Page 36 of Crossroads of Innocence
Stepping out of the shower, Wade wrapped a cotton towel around his waist and scrubbed another one over his head. The shower hadn’t been as long as he’d wanted—or as cold as he needed—to get Jude out of his system. A weird vibe hovered between them, and he didn’t know how to get rid of it.
Or if he should even try.
Best to just keep going through the motions until everything played out, and he could go back to a regular life. A life where Jude was gone, and he was as far away as possible from any woman who might break his heart. He’d had enough heartbreak to handle with his mom. He couldn’t let Jude get close just to clobber him over the head when things didn’t work out.
Thoroughly dry, he tossed the damp towels over the lip of the tub and hurried into his clothes. Baggy sweatpants and a hoodie to finish off the evening with a casual conversation before retreating to his room for the rest of night. He needed some distance from Jude. Not a cozy winter evening spent in front of a fire while they continued to spill their secrets.
Bang!
His heart jumped into his throat. A gunshot came from inside the house.
Jude!
His pulse raced as he grabbed the door handle and crept out of the room. The cold floors barely registered on his bare feet as adrenaline pumped through his veins. A low voice caught his attention, the sound of scurrying and crunching of glass raising the hair on his arms. Dammit, he should have grabbed his gun.
Please God let Jude be alive. Don’t let me be too late.
Forcing his breathing to slow, he moved methodically down the hall. He fisted his hands at his sides, ready to do whatever he needed to protect Jude. He pressed his back against the wall and rounded the corner. Terror tightened his throat.
Jude lay sprawled on her back on the rug in front of the couch. Macey barked in the corner of the room. Benji stood in front of her, a gun aimed at her head.
Ice chilled the blood in Wade’s veins. He charged, wrapping his arms around Benji’s waist and slamming him to the ground. The jarring impact against his chest stole the air from his lungs. Sweat coated his palms. Fear climbed up his spine as he scrambled for the weapon.
Benji twisted, bucking and shifting his body to turn onto his back. He kept a firm grip on the gun and swung it toward Jude who scurried to her feet.
No way in hell would Wade let this bastard put a bullet in Jude. He pummeled his fist into Benji’s face. Blood squirted from his mouth.
Heavy pounding sounded from the front door and mixed with the chaos of the room.
“Get the door,” he yelled at Jude as a bit of relief pushed through his fear. Help was here, probably Chet charging to the rescue after hearing the gunshot.
Benji squirmed beneath him.
Wade hit him again, then circled his wrist and slammed it against the ground until the gun came loose.
Benji shot his head forward. His forehead crunched against Wade’s nose.
Pain erupted in Wade’s skull and stars burst behind his eyes. He fell backward and lost his hold of Benji.
A small sob came from Jude, and she sprinted for the door. She battled with the lock as the pounding continued from the other side.
Benji lurched forward, one arm wrapping around Wade’s waist while reaching the other out to battle for the weapon.
Partially pinned to the ground, Wade shifted his weight and planted his fist in Benji’s nose. A sickening crunch gave him a brief moment of satisfaction before he stretched as far as he could toward the gun.
Benji reared back, eyes wide as he flicked his glance between Wade, the gun, and the commotion threatening to burst through the door before Jude could even open it. He tightened his jaw, defeat clear in his scowl, and sprang to his feet before sprinting toward the shattered slider at the back of the home.
Wade snatched up the gun, hurried to his feet, and rushed forward. Shards of glass pierced the bottoms of his feet, slowing his pace. But he kept moving, wincing as pain shot up his legs. Cold air skimmed his face and he leapt onto the deck as Benji pounded down the stairs and darted toward the surrounding forest. Wade planted his feet on the rough wooden planks, lifted the gun, and fired. The blast split his eardrums, the backfire vibrating his arm.
Benji ran faster, putting more and more distance between them until he disappeared into the trees.
Chet appeared on the deck. “Dude, you okay? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, but he’s getting away. We need to go after him.” He started for the steps but a heavy hand on his shoulder stopped him.
“You’re bleeding.” Chet pointed at the ground.
Wade dropped his gaze then lifted his feet. Pieces of glass were wedged in his flesh, blood seeping from a handful of cuts. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll grab some shoes and have someone look at them later. We have to go after him.”
