Hello, my lovelies! I'm back with another chapter. I knew that you guys were looking forward to an update. So, I decided to write this chapter for you. I really hope you enjoy it. The plot is moving forward now, we will all soon get what we want or not. Hehehe, I'm so funny. 

Anyway, please enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think. 

P.S. I haven't forgotten about the giveaway. I still haven't thought of a good prize. My sister told me that a good prize would be to make book one into a paperback and give it to five lucky winners. Let me know what you think about this. If I did that, those five people would be the only ones with a paper copy of Holding on to you. 

*********

Lacey's P.O.V

Richard was on his way over, and I still hadn't come up with an excuse as to why I couldn't go live with his mum. I have considered asking Hayley for help, but her sister was going through a divorce and was staying with her. I even thought about Olly, but I didn't want him to get the wrong idea.

With my phone in my hand and Killian's number displayed on the screen, I contemplated calling and asking him for his help. I knew that he would, but I hesitated because I knew that when Richard found out, he'd use everything in his power to bring him down. I needed to escape from Richard, but not at the expense of Killian.

However, I was very tempted to call him. I looked at the bags that I'd packed and looked around my house. This was my freedom, and it was slowly slipping away from me. Richard was on his way to rip it all out from under my feet.

"Mummy, do we really have to go live with grandma?"

Liliane's lips were pouted as she asked the question. She didn't like going to her grandma very much, because mum would often get angry at them for the way they looked. Like it was somehow their fault that they didn't look more like Richard.

"Yeah, mummy. Grandma hates us."

"We don't wanna move, we like our own house."

Kailo and Liam chined in, both looking just as sad as Liliane. My heart hurt. I knew that mum can be really mean to them sometimes, but I never know that the kids noticed. They've never before said anything to me about it.

"We might not have a choice."

I said it more for myself than for them. The triplet started complaining and again I considered calling Killian for help. I was desperate and time was not on my side, but I kept hesitating because I was more scared of what would happen to him when Richard found out.

Keys turning in my door told me that my time was up. It was now or never. I looked at my children, their eyes were filled with fear as they waited patiently for their dad to come through the door.

However, I still couldn't bring myself to call Killian. Sighing, I hid the phone behind my back as Richard came into my house. My eyes glanced at the keys hanging from his fingertip in shock. However, did he get a copy?

"You guys ready to leave?"

Richard smiled at us, but none of us returned it. He noticed the hesitant look in our eyes and the smile slipped from his face, settling into a glare that I was all too familiar with.

"Mummy,"

one of the kids said it, but all of them got behind me to hide. They would always run and hide whenever Richard gets that angry look in his eyes.

"What the f**k is going on Lacey?!"

Richard yelled the question causing the kids to shriek in fear. Richard looked at them and seemed to get more upset.

"Go upstairs, kids, mummy and daddy need to talk."

I didn't take my eyes off of Richard as I spoke. I knew better than to turn my back to him.

"No, you three need to get your bags and go wait in the car, now!"

His voice was louder than before which made the kids started crying. Fear filled me, but so did anger. I didn't want him speaking to my children in that tone ever.

"Kailo, Liam and Liliane, listen to mummy. Take my phone and go watch videos until I call you down, okay?"

I wasn't sure if they were going to listen, and for a few seconds, I thought that they would not, but then Liliane took charge.

"Come on Kai, and Liam let's go do as mummy said."

She took my phone and led her brothers up the stairs, just as Richard moved forward to get to them. I stepped in front of him, blocking him from getting to them.

"Leave my kids alone, Richard!"

His eyes narrowed into a hard and cold glare as they landed on me. His jaw moved as he clenched his teeth and I prepare myself for the worst, and I didn't have to wait long for him to react.

"F**king bitch!"

He grabbed a handful of my hair and threw me against the wall. My shoulders took the brunt of it, connecting with the sharp edge. I didn't even have time to cry out as he grabbed me again and slammed me back into the wall again.

"You're coming with me whether you like it or not!"

I'd had enough. I wasn't going to let him control my life any longer. I had to fight, for myself as well as for my kids.

"F**k you Richard! I'm not going anywhere!"

I stumbled on my feet, trying to stand, but I didn't let that stop me. I was done letting him control my life. No more living in the fear he created.

"You don't own me, Richard! You don't f**king control my life! I'm not yours!"

My head hurt and I felt like I was about to throw up. The room started spinning and I tried my best to stay steady on my feet. I knew that I wouldn't win in a fight against him, but I wasn't willing to give up.

"Oh really?" He laughed, but there was no humour in his tone.

"Well, we'll see about that."

I tried to move out of his way as he grabbed me, but I wasn't quick enough. He grabbed my hair again, gaining another scream from me. Tilting my head back and forcing me to look up at him, he smirked, and he brought his free hand down, slapping me.

The force was so strong that I fell to the ground. I tried to get up, but I was too weak. He stood over me, smiling.

"You think you can be free of me? Well, think again, Peaches!"

Using what little strength I had left, I backed away from him. Trying to get to the coffee table where I kept my gun in the hidden compartment. I made it about halfway there before Richard grabbed my legs.

