44. Katy
44
Katy
C ome on. Where is he? I’ve been sitting on the bed, clutching the top of the toilet, barely breathing. I don’t want to miss a single sound, so I know when Shane is coming back. I became quickly fatigued holding the heavy porcelain and realized standing until he comes back isn’t an option. I need to conserve my energy so I can get the best swing possible.
I jump when I hear a chair scrape along the floor, and Shane curses.
“Time to go, Katy.”
Go? I can’t leave. This is my chance. It has to be. I hide behind the dresser like I planned, and lock my jaw closed to keep my teeth from clattering in fear. I rest the toilet lid on my shoulder, preparing to swing it like a bat. Shane walks up to the door, and I lift the top and spread my legs, getting ready to attack.
The door beeps, and as expected, when he doesn’t see me, he takes a step inside and looks around. I made sure to close the bathroom door so he would assume I was in there and direct his attention in the opposite direction of where I’m standing.
“We have to go, Katy.”
He takes another step in, and I swing up and out. The momentum throws me forward, and when the lid collides with his chin, his head snaps back, and the porcelain shatters all around us. Shane’s body falls forward, taking me with him. The gun he had in his hand lands under me as his body crashes on top of mine.
“You hucking itch,” he screams, words slurred from the odd angle his jaw sits at. I think I broke it. Good.
He looks around the room, trying to locate his gun while using his body weight to keep me pinned down. He has no idea it’s under my hip, but I can’t lift him to reach it either.
Shane realizes he can’t find it and shifts to grab his pocket knife from his back pocket. The movement gives me just enough wiggle room to reach behind me and grab the gun. I can’t think. I just need to act.
I need to pull the trigger.
I need to get back to Owen.
I need to get back to Viktor.
I rip the gun out from behind my back, and as soon as it’s free, I pull the trigger.
Once.
Twice.
Shane roars in pain and grabs at his side. He sits up on his knees, looking at me with a shocked expression. I shakily point the gun at him as he pulls down the zipper of his jacket, and his white t-shirt underneath is covered in crimson.
“You hucking cunt!” His speech is even more slurred as I watch the color drain from his face. He stands on shaky legs and stumbles out of the room, clutching his side. Large pieces of porcelain stop the door from closing and locking me back inside the room.
I scramble back to the corner next to the dresser. I should try to storm my way out of here, but my body is currently in freeze mode, having already gone through the fight. I just need a few minutes to compose myself before I can get to the flight part.
I shot Shane…again. But he came back the last time. He came back, and I need to be ready. I have a gun, and I can defend myself when he comes back. I’m ready. I can hear him opening drawers in the kitchen; every noise is like a cheese grater on my nerves.
I have to move. Get the fuck up, Katy.
Get up. Get up. Get. Up.
I can’t. I know I need to, but I can’t. I look down at the gun in my hands and have no idea how I’ll use it when he comes back. My hands are trembling, and tears take over my vision.
“Fuuuuuuuck. Get up you stupid bitch. You can do it. I can do it. I have to.”
Just as I begin to believe my pep talk, a loud bang sounds from across the house. He’s found another gun.
Get ready.
He’s coming back.
You’ve lost your chance.
I have to survive.
Just shoot. He’s coming for you. Just shoot.
I aim at the space just inside the door. I hear the crunch from the broken porcelain on the floor and pull the trigger.
“Fuck.”
Viktor?!
I drop the gun and launch my body into him, slamming us into the open door as I hear someone yell “In here” across the house. Viktor’s strong hands rip me off his body, but the moment he realizes it’s me, I’m lifted off the floor into his arms.
“Oh my god, I shot at you. Did I hit you? Are you alright?” I try to pull back to see if he’s injured, but his grip is so fierce I can’t move.
“I’m fine, Pepper. You missed. Even if you didn’t, I’d gladly wear your scar. Are you hurt?”
“No. No, I’m okay.” Viktor’s hands begin to roam my body as if he doesn’t believe that I’m unharmed. “Look at me, Viktor. Look at me.”
His wild eyes stare back at me, and I cup his cheeks. “I love you.”
“No.”
“Viking, did you just tell me no?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you .”
“Oh, well, can we love each other? And maybe when I’m not covered in blood?” My panic instantly rises. “Shane. Where’s Shane?”
“All clear?” Viktor yells over my shoulder.
“He’s dead.” Tucker comes around the corner with concern in his eyes. “Are you okay, Katy?” I wiggle, and Viktor reluctantly releases me but takes my hand.
Tucker pulls me into a hug. “He’s dead. It’s over. I’m proud of you.”
Viktor releases my hand, and as I turn to see why, my eyes catch on the new bodies gathered in the hallway outside the bedroom. I’m passed around, and rounds of hugs and praises are whispered in my ear.
It’s not long before sirens are heard outside, and Lincoln leaves our group to talk with the arriving officers.
“Am I in trouble?”
“Why would you be in trouble?” Viktor takes my hand and laces our fingers together.
“I ki–shot someone.” I’m not sure I’ve fully processed what I actually did yet.
“No. No, Pepper. It was self-defense.”
“And he’s…”
“He’s dead. It’s over. You saved us again.”
“What? What do you mean?” I stare into his silver-blue eyes. He takes my hand and presses it to his stomach over his scar.
“He shot me, and I survived because of you. You shot him, and he didn’t. Because you were never his. You’ve always been mine, Pepper. Both of you.”
We’re both his.
“Owen. Is Owen safe?”
“Yeah. Hold on,” Miller says behind me. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, and a moment later, I hear Cole’s voice.
“Do you have her?” his voice comes through the speaker.
“Yeah, and we’ve got a mama bear here who would love to see her little boy.”
Miller hands me his phone, and a moment later, Owen’s sweet face appears on the screen.
“Mama!”
“Hey beautiful boy. Mama loves you.”
“Love you, mama.” Lips fill the screen as he tries to give me kisses through the phone, and I giggle at his adorableness. Viktor hugs me into him, and I feel the safety his body engulfs me in.
I hang up with Owen and realize there’s still someone that I need to ask about.
“My mother. She was involved with Shane.”
“We know.” There’s a growl to Viktor’s answer. “Patrick has her at the house. She won’t get away with being involved with this, Pepper. I promise.”
I believe him.