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Mason saw Lucy collapse, and it was his worst fears come to life. He and two other Marshals fired on the three thugs.
His boss rounded the corner behind him, weapon drawn and yelling directions. The thug that had been driving dove into the car as the other one fell to the ground. Seth had ducked behind the open back door, and it blocked the shot.
Another coworker led the charge into the alleyway at Sarmiento's direction as the car's rear lights turned on. Oh God, Lucy was too close to the car. She might be caught by the back tire.
His heart skidded to a halt even as his feet ran toward her.
A coworker called out, "Gray, we have you surrounded. There's nowhere to escape."
Mason reached the back of the car just as it began to roll. He dove for Lucy, dragging her to the side of the alley as his two coworkers flanked the car, firing inside. He wedged Lucy between the wall and his body, his hands furiously raking along her head and chest.
"Dear God, Lucy, Lucy, are you alright? Are you shot? Lucy," he repeated as his heart raced and his hands shook.
Images of Amanda's lifeless body mingled with Lucy's warm one. He cradled her head, feeling the pain rip through him.
"Oh God, Amanda, please forgive me," he whispered, rocking her body in his arms as tears rolled down his cheeks.
She groaned, and his heart skipped a beat. It wasn't too late. He gently laid her back, cradling her head as he checked for gunshot wounds again.
Hope fluttered along with her eyes. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe she'd be alright, and he'd have a chance to beg her forgiveness. He needed her forgiveness for not protecting her tonight. For not talking to her for the past five months. For longing from a distance and not taking any fucking action to tell her how he felt.
In the grand scheme of things, that was dumb. As she laid in his arms on the hot concrete, he saw that now. They could've worked on a long distance relationship while he was in training. They could've talked on the phone and gotten to know each other even more.
He hoped and prayed it wasn't too late. His hands searched as her eyes fluttered.
No matter how hard he looked, he didn't feel any sticky blood or wet spots. Light from the car reflected off the alley, and her eyes opened all the way as she groaned.
She blinked up at him, and he could finally breathe. His lungs flooded with air as he gasped and rested his forehead on hers, "Oh thank God, I thought I'd lost you."
Relief swarmed through him, flooding him with joy as if the dam around his heart had suddenly burst. He leaned back, holding her head in his hand and caressing her cheek.
She smiled up at him, "Ha, you can't get rid of me that easily."
He choked back a half-sob, half-chuckle. "Fuck, Lucy, you scared the shit out of me."
She frowned and stiffened, struggling to sit up. He helped ease her to sit against the wall and glanced behind him. Sirens were faint but growing closer as his coworkers checked on the injured thug on the ground and cuffed the driver and Seth.
He glanced back at Lucy. She scrambled to her knees with a wince, then stumbled to her dad. He grabbed her around the shoulders, holding her back.
"How dare you," she screamed at him.
Seth sneered and spat on the ground. "Me? Damn it, Lucy, this is all your fault. If you would've just come to Mexico—"
"You fucking son of a bitch," Mason growled, his hands clenching on Lucy as he pulled her to his chest. Rage flowed through him, but he wouldn't let go of Lucy.
She was his anchor in the storm. She kept him rooted to the spot.
Over her head, he stared at her father as he continued, "You've thrown away the best thing that's ever been in your rotten life. Take him away. Lucy, do you want to file a restraining order?"
He leaned back, cupping Lucy's cheeks and turning her head so that she wouldn't have to see him being dragged down the alley in handcuffs. She blinked up at him, her face blank with shock and confusion, anger and pain.
Shouting from the kitchen door drew their attention. He looked over and saw Taylor punch one of his coworkers, then hook his leg and bring him down. She jumped over him and raced to Lucy, screaming, "Lucy! Lucy, are you alright? Is the—"
Lucy cut her off and stepped away from him, holding her hands up. "I'm fine. Everything's fine. I passed out, but that's it."
Taylor slammed into Lucy and spun her around in a fierce hug. They both laughed and cried, talking over one another. His coworker limped over and Mason soothed his sore ego. When he had that sorted, he looked back to find Lucy and Taylor walking toward the ambulance.
Sarmiento called for him and crossed his arms. "So I think you have something to tell me about your relationship with the victim?" he asked.
