Page 71 of Jackson

"You won’t—"

Walker doesn’t let him finish. He pulls the trigger. I scream, covering my eyes as the loud shot echoes in the room. I'm scared to look. What if he missed? What if it’s not over? I just want it to end. The silence is deafening and feels like it goes on forever, with me too afraid to look, too afraid to face the reality.

"It's over, Serenity," Walker murmurs, gently pulling my hands away from my eyes. "It's over."

I look up at him, tears streaming down my cheeks.

This man just sacrificed everything to save me. "I... I..."

"I know," he whispers, pulling me into his arms, "and you're welcome."

My knees go weak, and I sob.

He saved my life.

He saved us all.

One person just changed our entire world.

I'll be forever grateful to him for that.

POLICE STORM INTO THEroom, guns drawn, bodies armored in full S.W.A.T gear. I stay close to Walker, my body half-hidden behind his, heart pounding with fear as they assess the chaos, then turn their eyes on us. Walker, still holding the gun, gradually lowers it to the ground, raising his hands in surrender.

"The suspects are down," an officer radios in. "Two survivors here. We've got eyes on them."

The officer advances, weapon at the ready, daring us to make a wrong move. "Step apart," he commands.

We obey.

"What's your name?" he demands, eyes narrowing at me.

"Serenity," I reply, pointing to Hound's lifeless body. "I've been his captive since he kidnapped me to get what he wanted." I point to Gerard. "That's Gerard. We have evidence he murdered a girl on a college campus."

"Who ended their lives?" the officer asks.

Walker steps up. "I did," he admits.

"Because they were hurting me," I interject. "They were plotting to destroy another club, using me as a pawn. They were about to kill me when Walker intervened. He saved my life."

Walker glances at me, eyes softening. "It's okay, Serenity," he murmurs. "I'm okay."

"Step forward," the officer orders. "Hands up."

Walker complies, stepping forward with raised hands. The officer spins him around, cuffs him, and leads him out. I ache to scream, to beg them to stop, but there's nothing I can do. I can’t make this any worse for Walker than it already is. It is best if Isay nothing, even though watching him leave breaks my heart in two.

Another officer approaches, offering a reassuring smile. "Glad you're safe. Jackson would be furious if you weren't."

I shake my head, confused. "You know Jackson?"

"I owed him a favor. You're in the clear, no worries about this."

Hope surges in my chest. "And Gerard?"

"I'll make sure your name stays clean, Serenity. Don't worry. Someone's outside waiting for you."

He drapes an arm around me, escorting me out. The house's bright lights sting after days spent in darkness. Shielding my eyes, I peer around as we step outside. That's when I see him.

My heart leaps, and I run, shoving past officers, stumbling, but focused on one person. Jackson. He stands, sunlight glinting on his bronze skin, dark hair braided over his shoulders, leather jacket fitting snug. His colors are loud and proud, like a beacon drawing me to him.

---