Page 192 of Debts and Desires
Iwas going to die.
No.
Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I grabbed the knife in Jed’s side, twisting it as best I could. It was enough, just enough, that he let go, howling in pain. I surged to the side, my fingers closing around the gun just as Jed’s hands came back to my throat.
With trembling hands, I raised it, my vision swimming with tears as I put the gun to his side and pulled the trigger. The deafening roar of the gunshot reverberated through the room, the acrid smell of gunpowder filling the air. My ears rang from the explosion.
Jed slumped to the side. I managed to scramble away, my sights on my baby dog. I crawled over to where he lay. His once bright brown eyes were now dull with pain and confusion. He looked so… tired.
Gently cradling his head in my arms, I pressed a kiss to his fur. His warm blood soaked into my clothes as I whispered through sobs.
“Good boy, Mac. Good boy.”
84. RESCUE
April 17
Nothing prepared me for what I walked into. Blood. There was so much blood. A body, Jed’s, was facedown, blood pooling from him. My eyes frantically searched until I heard sobbing.
Emmy.
My head whipped around. I found her huddled in the corner.
Emmy was clutching Mac, holding him to her chest as she sobbed. More blood was soaked into her clothes.
“Are you okay?” I asked her. She only shook her head, pulling Mac closer to her. I was vaguely aware of the commotion going on behind me. I heard Tyler let out a string of curse words as Officer Jameson spoke into his radio, requesting aid.
“He’s hurt,” she cried. “He’s hurt.” I looked her over. Other than crying, she seemed okay. Then I realized it wasn’t Emmy’s blood just as her eyes met mine.
Mac wasn’t moving.
Why wasn’t Mac moving?
No. No.
I crouched down, damn near slipping on the puddle underneath them.
“Mac?” I whispered, petting his wet, matted fur. A soft whine answered, and my eyes filled with tears. I knelt further, Mac’s head popping up. He whined again, laying back down. He needed help.
I went to pick him up. Emmy wouldn’t let him go. She was still in shock. “Baby,” I cooed as softly as I could. “Let me have him. I’ll take him to Doc Nelson, okay?” I tried again, but she still didn’t budge. “Em, if you don’t let me have him, he’ll… He needs help, baby, please.” Finally, she nodded, sniffling. I picked Mac up as careful as I could, the poor boy whimpering.
“I know, buddy,” I said, my voice breaking. “You’re a good boy, Mac. You’re a good boy.”
“BJ ran outside,” Emmy said, standing with me and petting Mac as we walked.
“I’ll look for her,” Ty said. “And I’ll call Doc Nelson and tell her you’re on the way.” I gave a nod in thanks and started walking toward the door, but paused, looking at Officer Jameson.
“You go on, son. I’ve got this handled.” He looked at Em. “I’ll get a statement from you as soon as you’re checked out. Ambulance is on the way.”
“I’m going with Carter,” she said just as I reached the door. I paused and glanced back at her.
“No, you ain’t,” I responded.
“I’m not leaving him!” She all but screamed, tears spilling over. We didn’t have time for this.Macdidn’t have time.
“Fine. Let’s go.” I looked at Jameson again. He nodded before he turned away, speaking into his radio again.
Emmy got in the passenger side just as I carefully put Mac on the vehicle’s bench seat. Mac rested his head on Em’s lap.
