by Cassie Miles
“Let’s go,” Blue said as he threw the backpack over his shoulder.
“You’re right, son. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Blue grabbed her around the waist and marched her toward the front door.
DREW HELD A GUN in each hand. Glock in the right. Beretta in the left. The next few seconds were crucial.
At least they’d rescued Claudia. Watching through the windows, Drew had seen Harlan and Melinda go into the storage room with Blue. He knew they couldn’t hear well over the hum of the generator. That was when he and Jack made their move. Drew unlocked the door. Jack crept inside, scooped Claudia off the floor and brought her out here.
They could have made their stand against Harlan and Blue at that moment, but Drew didn’t like the logistics. The storage room had no windows and no other access other than the one door. He didn’t want Harlan and Blue barricaded in that small storage room with Melinda as a hostage.
Drew figured that Harlan would search for Claudia. Or, more likely, he’d send Blue. As soon as one or both of them stepped outside, Drew and Jack would attack.
Jack and Claudia hid on the right side of cabin. Drew had taken the opposite side. Whoever left the cabin—Blue or Harlan—would probably come in Drew’s direction, which led to the road. And he’d be waiting.
They all came at once. Blue, Melinda and Harlan.
Blue was in front. Dressed all in black like a giant shadow, he held an automatic in his right hand. His left arm wrapped around Melinda’s waist.
She was bleeding from a wound on her temple, but she didn’t look scared. Her jaw was set. Her eyes blazed with anger as she struggled against his grasp.
Drew tried for a moment to get a shot at Blue. But he couldn’t risk hitting Melinda by mistake. They were coming this way. He flattened his back against the exterior cabin wall and waited, hoping to time his attack for the right moment.
Using the element of surprise, he might be able to pry Melinda free from Blue’s grasp before the big man was aware of what was happening.
Dealing with Harlan would be Jack’s problem. Drew hoped the pre-cog was a good shot.
Blue came around the corner. Drew lunged. He tackled Blue around the midsection, yanking his gun hand down.
The three of them—Drew, Melinda and Blue—crashed to the ground. He heard shots being fired. Harlan screamed. Drew kept his focus on Blue. His grip on Melinda had loosened when he fell, and she fought her way free.
On the ground, he grappled with Blue. It was an uneven match. Blue had the advantage in weight and height, but Drew had motivation. His strength was multiplied tenfold. He had to win this fight. He had everything to live for.
He heard Jack yell, “Get away from him so I can get a shot.”
Drew loosened his grip.
In an instant, Blue was on his feet. He ran without looking back, dodged behind Jack’s SUV. He raised his gun.
Drew saw that Melinda was directly in his line of fire. He leaped in front of her. His only thought was to protect her and the baby.
A bullet burrowed into his chest. Hot lead. It felt like a molten poker stabbing through him. He lurched to his feet and returned fire.
Blue took off running. Clutching the strap of a backpack, he disappeared into the darkness of the surrounding forest.
Drew felt his knees buckle. He collapsed in the dirt.
ON THE MATTRESS where they’d made love, Melinda cradled Drew’s head against her breast. He was unconscious. Though she felt his heart beating, his pulse grew weaker by the moment. She could feel him slipping away.
Claudia stood beside her. “Is there anything I can do?”
“The bleeding stopped,” Melinda said. They’d taken off his jacket, holster and shirt. She’d washed his wound, but there was no need for a bandage. He wasn’t bleeding externally. “I don’t know what else to do. Regular first-aid procedures don’t apply to Drew. He has to heal himself.”
When Jack had carried him inside, Drew’s breathing had been forced. She assumed his lung was pierced by the bullet. Now, he barely breathed at all. It was almost as though he’d given up the fight.
She squeezed his limp hand. No, damn it, no. You can’t die. Not now. Not ever.
Jack pushed open the front door of the cabin and stalked inside. His expression showed discouragement.
Claudia went to him. “Did you catch Blue?”
“He made it to his vehicle and drove away.” Jack came closer to the mattress. “How is he?”
“He’ll make it.”
With all her heart, she believed Drew would survive. He’d never been shot before, and she had no idea what kind of damage had been done to his internal organs. But she believed in his ability. His body would repair itself.
“I want to call for medical help,” Jack said. “I need to inform the FBI that Harlan is dead.”
“Promise me,” Melinda said, “that he won’t be given a hero’s burial.”
Harlan had betrayed everything he should have represented. He was worse than a common criminal, and she was glad that Jack had shot him when he came out of the cabin.
“Should I make the call?”
Drew wouldn’t want the FBI to know the location of his cabin. Nor would he want to be treated by the medical establishment. But if they could help him…
A shudder went through his body. He exhaled a gasp.
She rested her hand against his chest. And felt nothing.
His heart had stopped.
It was over.
She held him tightly against her. Hot tears streaked down her cheeks. “I love you,” she whispered. “Drew, you can’t leave me. I love you.”
Inside, she was cold and empty. How the hell could she go on living without him? He died protecting her and the baby. He’d given his life for her.
She stroked his forehead. His body was still warm. She pressed her lips against his for one last kiss.
He responded. Am I dreaming?
No, he was definitely kissing her back.
His eyelids opened. He whispered, “I love you, too.”
She felt his pulse. It was strong. “Are you—”
“Not dead.” His arm lifted and he touched the place on his bare chest where he’d been shot. “Not dead yet.”
“Son of a bitch,” Jack said. “You made it.”
Drew nodded slowly. “Give us some privacy, okay?”
“You got it, buddy.” Jack took Claudia’s hand and led her toward the door. “Whatever you want.”
When the door closed behind them, Drew looked into her eyes. “There’s something I need to give you.”
“It still hurts, doesn’t it? The bullet wound.”
“Oh, yeah.”
She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You should rest. You don’t have to give me a goddamned thing.”
His eyebrows raised. “You swore.”
“I’ve been a little tense.”
His grin was the most wonderful sight she’d ever seen. He dug into his jeans pocket and took out her Swiss Army watch. “I promised to bring this back to you.”
“Thank you.”
When she reached for it, he held the band. “It’s not a ring, but I want it to mean something. As long as you have this watch, we have all the time in the world. Together.”
She was crying again. This time, from happiness. “You and me. And the baby.”
“Marry me, Melinda.”
“Yes.” She fastened the watch onto her wrist. For the rest of her life, she would live with this remarkable man. “Oh, golly, yes.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5032-5
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