Page 147 of Tapped

It only takes one shot.

Evie screams.

The bullet goes straight through his head.

His arms go slack, but he still takes her down with him.

Brax and I rush them from opposite sides. Officers swarm the building and come out from where they were covering us behind trucks and a boat.

I pull Evie into my arms as Brax kicks Koening’s gun across the concrete floor. I can’t get her out of here fast enough.

I swing her legs over my arm and hold her to my chest where she grips the lapels of my suit.

Her tears stream down my neck where her face is pressed.

“Shhh, baby,” I calm her as I get her out of the building. “It’s over.”

One of the officers calls for an ambulance before she reports the scene that just unfolded.

Evie hiccups. “Micah.”

“Don’t talk. Let me check you out.”

“No.” She shakes her head, pulls her face from my neck, and lays a hand on the side of my face. “Micah, please. Stop.”

“What, baby.” I can’t help it. I’m anxious and out of patience. One side of her face is scraped from top to bottom, she’s got a gash in her foot, and tears stain her beautiful face. “I want to get you as far away from this fucking place as I can. We might not wait for the ambulance. I’ll drive you to the hospital myself.”

She lays a finger over my lips, but it’s her tone that stops me in my tracks. “I love you.”

My hold on her tightens.

Her dark eyes don’t stop crying as she slays me. “I should’ve said it before. I mean I said it, but I took it back. I’m sorry. I meant it with all my heart and don’t care if I freak you out. I love you. I love the way you are with Chase. You didn’t know what you were getting into with us. I’m so sorry, but I love you.”

I take two steps and set her ass on the hood of Brax’s car. Then, careful for the cuts on her cheek, I take her face and press my lips to hers.

I can’t get enough.

Finally, when I hear commotion behind us and sirens in the distance, I force myself to drag my lips from hers. “Fuck, I think I loved you the day I held you down on your floor. There was nothing more I wanted than to be close to you. I love you so fucking much, baby. You and Chase. Damn the germs, maybe I’ll be as strong as you someday. I want you forever. Both of you.”

She falls into my arms.

Where she’ll stay for the rest of my life.

36

BY THE BALLS

Evie

Micah reaches across the bed where I’m resting and steals the remote. “You’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.”

He’s right, but when you’re in the headlines, it’s hard to look away.

The news.

It’s like I can’t get away from the bad decision that is Jeff Michaels.

“I can’t help it. It’s everywhere.”

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