Page 46 of Captured Pawn
“Don’t mess with me, Nick! I’m serious.” Angela’s voice cracked, betraying her own dangerous anger.
“You seem pretty sure of yourself. You may put one in me, but at this range, it won’t stop me. You know I’ll overpower you, and I won’t hesitate to put you down. Now that I know you betrayed my best friend, you’re as good as dead to me already,” I warned, moving inch by inch closer.
I saw something close to regret flash on Angela’s face before she hardened herself, the ugly grimace from before returning.
“Then maybe I need to put a bullet where it might hurt you the worst.”
I saw her moving her arm in the direction of Sophie as the meaning of her threat became clear. On instinct, I jumped into action, keeping my body between the gun and Sophie as I rushed forward to tackle Angela.
We both fell to the carpet under the velocity of my takedown. My hands were on the barrel of the gun as we struggled for control. Despite the fact that I was stronger and heavier, Angela had the advantage of her finger on the trigger.
The deafening sound of the gun firing in the enclosed room ricocheted next to my ear as the burst of agony exploded in my chest.
“You bitch… I can’t believe you shot me,” I shouted, still struggling for control of the weapon. It was more important now than ever as I knew I had a limited time before blood loss and the bullet would render me useless.
As we wrestled on the floor, Sophie joined the fray.
“Get back, Sophie! Get out of here,” I shouted as I felt myself losing strength. When she didn’t listen, I begged, “Go get help at the main house!”
During our struggle, I caught a glimpse of the gaping wound, blood pumping out to the accelerated beat of my heart. Panic took hold—not that I could die, but that if I lost consciousness, Angela would turn the gun on Sophie next, and that would be unbearable. Not only would that mean utter failure of my promise to Matt to keep her safe, but it would mean I wouldn’t be able to keep her in my life like I so desperately wanted.
With a final rally of strength, I took advantage of Sophie wrestling with Angela to pull back my arm and deliver a gut-punch to my enemy. The last thing I saw as my vision grew dark was the fury on Angela’s face as she turned her anger in Sophie’s direction.
I’m so sorry, Matty. I’ve failed you.
CHAPTER19
Sophie
I was in a fight for my life… literally. While I wasn’t excessively strong or dangerous, I had one major advantage in this battle—my unbridled fury at the woman who was not only responsible for the death of my beloved brother, but who had also shot the only man to ever make me feel beautiful and sexy.
Growing up a tomboy with only a father and brother as role models, the judo lessons of my childhood came roaring back as I fought for the upper hand. I wasn’t sure I’d be strong enough until a line of Nick’s blood soaked into my peripheral view.
It infuriated me.
I was not able to save Matty in his final moments, but I’d be damned if I was going to let this bitch kill Nick too. In a surge of power, I wrestled the butt of the gun out of Angela’s hands, turning it just enough to reach the trigger.
The room exploded with the sound of the gunshot and for a second, I waited to feel the corresponding pain. But it didn’t come. Instead, the full weight of Angela fell forward, pushing me onto my back on the carpet as she collapsed on top of me.
Only then was I able to roll her off my body. I snatched the gun from between us and tossed it across the room, out of reach in case she regained the strength to go for it.
Leaving Angela moaning in pain, I rushed to Nick’s side, rolling him from his stomach to his back so I could get a look at what I was dealing with.
The hole where the bullet had entered was gushing blood. Reaching out, I yanked the comforter from the bed and pressed it against the wound, hoping to slow his blood loss.
I needed help. Nick needed a hospital.
Had anyone up at the main house heard the gunshots?
About thirty long seconds ticked by and when no one came bursting in, I knew I couldn’t wait around for help. I pushed to my feet, wobbling as I glanced around frantically for a phone. Finding none, I rushed from the bedroom, still naked with Nick’s cum spilling down my inner thigh.
In the kitchen, I frantically looked around but again, found no phone. Finally, I fell to my knees and grabbed Nick’s jeans, feeling into his pocket, and coming out with his cell phone.
I let out a growl of frustration when I was unable to unlock it. With trembling fingers, I press the smallEmergencyon the front lock screen, ready to call 911. But I swear I heard Matty’s voice telling me to stop.
Think, Sophie… think.
If I called 911, there would be so many questions that I knew I wouldn’t want to answer. I’d shot Angela… yes, in self-defense, but I’d shot her, nonetheless. And there was no way the police wouldn’t figure out that we’d broken into the Bishop estate tonight if they started digging around.
