Page 70 of Never Fear (Whiskey Ridge)
The life seeping out of me didn’t hurt as badly as I’d expected.
Chapter 27
Austin
My finger was pulling the trigger one moment, and my feet were moving the next. I’d never moved so fast in my life, running straight for McKenna where she lay with the gun still in her mouth.
Monica’s body immediately slumped to the ground, her blood seeping out onto the rough concrete. I’d shot her in the back, right at the base of her spine so if the bullet went through, it would likely hit the ground rather than McKenna. I couldn’t risk her, but the moment Monica brought that gun to her lips, I saw red.
Fuck, I saw red the moment I found McKenna missing. Walking in here had only heightened it. Pretending like I didn’t care—like I didn’t see every injury on McKenna’s shaking form—was the hardest fucking thing I’d ever had to do.
With her head laid back, I pulled the gun from her mouth and chucked it as far as I fucking could. Then I cradled her head and gathered her to my chest. She sobbed violently as I pulled out my knife and cut the rope tetheringher to the ground. I tossed the blade aside and slammed a hard kick into the dead man laying across her legs. He was heavy, too heavy for her to move, and I almost wished he were still alive—just so I could kill him again.
“I love you,” I murmured into her knotted hair, rocking her back and forth on my lap before I tore off my mask. “I’ve got you.”
Her hands shook violently where she’d fisted them in my shirt, and the feeling tore me apart. Fuck, all of this did. I’d never let her out of my sight again.
But I’d made that vow before, and I’d fucked it up.
I let her get hurt, let her feel the pain I’d vowed to absorb if it ever came to her. And now here she was, in my arms, and I didn’t even know if the blood on my sweatshirt was hers or someone else’s and that shouldneverbe a question. It should always be theirs. Always the one who dared to harm her.
A hand cupped my cheek, a thumb wiping at my skin delicately. I looked down to find an ocean of blue staring back at me. An ocean that, if given the pleasure, I’d happily drown in for the rest of my days, over and over. I’d get lost in the sea that was McKenna and never come back up for air because to die at her hand would be my greatest honor. For allowing this to happen to her, I deserved it.
“You’re crying,” McKenna whispered, eyes darting between my own.
“You’re hurt.”
“Austin.” My name was a broken plea on her cracked lips. “It’s not your fault.”
I gently dropped my head to hers, hands framing her face. “I shouldn’t have pulled over for that fucking cop.”
I’d kill him.
“You’re not killing an officer.”
I hadn’t meant to say it aloud.
“Look at me,” she commanded.
I obeyed.
“They weren’t going to stop until they caught me.”
“I could have killed them before they got to you?—”
“Stop.” Another tear tracked down her cheek, making a path through dried blood. “You didn’t, and it’s fine. This is not your burden to bear.”
I shook my head because she didn’t get it.
“She’s right.”
My arms tensed around McKenna as I turned to the voice, finding Henley standing where I’d been moments ago, about to watch the woman I loved die.
He surveyed the bloody mess around us, face blank and hands tucked in his sweatshirt pockets as he moved in our direction. “You carry a lot on your shoulders, Austin.” His gaze flicked over McKenna’s form on my lap, likely checking if she was okay. “McKenna’s stronger than you give her credit for. Be thankful she’s alive and move on from this.” He nudged his chin in the direction of the bodies. “I’ll clean them up.”
Movement in my lap pulled my attention to where McKenna was rubbing her raw wrists. I covered her hand with my own, curling my fingers around hers. Then I looked back at Henley. “I am thankful. That doesn’t make me any less mad.”
“Then be mad.” He stopped at the foot of the man’s body, nudging it with his boot. “But get the fuck out of here.”
