Page 157 of No Good Fight

I jerk away and swing one arm badly, managing little more than an awkward shove before the person catches my wrist without tightening around it.

“Alex. Hey, stop. It’s me.”

I know that voice.

I’ve heard it almost every day of my life.

My eyes open again.

Josh drops to his knees beside me, and the expression on my brother’s face is almost enough to scare me more than Preston did. He looks furious and terrified at the same time, his attention moving over me like he can’t decide where he’s allowed to touch without hurting me.

“Josh.”

His eyes close briefly when I say his name. When they open again, he’s already reaching carefully for my neck, fingertips finding my pulse while his other hand steadies my shoulder.

“Yeah, Allycat. I’ve got you.”

Another crash comes from across the room.

Josh looks toward it.

I do too, or try to.

“Don’t move,” Josh tells me, already reaching for my neck to check my pulse.

“Mrs. Vance.”

“Casey’s got her.”

“She’s alive. Preston said he killed her but he didn’t.”

“I know.” His hand stays against my throat while his other one moves carefully along the side of my head. “Stay with me, Allycat.”

A crash behind him pulls my attention away.

Ryder has Preston on the floor.

At first, relief hits so hard I almost stop fighting to stay awake. Ryder found me. He followed exactly the trail I left, and he’s here.

Then he hits Preston again.

Preston isn’t holding the gun anymore. I can see it several feet away near the wall, with Carter moving toward it. Logan is saying something I can’t make out. Remy is coming through the doorway behind them.

Ryder doesn’t seem to hear any of them.

He pulls Preston up by the front of his shirt and drives him back down.

Preston laughs.

The sound is wet and broken, but unmistakably pleased.

“There you are,” he says. “The monster who thinks he’s good enough for her.”

Ryder hits him again.

“Ryder.”

My voice barely exists.