his phone buzzed with her reply.

We haven’t harmed your bitch. She’s just unconscious. Send me the details: venue and time. – Lucille.

Maddox scowled at the message.

First release Iris. – Maddox.

Lucille didn’t cave in.

After the wedding. – Lucille.

Maddox felt frustrated. He wouldn’t marry her at all.

No, first release Iris. Or there won’t be a wedding. – Maddox.

He waited for Lucille’s reply, but even after ten minutes, there was none.

Officer Stewart came over to get Bruce’s statement. Later, he walked out and met Maddox before leaving. “I had a word with Officer Shelby. They’ve taken Ms. Hansley to a house on Walnut Avenue, Long Beach. Officer Shelby is tailing them discreetly. We will raid the place and overpower the four criminals.”

Maddox’s heart thumped with fear. “Iris is unconscious. We have to rescue her at the earliest.”

“Yes, Mr. Laurier. I’ll keep you updated.” Officer Stewart left, and Maddox checked his phone.

There was a message from Lucille.

Fine, I’ll release Iris the moment you send me the details. – Lucille.

Maddox chewed his lip indecisively. Could he trust her? What if she found out that the details were fake? He had taken an appointment for a prompt wedding at the LA County Registrar’s office for the next morning. But it was a marriage between him and Iris!