Page 61 of Ultimate Freedom

“You never loved me, you son of a bitch.”

“Nope. As I told you more than once. Yet you chose not to believe me.”

“You’re scum… a federal agent.”

“Yep. And you’re under arrest. Stop now, and I won’t shoot you.”

“You wouldn’t shoot me anyway or you already would have. You pigs are all alike. Wanna make the arrest and take the criminal alive to look like a hero. Well, that’s not going to happen. It’s either you or me baby and you know my preference.”

“I know. But what you don’t know is that we called in backup, and they’ll be here any minute. So why don’t you stop this crazy shit, drop the gas can and gun, and put your hands over your head.”

Sadie smiled. She did drop the can from her right hand but in a flash, she flipped up the sidearm and shot at Tanner.

That’s when Demi let go of Nito. Before the woman knew what hit her, she was fighting off 150 pounds of canine fury. In seconds it was over.

Bella came out of the cabin, rushing toward Tanner. “Are you hurt? Did she hit you? Let me see.”

Demi whistled to the wolf who backed off but stood guard over his prey. Sadie lay in a heap, blood soaking the snow. By the time Demi had possession of the assault rifle, Sadie had frozen in fear, her hands covering her face.

“You’re lucky to be alive you crazy fool. My friend here wouldn’t have stopped if I hadn’t called him off. I suggest you don’t make any sudden moves because he has a very thin restraint.”

Tanner with Bella wrapped in his arms came towards them and stood over Sadie, his expression filled with disgust. Then he turned to Demi. “Hey lady, that’s the first time you saved us from this kind of danger. Our little sister has grown up.”

Demi grinned. “Hey, it’s not so hard to do if one has a wolf beside them, and they’re fighting to protect what they love.”

Just then, two vehicles approached, speeding into the circle. Dawson, in the first car, rushed to their side. “Hmm, things sure have been a lot busier around here since you moved to town, Demi.”

“Can’t disagree.” Demi handed over the rifle she still held.

Before anything more could be said, Bella let out a groan and doubled over.

“Sweet Jesus. Here we go again.” Demi whipped out her cell phone. “Hey Norrie, tell Lexie we’re on our way. Bella’s water just broke.”

Chapter Thirty-six

In seconds, Tanner had Bella up in his arms and was running toward the cabin, then hesitated when he saw the fire and swung around in circles. Demi ran to him, laughing. “What are you doing? Let her go.”

Bella had started to fight him and then broke into fits of laughter. “Let me down you big ox. Labor’s just started. I’m in no hurry. Put me down, we need to put out the fire before Demi’s home burns to the ground.”

Demi had gone for the pile of buckets they kept in the woodshed and returned to pass them out to the other two deputies ready and willing to help. Dawson already had Sadie locked in the back of his sheriff’s van and was starting to throw mounds of snow at the smaller, closest bits of flame burning through the gas.

Bella helped toss more snow until the pain in her back put an end to that exercise. Slipping away so she wouldn’t be the center of attention, she did what she could by kicking snow at the flames near the ground. Meanwhile, Tanner took the buckets from Demi as they were filled. He then rushed them outside to where the fire had taken hold on Glory’s area. Grabbing the flaming tarp, he flung it away and doused the porch well. Soon, they had put out all the flames and used the water to soak the charred wood for safety.

Thankful the fire hadn’t had sufficient time to do much damage, they surveyed the worst areas, and other than a few broken panes of glass easily repaired, the cabin hadn’t suffered too severely.

By the time they all agreed it was over, Demi had taken Bella inside to help her with a quick shower and change into loose clothing while Tanner and Dawson covered the openwindows with more tarps that Whit kept around. When the women returned carrying Bella’s overnight bag, Tanner was waving goodbye to Dawson and his crew.

“Ready?” He looked toward Demi as if for instructions. “She’s having the baby now, isn’t she?”

Bella interrupted. “Ahh… she and baby are right here, Daddy. And Lexie is waiting for us at the clinic.” When she saw the indecision on his face, she added, “Lexie is a doctor. She knows my history and was prepared for the delivery just in case them came early.”

Demi hugged Nito who hadn’t left her side since the ruckus started. “You watch the cabin, you beautiful little bastard. It’s steak for you when we get back.” She nudged Tanner. “I think I better drive. I wouldn’t trust you not to put us in a ditch the way you’re shaking.”

“Right. Good thinking. Come here, wife. We got a baby to deliver.”

Bella looked over his shoulder at Demi with a sly grin on her face. “Buddy, if we could change places right now, I’d be all for it.”

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