Page 85 of The Woman with the Wallet

The third one hit.

Sure, it was only his thigh, but I’d never shot a gun before. I was proud to hit him at all. Especially because Lil’s damn gun kicked like a mule.

Our attacker looked stunned for a moment. But as the blood bloomed down his thigh, he seemed to weigh his options.

Then turned and ran.

I didn’t lower my arms, though.

I stood there, my hands trembling a bit with the surging adrenaline as Lil pulled herself over to my side, panting hard.

“Are you okay?” I asked, breathing heavily.

“Been better,” she said, her voice smaller than I’d ever heard it. “Lock the door,” she demanded.

That snapped me out of it, making me run across the room to slide her many locks into place before leaning back against it, panting for breath.

My gaze finally landed on Lil again as she tried to stand.

“Here. Wait,” I said, rushing toward her.

I tucked the gun into my waistband before reaching for her, letting her slowly pull herself upward, hissing and cursing. When she finally got to her feet, she was sweating and pale, making the bruises and blood contrast like a fucking horror movie.

“Oh, fuck.”

“That good, huh?” she asked, sucking in quick, shallow breaths.

“Hold on. Let me get your chair,” I said, rushing to find it and wheel it over to her.

“Music, off,” Lil called, making the room immediately go silent, save for our labored breathing and Lil’s little whimpers of pain as she tried to move.

Blood stained her tee and was sticky in her dark hair.

“What hurts the worst?” I asked, wondering if I needed to call an ambulance or not.

“Face. Ribs. Head. That order. But I think I fucked up my knee when I fell.”

Her hands, bloody knuckles from fighting back and all, went to said knee, cupping the sides of it. I could already see swelling through her tight pants. Something was fucked up there, that was for sure.

“Okay. I think you need to go to the emergency—“

The pounding on the door made us both jump and gasp.

My hand went automatically for the gun.

But then I heard it.

Him.

Calling through the door.

“Max!”

Miko was there.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Miko

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