Chapter 44
He’s trying to outrun me, but I’m faster, and he doesn’t even realize that I’m chasing him where I want to—far from my family and into my streets. He’s right, this is my town, but he was wrong about one thing.
I’m not alone with him, and there can only be one of us. We rush across junctions that are mostly empty this late, running red lights. I don’t know where he thinks he’s driving to, but he’s like a cockroach, so if he leaves, he’ll be back. I can’t let that happen.
Swerving through the line of cars at the next road, I pull up at his side but have to fall in behind him when an oncoming truck honks.
He manages to slip ahead, and I snarl, ignoring the warmth in my clothes from my blood as weakness starts to spread through my body.
It’s a deep wound, which means I don’t have much time.
As if reading my thoughts, the light turns red ahead. He either doesn’t care or doesn’t notice and speeds through the four-way intersection.
I watch his car jerk and spin, the crunch loud as an SUV plows into its side.
The light was green on its end. Driving around the crash, I look into the driver’s seat as Butcher climbs out, clutching his chest as he stumbles away.
I leave my bike and take off after him. He’s fast despite his wound, but I catch up with him around the corner and tackle him.
His elbow catches my injury, and I grunt in agony, but I’m used to pain.
I grab the gun he was reaching for and stand, swaying as I taste my blood in my mouth.
“On your knees,” I order.
He slowly kneels, his hands at his side as he eyes me. The world is dark around us, but I recognize the familiar small park where I brought Lauren. It’s deserted now, which is good.
He looks up at me, bleeding and pathetic. “Pet—” I cock the revolver, and he gulps. “Sister, we’re family.”
“We aren’t family. We are enemies, and my enemies do not live.” I shoot. I don’t need his pleas. I don’t need anything but his death.
I watch a hole appear in his head. He sways on his knees for a moment before falling back. The gun drops from my hand, and I step forward, my legs buckling. Looking down, I see blood soaking through my shirt and all the way down my jeans.
That isn’t good. He must have done more damage with his elbow. Crawling closer to Butcher, I check his pulse, needing to be sure this time, but there’s nothing, and the right side of his face is a bloody, mutilated mess.
He’s dead.
He’s really dead this time.
Crumbling over his body, I look up at the night sky as everything becomes floaty.
My body is cold, and I feel weaker than I ever have.
Not even the satisfaction of victory is enough to stop me from falling to my back.
I can’t feel my arms and legs anymore now that adrenaline is leaving me.
I know that’s not a good sign, since that’s what kept me going, but it pumped more blood from my wound.
I’m dying, but my family is safe and Butcher is gone. It’s almost a relief.
All these years of fighting just to survive are over, and at least the people I love have a chance. I’m finally free of the nightmares that have scarred me since I was a girl.
I must miss some time because when I blink, I hear sirens in the distance and the roar of engines. When I blink again, Kane’s worried face is above me.
“I’ve got you, hellion,” he says softly, sliding his hands under me and lifting.
A scream of agony tears from me, and his eyes tighten.
“I know, baby. I know. I’m sorry.” He’s running.
When I blink again, I’m upside down, or maybe that’s Neo’s face.
Rolling my eyes down, I find Zayn at my feet, and Kane is kneeling next to me, his hands holding something against my stomach.
Shouldn’t that hurt?
“You’re okay,” I croak.
“We’re fine,” Neo promises, “and you will be as well.”
“Step on it,” Zayn yells. “She’s losing too much blood.”
“Taylor . . . Lauren?” I ask, my voice weak even to me.
“Fine, Dodge has them. They are safe,” Kane assures me as he lifts his bloody hand, takes mine, and kisses it. “Just hold on, hellion. We are getting you help.”
“You’re going to be fine, Bex,” Neo says, leaning down to kiss me. I try to turn away, not wanting to get my dirt on him since Butcher kissed me, but he turns my head back and kisses me forcefully.
“Don’t you dare give up,” Zayn snaps. “You hear me, Bexley? You’re too fucking strong to die, so don’t you dare. Taylor needs you. Lauren needs you . . . . I need you.”
“Knew you liked me . . . ,” I try to tease, but it comes out as a whine of pain.
“Nah, I just like annoying you,” he responds, but when I meet his eyes, they are glassy with tears. “I need you, carino.”
“We all need you,” Neo murmurs, stroking my face, “so don’t you dare leave us yet. Your contract isn’t finished.”
“I think . . . I think I might not be able to complete this one.”
“Like hell you won’t,” Kane snarls, angrier than I’ve ever heard him. “You’re going to be fine.”
“It’s okay,” I murmur, shutting my eyes. My eyelids are just too heavy to keep open. Nothing hurts anymore, which is nice. “He’s dead. Everyone is safe. It’s okay if I go now.”
“No, it isn’t.” The pressure on my stomach registers, and I whimper as pain splinters through the numbness and keeps me tied to this body. “This world needs you, Karma, so fight.”
“I’m tired,” I admit.
“Just fight one more time,” Neo pleas, “and then we will fight for you for the rest of your life. One more fight, Bex. What do you say?”
“Hellion, don’t be so fucking weak. Are you really going to let us win?” My eyes narrow in annoyance as I fight not to fall asleep, and Kane smirks. “That’s my girl, not long now.”
I must miss time again because when I come to, I’m being carried by Neo, with Kane and Zayn in front of me, and I realize why. There’s a crowd, a mob, with masks on. They have guns, bats, and every weapon you can imagine. It’s a familiar area, but I can’t figure out why, and then a whisper goes up.
“It’s Karma!”
The crowd suddenly parts, creating a passage that we take hesitantly. I see familiar faces as hands reach for me, pushing us forward, and then I see Reacher.
“My girl,” he murmurs. “Go. We’ve got this. His men won’t get to you.”
His men? I can’t think. It’s too hard. When I come to again, I’m staring at a bright light, and then Willow’s face is above me, streaked with blood. “There she is. Bexley, I had to manually start your heart. Stay with us, okay? I need to stop the blood and give you a transfusion.”
“Willow?” I try to move, but hands are on me. I turn my head to find Kane, Neo, and Zayn at my side.
“She was the closest person. She’s going to save you,” Kane promises.
“Say with us, baby,” Neo begs, and I try to nod, but everything goes black as their frantic voices fill the air.
“Her heart is failing again. She’s lost too much blood. Get in here!” Willow shouts, but it’s the brothers’ voices that chase me into oblivion.
Three familiar, loving voices all call out to me, but even they aren’t enough to save me this time.