Page 100 of Until Tomorrow Comes
“I shot him.” Alan says, drawing my attention away from Jack.
He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed as he props himself up by his shoulder.
“Excuse me?” I ask dumbly.
Alan pushes himself from his spot, tucking his hands in his pockets while he moves to stand at the end of my bed. I don’t take my eyes off him, watching him closely and waiting for him to say something.
His gaze darts to Jackson, dropping briefly on the hand that rests on my thigh but not commenting or reacting to it, before he speaks again.
“I saw the moment he decided he was going to shoot you and I reacted.” He glances at my shoulder, shifting his weight between his feet before continuing. “I just wasn’t fast enough to hit him before he pulled his trigger.”
Closing my eyes, I suck in a deep breath. My heart is pounding in my chest as I replay his words in my head.
“He’s here?” I keep my eyes closed, nausea churning in my stomach at the idea of being in the same building as him.
“Yes…” Alan answers.
The monitor reflects my racing heart as I struggle to get air to my lungs.
“In the morgue.”
My eyes snap open at my brother’s words.
“I’m sorry, what?”
Jackson’s hand tightens on my thigh, but I don’t look away from my brother.
Alan holds my stare, unflinching and unwavering. “Zack is dead.”
A sob rips from my chest, dread changing to relief so fast it does nothing to ease the nausea.
The bed dips at my side and Jackson carefully wraps an arm around me. Still, I don’t look away from my brother.
“Say it again.”
“Zack is dead, Kat. He can’t hurt you anymore.” Alan says, his features softening and a small smile fighting at his lips.
I’m finally free.
My heart pounds heavily and I can’t tell if I’m laughing or crying as Jackson rubs my back.
“Did Dad know?” I ask through my hysterics, looking at Alan. “Did our parents know what “approving” of a marriage to him meant?”
Alan grips the back of his neck, staring at the ground but nodding his head.
“I called them while you were out. Told them what happened, what Zack admitted. They tried giving excuses, but I told them to stay the fuck out of our lives.” He shrugs finally meeting my gaze. “If you want to talk to them at some point, I won’t stop you. But I won’t ever forgive them for putting you in his path.”
Shaking my head, a tear slips free, but I don’t care.
“Are you in trouble? For killing him?” I ask quietly, dread bubbling in my stomach.
Alan lets out a huff, shrugging his shoulder.
“As of right now, no. Thea said since he shot you first, I reacted in self-defense and should be in the clear.”
I blow out a breath, trying to calm myself and rest my head against Jackson’s shoulder.
This time, Alan raises a brow and doesn’t let the affection go unnoticed.
