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“Nobut’smister. I’m not arguing with you about this. When that door opens, you run.”
The door opened. All Madison saw was the gun.
Forcefully, she shoved AJ from his seat, kicking the gun from the man’s hand. “Run!” she screamed, again and again.
Damian cocked his gun at her heart, but the other man—the buyer—forced it away. “My money. My hunt,” he said, his accent thick and undefinable. “The money I paid more than covers this chopper, too.”
Damian’s protest was weak. “How do I get home?”
He dropped a set of keys to the ground. “The money is in the back of the van, and the van is yours. Just leave. This prey is mine.”
With a thrust, Madison was pushed back in her seat, the door slammed shut and locked.
Desperately, she looked out the window. Damian took a seat in the van as AJ raced for the woods. Unable to control herself, she began pounding the door, wrestling with the hand, and screaming for dear life. “No!”
The buyer slowly and methodically aimed. Two shots hit the air.
Madison’s heart stopped.
AJ’s body fell to the ground as the van pulled away.
CHAPTER36
MADISON
Trembling, Madison dabbed her cheeks and looked on, a hand over her swollen belly, her eyes fixed on Cole’s solemn figure standing before the gravesite.
Cole’s voice resonated with a profound sense of purpose and reverence. “May the Lord bless and keep you in His tender care,” Cole said, his words carrying on the gentle breeze that stirred the cemetery’s stillness. “May He grant you eternal peace and guide your soul to the realms of everlasting joy.”
The weight of the eulogy hung heavy in the air. Madison clasped her hand in silent prayer.Please, let this be it.
Without warning, Madison’s breath caught in her chest, as Paco’s hand gently found hers, weaving strength in her hold.
It was all too much. Each inhale came in ragged gasps, a desperate attempt to fend off the rising tide of the inevitable. Her pants were slow and methodical.Not now.
The sun broke through the clouds, bathing the cemetery in a warm glow, as if offering a gentle affirmation of the sacredness of the moment. Cole’s voice, now hushed and reverent, concluded the benediction swiftly, his eyes closed, head bowed in solemn prayer.
The small crowd followed suit. Madison looked around, desperate to steady her breath.This can’t be happening. That somehow, through some miracle—
“Ahh!” Her breath seized as she bit her tongue. A sharp pang tore through her. Agony surged, nearly buckling her over, her nails driving into Paco’s hand.
Paco’s gruff, impatient words seethed her ear. “We’re leaving.Now!”
Hot tears streaked down Madison’s cheeks, the spike of pain, swift. “No,” she begged. “Not yet.” She clutched at her belly, a silent plea reverberating within her. “Just a little longer—” Her voice cracked with emotion.
Cole’s worried gaze met hers as he quickly wrapped up the service.
As the guests began to disperse—most on the DGI payroll—Cole rushed to Madison, his eyes fixed on her legs. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes,” Paco said, near hyperventilation.
“Oh, God,” Madison screeched, the water rushing down her legs. They helped her to the chapel. Madison focused on her breaths. “All clear?” she asked.
“We won’t know for certain until we get inside.”
Impatient, Paco swept her into his arms—taking a moment to strengthen his legs against her increased weight.
“If you drop me…” Madison threatened, squeezing both arms around his neck to avoid falling.
