Page 121 of Desolation

“Twilight, we need a different exit.”

“Can you get to the north entrance in thirty seconds?”

“Yes.”

“Hurry.”

I scoop her into my arms and she wraps her arms around my neck. Her sweet violet and vanilla smell infiltrating my nose, causing my emotions to stir. But I shut them down. I need to be quick on my feet.

I run us down the deserted hallway, making a left turn when I see the short hall that leads to the exit of the hotel.

I am nearly to the door when I feel the bullet hit my back. I have a vest on so it just shocks my system. I catch myself from falling, still holding on to Mari.

“What happened?” she asks as my breathing picks up.

“Shot.”

“What?” she shrieks.

“Hold on to me. Keep your head against my chest.”

I speak into my microphone. “I’ve been hit. ETA?”

“Fuck. Pulling up now.”

I burst through the door as I hear another bullet hit against the wood. Mark is jumping out of an SUV, gun in hand facing the door as I run to the car. I shove Mari in and she crawls over as I climb in next to her. Mark jumps into the front seat and Ben peels out.

“What’s going on?” Mari asks frantically.

“We’ll tell you when we get to the safe house,” Mark says. His eyes watching the mirrors.

“Safe house?”

“A threat was made against your life, Mari. We need you somewhere safe.”

“What about you Landon? You were shot!”

“Hit the vest. I’ll be fine. Just bruised.”

Mari shakes and collapses against my chest. Despite the words I heard from her earlier I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

It takes her ten minutes for her breathing to even out before she starts to talk. “He threatened my kids.”

“I heard.”

She stiffens at that. “You were there?”

“He pulled you out of the ballroom. I had to make sure you were safe. I was the closest one to you.”

I don’t let her know I heard her say she still loved him.

By the time we get to the safe house, my shoulder is throbbing from where I took a hit.

Mark is in contact with Jackson who might have a location on Rebecca.

I slump onto the couch of the cabin in the woods of New Hampshire. I struggle with my shirt, pain radiating through my shoulder. I feel soft hands on my chest and I open my eyes to see Mari in front of me, unbuttoning my shirt.

I take deep breaths, trying to not let my heart get involved. She eases my shirt off my shoulders and I tell her how to get the vest off. She pushes me to lay down on the couch and she walks away to get ice.

---