Page 90 of Aussie
“That’s thoughtful of you,” she added, trying to sound neutral.
Clint nodded quickly. “Yeah, well, I wanted to make sure everything’s in order.” He gestured toward the parking lot. “Where are you headed?”
“We were just going to wait in my car until the fire department clears the building,” Ava said. She kept a close eye on Clint, who seemed to fidget more with each passing second.
“I’ll walk with you,” Clint offered.
Ava hesitated, her instincts screaming that something was off. She glanced at Christian, who looked up at her questioningly. Forcing a small smile, she nodded. “Alright,” she said, her voice even. “Let’s go.”
As they walked toward the parking lot, Ava’s grip on her car keys tightened. Something about Clint’s behavior didn’t sit right with her. She made a mental note to stay alert and keep Christian close. Something told her this wasn’t just a coincidence.
The cold air stung Ava’s cheeks as she walked briskly toward her car, Christian beside her and Clint trailing just a step behind.Her keys jingled in her hand, the sound barely registering over the growing sense of unease in her chest.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, startling her. She fished it out and saw Aussie’s name on the screen. Relief washed over her—maybe he was on his way after all.
“Hey,” she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Ava,” Aussie barked, his tone sharp and urgent, unlike anything she’d ever heard from him. “Where are you?”
She froze mid-step, her heart lurching. “I’m walking to my car with Christian and Clint. The fire alarm went off in the courthouse, so we decided to wait in the car until they clear the building.”
There was a beat of silence on the other end, and then Aussie asked again, his voice colder this time, “Clint is with you?”
“Yes,” Ava replied slowly, her stomach twisting. “Why?”
“Get away from him,” Aussie snapped. “Right now. He’s part of the criminal network that the FBI is bringing down. He’s dangerous, Ava. I’m on my way, and so are the police.”
Ava’s breath caught, her grip tightening on Christian’s hand. She glanced over her shoulder at Clint, who seemed oblivious to her sudden tension.
“They’re already here,” she whispered, spotting flashing red and blue lights heading toward the parking lot.
“Good,” Aussie said, his voice barely audible over the blood rushing in her ears. “Stay calm, but don’t let Clint suspect anything. I’m pulling into the lot now.”
Before Ava could respond, the situation erupted into chaos. Police cars screeched to a halt, officers spilling out with their guns drawn. Men and women in FBI jackets appeared in front of them with their weapons aimed squarely at Clint.
“Clint Meyers!” an agent shouted. “Get on the ground! Now!”
Ava froze, her mind struggling to process that this was really happening. Christian tugged on her arm, his voice trembling. “Ava, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, her eyes darting between Clint and the advancing officers.
Clint’s demeanor shifted in an instant. His nervousness evaporated, replaced by raw panic. “Stay back!” he screamed, his hand darting into his jacket.
“No!” Ava gasped, realizing too late what he was doing.
Clint pulled out a gun, aiming it first at the officers, then swinging it toward her and Christian. The world seemed to slow as he barked, “If anyone shoots me, they die! Back off!”
The officers froze, their weapons still trained on him. Ava’s heart pounded in her ears, her vision narrowing as the barrel of Clint’s gun wavered between her and Christian.
“This is all your fault!” Clint snarled, his eyes wild as he focused on Christian. “You ruined everything! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
Christian clung to Ava as he trembled against her side. “I didn’t—” he stammered, tears welling in his eyes.
“Stop it!” Ava snapped, her voice shaky but fierce. “Whatever this is, it’s not his fault. Leave him alone!”
Clint’s eyes burned with rage, his grip on the gun tightening. “You don’t get it! He’s the reason everything fell apart!”
Ava’s mind raced.Think, Ava. Do something.But before she could move, Clint turned the gun fully toward Christian.
