Images of Caden’s face flashed in my mind. The tender way he looked at me when it was just the two of us. The way that gold flashed and danced in his eyes when he wanted me. The mischievous smile I could watch for hours. I’d just found him again. I couldn’t lose him.
The blade pressed harder against my neck, and I cried out.
“Don’t move, Eddie,” Lawson called, stepping through the trees.
I nearly wept with relief at the sight of my brother.
Eddie’s other hand grabbed me by the hair. “This is my property. Mine. You’re not allowed here.”
“Let her go,” Nash said, making his presence known to our right.
Eddie whirled. “Get out!”
The blade pricked my neck, and I cried out again.
“Hey, just take it easy,” Lawson said.
Movement to our left caught my attention, and my tears did come then. They silently tracked down my cheeks as Caden stepped into view. His face had gone pale, but feral fury pulsed in those hazel eyes.
Eddie caught the movement, too, backing up, the knife still pressed to my throat. “You can’t be here! No, no, no! She’s not yours. She’s mine. She’ll always be mine.”
“Let her go,” Lawson warned.
My eyes didn’t leave Caden. “I love you,” I called.
“No!” Eddie screamed, pressing the knife harder against my neck.
Two shots sounded, and then I fell.
48
CADEN
The first crackof a bullet pierced the air, and I was already running. The second crack and I was almost to Grae. But she was already falling.
I dropped to the ground next to her, my hands hovering over her body, not wanting to hurt her.
Some part of me was aware of Lawson and Roan checking Eddie for a pulse next to us.
“Caden,” Grae croaked.
“I’m right here. Where does it hurt?”
She had a slice across her neck. It wasn’t deep, but it was terrifying, nonetheless. Scratches decorated her arms in angry patches of red. And her eyes were unfocused.
“Everywhere,” she rasped.
“We need to get her to Doc,” I snapped at Nash and Holt.
Holt jerked his head in a nod.
Lawson looked up from Eddie’s fallen form. “He’s gone.”
There wasn’t a single part of me that was sad about that.
Law looked at Grae, worry etching itself deep in his expression. “I’ll stay with the body and wait for reinforcements.”
“I’ll stay with you,” Roan added.
