AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No idea. Dark hair. Red shirt, jeans. He carried her inside. I think she might be unconscious.” The fear in her voice matches my own. Maggie is hurt. I have to get to her.
“I’ve got it from here.” I reach into the glove box and pull out my pistol.
“Get our girl back.” Ocean chokes up. “Please.”
“I will.” The call ends, and I skid to a halt next to the damaged SUV.
As soon as I open my door, a shot rings out. My windshield shatters as I duck behind the tire and brace my back against it.
“You shouldn’t have come here!” the man yells.
His voice is familiar. Then I realize who it is. “Let her go, Parks.”
“She’s mine!” he screams. “You think you can take her from me?” Another shot slams into the side of the truck.
“She’ll never be yours.” I edge to the front of the truck, still behind the bumper.
“She will. All I have to do is kill you. Easy enough.” He fires again, the sound of the rifle crackling against the hillsides. Then I hear the bolt action click again as he reloads. Each time, it takes him almost a full second, as if he’s a little unsure with the weapon. I can use that.
“She loves me, Parks.”
“No she doesn’t! Just because you fucking tricked her. I know who you are, and I’m going to tell her all the evil shit you’ve done. When she finds out, she won’t have anything to do with you.”
“She knows.”
The rifle cracks again, the tire on the other side of my truck deflating with a whine.
“Liar!” The bolt action sounds again, perhaps taking a little longer this time.
“I told her. She knows about my past.” I peek out for only a moment. He’s got the shed door cracked open just enough to push his rifle through it.
“Parks?” Maggie’s voice sends warmth through me, relief pooling in my gut as I press myself against the bumper. “What are you do–”
“You’re mine. Tell him you’re mine!” Parks screams.
“She’ll never be yours!” I yell, trying to keep his attention on me.
His rifle goes off again, and I hear the beginning of the bolt action.
I throw myself from behind the truck, hit the ground on my back, take aim, and fire.
The door splinters, and the rifle clatters to the ground.
I’m on my feet in a split-second, and I run to the shed and kick the door in. Parks is on his side, blood rushing from the wound in his neck. He tries to staunch the flow with his hands as he stares at me with wide eyes. I step over him and drop to my knees beside a grubby couch where Maggie sits, her eyes dazed.
“Are you all right?” I move her hair to the side and inspect the wound on her temple. “Did he hurt you?”
“I’m …” Her eyes water as she looks at me. “I was so scared.”
My heart breaks, and I wrap her in my arms, holding her tight. “Shh, I’m here now. I’m here.” With a gentle movement, I cradle her in my arms and lift her, carrying her out of the shed and to my truck. “I’ve got you, Ace. Everything’s all right now.”
“Is Parks going to …”
“Yes.” I ease her into the passenger seat, then fasten her seatbelt. “Don’t worry about that.” I’d like to go back in and stomp his head into a pink mush, but getting her medical treatment is more important. “I’m getting you to the hospital.” I kiss her softly. “And I won’t leave your side.”
I step back, about to close her door.
She gasps, and a shot rings out, my left leg erupting in pain.
