Page 155 of Finish Line

“No way. I won’t let them shoot you,” he says.

Was Mav and Dom shot? No! I didn’t hear any noise. He must have caught his graduation gown on something and fell back, and Dom caught his foot rushing up the stage to him.

My chest constricts, thinking about them bleeding out on stage.

Cam moves enough so I can lift my head a bit.

Frank, with his gun out, stands over Chad, searching for the shooter.

In between the chaos, I spot Katherine Knight. A smile spreads over the bitch’s face. She’s cold-hearted, but to be happy that your kids were shot is a new low.

After what feels like hours, someone yells, “Clear!”

Cam climbs off me, and I run onto the stage.

Mav lies motionless on the stage floor, and I stumble. Dom sits up, blood covering his gown and the stage.

Nick runs over from the other side of the stage. “Dom, how bad are you?”

He holds his arm to his side. “Grazed. Check on Mav. He took one to the chest.”

I gasp, my hands flying to cover my mouth. Everything becomes hazy. How can he survive a shot to the chest?

I fall to my knees. It’s my fault he’s dead. If he didn’t date me, then he would be alive.

My ears ring as Nick rips open the gown and Mav’s shirt to reveal a black vest underneath.

“He’s wearing a bulletproof vest,” I say in disbelief, sucking in a ragged gasp.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Firefly. Everyone’s wearing one.” Dom places his hand on my cheek.

I turn my head to look at him while he opens his gown and shirt, showing me his vest.

Mav sucks in a deep breath, then moans.

“Ow! Fuck, that hurt.” He rubs his chest, a red mark blooming into a black and blue bruise.

I crawl over to him and wrap my arms around him, crying.

He rubs my back as I sob into his chest, my head resting over where the bullet struck his vest. “Shhhh, queen, I’m not injured.”

Cam checks Dom’s arm, and Nick inspects Mav.

Frank jogs up onto the stage. “He escaped.”

“Of course, he did.” I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them.

“Let me through! Those are my sons up there!” Chad pushes his way up on stage. “Are you all right?”

“We’re good, Dad.” Dom holds his arm.

“You’re bleeding! I say that’s not good. Both of you go to the hospital to be examined,” he commands.

“Yes, Dad.” Dom nods.

Frank splits the guards up with half escorting the Knights and the other half escorting us.

“Cam, call the Doc and have him meet us at home,” Dom says as Luke jumps in the driver’s seat.

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