Page 24 of Shadow Touched

“Men in trucks, with flags on the back. Theybust through the gate. They shoot … everyone.”

It was too much. She let go of the shadowand almost collapsed. Brim caught her and wrapped his arms aroundher to hug her close. She buried her face in his chest, not wantingto see the shadow of death lingering on the people she had come tolike and admire.

“You’re in danger,” Brim told Kix. “You needto get the women and children to safety.”

Kix studied Leia for a moment beforespinning around. “Do it! Lucky, grab a couple of men and get thewomen and my kids to the tornado cellar. It’s the best fortified.Protect them with your life.”

The big biker named Lucky nodded and hurriedwith two others to do as commanded.

“Everyone else! Defend our territory!”

Brim pulled her back and cupped her face.“You need to go with the women.”

She grabbed hold of his hands. “I don’t wantto leave you.”

“I have to stand with the men,” he said. “Ihave to help them protect the club.”

“Don’t die,” she whispered.

His brows pulled together. “Is there ashadow on me?”

She nodded.

“How?”

With a trembling hand, she reached out andtouched the shadow. “You’re standing between two cars, using themfor coverage. You’re shot in the back.”

As quickly as she could, she disengaged.Seeing his death wasn’t something she wanted to ever experienceagain.

“All I have to do is an exchange, right?Someone else’s soul for mine. Does that apply to all of them,too?”

Leia let the shadow go. She blinked andlooked around as the men scrambled. “Kill them first. That’ll saveeveryone.”

He bent his head and kissed her. Quick.Hard. Possessive. “You okay with me killing people?”

She gripped his leather cut. “I’m okay withyou killing the bad guys. If you don’t, Piper dies and so do herchildren.”

“You’re just concerned about Piper?”

Slowly, Leia shook her head. “No,” shewhispered. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Brim. Make sureyou come back to me.”

He captured her lips for another kiss,trying to convey all he thought and felt into it. Hoping sheunderstood what he wasn’t saying.

“I will,” he murmured against her mouth.“Nothing will keep me from you.”

She watched as he hurried away, until Marthagrabbed her hand to urge her toward the side of the house where theold root cellar had been converted into a tornado shelter. Alongthe way, she scooped up a toddler and helped the other women tosafety. Someone turned on the lights, revealing a very comfortableand spacious area. Once all the women and children were in, Luckywent to close the massive doors.

Once shut, Piper quickly typed in the codeon the electric lock and the green light turned red, indicatingthat they were now sealed inside.

“They won’t be able to get in,” Piperannounced. “We have provisions for a week. We’ll be safe. Now,let’s get the children organized with games so they don’t getscared.

Leia wished she believed her, but the thought of Brim in danger sether on edge. She glanced at the keypad, wondering if she shouldchance opening the door and leaving.

“It’ll be okay,” Martha assured her.

“I shouldn’t be down here,” Leia said,pacing back and forth. “I should be with Brim.”

“He wanted you safe. He’s tough and strong,like any president should be.”

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