Page 76 of Draven

Pete nods to his men, giving the order to stand down. They all lower their guns to the ground, too.

Beresford pivots back toward us, and his grip loosens around the man’s throat, the butt of his gun no longer tight against the guy’s temple.

Louise moves quickly, and she pulls the trigger twice. One bullet enters Beresford’s wrist while the second penetrates his thigh. He screams, drops the gun, and collapses to the ground.

Chapter 29

Louise

My ribs are killing me as I limp over to where Beresford lies bleeding on the ground.

The adrenaline that got me this far is waning fast, and I feel woozy, but until Beresford is in handcuffs, I can’t relax. He may have two bullets in him, but I’ve seen perps in the same state get up and fight. I’m not taking any chances, even though I know Draven is right behind me and he’ll put Beresford down if he so much as twitches.

The FBI agents move on the three guys who tried to escape capture along with Beresford, while a fourth advances toward him and me.

“You’re lucky I didn’t shoot off your balls, you piece of shit,” I hiss as I stand over him with my gun aimed at his head while the agent cuffs him and reads him his rights.

He’s hoisted to his feet, despite his bullet wounds, and I’m glad they’re being rough with him. Dirty cops are the worst. They put us all in danger. He’ll have a horrible time in prison, and I’m glad. I can’t wait to give evidence at his trial and put him away for the rest of his miserable life.

Pete jogs over to a member of his team, and they, plus two others, head back down the stairs, presumably to arrest the one Ciaran’s keeping an eye on. The second we’re alone, I fist Draven’s jacket, my knees buckling as the last dregs of adrenaline vanish.

He catches me, just like I knew he would.

“Now will you go to the fucking hospital and get checked out?” he snaps.

“If you stop yelling at me, yes.”

He narrows his eyes, his mouth puckered in disapproval. “You piss me off, Lola. For all we know, you’ve done more damage to your ribs with that dumb ass chase after Beresford. You should have let the feds deal with it.”

“I didn’t feel a thing,” I lie. Telling him how much pain I’m in isn’t a good idea right now. “I was furious, Draven. That drove me on. I did it for Kiera, for Darla, and for all the other women.” I rest my head against his chest, soaking up his warmth, his strength, and breathing in the smell of his trusty leather jacket. “Don’t be mad at me. I had to witness his arrest to believe it.”

“I’m not mad,” he says in a voice softer than I’ve ever heard him speak.

I lean back. “You’re a teeny bit mad.”

“Okay, I’m mad, but I’ll get over it.” Bending his knees, he sweeps me into his arms. “Not one complaint, Lola. You hear me?” Before I can say a word, he curses, “Fuck. I’m on my bike. I need Ciaran’s keys.” Striding us over to the bank of windows, he then sets me down on the window ledge. “Wait here.”

For once, I don’t argue. Exhaustion swamps me, and tears prick the back of my eyes as the realization of how very differently this could have turned out plays into my mind. Another five minutes, Shala would have raped me, and I wouldn’t have stood a chance at stopping him.

I shift my position, then wince, the pain in my midriff raw and biting.

“I got them, Kiera,” I whisper as the tears I’ve tried so hard to hold back begin to fall in rivers down my cheeks. “I got them. I wish you were here. I miss you so much.”

Draven reappears from the top of the stairs, and he frowns when he sees me crying, then crouches in front of me, sweeping away the evidence of my pain with his thumbs. “Sweetcheeks, talk to me.”

I smile through my tears. “I was talking to Kiera.”

“You did right by her, Lola.”

More tears threaten, and I know a crash is approaching, but I hold back. It isn’t the time. Not here. Not now.

“Ciaran and Pete are going to finish up here.” He picks me up again, cradling me in his arms. “Let’s go.”

“I can walk, you know.”

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t start with me.”

I hide a smile by burying my face in his neck. I’ll never admit it to him, but I love it when he goes all alpha male on me. I may be a tough, independent woman, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate how it feels when a man like Draven takes care of me.

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