Page 33 of Tempt Me

The next few minutes are a blur. I feel a growing panic at how I’m being moved to another vehicle. Though I need to fight, I can’t move my body in any real way.

I feel the man on my right release me. The remaining one struggles to keep me on my feet. As soon as he lets go, I drop to the hot asphalt. Only then do I spot Tack with a gun in his hand. He’s alive!

I want to run to him, but my legs won’t lift me. The noise drowns out my ability to focus.

My gaze scans my surroundings, trying to understand where I am in relation to everyone else.

Suddenly, Tack is in front of me. His proximity awakens a part of me hiding since I saw him shot. Tack lifts me to my feet, and I’m steadier now.

Before I become too hopeful, the day somehow gets louder. Bullets zip back and forth between the attackers and Backcountry Kings.

I want to run. Instead, I can only scream.

Tack and Indigo use their bodies to protect me. I think I understand what’s happening. How if the mercenaries shoot Tack and Indigo, they risk killing their target. They need me alive if they want to get paid.

The sound of rumbling motorcycles joins the chaotic day. The gunfire seems to shift gears. I feel like the attackers are aiming in a different direction.

Suddenly, Tack grabs me by the arm and begins running. I nearly trip over my feet to keep up with him. Each time, I start to tumble, he steadies me. We end up at his motorcycle. I don’t even understand how I get on behind him. Noble is there. I hear his voice. He sounds like Tack to me, strong and steady.

Doing as I’m told, I hold on tight as the motorcycle leaps forward and races away from the battle.

The city is behind us before I realize my hearing is muffled. Everything was so loud back on the street. Now, with only the motorcycle’s rumbling, my muted hearing is more noticeable.

My vision is blurred, too. I suspect I’m in shock. It’s possible I’m injured. Confused, I rest my cheek on Tack’s back and tighten my hold on him to avoid falling off.

As my body moves with his around each curve, I think of us together last night in bed. We felt right on a deep level. I’d begun to dream big and long-term. Now, I can’t visualize what tomorrow will look like.

I keep my eyes closed until the motorcycle’s engine goes silent. Even when I see we’re at the farm, I refuse to let go of Tack. He doesn’t rush me. I think he’s also in shock.

Aunt Fred’s soft voice lures me away from Tack and off his bike. Unsteady, I end up on my ass in the soft grass. I stare into Aunt Fred’s blue eyes and think of my mom so far away. I wish Suzanne was here to swear Atticus’s death wasn’t my fault.

“Are you hurt?” Aunt Fred asks as she tenderly examines my face.

“They killed Atticus,” I mumble and begin to cry. “He’s all over me.”

Aunt Fred turns her gaze away from me and holds up a hand. “It’s okay, Siobhan.”

My friend runs full speed before dropping against me and holding on for dear life. I can’t understand what she’s saying through her sobs.

I wrap Siobhan in my arms and look around for Tack. He’s next to Aunt Fred. I hear his voice. My gaze locks on the sight of a bullet wedged in his boot. If it had gone through, he never would have walked right again.

When I reach over and tug the bullet loose, Tack kneels and takes it from me. I’m startled by the feel of his fingers on mine. How could we have been so happy just hours ago? I shouldn’t have left the estate. I fucked up and people died.

As I begin to cry harder, Tack strokes my head and suggests, “You should take a shower. Clean up so we can see if you’re hurt. Siobhan can help you.”

“I will,” Siobhan says, struggling to stand. “I’ll help.”

“What about you?” I ask Tack and reach for his face before realizing my hand is covered in blood. “Don’t tell me you’re going back out to that madness?”

“No, he needs to get checked out, just like you,” Aunt Fred says and gestures toward a house a dozen yards to the left of her own. “We’ll get you cleaned up and examined by a doctor. Carys is rounding up clothes for you. I’ll call your mom and let her know what happened. Don’t worry about anything.”

I stumble along with Siobhan and Tack. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice him rubbing his belly.

“Are you in pain?”

“Yes,” he says, and I appreciate his honesty.

“I’m starting to feel sick,” I admit. “Like my lunch is going to come up.”

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