“Bingo. Where is Black, by the way? Has your biker boyfriend beaten him to a pulp and put him in a grave? I heard the new man in your life is prone to violence,” Richard said.
“So you won’t deny you hired Black with the intention to kidnap me? Gunner found chloroform on Black,” she said.
“I asked Black to do no such thing. You shouldn’t accuse me of such terrible crimes, Paige,” Richard said, shaking his head. “What do you take me for?”
A monster, Paige thought, but telling that to Richard’s face might only aggravate her ex-husband more.
“Gunner’s a better man than you’ll ever be,” she added, feeling the need to defend her man.
Richard narrowed his eyes at her. “Don’t compare me to your thuggish and loser boyfriend. Given where you came from, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’d choose trash over quality.”
Paige curled her fists by her sides. She’d fought him during the early years of their marriage. Each time she did, she lost, not just the battle but also pieces of herself. This time was different.
“Get out if you’re not buying anything,” Paige said.
“I came here to settle a score, Paige,” he drawled. Then he stuck his hand inside his jacket. Metal gleamed, and Paige ducked behind a shelf without thinking. Richard fired, and the bullet went wild. Her heart pounded as she looked up and saw the bullet buried into the shelf next to her.
“Richard, you won’t get away with this. There are cameras in the store,” Paige yelled.
“By the time the cops arrive, you’ll be dead. You should know this by now, Paige. I have the best lawyers money can afford,” Richard said.
“Even you can’t escape a murder charge.” She took a risk and moved behind another shelf. Then she got down on her knees. Staying low would increase her chances of survival.
Agatha kept a small revolver taped under the cashier table. Her boss said it was for emergencies, although the likelihood of being robbed in a small town like Grace was small.
Thank God for that.If only Paige could reach for that gun, then she would no longer be unarmed.
Gunner, she suddenly remembered, pulling out her cell phone. It clattered on the floor when Richard pumped out more bullets and laughed.
The bastard is enjoying this, she thought sourly. Richard always did love games and toying with her. Paige quickly sent a text to Gunner.
Paige:Richard’s in the bookstore. He has a gun.
Gunner:I’ll be right there soon. Stay alive, baby.
“What are you doing, Paige? You know you’re only prolonging the inevitable,” Richard crooned.
“I knew there wasn’t something right with you the moment I married you,” Paige said.Keep him talking.She would distract him until Gunner arrived.
“Youhappened to me, bitch. I knew marrying someone as low class as you was a mistake,” Richard said. “But you were such a convenient and compliant punching bag, so I kept you around.”
Fury shimmered inside her. Another shot rang out, reminding her she couldn’t be reckless. Someone had probably heard the gunshots by now. The cops would arrive, alongside Gunner.This will be over soon.
Paige moved behind another bookshelf and remained low to the ground. She glanced at the cashier longingly. The gun was right there, and that table was solid wood and metal. Could she make it?
She was about to dart out when Richard stepped in front of her. He smiled at her, pointing his gun right at her head. “Got you, bitch. Any last words?”
Paige’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest. Then she spotted the gigantic shadow behind Richard. Neither Paige nor Richard had heard the bell ring, simply because of the gunshots. She smirked at him, and that made him falter. He suddenly looked unsure, but the hatred in his eyes told her it was only a momentary lapse. This bastard would waste her, no matter what. Richard had entered the shop with every intention to murder her.
“Yeah,” Paige replied, licking her lips. “Goodbye, Richard.”
Richard frowned, then he placed his finger on the trigger. He moved too slow because less than a second later, Gunner pressed the barrel of his gun behind Richard’s skull and fired.
Paige closed her eyes as blood, bone fragments, and brain matter flew. Gunner gave Richard’s corpse a kick so it wouldn’t fall on her.
She didn’t want to look but did so anyway. She stared at the hole where Richard’s face had been, half horrified, half relieved. After all, Richard never intended for Paige to leave the store alive. Gunner held out a hand to her, which she took.
Gunner hauled her to her feet. Feeling unsteady, she leaned against him. She clutched the lapels of his jacket and sobbed. Gunner set his gun in his holster, then held her. He stroked her hair, the line of her back. “It’s all over now, baby. I’m so fucking proud of you. You were so brave, standing up to him.”
