Chapter 40
Forty
“ Y ou son of a bitch! Come here!” Asher grabbed at Bradley’s clothing, scrambling to get a hold on the man after he’d kicked out of Asher’s grip. At least he wasn’t armed anymore. When Esther went down, he’d run at the man, knocking the gun free from his hand. It had skittered under the table, out of reach of anyone. Asher wanted to use the shiv still tucked into his belt, but didn’t dare take one hand to reach for it. He was having enough trouble getting a grip on Bradley.
“Asher, please! She needs help!”
The plea in Connie’s voice finally registered. He glanced back, his muscles freezing as he saw the growing pool of blood surrounding Esther.
His momentary lapse was all Bradley needed. A booted foot landed on Asher’s cheek. He fell back with a grunt, momentarily stunned.
Bradley’s gaze caught his. For a second, his eyes flicked toward the gun. It was past Asher, beneath the table. The debate in his gaze brought some awareness back to Asher’s brain. He shifted, ready to stop him.
But Bradley didn’t do what he expected. Instead, he turned and ran. A moment later, Asher heard the front door open, then slam shut.
“Asher!”
The panic in Connie’s voice banished every thought he had about going after him.
He got to his feet and hurried to her side. Esther was unconscious.
“We need to find a phone and call for help.”
Connie’s eyes widened, and she reached behind her back, shoving her hand beneath her shirt. “I forgot! She told me to hide it so we could be tracked.” When she brought her hand out, she held a cellphone. With a few taps, she called for help.
Asher glanced around, looking for something to staunch the flow of blood from Esther’s abdomen. “Leah, see if you can find a towel.”
The girl got up, moving away. Asher put his hands over the hole in Esther’s shirt and pushed. She groaned but didn’t open her eyes.
He felt moisture gather in his as blood welled between his fingers. God, this was not happening . “Hang in there, Essy,” he whispered. “You can’t die on me.”
“I found some!” Leah thrust some kitchen towels in front of him.
Asher took them and pressed them to Esther’s belly. “How long until the ambulance gets here, Connie?” She was losing so much blood. If they didn’t get her help soon—he didn’t want to think about it.
Connie held up a finger, giving the dispatcher directions to their location. He was glad Bradley hadn’t blindfolded her and Esther on the way here.
“Ten minutes,” Connie said, finally.
A grimace crossed Asher’s face. That was too long. But they didn’t have a choice. He’d just have to do everything he could to keep her from bleeding out until then.
Connie hung up with the dispatcher. “What do you want me to do?”
“Do you know if she called our friends to help find me and Leah?”
“Yes.”
“Is one of them Edie? Or Ford?”
“Edie. I met her.”
“Okay, call her. Get her here so we can get the team on finding Bradley.” He rattled off Edie’s phone number from memory. “Put the call on speaker.”
Connie dialed.
“Hello?” Edie’s voice came over the line, cautious.
“Edie, it’s Asher.”
“Holy shit, you’re alive!”
Despite the seriousness of their situation, he couldn’t stop the chuckle that slipped out at the incredulity in her tone. “I am. But we have a few problems. Esther’s been shot and Bradley got away.”
A short pause came over the line.
“Tell me you’re joking. Or that I heard you wrong.”
“No. She—” He stopped, having to swallow around the sudden lump in his throat. “She dove in front of me. Bradley was going to kill me, and she dove in front of the bullet.” He swallowed again, blinking back tears. “She’s alive, but unconscious. The bullet hit something vital because she’s bleeding heavily. Connie already called for help. She said you’re in town, and I know you’re going to want to come here, but I need you to track down that asshole.”
“Asher—” The word came out choked.
He heard her take a shaky breath. “I know, Edie. I know. I’m doing everything I can.” Again, he swallowed around the lump in his throat. “I love her too.”
Another choked sob came over the line, then a harsh intake of air. “Where are you? So I know where to start looking for Lennox.”
Asher felt the grip he had on his emotions slipping, but he managed to repeat the address Connie had given the dispatcher.
“He was in a black SUV,” Connie said. “At least, that’s what he brought us here in.”
“Do you know what make?”
“Chevy.”
“Okay. We’ll do what we can. Asher, you keep me updated on my sister.”
“I will, Edie.”
The line clicked as she hung up without saying goodbye.
He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself. Talking to Edie, putting into words what Esther had done, had shattered the door on his feelings. One more swift kick and everything would be free.
He couldn’t lose it, though. There was too much on the line.
So, he shored up the door and focused on Esther. The towels he’d pressed against her abdomen were soaked. Leah had brought extras, so he added more to the stack and continued to press down.
Turning his head to ask Connie to look for a first aid kit, he caught sight of Leah and the words stuck in his throat. The girl stood next to her mother, arm wrapped around her shoulders, while Connie clutched the girl to her side. Leah’s gaze was fixed on the blood seeping through the towels and coating his hands. Her lower lip trembled and silent tears tracked down her face.
Asher glanced away, his jaw working as he struggled to hold on to the precarious grip he had on his emotions.
Don’t lose it, man. Esther needs you, and Leah doesn’t need to see you fall apart.
He bit his tongue, using the pain to maintain his composure. Once he was sure he wouldn’t crack if he talked, he looked at Connie. “Can you see if there’s a first aid kit anywhere?” Maybe they’d get lucky and there would be one with some QuikClot in it.
Connie got up.
“If nothing else, bring back more towels.” The ones he’d added to the stack were turning red.
She nodded and ushered Leah out of the kitchen.
Asher glanced down. Blood smeared his hands and stained the knees of his pants. God, there was so much blood. He said a quick prayer she’d last until they could get her to a hospital. He didn’t know what he’d do if she didn’t make it.