Page 86 of Sheltered by the Lawman

Cull took off, not sure where he was going, but he had to find her. He spun around, feeling like a wild animal searching for shelter. He saw a mound of dirt and once he reached it he sucked in a ragged breath. The hole was empty.

Sitting next to the recently dug grave was a small pine box. It had a lock on it.

“Phoenix! Over here! Bring the shovel,” he yelled while kicking at the padlock with the heel of his boot. Cull grabbed the shovel from Phoenix and smashed the point of the shovel down onto the lock. The metal snapped. He practically ripped off his fingernails as he tore open the top to the wooden lid.

His heart slammed into his ribs.

Sally was scrunched in the box, her legs tucked up against her chest with no room to move. Her eyes were closed and she looked at peace.

Cull dropped to his knees and closed his eyes, overcome with emotion. He was too late. How could he have let this happen?

“Cull? Is that really you?” she said in a whispered voice.

He brought his head up, looking at the sweet angel who now had her eyes open. She wasn’t dead! “I’m here, baby. I’m here.” He grabbed her up from the box, holding her on his lap, gripping her against his chest like she was his lifeline. “You’re okay now. I’m so sorry. I should have never let you out of my sight. I should have sheltered you from this.” He kissed her forehead, her cheek, her eyelids and quickly on the lips.

“It was my fault,” she said in a hoarse voice, bringing her arms weakly up around his neck. “Thank you for saving me again.”

He cupped her dirty, bruised face with his hands. “Did he hurt you?” The bruises on her face made him want to bring the dead bastard on the floor in the warehouse back to life just so he could send him back to hell limb by limb.

“Where is he?” she whispered. “He was right here a minute ago. I heard him cursing that he needed a bigger shovel.”

“He’s gone, my love. He’s gone for good.”

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