Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

In a fraction of a second, a dozen more gunshot sounds followed.

"Noooo! Jeryl!"

  Jeremy shouted and pulled Jerlina closer to his chest.

Covering her ears, he whispered, "Don't look!"

"Don't look. It's okay…" he hugged her.

*Tic*

In front of him, the gun Gerard held in his hand fell on the ground with the muzzle cold. That was followed by Gerard kneeling on the ground. His back should have been punctured with at least half a dozen bullets has lodged in his torso and one bullet even passed through his abdomen.

Even in that state, Gerard turned to look in their direction. Charlie and the other men running at Gerard didn't mind the gun because it had no ammo. He probably didn't count his bullets and without reloading, he couldn't even hurt her although he pointed his gun at Jerlina. 

And pointing his gun at Jerlina was enough for the men sent by Jonathan Erling to use him as target practice to show their skills. 

"Jer…" 

Gerard's voice was very low and she heard a little gurgle in his throat. 

How hurt is he?

Jerlina didn't want to turn back but her head turned unconsciously. But Jeremy held the back of her head and pressed it in his chest.

"I'll ask them to take him to the hospital," he said.

"I…" Jerlina gulped. "Take me home, Joel," she said and walked away from Gerard.

"Jer…love…"

Jeremy turned hearing Gerard's voice and he saw one of those guys pointing his gun at Gerard's head Charlie said something to that man and he nodded and pulled back his gun.

Jeremy led Jerlina to the other end of the pub where he had parked his jeep. Jerlina was not saying anything and he could see that she is not fine.

"He'll survive, Jeryl. Don't worry," Jeremy said to her thinking that she might be sad that Gerard might be gravely hurt.

"I don't want to know, Joel."

Jerlina who was silent till then spoke after clearing her throat. Jeremy held her hand and stopped to look at her face. Under the yellow street light, her face looked pale, and yet her eyes were determinant. Her lips were trembling as of she was holding back something.

Jeremy turned back to see Charlie and the others trying to access the wounds on Gerard. He seemed to be still alive. He looked at Jerlina. She was frozen stiff.

"Let's go home, Joel," she said sensing his glance on him.

Jeremy kissed her forehead and hugged her. But she pushed him away.

"Take me home, Joel."

Jeremy let out a sigh. He could clearly understand that she is not fine.

For her to react like this… Did she…

"Okay," He said nothing more and started the car. 

He turned and passed through the rock and he saw Gerard's motionless body on the ground. He knew it was hard for Gerard to survive after all his wounds to the abdomen. There was blood pooled around his abdomen and his head. 

If he's hurt in the head then…

He turned to his right to see if Jerlina was looking but she was looking straight ahead. She looked detached and it scared him.

It matters not what she thinks she did. He would never think that she is responsible for Gerard's death. He would tell her that but he wasn't sure if that is that thought troubling her right now.

Will she open up?

He saw police helicopters approaching them along with cars and he wondered if he should stop and talk to them. But considering Jerlina's situation, his heart leaned towards taking her home and staying by her side.

At that time, he received a call and it was Gordon. He doesn't like other people infringing on the issues in his town and family. He would never say it out loud, but it does not make him feel better when he sees the power Jonathan Erling holds and when that guy tries to poke his nose in his business, he feels slighted. 

Can't I protect what's mine? Must he interfere?

At times, he would think of forbidding Jerlina from talking to Jonathan. He once almost gave an ultimatum to choose either Jonathan or her husband. Alexander has warned him how getting help from Jonathan is like willingly stepping on quicksand. He trusted Alexander more than Jonathan.

  But he cannot do that. That is a terrible thing to do to forbid his wife from contacting her family.

He looked at  Jerlina and he decided to appreciate Gordon's help. This is not the time for him to think about his pride.

"Is the Lady pregnant?" Gordon's voice was filled with expectations and glee. "Nathan reported that he Lady said so but is it-"

"Yes," Jeremy turned at Jerlina. "She is pregnant."

He thought she would react at least a bit but she did not. Pressing his lips he concentrated on the road.

"You will take no responsibility for this incident. Neither does the Lady. The Grandsire will take care of this issue. The Lady… How is she faring?" Gordon asked.

"She's…" Jeremy did not know what to say. He might not agree with Gordon always. But he could see that he truly cares for Jerlina. And often they go way out of their traditions and methods just for her. 

"That guy is dead but he cannot be dead as one of your guys said…" Gordon said and Jeremy couldn't understand what he meant. He didn't want to understand it either.

"As for the others… He made a move just after he learned that you dissolved your gang. He's demented and forgot that he is angering the wrong person…Or it could be his son taking control. His son wants you dead…"

"Who?" Jeremy interjected. He was not in a mind-set to think now and he didn't get what Gordon was speaking. 

"The dictator! The one who killed your grandparents and let your mother suffer the fate of an orphan. The one who turned a Princess to a refugee and suffer," Gordon's tone was conceited and filled with malice. "Ha! After knowing your wife is a direct descendant of Erling, he dared to touch you…Ah, but take care of the Lady. Otherwise, the Grandsire wont let you go. Just keep her pregnancy off records for the time being to keep her safe." 

Gordon ended the call and Jeremy rubbed his forehead. 

So the other guys were trying to get me? I don't want to be the King of that country! Why couldn't he let me be?

He dialed Mikhail and informed him of this attack on him and asked for their family to be safe. That cruel dictator knows Volkonsky is the one protecting the last heir of the Royal family and he will surely try and attack them too. 

They reached home and Jerlina stayed silent the whole time. She seemed like she didn't listen to the conversations either.

  "Do you want anything to eat?" Jeremy asked after helping her inside the home. 

Earl was circling around her feet and she was not even looking at him. Fearing that Earl might trip her over, he sent away the dog. It left with a whine.

"No, I am fine. I'll take a bath," she walked towards the stairs.

"Jeryl!" Jeremy's tone was a little loud and dry. He was not pleased with her attitude. It hurts him to see her hiding her hurt.

Is it that hard for her to open up?

"You are not fine!" he shouted. 

He hated doing this. But he didn't want to allow her to sulk in her own thoughts alone.

Jerlina winced a bit hearing the anger in his tone. Holding the railing, she looked at the shouting man – her husband. Although his tone was rough, she saw the care in his eyes.

"You're right. I am not fine, Joel…" she said and her eyes reddened. Standing on the first stair, she rubbed her face. 

"Join me in the bath…"

Jeremy let out a sigh of relief and nodded.. Since she has decided to open up, he was relieved.