Page 316 of 7+Us Makes Nine

He got a phone out and dialed a number. He turned to me, shrugging. “Let’s find out, shall we?”

His face dropped after a while. I guessed there was no answer. He dialed again. Nothing. Tried another number, I guessed. Still nothing.

He threw the phone against the wall in a rage.

“Fuck!” He rose and started pacing, striding back and forth.

Light flashed in my eyes as he slapped me across the face. A hard, backhand that sent me tumbling.

“It’s your fault! Couldn’t keep your mouth shut. Or your legs closed!” he spat, finger in my face.

I feared he’d start beating me, but he merely gritted his teeth and stood up.

I heard a car approaching in the distance, engine revving wildly.

Conall smiled.

“Here he comes to save the day. This’ll be fun!” He drew out a massive revolver, a hand spinning the chamber. He was laughing.

“This is my favorite part! The part where I win!”

His blood-drenched henchman stumbled to the door, leaning on the frame, panting.

“He’s here, boss!”

He had a silver gun in his hand. Shark drew out a pistol from the back of his pants, cold eyes narrowing as he turned to face the parking lot.

TWENTY-ONE

Jack

I made good time, flaunting the speed limit as I tore towards the motel.

This is it, Jack. Focus.

I allowed myself a moment to dwell on Eden, her face appearing in my mind. Her words echoed in my head.

I think I love you too, babe. Damn. I’m coming to get you. Hang in there.

I spotted the motel in the distance and considered my options, my mind cold and calculating. Discretion was not an option. The motel was on the right side of the road, and the rooms were lined up facing away from my approach. I saw a figure poke his head out from behind the edge of the row of buildings.

He disappeared after spotting me. I sped to the motel, opening the driver’s window as I approached. A mad plan formed in my mind. I took my glock from my holster and swiftly replaced the clip, setting the half-empty clip on the passenger seat beside me.

I took a deep breath as I reached the motel and focused my mind. Time seemed to slow perceptibly, and my vision was clear, crisp. I broke sharply and turned to the right, slamming on the handbrake. I pointed my gun out the window as the car screamed into the parking lot.

I could see two thugs, one cowering behind a car and one half out of an open motel room door. The guy behind the car was in my line of sight briefly as I passed.

I squeezed the trigger wildly, sending a hail of 9mm bullets at him in quick succession. I saw him flinch as the first few bullets hit him, then his head snapped back violently, blood spraying in a brutal cloud.

The car came to a stop, dust swirling around me and obscuring my vision. I surveyed the scene down the sights of my glock. I could make out three large, male figures. Two inside the room. One at the door. The guy at the door was hurt, badly. A gut wound was leaking blood through a poorly applied makeshift bandage.

Where is Eden? Did she get away? If so, why are you still here, Conall? No, she’s gotta be in there. If he’s hurt her…

Violent images of retribution flashed across my mind. It would take all of my restraint to stay calm if anything had happened to her, to make the arrest rather than put him down. I steeled myself, opening the car door with my left hand as I stepped out.

I jumped over the bonnet and took cover behind the car.

“Police! Come out with your hands up! No one else has to die today!” I shouted, knowing what the response would be. A couple gunshots rang out, pinging off the car. I ducked my head instinctively.

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