Page 97 of Asher's Assignment

She blinked again but couldn’t hold her eyes open. Her head lolled to the side. The hands that touched her shoulders and arm a moment ago now framed her face.

“Esther, stay awake.”

She wanted to, but the numbness encroached further.

And it had a friend.

The cold. Ice invaded her veins.

“Asher!”

Esther managed another slow blink and saw Connie look behind her.

“Asher, let him go. I need your help!”

Let who go? Wait. Lennox? Is that who she meant? Why would Asher let him go? He’d just shoot someone else. She tried to get her elbow beneath her to sit up and protest, but she could do little more than twitch her arm.

Another hand landed on Esther, this time on the top of her head. It was much smaller than the first.

“It’s okay, Miss Campbell. Mommy and Mr. Asher will take care of you.”

Leah’s whispered words floated down the tunnel Esther drifted in. Her eyelids fluttered closed.

She was so cold.

And sleepy…

The tunnel grew darker; the light fading as she slipped deeper into it.

“Esther!”

Asher’s voice echoed through her head.

Her brow wrinkled. Why did he sound so far away?

She didn’t know, but she couldn’t force her eyes open to find out why. Didn’t want to.

Sleep crooked a finger, welcoming her into its arms and promising warmth. With a sigh, she embraced it, banishing the cold. It pulled her down until the darkness took over and her mind went blank.

Forty

“You son of a bitch! Come here!” Asher grabbed at Bradley’s clothing, scrambling to get a hold on the man after he’d kicked out of Asher’s grip. At least he wasn’t armed anymore. When Esther went down, he’d run at the man, knocking the gun free from his hand. It had skittered under the table, out of reach of anyone. Asher wanted to use the shiv still tucked into his belt, but didn’t dare take one hand to reach for it. He was having enough trouble getting a grip on Bradley.

“Asher, please! She needs help!”

The plea in Connie’s voice finally registered. He glanced back, his muscles freezing as he saw the growing pool of blood surrounding Esther.

His momentary lapse was all Bradley needed. A booted foot landed on Asher’s cheek. He fell back with a grunt, momentarily stunned.

Bradley’s gaze caught his. For a second, his eyes flicked toward the gun. It was past Asher, beneath the table. The debate in his gaze brought some awareness back to Asher’s brain. He shifted, ready to stop him.

But Bradley didn’t do what he expected. Instead, he turned and ran. A moment later, Asher heard the front door open, then slam shut.

“Asher!”

The panic in Connie’s voice banished every thought he had about going after him.

He got to his feet and hurried to her side. Esther was unconscious.

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