His words of assurance nearly had me bawling like a baby, but I nodded instead. “He wants to meet in an hour. He won’t share where yet,” I imparted, delivering the last part of the order I’d been given.
Thompson watched me shrewdly but nodded in approval.
“A lot can change in an hour,” Cal replied darkly. “Jill, baby, remember what I said.”
“Okay,” I replied breathlessly, edging closer to Laurie so I could grab her when I needed to. “I love you,” I murmured.
“Hang up!” Thompson barked before Cal had a chance to reply.
My heart hammered in my ears as I stared at Thompson, my thumb hovering over the End button. The ramifications of what was about to happen felt overwhelming and impossible to grasp. Time came to a standstill as I grappled with what I had to do. I could feel my pulse jackhammering in my neck. I could hear my breath, sounding so loud and choppy within the cavernous space.
In. Out
In. Out
In. Out
It was time.
It felt like hours but was only seconds. My thumb hit that ominous red button. I pulled Laurie roughly down with me as the phone went clattering to the floor. The instantaneous crack of gunfire sounded overheard, accompanied by the shattering of glass.
I felt something warm hit my cheek and knew instantly that it was blood.
I palmed the back of Laurie’s head in a futile attempt to protect her as the gunfire continued in short bursts before stopping all together.
The silence that followed was deafening.
I didn’t dare move and continued to lie beside Laurie, my cheek pressed to the unforgiving concrete floor.
“Jill.” Cal’s voice boomed through the garage before coming closer. “Baby, it’s okay. You’re okay.”
“Laurie.” Tag’s deep growl of a voice followed as both men’s long strides ate the space between us.
I noticed distractedly that Sal, Cole, Axel, and Mack were there too, striding into the space with a tidal wave of anger.
“You okay?” Cal asked as he helped me to a sitting position. Beside me, Tag did the same with Laurie.
Thompson lay in a bloody mass to the right, his lifeless gaze seemed to be looking right at me.
I couldn’t pull my eyes from the dead body. “I… yeah,” I managed, too stunned to expound further.
“Christ,” Cal swore, his eyes bright with angst as they swept my blood-soaked frame. “Let’s get you the fuck out of here.” He helped me stand and then lifted me up in his arms, carrying me bridal style toward the exit.
“You… you don’t have to carry me!” I heard Laurie squeak behind us.
“Yeah, baby, I really do,” Tag replied tersely.
Despite everything that had transpired, I couldn’t help but smile a bit at that.
My girl had no idea what she was in for.
Chapter 33
“Mason is really okay?” I demanded after Cal had carried me to his waiting SUV and deposited me gently in the passenger seat. I needed him to reassure me again, as many times as it took until I could see for myself.
“Yes, honey. Promise. Our kids and Cole’s are with Ry, Piper, and Ry’s ma. Now, are you sureyou’reokay?” he asked. “There’s so much blood….” He trailed off, his eyes haunted as they looked me over.
“None of it’s mine,” I was quick to assure him. “But I’m so thirsty. Do you have any water?”
