Page 80 of Release You

With a tightness in my chest, I carried Mom to the sofa that had been half pushed away from the wall and I placed her on it. “Mom.”

Her eyes snapped open. “Henry. You found us.” She winced.

“Yeah. Don’t move. I’ll get you out of here. Okay?”

She nodded, and I stomped back to the tunnel. Nikki kept her gun on Jonathan and Francesca. The dress she’d worn the night before was covered in dust and God knew what else. She looked as beautiful as ever. But I couldn’t think about that. I had to get us out of here first.

I towered over Jonathan, glaring down on him. “Tell your men to let us out. Now.” I gritted my teeth, with my gun square in his face.

“They only listen to her.” His entire body shook uncontrollably.

Somewhere deep, deep inside I felt sorry for him. I turned my attention to Francesca. “Call them off.”

“Fine. But I’m leaving with them. Don’t try to stop me. They have orders to shoot you on sight.” Francesca cradled her injured leg.

Nikki jerked away from the wall. “Listen, you crazy bitch. I get that you’re completely insane, but you must also be beyond stupid to actually think that we’re letting you walk out of here. Either you let us go, or I will shoot you again. I’m so tired. I honestly don’t care which way you choose.”

“What she said.” I sat on my haunches next to Francesca.

A flicker of fear touched her eyes. Even in her delusional state, she had to see she had lost.

“Then shoot me.” She tilted her chin up. “I’d rather see you go to jail than see you stay with her.”

“What?” I squinted at her then turned to face Jonathan. He looked away, not making any effort to get up.

In that moment, the police barged into the foyer with their guns out. They were late getting here, but at least they’d come in time to stop me from shooting Francesca.

“Maybe next time,” I said to Francesca.

I trudged out of the tunnel as two heavily suited copsrushed to Francesca and Jonathan. Stepping aside, I glanced up at the bright lights overhead, and tears blurred my vision.

“Sorry I took so long,” Russ said.

“You were right on time.” I hugged him. “Thanks for coming through for us.”

“Just doing my job, boss.” He offered a curt nod.

“Can you give us a ride? Mom needs help.” I walked over to the sofa and nudged her before I whispered, “Mom.” It killed me to see her like this after all she’d been through. “Mom,” I said more urgently when she didn’t move.

Was this more than a shoulder wound? Her top was soaked through, but nothing else. For all I knew, she’d also been shot in the stomach.

“There’s an ambulance on the way. I figured you might…you know.” Russ came up behind me, his gaze fixed on Mom. “I don’t know when they’ll get here, though. I can check.”

“Thanks.” I nodded. Turning to Mom, I held her hand in mine. “Mom. Stay with me.”

Her eyes flew open. “It wasn’t a dream. You’re really here.” She cradled her left arm, licking her lips. “I feel so tired, Henry.”

“You’ve lost a lot of blood, but we’re getting help. Come on.”

“I can walk. Don’t bother.” She gave me a weak push.

If she could see herself, she’d understand why she felt so drained. I hooked my arms under her legs and shoulders to pick her up. A small wince escaped her lips as she rested her head on my chest and went limp in my arms.

“You’re going to be okay.” I carried her out the door, where a couple of paramedics rushed to our side.

Numb, I watched as they took her from me, placed her on a gurney, and rushed her to the back of the ambulance.

CHAPTER 29

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