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Raising my good leg, I haul myself to stand, the movement tearing the wound open on my back. It burns like a wildfire, the blinding pain disorientating as I drag my bad leg next to the other.
“Deano,” I hear Jack shout.
The psycho behind me starts breathing heavy. He looks up and sees Jack, his eyes blackened, his stare soulless. A sinister smile then licks his face, and he turns demonic, snarling when Jack steps closer.
They stare at each other, oblivious to everyone. Jack checks his empty gun chamber, then throws it to the floor. Judging by his expression, he heard every word Cain spoke about Linda. He wipes his face with the back of his hand whilst Cain spins the knife in his.
“Watch closely,” Cain whispers next to me. He unbuttons his jacket, the handle of a gun pokes out of the inner pocket.
Jack charges, but Cain doesn’t move. He remains smiling, waiting for Jack to get close to him.Fuck.
Swinging his arms and legs, Jack drives himself towards us,fury fuelling him. He doesn’t know the animal next to me has a gun.
Lifting my hand, I yell at Jack to stop, falling to one side as I fight with my weakening body. He can’t hear me. He gets closer, and my panic rises.
I see Cain reach into his suit jacket, seconds before Jack gets to him.
Adrenaline eclipses my thoughts. Like a slate being wiped clean, I throw myself at Jack, blocking the bullets that Cain fires.
“Nooooo!” Jack’s voice pierces the air.
My eyes widen, staring at him, the pain in my leg and my back making way for the new one in my chest. I hiss, sucking in any air that I can as Cain runs away.
Jack catches me, and my body slumps, my head dropping to his chest. “Deano, no!” he yells frantically. “Travis!” He trembles as Travis helps catch me.
Lowering us to the ground, Travis grips my arms tightly. I try to hold on to him but it’s no good, my body’s shutting down.
“Take him,” Jack orders, slipping his hand from underneath me. He then runs in the direction of his man.
In Travis’ hold, my body’s useless as he sits on his knees, propping me up against his large frame. “Dean, stay with me!”
My head rolls, and he looks down at me, terror in his eyes. It’s the first time I’ve seen him look scared. “I’m… sorry.”
His face tightens.
“I’m… getting… out,” I finally tell him, my voice sore. It’s not the way I wanted. But it’s the way I knew I’d get. My life and the way I’ve lived deserve nothing more.
The pressure in my chest is almost unbearable. Travis looks down at me, his grip on my arm tightening. “No you’re fucking not.”
I raise a weak smile, taking a long blink as I try to breathe. The darkness coming for me feels oddly peaceful. I don’t fear itas it tries to swallow me. My lower back’s numb, my leg without feeling. Sucking in more air, I don’t know how the rest of my men are, who’s hurt or if we’re even whole.
Travis scrambles through my pockets, pulling out my phone.
I tap my right pocket, making him look down.
Removing my wallet, he sees I can’t move my hand to it. He breathes heavier, his fear rising. “What’d you need, brother?”
I close my eyes. “Note.” My head swims but I have to finally know for sure.
He moves fast, opening it up, flicking his thumb through the contents until he sees it. He holds the piece of paper, unfolding it. “Fuck,” he says, now understanding. His voice shakes as he puts the note in my hand, curling my fingers to hold it. Is the stubborn bastard finally emotional? “I can’t wait to see you try to handle this,” he says, light amusement in his tone.
My dying heart warms before a stabbing sensation tears straight down the middle. “You’ll take…” I cough, my mouth filling with blood, “care… of them.” My eyes flit to Billy. “All,of them. Lauren, Mollie… your… son.”
He frowns, tears filling his eyes. “I won’t need to because I’m not letting you leave. That little girl’s going to need her daddy.” Moving quickly, he takes out my phone and dials someone, holding it to his ear. “Shit,” he says.
“Ma… ds?” I gargle, feeling the pressure in my lung increase.
“Yeah mate, I’ll get her. Hold on. For fuck’s sake, you hold on!” His fingers tap the screen, the light reflecting the look of panic on his face. “Mads!” he shouts when she answers.
