Page 79 of Red Rabbit
KAELIN
I was dragged out of the house by none other than Vandal and terror took over my entire body. I shrieked and thrashed, digging my heels into the ground to try and resist but he was too big.
Then the rage rose up and consumed me, drowning out the terror. My senses sharpened and all I knew was I was going to kill him. I was going to kill him and nothing was going to stop me. I was not going back. He dragged me through the dirt and into the trees. I grabbed a rock and slammed it into his knee. He grunted and shook me so hard my teeth rattled then he slapped me across the face. My vision went blurry.
“I’m not letting my little toy go,” he growled. When his grip didn’t loosen, I blindly pulled a tree branch from the ground and swung it at the back of his head. That did the trick and he released me and stumbled forward. I didn’t hesitate but swung again and he went down on one knee.
The world seemed to slow down and I rushed forward and yanked his handgun from his belt then stepped back. He looked as surprised as I felt by this turn of events but he recovered quickly and got to his feet, an evil look in his eyes.
“I’m not going back there,” I hissed. He sneered and rushed me. I pulled the trigger before he crashed into me and we both went to the ground. I didn’t know if I hit him. The gun was knocked out of my hands and landed a few yards away. Somehow I ended up on top of him and at the last minute I remembered Kraven’s advice and punched Vandal hard in the face. I screamed at him, throwing all of my anger into another punch. His nose was bleeding and his lip was split before he grabbed my fist in his and squeezed. I cried out as my bones ground together and he shoved me off of him. His other hand grabbed my neck.
“I’m going to have fun punishing you for this, little one,” he snarled. His grip tightened and my hands were grasping for anything around me I could use as a weapon. My vision was blurring from lack of air but my fingers touched a rock and I frantically grabbed it and brought it up to the side of his head, then quickly landed another hit to his nose.
“Bitch,” he cursed angrily. He let me go and I collapsed into the dirt, coughing and gasping for breath. I scrambled back as he swiped blood from his face. I saw the gun at the same time he did. I was closer and I lunged for it. My hand closed around it just as I was slammed into a tree from behind. My vision dimmed dangerously as the air left my lungs but I shoved the gun behind me and pulled the trigger.
32
GRAHAM
I surged back to life, gasping for air and gritting my teeth as pain flared through every part of me. I didn’t know how long I was out but it must have been only minutes. I tried to focus on the room but all I saw was blood.
Kaelin was gone. Panic gripped me. I told her I wouldn’t let them take her. I was not going to fail her too. I turned over and tried to get to my feet but I couldn’t. I tried to drag myself towards the door but the floor was slippery with blood and bodies were in my way. They seemed like insurmountable mountains. I heard gunfire outside and then footsteps in the hall. I grabbed a gun and turned it on the door just as a familiar face came into view.
“Whoa, Wolfe, hey buddy—”
“Cal—where is she!” I shouted, my voice sounded far away and unbelievably panicked. “Where is she?” I dropped the gun, trying to look past him. “Kaelin!”
“Easy, Wolfe, easy,” I saw him turn and signal to someone. “Find the girl.” Then he turned to me and I saw fear in his eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I ground out but his face was getting blurrier.
“Stay with me Wolfe—Graham—” His voice was getting farther away. Hands grabbed me and hauled me up but all I saw was bloody darkness.
I faded out.
33
KAELIN
I heard a grunt in my ear and the weight left my back. I turned around panting and gulping in air to see Vandal on his knees clutching his stomach. I stepped away from the tree, my chest heaving, and was surprised my hands were so steady on the gun as I pointed it at him. He tried to swipe out at me but his movements were slow and his eyes unfocused. The adrenaline was making me feel a little unhinged and I sneered at him.
“I told you—I’m not going back there,” I panted. Anger flared hot and I pointed the gun at his dick and pulled the trigger. He screamed and jolted.
“That’s for raping me,” I hissed. He fell forward at my feet, moaning in pain, scrambling in the dirt as he bled out. He managed to roll over onto his back and looked at me blankly, his mouth opening and closing. I pressed the gun to his head.
“Goodbye, asshole,” I said simply and pulled the trigger.
I looked up and saw two men rushing through the trees from the house. I stood up and pointed the gun at them. They stopped and held up their hands as they slowed their approach.
“Easy there killer—we’re here to help,” one said with an easy smile as he took another step forward. I took another one back.
“Don’t—” I said.
“We’re with Cal.” I looked at the other man. He deliberately lowered his gun, pointing it at the ground. “That’s Knight,” he said, pointing to the first man. “I’m Ghost.”
I still didn’t move.
“Yeah—” Knight spoke but it was obvious he was listening to someone in his ear. “Yeah—Cal, she’s here with a gun. Doesn’t trust us—alright.” He looked at me again. “Cal’s coming.”
