Page 101 of Shattered Vows

Preston towed Alex down the steps and into the yard before finally relaxing his grip around her neck. She gasped, sucking in a desperate breath.

“You fucked him, didn’t you?” he hissed. “I can see it in the way he looks at you. You’re fucking him, aren’t you, you stupid whoring cunt?!” Spit dribbled down his chin as he shouted.

Still gripping the gun, he swung out his hand and crashed the barrel into the side of her head. She dropped to her knees, and bright flashing stars consumed her vision. He grabbed her by the hair again and dragged her farther across the yard. Her teeth rattled in her head.

She gripped his wrist with both hands and struggled to get her feet under her. Losing her balance, she flung out her arms to brace her fall.

Her heart stuttered when her left hand touched metal. A gun. One of the guns she’d thrown out the door. She clamped her fingers around it. Before she could do anything more, Preston’s foot connected with her chest, and her breath left in an agonizing rush. She heard a loud pop, and she gasped for air while white-hot fire blazed across her torso.

Wrenching her hair harder, Preston pressed the muzzle of his gun to her forehead.

“You’re going to beg, Natalie,” he spat, eyes demonic. “Then I’m going to beat that bastard baby out of you, you cheating whore! You’re going tobegme for your life.”

“Never,” she said, her fingers tightening around the cold handle of the gun. Summoning the last of her energy, she raised the gun, aimed it blindly in Preston’s direction, and pulled the trigger. Then again. And again.

Preston cried out and released her, staggering backward.

She dropped to the ground, every part of her on fire. Desperate to get away from him, she managed to push to her knees.

Something connected with her head, and a flash of light exploded across her vision. A split second later, she was on her back. Preston loomed over her, blood oozing from his shoulder and chest. She groaned when his foot landed on her stomach, holding her down.

He pointed his gun at her head. A victorious smile cut across his face. “I’ll see you in hell, bitch.”

She raised her gun once more, her arms trembling uncontrollably. “You first.”

They both pulled their triggers, and the sound of firecrackers filled her head. Throughout her body, nerves detonated. The gun fell from her hands.

Like a slow-motion movie, Preston’s eyes widened with shock, and he dropped to the ground.

In the distance, she heard voices shouting. Seconds later—or it could have been minutes, hours, days, she wasn’t sure—Quinn’s face hovered over her. He was speaking to her, but she couldn’t make out his words.

“I love you,” she tried to whisper, but it felt like she was drowning.

She attempted to lift her hand to his face, but a shocking, fierce pain answered the movement.

And then her world went dark.

CHAPTERFORTY

“Hey, gorgeous.”

Alex blinked away the haze, and Quinn’s face came into focus.

“Hi,” she croaked.

“You know, Doc says he’s pretty tired of coming to the hospital to visit you and that tough little baby.” Quinn’s gray eyes shone bright with emotion. “Stitches, knife wounds, bullet wounds... Said it’s getting to be a bit much, sweetheart.” He kissed her gently on the lips, relief evident on his face. “And frankly, I’m in agreement. No more playing with bad guys for you and the little one.”

“How’re you feeling, doll?” Joe called from the doorway with a smile.

She grimaced as she took in the unfamiliar hospital room. “Like I’ve been run over by a train.” She exhaled slowly. She knew that she was probably on some sort of pain medication, but man, everything hurt.

“Close,” Quinn said. “You got shot.” A shadow passed over his face. Then, just like that, it was gone, and his charming smile was back in place. As if she’d imagined it. “And banged up pretty good. Similar aftereffect.”

She had no idea what this sweet man had been through while she’d been in and out of consciousness, but from the dark circles beneath his eyes, it had been a lot. “How’s Roxie?” she asked.

“She’s fine,” Joe said, walking to the foot of her bed. “She’s already ordering everyone around. Driving everyone mad. Which means she’s pretty much back to normal.” He chuckled, flashing her a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Quinn ran a reverent hand over her, as if he couldn’t quite believe she was truly okay. “So, about this hospital stay, do you want the good news or the bad news?”

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