Page 63 of Second Goal

Run, my head screams. And I do. But as the next shot rings out, I know there’s no way I’ll be able to outrun it.

Chapter Nineteen

Blake

The text messageI sent Kylie half an hour ago remains unanswered, even though I know she read it. And when I try calling her for the second time, it just rings.

I try not to worry, but that same feeling I’d got in the pit of my stomach yesterday when I’d talked to her is back. It’s a pressure, an unease that warns me something is wrong.

I’m about to call Brynne and see if she’s heard from her when someone bangs on my door.

Pax jumps up and starts barking. “Easy boy, it’s just Kiley,” I say, relief filling me as I head to the door and open it. “I started to think you weren’t com—” I pause when I meet Kane’s gaze.

His face is void of color as he pushes his way past me. “Have you talked to Kiley?”

“Not today. Why?”

“Fuck. Just turn on the TV.”

“What’s wrong?” Fear floods through me.

“Turn on the damn television,” he demands, pacing my living room, then grabbing the remote from my hand when I’m not fast enough. He switches the channel to the local news station.

“Want to tell me what has you so worked up?” I demand.

He nods at the TV, where breaking news is headlined across the screen.

The reporter is standing in front of a large building that I recognize. It’s the college where Kiley is taking classes. “...witnesses say there is one gunman... multiple shots fired... one confirmed victim.”

My heartbeat pulses in my head and panic claws at my chest, squeezing the oxygen from it. But I don’t know real fear until I see a fuzzy image of the shooter taken by someone’s cell phone.

I recognize the man immediately. I may have only seen him once, but his face is ingrained in my memory. A roar sounds in my ears and it takes me a moment to recognize it as my own voice. “We need to get there. Kiley’s in trouble.”

“...we have new information... the shooter has been shot down...” the reporter continues as I grab my coat and keys.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Kane says, following me, but I hear the panic in his voice.

“Tell me you aren’t doing the same thing.”

He frowns but doesn’t answer.

I try calling Kiley’s cell again. “Pick up the damn phone, Kiley,” I growl out as it keeps ringing.

This time someone answers, “Hello?”

“Thank God,” I breathe out as the elevator doors open. “Where are you? Are you all right? I saw the news—”

“Sir,” a woman’s voice interrupts me, but it isn’t Kiley’s. “This isn’t my phone—”

“Who the hell is this?”

“I’m a paramedic. We’re taking her to University Hospital. If you're family, you should meet us there.”

“She’s hurt?”

“Sir, I can’t tell you anymore. I shouldn’t have answered the phone—”

“Just tell me she’s all right—” The call ends as the elevator doors open and we get off in the parking garage. I can’t get enough oxygen in my lungs, and when Kane demands to know what the hell is going on, all I can do is whisper, “They’re taking her to University Hospital.”

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