Carly peeked out from behind Ashton. Kathy’s face was bright red and her wide eyes were bulging out of their sockets. She’d released her chokehold, but still had the gun pointed at Desiree.
“I’ve stood by him my entire life, coaching him, encouraging him. And cleaning up his stinking messes, including that stupid, doe-eyed slut he knocked up. Did she actually think I would step aside so she could become a senator’s wife? That little whore never saw me coming.”
“Kathy, put down the gun, my sister—”
“Shut the hell up! You don’t get to bark orders. This isn’t a mission you can win, Maverick.”
“Why are you throwing your own life away?” he asked. “What about your children and grandchildren?”
“You didn’t just ruin his life, you ruined mine, too. I stuck with him and endured all his philandering. Who the hell do you think found him a place where he could get his jollies in secret? I had the governor’s mansion in my sights. I paid my dues and was ready to claim my reward as First Lady of Virginia. Then, that meddling old man came along, poking around about the past. Just another obstacle we cleared out of our way.”
Carly’s blood boiled, anger replacing anxiety. “Get me a clean shot.”
“I’m working on it,” he whispered. “Kathy, you don’t want to hurt my sister. She’s got nothing to do with this.” Ashton raised his arms. “I don’t have a weapon. Shoot me. Then, we’ll be even.”
Oh, dear Jesus. Carly shuddered in a shaky breath. She was flying blind. She couldn’t jump out from behind him and fire her weapon. If I miss, I kill Desiree.
Warren stepped forward. “Do not kill my children.”
“Stay out of this,” Kathy yelled before another shot rang out.
“Carly, now,” Ashton said, then shouted, “Desiree, drop!”
Carly jumped out from behind him, aimed, and fired.
BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM!
Kathy Internado staggered backward, then crumpled to the deck.
“Anyone hit?” Ashton shouted over the chaos.
No one answered.
“Gunner, Penelope!” Ashton hollered.
“Go!” Penelope yelled. “We’ve got this!”
Carly raced up the stairs behind Ashton, Warren and Sinclair close on their heels. On the deck, Warren lifted Desiree and hurried her into the house. Carly froze at the sight of Kathy Internado, blood oozing from her wounds. Both men jumped into action. Ashton yanked off his shirt and used it to apply pressure while Sinclair felt for a pulse.
Gunner flew up the stairs. “First responders are on the way. No one was hit. We’re looking for the bullet. Need my help?”
“Keep everyone calm and get me confirmation on that bullet,” Ashton replied before Gunner hurried back down.
“No pulse,” Sinclair said.
“God, no.” Carly couldn’t stop shaking. Everything was happening so fast, yet it felt like time had stopped. She hugged herself, but she couldn’t tear her gaze from Kathy Internado’s lifeless body.
Ash flicked his attention to her. “Sin, take over for me.”
As soon as Sinclair did, he pulled Carly into his arms. Her heart beat out of her chest and she was shaking violently.
“I’ve got you.” Leaning back, he stared into her eyes. “Talk to me.”
Clinging to him, she tried deep breaths to steady her erratic breathing. Unable to speak, she shook her head.
“Let’s get you some water.” He ushered her inside.
As soon as Desiree spotted her, she rushed over.
