King of Pain (Lords of Las Vegas #5)

Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Kate

The sound of a loud metal bang makes me lift my head.

Dropping the sponge, I head to the living room. The view out the window makes my blood run cold.

It’s Gorilla and he’s got Luke trapped.

Spinning, I race to the bedroom and throw open the closet door. I know Mark keeps a shotgun in here.

Sure enough, it’s there. Next to it is a box of cartridges.

I haven’t fired this gun, or any gun, in years, but I remember the basics as I release the lever and break open the barrel, stuffing two shells in before I close it up. Starting down the hall, I switch off the safety.

That’s when I hear the hood of the truck slam again. My hands shaking, I push open the screen door just in time to see Gorilla come around the truck.

My heart nearly stops when I see Luke on the ground.

Gorilla sees me too and stops. “Ciao, bellissima.”

I don’t respond as I lift the shotgun and wrap my finger around the trigger. I don’t think, I just pull.

Gorilla dives behind the truck but I see his body jerk and I think I hit him somewhere. But I don’t drop the gun.

I’ve got another shot.

And I doubt this is over.

I’m shaking as I scan the yard. I don’t want to leave the porch. I’m covered on at least one side with the house behind me. If I leave its safety, I give him a chance to get behind me.

Then again, I haven’t seen a single movement since the first shot.

Is he dead behind the truck? Did I just kill a man?

A little sob catches in my throat.

I’m a doctor. Almost. I save lives…

But that’s when I see him. Crouched low, he’s almost reached the woods toward the road.

I gasp in a breath again as I aim the gun. But before I can squeeze off another shot, he’s gone. Disappearing into the woods.

I race down the stairs to Luke. Setting down the gun, I’m relieved when I touch him and he’s still warm.

Taking a deep breath, I check for a pulse, it’s there and strong. I don’t see any visible injuries, but I quickly run my hands over him, checking for contusions or broken bones, but it’s just a quick scan.

Grabbing the gun, I get up. I hold it out as I slowly spin, making sure Gorilla hasn’t doubled back.

I don’t see him, but I do see the trail of blood. I choke as I race back up the steps and into the house, grabbing the phone.

I’m back outside in a second, sliding to the ground next to Luke, the gun still in my hand.

I need help.

Picking up, I call the last number on the call list.

A deep male voice picks up on the second ring. “Luke?”

“No,” I gasp. “Please. It’s Kate.”

“Kate,” he repeats. “What’s wrong?”

“Mason?”

“It’s me.”

“Luke is hurt. We need help.”

“Hurt? How?”

“Gorilla… I mean Guerriero is here. I don’t know how he knocked Luke out. I was in the house.”

“He knocked Luke out? Where is Guerriero now?”

“I’m not sure,” I cry, a sob escaping my lips. I can feel myself getting hysterical. I try to breathe. “I shot him and he ran off.”

“You shot him?” Mason’s voice rises with every word.

“I know. It’s bad.” Luke moans and I lower the gun, reaching for him, placing my hand over his chest.

“You’re fine,” Mason says, his voice taking on this soothing tone. “You did the right thing. What’s wrong with Luke?”

“Knocked out,” I say, my voice breaking. “I don’t know how.”

He holds the phone away from his mouth, barking several orders, but he must cover the mouthpiece because I can’t hear the words, just the tone.

“You still have the gun?”

“Yeah.”

“Bullets?”

“One in the barrel, more in the house.”

“What did you shoot him with?”

“Bird shot, I think.”

“You probably didn’t kill him then,” Mason says. “And I’m sending help. The chopper will be there in half an hour.”

“Chopper? Half hour?”

“This is important, Kate. Keep the gun up. Keep alert.”

I draw in a shaky breath. “Keep alert.”

Luke’s heartbeat is strong under my hand has he moans again. I lift his head the slightest bit, feeling his skull.

He’s got a lump on the back of his head. I can only hope that’s the worst of his injuries. “Luke?”

I hear Mason rumble as Luke’s eyes blink open. “Luke,” I gasp out, relief making me limp. “There you are.”

His stare back at me is blank, which has me stiffening in fear again.

“Here I am?” It’s a question as he slowly lifts a hand, looking at me in confusion. “What did you say my name was again?”

“Fuck,” Mason whispers as I give Luke a tremulous smile.

“Your name is Luke Kincaid. We’re at my stepfather’s cabin.”

“And who are you, gorgeous?”

Well, at least he’s using nicknames, even if it’s not the right one. “My name is Kate.” Medical experience is kicking in. “But your preferred nickname for me is love.”

“Love,” he inspects my face and then smiles. “I’ve got good taste.”

I feel myself blush all over again. Does he really think so? Granted, this meet and greet isn’t much less dramatic then our real first meeting. But I needed rescuing then and I was worried that was part of my appeal. “You also like kitten, princess, and beautiful. Nicknames are kind of your thing.”

He reaches up and strokes my cheek. “Are old trucks my thing too?”

“Kate,” Mason rumbles in my ear. “Don’t forget to keep watch.”

My eyes snap up and with it, the barrel of the gun.

“We have trouble?” Luke asks, his voice taking on a serious tone. I look back down at him for the briefest second. Is he working himself up to protect me? Oh, this man.

“Put Luke on the phone,” Mason says.

“It’s your cousin and business associate, Mason Kincaid,” I say and place the phone against Luke’s ear.

I scan the woods, doing as Mason said, but I can still hear the conversation.

“Hello?”

“Luke. Are you all right?”

“No idea.”

“Then you’re fine. If you can do one thing, it’s truck through a pile of shit and then you just keep going.”

“Got it.”

“I’ve sent help, the helicopter will be there in the next fifteen minutes.”

“Helicopter?” Luke looks down at his grease-covered shirt, pulling it away from his chest. “I’m at an old cabin with an even older truck. This doesn’t seem like a helicopter setting, and I don’t seem like a helicopter guy.”

Mason pauses. “It’s a really long story. I think Kate can tell you most of it. But to fill in the details for you, you’re sleeping with her, but it’s a… convenient arrangement.”

My heart stutters in my chest. It’s my fear said out loud. Did Luke tell Mason this? Is that how he really feels? Is he still lying to me? Manipulating?

My fingers flex on his chest and Luke’s eyes meet mine. There is no wince, his gaze is as steady as a mountain. Then again, he has no memory. “I see.”

“What matters is getting our business to the next level to provide the safety and security we need to survive.” Mason clears his throat. “It’s where you are invaluable.”

“I understand.” Luke’s eyes still hold mine.

“And she’s got medical training, so listen to her about any injuries.”

Sleeping with her. The words echo through my head again as I rest Luke’s head in my lap.

It’s the dismissive tone. Like he expected nothing less, and I mean very little.

Then again… will Luke remember any of the promises we made? Did he mean them?

My breath hitches as the distant sound of chopper blades punctuate the quiet. I’m not getting an answer now. About a million questions will come before this one.

But in my head, the words echo. Do we have a future? My heart wants the answer to be yes.

But I’ve always worried that I’m a convenient distraction before Luke goes back to his family and his life.

And Mason just validated my worst fear.