Chapter 19 #2
The officer’s eyes widen in recognition. “Fox the one who called 911 for us. And the one I’d put money on being the one who hurt her.
Ruby faces him, her face pale and tear-stained, her chin jutting out defiantly. She has Sampson’s collar clutched in one hand as she tries to keep him behind her. Sampson’s teeth are bared. His growls are a constant rumble. His body is tensed like a spring about to explode.
But he’s not moving. Which means Ruby told him to hold.
Shit. Of course she would. As soon as she saw the gun, her concern would have been Sampson’s safety. She’d use herself as a shield to protect him.
Henry is facing Ruby, so he doesn’t notice me standing in the doorway. Neither does Ruby. But Sampson must catch my scent, because his head jerks towards me. His gaze begs silently for me to let him attack.
But I can’t. Not with Ruby so close to the gun. Given the caliber of it, if she’s shot at such close range, the injury could be deadly.
“Let me put the dog in another room,” Ruby says. “You don’t need to hurt him. He doesn’t have anything to do with this.”
Henry flicks a glance at Sampson. “I don’t think so.” He lowers the gun so it points at Sampson and cocks the trigger. “In fact—”
“No!” Ruby steps in front of Sampson. “I won’t let you!”
My heart stops.
I need to end this. Now.
Raising my Sig, I aim for Henry’s right shoulder. If I hit it in the right place, it’ll deaden the nerves and make him drop his weapon.
“I’ll do what I want!” Henry bellows.
His gun swings back up to point at Ruby’s heart.
“Drop it!” I shout.
Henry spins toward me, rage contorting his face as he spits, “You!”
We both fire at the same time.
I duck, but not fast enough. A burning hot poker stabs into my chest.
At the same time, my bullet slams into his shoulder. Crimson blooms. His gun falls to the floor.
“Micah!” Ruby screams.
“Get back!” I yell at her as I race across the room. “Get away from him!”
Ruby stares at me with a horrified expression. “Micah!”