Page 73 of Rhett Redeemed

She really is.

Fire clears the tension in the air by coming and sitting next to me to eat her slice of cheese. And it’s not long before we can hear the rumble of Rhett’s motorcycle. We all watch as he gets off it, takes off his helmet, flicking back his long blond hair like he’s in a damn commercial, and heads our way.

Clover is right, though. I’m definitely feeling a little awkward. Yeah, we were all at the clubhouse, but everyone was there. This is a lot more intimate, without as many distractions.

I see Olivia get out of her car and wave. She’s been a bit depressed these past few days, and we haven’t been able to connect. I’m glad she’s able to join us. I think she’d fit in really well. Hopefully meeting the girls will cheer her up a little, because they are both hilarious, with big personalities.

“Who is that?” Clover asks straightaway, concern in her tone.

“That’s Olivia. She’s the new friend of mine I was telling Cara about,” I explain, getting up and walking toward her. Fire joins me, holding my hand. I look down at her and smile.

When I look back up Olivia has stopped about five feet away from me, a weird expression on her face. She looks sad, but also angry.

“Is everything okay?” I call out to her, brow furrowing. Maybe now wasn’t the right time to encourage her to be social. Maybe I should have spent time with her alone so she can tell me what’s going on in her life that’s making her so distant.

She suddenly pulls her hands out from behind her back, revealing a gun and aiming it right at me.

“Olivia?” Fear and confusion fill me. What the hell is happening right now? I can hear Cara and Clover behind me and Rhett yell my name.

“Fire, honey, come back to Mommy,” I hear Clover say as I push her behind my leg as much as possible without moving. Dread fills my stomach. Something is very, very wrong. And someone is going to get hurt, but it’s not going to be Fire. She holds on to my leg as if she can also sense the danger of the situation and freezes in place.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Olivia screeches. “Sorry, Con. I didn’t want to have to do this. But my son died. Did you know that? My firstborn died. And now my baby...is gone, too.” Tears drip from her eyes.

She lost both of her kids? I’m so sorry for her; I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. But I’m still confused.

What does that have to do with me? With why she is pointing a gun at me?

I don’t understand. I thought that we were friends.

I trusted her.

“I lost my babies, and now you need to feel the same pain.” I think she’s mentally been pushed over the edge, and under any other circumstances I’d understand and grieve with her. But I refuse to let her anguish kill me or anyone I care about.

In a split second, everything happens at once. Fire moves out from behind my legs, Rhett grabs Olivia from behind and the gun goes off. Instinctually, I turn my back and throw myself on top of Fire.

The bullet hits me in the back of my shoulder, and I feel an agonizing pain shoot through my body. I look down at Fire, checking her body to make sure that she’s unharmed.

Thank goodness she’s okay. The bullet only hit me.

Cara rushes over to me and tells me to hold still as she puts pressure on the wound. Fire is crying and is picked up in her mother’s arms, while Clover stares stoically at Rhett and Olivia. Rhett manages to pin Olivia down and disarm her.

“Cara, call an ambulance!” I hear him yell. Fire holds my free hand and Clover and Cara work to try to stop the bleeding. I remember them talking to me, but it all becomes so hazy.

“Stay with me, Con,” Clover says, and it’s the last thing I hear before it all goes black.

I wake up in a hospital bed, Rhett, Cara and Clover in my room, sitting in silence. When Rhett realizes that I’m awake, he quickly moves to me and takes my hand in his.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” he asks, smiling at seeing me awake.

“Like a train hit me. What happened?” I ask, gathering my thoughts.

“You got shot and then passed out. You lost a fair bit of blood, but the doctor said you will be all right.”

“The baby?” My hand instantly goes to my stomach.

“He’s fine,” Rhett says with pride.

“He?” I smile.

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