Page 129 of Running Winter

“Leigh!” I wept, falling to the floor.

He’s been shot.

Leigh’s leg poured with blood; too much blood.

Is my dad fucking crazy?

A cool, calm voice cut through the madness, and everyone paid attention.

"Lucas, if this is who you are and how you treat our daughter, I want out. Do you hear me? I want a divorce."

A RISK

L E I G H

"Alice!" Lucas snapped, whirling around to face his wife.

Pain shot up my leg as I hissed in agony, but I had to be strong for Raven.

I forced myself to stand, ignoring the blood streaming down my leg, as Raven broke free, running to me. She was angrier than I've ever seen her—and I’d seen her angry.

"I'm good; I’m okay." I managed to breathe out before my leg gave way, causing me to slump to the floor.

"Get a doctor, now!" Alice commanded as Manny dragged his phone out obediently.

Lucas stared at Alice as she pushed past him, her glittering green eyes gazing into mine.

"If you've made our daughter fall in love with you, you must be one hell of a warrior. Be strong now.”

Alice tore a strip from the bottom of her dress, commanding Raven to put pressure on my wound.

Raven trembled with anger, and Alice had to ask her twice.

"Wrap this around his leg, and tie it in a knot. I'll keep the pressure there. If he dies, Lucas—"

"I'll kill you," Raven vowed darkly, without moving her eyes from mine.

Dizziness took over me, but I managed to grip Raven’s hand in mine, forcing her to look at me.

“Don’t fall out over me. Do you hear me? Family comes first.”

The image of his two girls on their knees beside a man he’d shot had Lucas stunned, but he suddenly came to, pouring a large whiskey before handing it to me.

Raven and Alice exchanged a look, and Alice nodded to me to drink it.

Reaching up, I took the heavy glass from Lucas before I drained it quickly.

The whiskey was intense, burning my throat as it made its way down to my chest.

Lucas remained silent, slumping into a chair in the hallway, looking exhausted.

"The Doctor is here," Manny called out breathlessly as the door swung open.

The Doctor was a young man who wasted no time inspecting my leg.

"It's not treatable here. He needs a hospital," the Doctor muttered.

I leaned back as nausea washed over me.

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