Page 85 of Tango
“If he dies, I won’t help you,” I choke out.
“If you don’t help me, I’ll ensure he dies.” Darren throws me to the ground. “Now, I suggest you move quickly. Lover boy is losing a lot of blood.”
Chapter 29
Tucker
There haven’t been many moments in my life when I’ve been utterly and completely afraid. In most high-risk moments, I’m relatively good at keeping my head. But as I lie here, slowly bleeding to death from two bullet wounds to my abdomen, watching as Alice is marched toward a computer, tears streaming down her cheeks, I can honestly admit I’m terrified.
“You know what to do,” Darren orders.
Alice hesitates.
“Don’t do it,” I tell her. “They’re going to kill us anyway.”
Darren glares at me for a moment before crossing over and pressing the barrel of his gun into one of the bullet wounds. Pain shoots through my body, fire spreading through my veins and searing every inch of me.
I grind my teeth together, doing what I can to keep from yelling.
“Stop! Fine! I’ll do it!” Alice yells. She rushes toward me, but Ramiro, sporting a busted lip and broken nose, grabs her by the arm and pulls her back.
“He’s not playing around, Alice. Do what needs to be done so this can all be over. Don’t you want this to end?”
“With you dead, sure,” she snarls as she rips her arm free from Ramiro’s grip then slams her fist into his chin. “Touch me again, and I’ll make you regret it.”
He balls his hand into a fist and starts toward her, but Darren whistles. “Knock it off. Your lovers’ quarrel can wait. Do what I’ve asked, Alice, or I’ll put a bullet right here.” He presses the weapon to my temple.
I stare at her, urging her to ignore him and do what’s right.
But I see the defeat in her tear-filled crystal gaze.
“Fine. Apply pressure to his wounds, and I’ll do it.”
Darren grins. “Fair enough. Ramiro, you do the honors. I imagine causing Hunt some pain will bring you joy.”
“Not a problem.” Ramiro crosses the floor, his gaze murderous. How this guy is related at all to Frank, I’ll never understand. He kneels where Darren was crouching only seconds ago, then shreds two pieces of fabric from the bottom part of my shirt, balls them up, and presses them to both of my wounds with far more pressure than necessary.
I choke on a groan, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much pain I’m in. Every second that passes, my body grows colder. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, I’m not going to last long enough to do anyone any good.
Tears burn in my eyes, so I close them.
Lord, please be with us. If I don’t survive, protect Alice. Please let Dylan find happiness, God. Please. I don’t want to die, but if it’s my time, let Your will be done. But, please, please save them.
I open my eyes right as Alice turns toward the computer.
“Good girl,” Darren mutters as Alice begins typing on the keyboard.
He hovers over her, and she turns to glare at him. “I work better when someone isn’t breathing on my neck.”
He presses the barrel of the gun to her back. “I don’t care. I’m going to watch and make sure you do it.”
“I didn’t realize you knew how to do anything but shoot people.” Her tone is sweet but laced with venom, and it brings a half smile to my face.
That’s my girl.
My girl.
Will I ever get the chance for that to be true?
