The gun goes off, the shot deafening in the enclosed space. But Hannah's already in my arms as Phoenix disarms Hampton and Blaise and Flint restrain him.
Hannah’s fingers clutch my shirt, her whole body trembling.
"I've got you." I hold her close, intending to never let her go. "I've got you."
The door opens, and several of Kean’s men rush in. I turn, tucking Hannah behind me, my body a shield between her and any potential threats, as Phoenix presses his gun against Hampton's temple.
"Drop your weapons or watch your boss die," Phoenix commands.
Hampton's men shift uneasily, exchanging uncertain glances. Their loyalty wavers.
“Kill them,” Hampton barks out. “That’s why I hired you dogs.”
"The choice is simple, surrender or die," Phoenix continues, his tone ice cold. "Is he really worth dying for?”
The first guard's gun clatters to the floor. Then another.
"On your knees!" Blaise barks as he and Flint move to secure the guards while Phoenix keeps his gun trained on Hampton.
I feel Hannah's fingers dig into my back as she presses closer. Her breath comes in short gasps against my shoulder.
"How the mighty have fallen," Phoenix taunts, grinding the barrel harder against Hampton's skull. "No son to inherit your empire. No loyal soldiers to die for you. Just a pathetic old man."
The basement fills with O'Donnell's men, streaming in through multiple entry points. With Hampton secured, I turn my full attention to Hannah, pulling her into my arms and away from the chaos.
"You're safe now," I murmur, cradling her face. "I've got you. Everything's going to be okay."
Hannah shakes her head weakly against my chest. "No, Ash. The alliances… Hampton told me the families were working with him all along. They've been reporting everything back to him. The Sullivans, they…" Her voice cracks. "They helped set this up. We don't know who we can trust."
“The Sullivans are being handled. As for the families… right now, they’re taking over the estate for us, baby. We did it. My brothers, me… and you. It’s done.” I hold her closer.
Hannah's weight suddenly shifts in my arms, her body going slack. "Ash…" She collapses against me.
"Hannah!" My heart stops as I catch her, lowering her to the ground. That's when I see it. Blood seeping through her dress.My hands shake as I look closer and discover a wound in her side. How did I miss this? Was she hit when the gun went off?
"Stay with me, baby. Please." The words tear from my throat as I scoop her up. Her skin is too pale, her breathing shallow. This can't be happening. Not again. Not her.
"I've got to get her out of here." I'm already moving, cradling Hannah against my chest as I move to the stairs. “I need a car.”
Phoenix barks an order through the radio to arrange a car to go to the hospital.
I take the stairs two at a time. Every second feels like an eternity. Every weak breath she takes sends terror coursing through my veins.
When I reach the main floor, I see carnage, but the fighting is over.
“Give him room,” Donovan calls out to his men as I rush toward the front of the house. “One of my men, Jimmy, he’s out front ready to take you to the hospital.”
I nod and rush through the house, out the front door and to the waiting car. I slide into the backseat with Hannah, keeping pressure on her wound. "Hospital. Now!"
Jimmy floors it, flying out of the estate’s gates, weaving through traffic as I hold Hannah close. Her blood soaks through my shirt, warm and sticky against my skin.
"Hold on, Hannah." I brush hair from her face. Her eyelids flutter but don't open.
The fear is all encompassing. Ten years ago, I felt the terror of watching my house burn, knowing my parents and Meghan were inside. Right now, I feel that same horror, yet amplified somehow. I can't lose her. I won't survive it.
"Stay with me," I plead, pressing harder on her wound. "I need you, Hannah.”
We screech to a halt at the emergency room. I carry Hannah inside, yelling at the staff to help me. I’m shown to a space tolay her down and then am pushed out so they can check on her. Leaving her feels wrong, but I know I’ll only get in the way, so I go to the waiting room and wait. And wait.
