Page 16 of End Game

Ford’s already chiseled jaw turned to granite. “The governor ordered us to take a restroom break.”

“At the same time?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t blame them, Agent Blackwell,” Kayla said. “Governor Stokes would’ve given them hell if they’d done otherwise. She liked her privacy.”

Cameron lowered his arm, and the guards attempted to push past him. He stepped in front of them. “I confirmed she’s dead. No need for more people trampling the crime scene.”

The sirens were loud and close.

“Wait here,” he said to Kayla. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Where are you going?”

“Perimeter check. I want to make sure the shooter is gone.”

“No, please don’t.” She latched on to his arm. “Let the police search the property.”

For a moment, he thought her concern might be for his welfare and warmth spread into his chest. Then he brushed the thought away, realizing the more likely scenario was that she had less faith in him than the police.

Or did she have something to hide?

He detached his arm from her grip, signaled for Glenn to follow and pushed into the darkness.

7

Kneeling on the gazebo’s floor, Kayla divided her attention between her beloved godmother and the dark garden. Her heart sat heavy in her chest as she waited for Ash to reemerge. The thought of him meeting the same fate as Vicky made her stomach tangle into a mass of writhing snakes.

Ash wouldn’t like it when he found her at Vicky’s side again, but she couldn’t leave her alone. Couldn’t reconcile the woman’s still warm hand and the absence of her beating heart. The entire time, she waited for the vacancy to leave her godmother’s eyes and for her to focus on Kayla’s face.

The bullet wound in Vicky’s head mocked her for a fool.

Ford stood outside, guarding her and Gordon, or the crime scene, or maybe both. Neither Ford, nor her father, had been successful in keeping her from Vicky’s side.

Kayla’s heart sank at the thought of her mother’s reaction to learning about her friend’s violent death. She closed her burning eyes. Sweet Mary, she would have to notify the other aunties, too.

The powerhouse quartet had been friends for nearly four decades. They’d supported one another through the trials and triumphs of each of their lives. But death among them? How would they survive it?

The heavy weight on her chest became crushing. Her breathing more difficult. It was then that Ash returned, extending his hand in her direction.

“All clear,” he said in the gentlest voice he’d ever used with her. “Come, you shouldn’t be here.”

She grasped his hand, and the heat of his skin penetrated her chilled fingers. Noticing the temperature difference, he shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She hadn’t realized she was shaking until that moment.

He pressed the backs of his fingers against her clammy neck, and Kayla leaned into his touch, seeking more of his warmth, his comfort.

But he lifted her chin and flashed the bright beam of a Maglite across her eyes. She reared back, blinking away the echo of his light. “Why’d you do that?”

His brows slashed together, and he gently pried her hand from the governor’s and ushered her over to the chaise longue. “Lie down,” he ordered, pointing to the raised end. “Put your feet up on the arm—back—whatever you call it.”

Police and paramedics filtered into the gazebo.

“I’m fine,” she said through chattering teeth.

“No. You’re not.” He forced her to sit down. “Your body is going into shock, which means your organs aren’t getting enough blood and oxygen. We need to get your feet up.”

“I’m just chilled from sitting on the floor for so long. I’ll warm up in a few minutes.”

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