Real Girl (Aston Creek High 4)

More guards come for them as Shaylee practically climbs over the pews to get around. She breaks free of the crowd and sprints down the aisle as I struggle to get to my feet with the electrical current pulsing through my body.

I can do this. I’m strong enough.

Luce gets to her feet, stands on her seat, and launches herself off the pew, her father struggling to grab hold of her as her small little body crashes hard into Marcus and sends them flying into the guests on the opposite side.

With no one in her way, Shay drops down to me, grabbing my hands and desperately trying to get me to my feet. “Come on,” she demands in a panic, grabbing my arm and trying to haul me up as Luce struggles to keep Marcus down.

“I…I can’t,” I cry as the electrical voltage is busted up.

I scream out in pain and Slade’s head whips in my direction, those beautiful eyes on mine, but it’s a distraction that neither of us can afford.

The guard grabs him as another nails him in the jaw, sending him flying back into the guests, but a little punch isn’t going to discourage him. Slade isn’t a quitter. He never has been.

Damian is right there at his side, and together, they don’t dare give up. They keep fighting for what’s right.

How could I have doubted Slade? How could I have believed that he was gone? If I’d known he was still alive, I would have been able to find the strength to fight. I would have found a way to run and I would have done it knowing I left Lucien’s dead body behind.

Shaylee gets me to my feet and practically has to carry my full weight as I cry out, but right now, the pain is nothing, I’m just glad to have her arm around me with the promise of going home.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Maria screams, grabbing hold of this ridiculous dress and trying to haul me back.

Shaylee stops and spins back to her, knowing exactly who this woman is and what kind of role she had in her sister’s death. Now really isn’t the time, but Shaylee isn’t going to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

She releases me and I instantly fall into the lap of a guest that I don’t know. He tries to right me but I come down hard on him. The guests around scramble for me, despite not wanting to get involved. When you see a bride go down, your natural reaction is to help.

Shaylee goes at Maria with her claws out but when I think she’s about to gouge out an eye, her claws turn into strong fists and I silently celebrate as she nails the bitch in the face.

Being lost in the guests, I start ripping the dress up. “Get it off me,” I beg of anyone who will listen, desperately trying to get the electrical band off my thigh.

They scramble to help me as Lucien finally gets himself involved but when Marcus grabs Luce and throws her clear across the church slamming her back into the wooden pew, her father gets to his feet and goes for him.

Luce’s dad may be a top businessman with a bad reputation. He may be hard on his daughters and an absolute dick, but when someone touches one of his babies and makes her hurt, he’s out for blood.

He cuts in front of Lucien and it gives me just a moment longer to tear this bullshit from my leg. I pull this ridiculous veil out of my hair and throw it to the ground, not giving a shit that the diamonds on it cost Maria fifty grand. Actually, if I was smart, I’d take it with me and let Shaylee pawn it for cash. But that’s dirty money and I don’t want anything to do with it.

Shay gets Maria down on the ground and I laugh at how Lucien doesn’t even help her out, instead, he’s still coming for me.

Slade breaks through the guards and runs for me while Damian desperately tries to hold them off.

I throw myself to my feet and run.

His hand curls around mine as Shay leaves Maria and races toward us. His hand is so damn warm, so full of life and love. Blood from his knuckles spreads all over my hand and dress but I couldn’t give a shit. This dress is going in a dumpster the second I get out of here.

We’re all going to have to get new identities and move to Antarctica, but it’s so worth it. I don’t even care that I might have to leave my new friends behind. I know the pain of what it’s like to lose somebody you know and I won’t do it again.

Now we just have to get out of here.