Page 114 of The Way We Win

The other is a solid thump that sends my brother jerking back, knocking him off his feet beside me.

Garrett goes down with a groan.

“God dammit.” I duck to the side behind an old motorcycle leaning against the shack of a garage. “You okay, bro?”

My brother is on the ground on his back not moving, and my chest is on fire. Rip has disappeared into the black interior of the house, and I know I can’t charge up there without risking getting shot as well.

Garrett lets out another low groan, and I stretch out, grabbing the front of his black jacket.

He strains, pushing with his heels, and I pull him with all my strength to the side of the small building. Shoving the gun in the back of my jeans again, I grab him by the lapels and lean him against the wall.

“Fuck,” Garrett groans. “He knocked the wind out of me.”

“Are you hurt?” I pull the jacket away to see a black spot on the front of his gray T-shirt at the top of his chest.

He lifts a large hand, gripping the front of my shirt. “Get in there and get that guy. Now.”

I check his pulse, and it’s elevated, but he seems like he’ll be okay for a little longer. “Stay with me, bro.”

Looking all around, I grab the lid off a metal trash can in the alley and use it like a shield as I dash to the side of the house again. Another staccato pop, and the wood on the corner of the house splinters as I pass.

I’m breathing hard, and Garrett’s right. We should have brought all our brothers with us. It’s too late for that now. Now I’ve got to deal with this asshole on my own.

Garrett makes a soft groan, and I see him lift his hand to his chest. Another staccato pop, and the wood blasts to bits on the side of the small garage.

That’s four bullets. I don’t know what type of weapon he’s using, but it’s possible he only has two rounds left.Could we get that lucky?

More like, would he be that stupid? Only one way to find out.

Dashing forward, I toss the trash can lid onto the back landing, and another shot rings out in that direction. That’s when I hear a soft whimper, a female sound, and my vision tunnels.Allie.

She’s in there, and I’ve got to get her out.

Banking everything on the hope that he only has one bullet left, I charge up the back steps yelling at the top of my lungs. Holding the gun in both my hands, I aim high, firing three shots at the ceiling as I run through the screen door.

I don’t know if he might be using Allie as a shield, and I don’t want to hurt her accidentally.

My hope is to startle him into running. My hope is wrong.

Another pop rings out, and it’s a bite to my shoulder. I drop to the floor in the darkness, holding completely still and listening.

Across the room, I hear Rip moving, but a whimper followed by a soft thump to my left tells me Allie is close. I crawl quickly, circling my hands over the floor in the darkness, trying to find her.

It’s so dark, but I make out the edge of a bed. Crawling faster, I feel soft cotton. It’s a skirt, and my forehead is tight. My chest aches like a heart attack until my fingers finally make contact with her warm skin.

Another muffled cry, and I lunge to where she’s crouching in the corner beside the bed.

“Allie,” I whisper, feeling all around.

She’s still crying, and I don’t know if her mouth is taped. Her arm is raised behind her in a way that seems unnatural. Sliding my hands up, I feel a rope around her wrist, and another burst of rage fires in my chest.

Heavy footsteps pound the wooden floors, and I don’t have time to untie her.

“Stay down,” I order, moving away and gripping my gun in both hands again.

He’s storming right to us, and I don’t care if he’s out of bullets. Lifting my weapon, I see a slight variation in the darkness as his shadowy figure emerges.

I don’t hesitate.

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