The Enforcer's Daughter

The Bridge

Chapter 26

(The Bridge)

Tori lay awake in her bed, the sun not quite up yet; dark colors filling the sky as Dawn began to slowly appear. She sighed as the words Lucas had spoke to her resounded in her head. The blonde girl didn’t want to face the fact she still held feelings for the blonde man. Unfortunately the choice was not hers; the Tribunal had sensed her feelings as well. The green eyed girl had no choice but to face her feelings for both men; even if she didn’t want to.

The blonde woman crawled out of bed deciding she needed to go for a run and clear her head. She quickly changed into a pair of running shorts and a sports tank; throwing on her running shoes she headed out the door.

“Ruff!”

“Athena you’re a little too small to run with me right now,” Tori told her little guardian. Athena growled and the half-wolf couldn’t help but smile at her. “I’ll take you to my mom. She can throw the ball for you okay?” Athena barked happily and wagged her tail. Karen and Athena had taken a liking to each other and often played ball together.

“Get your ball,” The blonde woman instructed. She watched as the white malamute crawled under the bed and appeared a moment later with a pink ball in her mouth. “You do know no one will steal your ball don’t you.” She giggled as the puppy tried to bark unsuccessfully with the ball still in its mouth. “Let’s go.” Tori opened the door and the practically inseparable duo headed out the door.

**

River ran through the forest. He needed to get rid of some energy. The brown haired man didn’t normally run but felt like if he didn’t he’d explode. River hated having to watch his movements with Tori. The blue eyed man wanted nothing more than, to take his fiancé home; marry her, and show her how much he loved her. Especially now that he knew he was fighting for her love.

The Lord’s son hadn’t understood the Tribunal’s ruling until Adler had come to his room and explained it. It didn’t matter that Tori loved River; somewhere she loved Lucas as well. Lucas had first claim on the green eyed girl. If their love could be salvaged the Tribunal would most likely rule in favor of Lucas.

**

“Bryn,” Logan called. The enforcer came up on the heir’s right side. “Do you see what I do?”

“Seems the Lord’s son has decided to go for a run,” He replied.

“A run all on his own,” Logan said pleased.

“Do you mind if we go for a …run?” Emilio inquired. Logan gave a cruel laugh as his only response. The two enforcers left the room; time to take care of the competition.

**

Tori left the castle and entered the woods. She entered by the far side of the lake and began following the path toward the direction of the mountains.

The air was cool and crisp. She loved the almost burning sensation it created in her chest as she breathed. The fresh air smelled wonderful and gave her a sense of peace. A smile crossed her face. ‘Maybe it will be a good day,’ Tori thought to herself. Things were off to a good start for the day.

**

Logan walked through the hallway feeling pleased. The day was off to a perfect start. He rounded the corner and found Lucas standing there with Miguel.

“Lucas, Miguel,” He said walking up. “I’m surprised you aren’t spending time with Tori; River is out of the castle.”

“Tori went for a run,” Lucas commented.

“A run?” Logan questioned. Every alarm went off in the heir’s head. “Where did she go running at?”

“The forest wh…Logan,” Lucas said becoming concerned. “You wouldn’t hurt her.”

“Of course not; I wish no ill will to Tori at all; she’s my future sister in law,” The man with shoulder length blonde hair assured his brother.

“River?” Miguel questioned. Logan promptly shut up. “Damn it Logan this will not help Lucas!” Logan had the decency to lower his head. “We have to stop anything from happening before anyone else finds out.” The Spanish man headed for the woods the High Princes with him.

**

River was halfway across a bridge over rushing water when he heard a snap. “Shit!” He yelled. As fast as he could he ran for the other side hoping to make it before it collapsed.

**

Bryn and Emilio smiled pleased watching the lord’s son run. He’d never make it.

**

Tori heard the curse and ran toward the bridge. She reached it in time to see the bridge would collapse. “River!” She yelled. Without a second thought she raced onto the wooden and rope bridge toward her fiancé.

**

“Fuck!” Emilio said seeing Tori run out onto the bridge.

“She could be killed!” Bryn said as fear entered his head. Instantly both enforcers went racing toward the bridge.

**

Tori leaped feeling the bridge collapse. River fell but not far. Tori’s training as an enforcer kicked in. She grabbed him and flung him against the side of the bridge; still attached to the other end.

“Hold on!” She told him. They both heard a snap and knew it wasn’t good. “Climb!”

River wanted to argue but knew this wasn’t the time. The blonde woman had more and better training than he did.

Tori felt the bridge give a little and knew they wouldn’t make it to the top. Everything told her the bridge would fall. “No!” Tori pushed River off the bridge toward the branches of a tree below and to the right of them.

River fell but caught the branch. He looked back to see Tori and the bridge fall to the rapids below. “Tori!” He screamed at her. Across the bridge another man yelled.

**

Lucas raced toward the bridge. The bridge came into view and he witnessed the bridge fall completely; Tori with it.

“Tori!” He yelled; his heart racing. “Please be okay.” All eyes went on the water; there was no sign of the blonde woman.