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William shoots him in the kneecap. “Pathetic, huh?”
Damian writhes on the floor, holding his knee. Howls of pain echo around the room.
A slight grin spreads across my face. “Nice shot.”
William lifts one shoulder in a slight shrug. “Thanks.”
Fury consumes me as I stare at Damian, starting to move toward him, ready to kill this motherfucker. “Now it’s time for me to end this motherfucker.”
William puts a restraining hand on my shoulder. “No, Max. Let me do that. Of the two of us, who would get in trouble: you or me?” He pauses, staring at me, his eyes softening. Jerking his head in Irelynn’s direction, he says, “Go to her. She needs you. You won’t be able to protect her in prison.”
My eyes move in her direction, and I see a woman hugging her. “That’s Emma,” William tells me. “Although Irelynn loves her, she seems desperate to be with you and make sure you’re okay.”
I stare at him, a newfound respect for William flowing through my body.
He sees it, and his grin widens, before he glances over my shoulder. “I’ll take care of him. Go to your woman.”
I pat his shoulder, wincing as I head toward her. Irelynn slips out of Emma’s embrace and runs to me, her hands going to my face.
“Max, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, baby. Just a little sore.” I wrap my arms around her, my back to William. I’m not the slightest bit concerned he’ll hurt either of us. Not after all I’ve just witnessed and the look on his face when he told me to go to her.
I hold her in my arms, basking in the knowledge that we are both okay.
Movement out of the corner of my eye draws my attention. I push Irelynn out of the way, nearly missing the bullet Gregory just fired our way. He fires again and I suck in a breath. It feels like time slows down as I stare at the barrel of his gun. I’m frozen to the floor, my limbs paralyzed.
Dozens of images of Irelynn and me run through my head, my life flashing before my eyes.
The next thing I know, something hits me hard, knocking me to the floor. My eyes widen as I realize Irelynn is sprawled on top of me.
William runs around us, moving at lightning speed. He kicks the gun from his father’s hands, then draws back, punching him in the face. His arm draws back and with a resounding crack, his fist lands against Gregory’s face again, and he goes sprawling to the floor.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Whew. That was close.
Moving my hand to her upper arm, a sticky substance covers my fingers.
Blood.
The metallic tang is in the air as I panic, rolling her over so I can look into her face. “Oh my God. Fuck, Irelynn. Please be okay, love.” Tugging at her clothing, I pull her jacket off, then yank on her sweatshirt. Scanning her torso, I try to determine where she was hit, but the tears rolling down my face make it hard for me to see.
My world tilts and shatters at the thought that one single moment could end us.
And this just may be it.
Chapter thirty-six
Max
October30,2018,11:30p.m.
“She’s been shot?” William’s knees hit the floor beside me, breaking through my grief, and bringing me back to the present.
When I look over at him, I see him gulp as he takes in the blood on my hand. He puts a steadying hand on my shoulder.
Taking a deep breath, William helps me search by holding her sweatshirt away from her skin. I suck in a breath, locating the wound on her shoulder.
