Page 124 of Deliver us from Evil

Thud.

I drag my head around.

My eyes shut on their own.

Christ.

JesusfuckingChrist. That is not how you use a gun.

“Rube.” I swallow down bile. “Rube!”

Thud.

… . . .

Thud.

I retch anyway. “Rube, Christ, call the fucking ambulance!”

Rube’s knees creak as he stands. He lets out a blustery breath, sounding more animal than human. Something falls to the carpet, and I can only assume it’s the gun he was using to cave in the man’s skull.

I’m not going to be able to sleep for a week.

I keep my eyes closed until I’m facing Trinity again, and only then dare open them.

I think the bleeding has stopped.

Dear God, let the bleeding have stopped.

But she’s passed out, and that’s not good.

“Trin? Baby girl. Wake up.”

“She’s been shot,” comes Rube’s voice.

My skin goes cold. He’s not even out of breath. He sounds…

Like he always does.

Maybe even a touch calmer than usual.

Shock, that’s all. He’s obviously in shock. Fuck,I’min shock.

But I’m keeping her blood in, and that’s all that matters.

Rube doesn’t matter right now. What he was doing to the dead guy over there, that doesn’t matter either.

My stomach convulses.

Nope. Keeping my pukein.

“I’m not sure of the address. Hold on.” I only hear Rube’s footsteps when he reaches the tiles out in the hall.

“Apollo!”

I jerk at his bellow.

“What’s the address?”

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