“Don’t, Grace.” I couldn’t live with myself if she traded her life for mine.
Before I knew what was happening, Miguel pushed his fingers into my leg wound.
I opened my mouth as I bent over, but nothing came out.
“Stand up, bitch,” Cory ordered as he jammed the gun into my neck.
Dillon threw himself in front of his sister. “Our deal is off.” He sounded as sure as I’d been shot.
Rick drew his gun on Dillon and Grace. “What are you both up to?”
Dillon lifted his hands. “Miguel, the new deal goes like this. Take me in exchange for Grace. That family she was sold to can have my head.” He wouldn’t look at me.
My breathing was labored, and I was a second from passing out. “Are you mad?”
Rick laughed.
“Shut up,” I tried to scream at him, but I failed, sounding like a hurt animal. “Ted is so going to make sure you rot in prison.”
Rick took one step, his gun not wavering from Dillon. “Ted is an idiot. He’ll never figure out I’ve been working with the Black Knights.”
Dillon grinned. It was one of those grins that said, “joke’s on you.”
The door to the building creaked open, sounding like something out of a horror movie.
Rick whipped around with his gun ready to fire. Instead, he faltered.
I would have shouted for joy if it weren’t for my lack of energy or the hot tears pouring out.
Ted had his gun pointed at Rick. “You’re the idiot.”
“I knew the cops had to be here,” Rick said, not backing down. “I could almost feel you. So I’m not the idiot. I drew you out, didn’t I?” He tipped his head at Dillon. “I know a stall tactic, and he was stalling. Where’s the team?”
Dillon was shielding Grace.
Miguel pulled out a gun and aimed it at Dillon. “I suggest you move because I’m not leaving here without Grace.”
I could act as a bowling pin, but I could only knock one of my captors off-kilter. With a gun aimed at Dillon, my decision was easy. The only problem with my plan was the two men Miguel had in the building across the street.
“If you’re going to shoot me,” Ted said to Rick, “then you better do it now.”
Cory jammed the gun farther into me. “Move, and you’re dead.”
“Rick, give the fucking order now,” Miguel said.
I didn’t have time to think, only react. I pushed into Miguel then threw myself toward Dillon, or I tried to. I stumbled, the pavement rising up fast, when a gunshot rang out in the morning air. Suddenly, a stinging and stabbing pain erupted in me once again. Only this time, it was in my chest. The sky began to darken. I hated the dark more than anything.
I tried to scramble to my feet, when Dillon said, “Don’t, Grace.”
Grunts and groans ensued from others around me.
Cars screeched to a halt somewhere close.
I managed to get up on my knees before Dillon’s hands were on my arms. He guided me to the drums then lowered me to a sitting position.
He smelled like heaven and freedom and life.
“You’re not dying today.” The huskiness in his tone warmed every part of me. Or maybe the warmth was a sign of death. I discarded that last thought. Death was shivers and coldness like I’d experienced in the cage. “I’ll be right back.”
