CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Iron
Midori’s screams pierced my ears.
Petra got to her feet but it was like I saw it in slow motion out of the corner of my eye.
All I could focus on was Dade’s body as it jerked back from the impact of the bullet.
Warm, sticky blood splattered across my face and I knew that the bullet had ripped through his body.
I got to my knees but I was stuck.
The skin tore from my wrist as I tried to get to him.
Midori continued to scream.
Petra filled my vision as I looked up to see if the guy was going to fire another shot. I knew it was headed for me next.
With one quick swipe, Petra’s blade cut clean across his neck, spraying blood everywhere.
His eyes went wide as his knees buckled. She released the grip she had on his hair and he began to go down. His hand went to his neck but there was no saving himself from that.
“Get this fuckin’ thing off me!” I roared. My eyes went back to Dade. The blood kept pooling out of the hole in his chest.
A few seconds later, I was free.
I whipped off my cut without even thinking and pressed it to his chest to try and stop the bleeding.
Sweat dotted his brow and his skin had gone ghostly pale.
“No,” I told him as I pulled his head into my lap. “You don’t get to fuckin’ die on me, Dade.”
He shook his head and tried to laugh, but it turned into a wet cough.
“I appreciate you, brother,” he said, his eyes going hazy but he kept his gaze on mine. “Proud to call you my Prez.”
His fingers dug into my wrist like he was trying his hardest to stay with me.
“Hold on, brother. I got you. We’re gonna get you help real soon,” I told him.
I glanced up and saw Petra on my phone. I guessed she’d found it on one of the dead bodies.
Then I heard the faint sound of my brothers ridin’ in. I knew it wouldn’t be long before they flooded the place. I guessed Dade had given them the heads up before he crept in here.
“T-take care of her. P-please. Keep her s-safe.” Dade’s words came out stuttered, his breaths were harsh and choppy.
His grasp slipped from my wrist.
“I promise,” I whispered and held him tighter.
The last little bit of air puffed out of his lungs and his eyes went still. The light faded away and there was nothing more I could do.
“Fuck!” I roared out as my head tilted back.
I refused to let him go.
I couldn’t believe that he was gone.
