Page 121 of When We Break

“Riley’s okay,” she says immediately. “We’re taking him to the hospital for X-rays and stuff, but the vet says he’s going to be fine.”

“Thanks, Billie. I’ll be in touch.”

I hang up and notice Connor fisted his hand when he heard me say my sister’s name, but I don’t have time to address that right now.

Right now, I need to get to my girl.

“If he’s so much as given her a goddamn papercut, I’ll end him,” I say.

“He’s not making it out of here alive,” Connor says, catching Miller’s gaze in the mirror. Miller nods.

It seems we’re all on the same page.

“The gate’s already up,” Connor says when we turn toward the private plane area of the tarmac. The four cop cars follow us through, but they’ve cut the sirens.

“Chase must have called ahead,” I reply, and then my eyes narrow.

Because there’s Lewis, pulling Irish out of the back seat of a sedan, his hand fisted in her hair, yanking her.

He’s going to suffer for that alone.

Lewis must hear us coming because he starts to pull her faster, and when Miller stops at the base of the steps of the plane, I push out, running toward them.

But Lewis turns around and presses the barrel of his pistol against her head.

“Jesus fuck,” I mutter as Skyla’s terrified gaze finds mine.

Intentionally, I let my shoulders drop and keep the fear out of my face.

Her lip trembles.

“I got you, baby.” I mouth the words, and she gives me a tiny nod.

“Drop the fucking gun,” Miller growls out, but Lewis sneers.

“I’m taking what’s mine,” Lewis yells back. “She belongs with me.”

A tear falls down Skyla’s cheek, and now I hear running footsteps as Chase and the other police join us.

“Bitterroot Valley PD. You heard the man,” Chase calls out calmly. “Lower your weapon. No one needs to get hurt. You know that we’re not going to allow you to leave. You’re not taking her anywhere.”

Lewis laughs and yanks on Skyla’s hair again, making her yelp.

“I can’t get a shot,” Miller mutters next to me. “I won’t risk hitting her. I need her to fall. To drop, so his head isn’t hiding behind her.”

“If you kill my girl, I’ll killyou.”

Miller doesn’t waver. “I won’t hit her.”

Jesus. I have to trust this man that I barely know with Skyla’s life.He’d better not be wrong.

Her gaze is still pinned to mine, almost desperately.

“Fall,” I mouth to her. “Drop down.”

“Stop that!” Lewis screams, pointing the gun at me. I’d rather it was pointed at me than at my girl. “Don’t you fucking talk to my tiny dancer. Don’t you evenlook at her!She’s mine. She’s my love.”

Skyla frowns. Then it’s like a light bulb goes off, and her eyes widen. His grip on her has loosened during his tirade.

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