Page 208 of The Darkest Chase

I must not have tied his leash tight enough, because suddenly there’s a furious bark.

He comes flying over the hill, just ahead of the Raleigh SWAT team swarming out of their boxy vehicles. He moves like a pup half his age, launching himself into Chief Bowden.

The dog’s teeth clamp down viciously on Bowden’s calf.

Bowden shrieks, flails—and drags the knife right across Eustace’s throat.

Shit.

Everything happens at once.

Talia yells in terror.

Eustace collapses in a pool of blood.

Ephraim lets out a guttural howl and turns on us, swinging his shotgun, only for his scream to turn into a shout of pain as Grant lines up a shot and clips him hard in the thigh.

Down goes the grizzled old man.

Bowden shakes Rolf off with a sharp blow to the head, making my dog whimper in a way that spikes my rage as much as Talia’s screams. Before I can move, Bowden flops back and disappears over the edge of the dock with a loud splash.

Xavier turns, dragging Talia, and bolts for the ship’s loading ramp.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

I lunge forward, bracing my back foot, and take aim.

His shoulder.

He’s got Talia clutched against one side, but the other shoulder’s vulnerable.

If I get a clean shot, it’ll go right through and pass over her.

I know it.

I know I can save her.

I wouldn’t trust anyone else with this shot but myself.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Aim.

Fire!

The trigger jerks.

The recoil slams through me.

The bullet stabs the night.

It feels like time slows down, watching and hoping I didn’t just kill the woman I love.

Not until I see it.

A red blossom against the back of Xavier’s shirt.

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