"I think I've been too patient with you. It's time I f**k some respect back into you."

"No!"

I screamed as he got between my legs. He grabbed my face and tried to kiss me, but I bit my lips together and pushed at his face. He grabbed my hands, pinning them above my head as I fought to be released.

"Don't worry, Peaches, I know you like it rough."

He laughed as he said it, and I spat at him, wiping the smug look off of his face. His lips curled into a snarl as his hand connected with my face. I tasted the metallic taste of my blood and instant pain shot to my brain. It was so excruciating that I thought I would die from it.

He pushed my legs apart, hiking my skirt higher. I tried to wiggle out of his hold, but I was too exhausted by that point, and my panic attack was already in full swing. His hand pulled at my underwear. I tried to kick him, and he slapped me again.

"Leave mummy alone!"

I turned to see my children standing on the steps with a terrified look in their eyes. Richard didn't seem to care that they were there.

"Stop it, daddy!"

Liam screamed. They were each holding hands and crying. I started panicking because Richard didn't look like he was going to stop, and I didn't want my kids to see their dad abusing their mum.

"Richard, please stop it, the kids are watching." I pleaded franticly.

He ignored me, instead, undoing the buckle on his belt. My kids continue to shout at him to stop, but he kept on ignoring them.

"Please Richard," I tried again, "I'll go with you. I promise I'll go with you. Just don't do this in front of the kids, please."

He stopped, looking like he was considering what I said. However, he started again, but this time with more determination. He pushed my top up over my bra. I started screaming and crying.

"Go back upstairs, kids!"

"No, we don't want to leave you." Liliane cried.

I screamed at them to leave, but they all refused. My heart was beating so fast, and I felt so defeated, but knowing that my kids were about to witness something so horrible, made me fight harder.

I managed to free one of my hands from his hold, clawing at his face. I tried to push my fingers in his eyes, but he turned his face. He swore, recapturing my hand and slapping me with the next.

It was so forceful that the side of my head banged against the hardwood floor. My eyes stung and everyone sounded like they were yelling at me from the far end of a tunnel. Blinking my eyes, I fought not to lose consciousness.

My kids screaming in the background brought me back to the surface. Richard was still on top of me, trying to stick his dick inside of me. I screamed at my children again when I realise that I was not getting out from under him.

"Close your eyes, babies! Just close your eyes for mummy!"

I turned to look at them. The boys nodded and closed their eyes. However, Liliane ran back up the stairs. Tears ran down the side of my face as I watched them, knowing that they will be scarred for life.

"Cover your ears, boys!"

They listened, doing as I said. Richard grabbed my face, forcing me to look at him. A smirk on his face.

"Should have just listened to me. None of this would have had to happen if you had just f**king listened to me!"

His hold on my hand loosened, and I used that as my chance to try and escape. With all the strength I could muster, I used the palm of my hand and pushed hard at his chin, forcing his face upward painfully.

He cried out, swearing. However, it wasn't enough to get him off of me. He looked back at me, that snarl back on his lips and fury in his eyes.

"You wanna play, bitch? I can still f**k you when you're dead."

He took both hands and closed them around my throat, squeezing. I fought to get him off of me, clawing at his fingers. However, his hold was secure. The burning in my lungs and the pain behind my eyes let me know that I was about to lose consciousness.

In the distance, I could hear my boys crying and it broke my heart, but also pushed me not to give up.

"Daddy, stop! I called the police!"

Richard immediately let go of my neck and turned to face Liliane who was holding my phone in her hands.

I sucked up air, coughing as my airway opened up to take it in. My hands reach out and grab hold of Richard when I realise that he was going after Liliane.

"RUN!"

I screamed at them whiles holding Richard in place. He tried to pry my hands off of him, but with a newfound strength that I didn't even know I possessed, I held firm.

"F**king bastard children! I should have gotten rid of you before you were even born!" He yelled at them.

My hands refused to let go of his shirt, fearing for my kids' safety. He grabbed my head and banged it against the floor. My hand slipped from his shirt, and he got up, walking over to my kids.

Using what little strength I had left, I managed to get over to the coffee table and grabbed my gun. Taking the safety off I pointed it at him.

"Stay the hell away from my children, or I will paint the walls with your brain!"

He turned to look at me, then back at my kids. To show him that I was serious, I shot a bullet into the wall behind him.

"Please, make me shoot you," I warned.

We faced off each other. I knew that he was waiting for me to falter, but I refused to give in. Not this time.

"Get the hell out of my f**king house, Richard!"

He grabbed the jacket that he took off earlier and walked towards the door. The gun in my hands shook as I fought to stay conscious.

He turned to look at me before walking through the door. "This isn't over, Lacey, not by a long shot."

With that, he walked out of the house. I stood there for a few minutes before collapsing to the ground. My body giving way to the pain in my head. I held my head in my hand, trying to calm myself, but the pain just got more intense. Then it was like a flood gate opened up in my head and pain that I was unable to fight through invaded my brain, causing me to scream, losing consciousness in the process.