Page 72 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

Sirens were already sounding in the background. It gave me hope. As I stared into Bell’s pleading, terrified eyes, I could feel my heart break.

“Red truck. Sounds like the one that attacked you before.”

“Apply pressure,” Chase said, already reaching for my hand. “Apply a good amount and don’t let go until the ambulance gets here. I have to go.”

“What? You’re leaving?” I molded my palm to the cloth as he stood.

“I’ll be back. Palo, call Max and Ed to come get Kit.”

Chase was already rushing around the rack, out of view.

“Father, don’t go. Not alone.”

I could see the confliction in Palo’s eyes. He didn’t want to leave Weston, but he didn’t want to not go with Chase either.

“I’ll be fine!”

The faraway sound of his voice told me he was already running. Already trying to hurry so he could catch up to the red truck that had shot at him before.

“Goddammit!” Palo yelled out, getting back on his phone.

The sirens grew closer. Chase’s engine roared in the background and I could almost see him take off at a fast speed.

“Ple-ase,” Bell sobbed.

“It’s going to be okay. They’ll be here soon.” My hand stroked her short hair back as I tried to give assurance. She couldn’t have been much older than me. Maybe twenty-eight. It left my stomach tight with fear. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to go home. To Chase’s home. I was protected there with his alarm system and safe room. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be content without it again. Not even if I returned to Florida, states away. My mind was in such shock, I couldn’t stop the flow of tears.

Shuffling in the distance had me shaking. Fear kept my eyes on Bell’s. I wouldn’t let her see me afraid if someone was coming to kill us. She’d watch me be strong. Focused on her.

“Daddy?” she gasped out through the blood in her mouth.

I turned, seeing an older man jetting toward us. He sunk to his knees, pulling her into his lap as he pushed my hand out of the way to apply pressure.

“It’s okay, baby. The paramedics were coming around the corner when I came in. It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”

He repeated the words, over and over. I eased back, turning to run toward Palo. Weston was groaning, trying to sit up. Palo held him down on his side, refusing to let him stand.

“Max and Ed are on their way. Are you going to be okay if I go with Weston to the hospital?”

Conflicted. Yes, Palo was still confused about what to do.

“I’ll be fine. Stay with Weston.”

“Are you sure? How are you, you okay?”

I looked down at the blood stained around the wrist of my shirt from Bell. The material covering her wound was already soaked through completely. She was losing so much blood.

“I’m okay. You need to stay with him. Chase will be back home soon anyway. We’ll try to make it up there as fast as we can.”

The hum of voices were growing outside. I cautiously stood, seeing a police officer arriving with the ambulance already unloading a stretcher. People were beginning to crowd around. Nausea left me fighting to get control of myself.

“Fuck,” Weston groaned. “I can’t fucking breathe.”

“They’re here, buddy, just hold on a little longer.” Palo stood, waving his hand at the two paramedics who were headed our way. “Hurry the fuck up, Ronnie! Shit.”

At seeing Palo, the men increased their pace. The police officer was right behind them as another began signaling for the crowd to back off. The room spun and I held the rack for stability. This was all too much and knowing Chase was out there in search of the man who did this wasn’t making it any easier.

Chapter 24

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