Page 131 of Stables

A whoosh pushes a wall of heat at us.

Oh my god, I think my house is on fire. “We have to get out of here!” There’s a propane tank on the side.

I make another attempt to move in front of Dixon, but he’s too big and much stronger than me, even wounded he holds me easily.

I hate being afraid.

A strange calm moves through me.

I know Paisley is safe. Matt can’t hurt her.

If this is my time, I can go knowing I was truly loved.

Pulling out of Dixon’s grasp, I dart past him, directly in front of Matt’s weapon.

“Fine. Do it then. Put me out of the misery of ever having to see you again.” My jaw clenches as I raise my chin, staring into his dead eyes with every ounce of bravery I can muster.

I’d rather die than see anyone I love get hurt.

That would be worse than death.

“Char, no!” Dixon’s palm touches my arm, but I shake him off.

Matt’s mouth twists into a sneer as he presses the warm steel to my head.

I won’t back down.

His finger twitches on the trigger.

A bead of sweat trickles down his temple.

Dixon pants heavily behind me, but I don’t dare breathe.

The crack of the gunshot is the last thing I hear.

Chapter 38

Dixon

My world crumples infront of me when she falls to the ground.

I don’t even care about Matt.

Rushing to her, I pull her into my arms, lifting her limp body against me.

“Char? Please, talk to me.” Smoothing her sweaty hair from her forehead, reveals a bloody gash.

But it’s at a glancing angle.

With a ragged breath, she inhales and opens her blue eyes.

When they focus on me, tears erupt as she cries out.

“Dixon! Oh my god!” Clinging to me, sobs wrack her body. “Where’s Matt?”

Holding her, I twist to look and see him lying in the dirt, a pooling puddle of blood beneath his head.

“What the hell?” My head turns, trying to find the shooter.

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