Page 150 of I'm Watching You

‘No!’ Lindsay struggled to get free.

Pete didn’t take his eyes off Lindsay. ‘You come first, Lindsay. If she has to die, then so be it. I came to saveyou.’

Richard heard the sincerity in Pete’s voice. He hesitated, understanding that Pete would kill his wife and child. ‘Who the hell are you?’

‘I’m Lindsay’s Guardian.’ Pride welled inside him. He’d waited so long to say those words.

Outside, police tires screeched to a halt. Footsteps raced toward the barn.

Richard sneered and lowered his gaze to the blade. He was going to kill Lindsay.

The Guardian fired.

Guns drawn, Zack and Warwick burst into the barn as Pete’s bullet whirled past Lindsay’s head and struck Richard in the face. Blood and brains splattered Lindsay’s face and body. She screamed.

Warwick’s face twisted with anguish. ‘Pete!’

Pete backed up, his gun still drawn.

‘Drop your weapon!’ Zack ordered.

Lindsay turned away from Richard’s body. She didn’t chance a glance down at his body. Instead, she looked at Pete. ‘You’re my Guardian?’

Pete’s gun didn’t waver. ‘Yes.’

Understanding dawned in Lindsay’s eyes. ‘My mother’s brother.’

Pete nodded. ‘I wasn’t there for you when you needed me then. But I’m here now.’

Zack inched closer. ‘Pete, drop the gun. Give Lindsay a chance to get to know her uncle. It doesn’t have to end for you.’

Warwick’s face looked carved from stone. ‘Please, Pete. Don’t do this.’

For an instant, Pete’s stance relaxed a fraction and it looked like he might give up. Then he shook his head. ‘This is the end of the line.’ He raised the gun at Nicole, ready to fire.

Warwick hesitated.

Zack didn’t. He fired. His bullet hit Pete in the chest. Pete dropped to his knees, the gun still in his hand. He turned his face toward Warwick. ‘You’re a good kid.’

Warwick froze, his weapon pointed forward.

Pete raised his gun a second time.

Zack fired again. This time the bullet struck Pete in the head, killing him instantly.

Adrenaline pumped through Zack’s veins. For several seconds he didn’t move. He wanted to run to Lindsay to take her in his arms, but he resisted the urge. He swept the room with his gaze. There didn’t appear to be anyone else there.

‘Lindsay, is anyone else here?’ Zack asked.

She shoved her hands through her bloody hair. ‘I don’t think so.’

Zack looked at Nicole. Her skin was as pale as porcelain. ‘Anyone else?’

Nicole shook her head. ‘Richard said he’d come alone. He didn’t want anyone to know where I was.’

Outside the distant sound of sirens began to grow louder. Backup would soon arrive. Still, Zack let his gaze roam over the rafters and in the shadowed corners.

Warwick cleared his throat. ‘I’ll cover you.’

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