Chapter 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Declan
Finding Katrina Trundle turned out to be easy with the Saint team on our side. They located her cell phone faster than the sheriff’s department could manage due to legal red tape and whatever else, and soon enough, we were on the road to a small hunting cabin not far from Gary Longbrow’s place.
Of course, Grant told me I couldn’t come. Logically, I understand this, but I begged him. I promised I wouldn’t get involved—that I’d stay in the car. And that was the worst lie I’ve ever told my brother.
Because hearing Charlie screaming snapped all the logic from my existence. I became a man functioning on feeling and primal purpose with one objective: Save Evie. Save Charlie. No matter the cost.
I keep my hands up and focus my eyes on Katrina’s.
I can’t look at Evie’s face, can’t get caught up in her eyes, or I’ll lose focus.
Charlie’s crying, trying to escape his car seat aggressively enough I can’t catch his eye.
At least he’s belted in so he’s contained and out of the direct line of fire.
I block out Grant, pleased I’ve made it close enough into the fray he doesn’t jerk me back behind him. Sirens wail and all of it is muted when I speak.
“Katrina, please. I beg of you. Let my wife go. Let Charlie go.”
She rears back, holding Evie tighter, pressing her weapon into the side of Evie’s head so hard she flinches. I can’t help making eye contact and seeing the fear there. Fear and fury even as tears track down her dirty cheeks.
I’m not a vengeful man, but if I have any opportunity, I will make certain Katrina Trundle is punished to the fullest extent for what she’s done here.
“Your wife? Like it isn’t all just a show to get this pathetic excuse for a person custody? Please.” She snorts, then sneers, jerking Evie to the side and facing me squarely.
“Put down your weapon, Katrina. We will use force if necessary.” This comes from Diego.
“I’ll use force! I’ll use force!”
She screams this, and I can almost see the very limited strings of self-control she has left fraying by the second.
“You think you have the upper hand? I will shoot this woman, the baby, and him if you get even one step closer!” Her voice is raw from screaming.
“Give her to me and you can go. Just send her my way. You can walk away from all of this. You haven’t really hurt anybody yet, but if you do, there’s no going back.” This is all crap and I’m sure Grant wouldn’t approve of the lies, but I don’t care. I want Evie away from this woman.
Katrina’s enraged expression falters, so I keep going, stepping closer.
“Everything can work out, but not if you hurt her. Just let her go and we’ll figure it out.”
I’m three feet from her, almost close enough to lunge at her. But she’s still got that gun against Evie’s head and I can’t risk it. No one who’s here yet can take a shot, either—not until she eases up at least a little.
“Please. Please, Katrina. You’re in control here. I know how much you want things to go well, and if you hurt her, they can’t.”
Evie is frozen save her feet, which are shuffling this way and that so she stays standing. Her feet are bound just above the ankle, her hands behind her, and her mouth is covered by a piece of duct tape, too.
My heart seizes when I register all of these things, even though I’ve been seeing them. I can’t think about anything other than getting her out of this woman’s hands, getting her to safety.
“Please. Please let her go. Please, Katrina.”
The sound she makes starts as a low groan and escalates through a growl to a scream. She turns and shoves Evie behind her.
Another heartbeat, and then everything speeds up into double time.
I lunge toward Evie.
Instead of dropping the gun, Katrina doubles down and points the weapon at her.
“It’s your fault. You’re the reason I had to do this. You’re the reason he left me and now you’re the reason everything’s gone wrong, you stupid—”
A shot rings out and Katrina jerks.
She snarls, then aims the gun at Evie.
So I do what I have to because there is no other choice.
I can’t lose Evie.
So I lunge in front of her the moment Katrina pulls the trigger. I don’t hear that shot.
I hear the next one. It must hit Katrina.
Unless it hit me, too. I can’t tell.
I don’t feel it.
I only hear a muted scream from Evie behind the duct tape, but I’m down. My gaze on the sky. It looks like Evie’s eyes.
“You’re okay. You’re okay. EMTs are almost here. You hold on, okay?” It’s Grant, shoving his hand over the wound in my belly.
I can feel that his hand is covering mine. Pressing under my ribs. Won’t be a lung puncture. Could mean the bullet nicked an organ. Shots to the gut can be messy.
“Bad news.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. You’ll be fine. We’ll get you to the hospital. You’ll have a fancy scar.”
My breaths feel like they’re coming fast. Too fast.
“Dec! Oh my god, Declan.”
I shut my eyes at the relief hearing her voice brings me. My head swims, but I fight to get them open again. I’m rewarded by her face hovering over me.
“I love you so much.” It’s the most important thing to say. “I love Charlie. Tell him for me.”
She shakes her head, and I think Grant grunts.
“No, you’ll tell him. You tell him in just a minute, okay? You saved us.” She sobs, but shakes that off. “I love you, Dec. I’m so glad I’m your wife.”
My breath’s coming fast. Too fast. And Evie’s pressing her hands on me, too. She’s—I don’t know. “I’m sorry.”
“No. No you don’t have anything to apologize for. You’re amazing and I love our life. I love our marriage. I—” She cuts off with a gasp. “What’s happening?”
I feel it. God, it’s different to feel it than to see it. Treat it.
“Hypovolemic shock. Too much blood.” Bullet must’ve come out the other side. Maybe it hit a kidney. I’m losing too much blood. That’s why my breath is short.
There’s chaos. I knew it, but it hits again. This is bad.
“Thank you, love. Thanks for finding me. You… found… me.” Talking is hard.
Evie is crying. “I love you. Thank you. I love you.”
“No more talking,” Grant barks. “Time for a little bird ride. Your favorite.”
I catch his eye when a group surrounds me. They’re counting, lifting. It’s almost done.
“Take care. Of them.”
He grabs my shoulder and leans over me on the stretcher where I’m getting strapped in. “You’ll do it yourself, dammit. I’ll see you soon.”
I keep my eyes on him until I lose focus and then let the darkness crowding in at the edges swallow me whole.