Page 130 of Stella
Brew glances at me. “Can you quit already?”
“No! I’m panicking. It’s been ages.”
“It hasn’t, it just feels like it. Trust me, we took everyone out partaking in this hostile takeover,” he goes on. “No need to get your panties in a twist.”
I turn to him. “You know I almost got buried alive?”
“That wasn’t gonna happen, you’d have clawed your way out.”
I know he’s teasing, but I still want to punch him. “Did you make sure Erica and Olive were okay?”
“Of course he did.” Haze slaps him on the back. “And Willow took out a couple of Vanders’ men. That woman can really shoot.”
“So can Princess here.” Brew flicks his thumb toward me. “Rumor has it you made your first kill.”
“Well, I didn’t mean to kill him, but he did kidnap me and tie my hands and feet, then he gagged me. The worst part?” I roll my eyes. “He wanted to split the check.”
Brew scratches his head. “I’m not followin’.”
“Ugh, I had a date with him a while back. He took offense because I didn’t wanna sleep with him, or see him again, and I guess took that opportunity to stalk and take pictures of me. Vanders’ little puppet,” I spit. “Hashtag not sorry.”
“You’re a firecracker,” Haze laughs. “Seriously. You keep me young.”
“Stay down,” Brew says, shoving me to the ground as sirens get closer. An ambulance pulls up and drives through the gate just up from where we’re crouched.
His phone rings. “It’s Riot,” he announces before answering. “Brother? Yep, we’re still here. No, she’s with us, but an ambulance is headed your way, and a bunch of cop cars. When? Okay, will do.” He hangs up. “The good cops are arrivin’, accordin’ to Riot, it’s the guys that aren’t under the control of criminals in uniform, courtesy of Troy Shepherd.”
“Did he say how Cale was?” I stare at him wide-eyed.
“Oh, yeah, he said to stall you because…” He grips my shoulders with both hands and stares me down.Uh, oh.
“Because?”
“Callaghan got shot.”
My eyes widen. “Oh, my god. Is he gonna be okay?”
“Breathe, Stella. He’s gonna pull through. They’re bringin’ him out now. Apparently his dog saved the day.”
I think my soul just left my body.Cale got shot?
“H-how do you know?” I stammer. “That he’ll be okay?”
“He’s Cash Hudson’s kid.” Haze shrugs. “We all know how tough Cash is; Callaghan is no different.”
I don’t think, shoving Brew off me, I start running.
“Fuck,” I hear Brew and Haze mutter in unison, but I don’t care. I run like my ass is on fire.
Cale! I’m coming!
Please let him be okay. Please let him be fucking okay!
My life flashes before my eyes, and I run without stopping until I reach the ambulance outside the tomb.
“Let me see him! Cale!” I screech as I see him being placed on the stretcher. He’s bleeding, and Calli runs to me, nudging me with her head.
I cup her face and kiss her, reaching for Cale at the same time. “Cale?” I breathe as they stop to load him into the back. “You’re-you’re hurt!”
