Page 82 of Guarded from Danger

I’m carved out. Empty.

Xavier.

But he could still be alive, right? Just because he’s shot?—

But I can’t get to him. I can’t help. I’m stuck here, and if Peter shoots him again, Xavier will die alone, and it’s all my fault.

I dimly realize I’m sobbing, rocking against the relentless waves of pain.

Then something touches me.

Not something. Someone.

I screech in terror and scuttle backwards away from it. Away from Peter? It has to be.

“Lucy, sweetheart. It’s okay.”

Wait.

Not Peter. But not Xavier, either.

“Lucy.” The voice is gentle. Soothing. “It’s alright. You’re safe. I’m just going to get you loose, okay?”

Gathering my courage—so much for strong Lucy, I feel more like a terrified child hiding from monsters under the bed—I lift my head and look up at the person speaking to me.

Dark blue eyes meet mine, kind and reassuring. “It’s just me, Lucy. It’s alright. I’ve got some lock picks; just give me a minute, and I’ll have you out of here.”

Dante.

He stares at me, his gaze assessing. “Can I touch your wrist? I promise I won’t hurt you.”

In shuddering breaths, I try to rein in my sobs. I nod at him before whispering, “Is Xavier… is he…”

Dante touches my arm. Understanding softens his features. “He’s fine.”

What?

“But… the gun.”

“That was Xavier.” His lips quirk up. “He was… angry, as I’m sure you can imagine. So he fired a shot.”

“He shot Peter?”

“Not quite. But close enough to scare the piss out of him.” Dante smiles as he removes the metal band from my wrist. “Literally.”

It’s so incongruous to what I was expecting, I just blink at him. “He… peed himself?”

“Yes.” Dante’s teeth flash. “Xavier said he really wanted to kill Amberson, but he thought you might not approve.”

I’m taken aback for a second.

Would I?

Before this, I’d have said no immediately. But now, I’m not so sure.

“Where’s Xavier?”

“He’s with Niall. They’re just making sure Amberson is fully restrained. The police should be here any minute. And then I’m sure?—”

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