Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
A panicked shout startled me, and my coffee mug hit the porch, shattering on impact. I left it there and ran toward the barn. My instincts were screaming that something was terribly wrong.
When I got there, I cursed myself for not having my gun on me. Why the hell had I left my room without it?
Because you got complacent. You thought the threat was gone.
I knew better. Threats were never completely gone for anyone connected with my family.
Tiny La Rocca, one of the men who’d sided with Franco, had a gun pointed at Rogue. I saw a hint of movement inside the barn and tensed. Then I looked closer and saw Ghost. He must have been near the barn with Rogue. I’d bet the shout I heard was him trying to get Rogue to safety in time.
“Who are you?” Rogue asked.
“Vengeance,” Tiny said. “I’m going to kill you, that stupid brat you’ve got holed up here, and everyone else TJ cares about.”
“Why me?”
“Because TJ loves you, the stupid fuck. I loved Franco. I didn’t go broadcasting it around to everyone, but I will avenge him.”
What the hell? He’d been in love with Franco? And now he thought he was talking to Rhys.
“Back away.” Ghost stepped around the side of the barn, his weapon pointed at Tiny.
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Put the gun down and back away.”
“Fuck no. I’ll kill you too.”
He aimed at Ghost, and Rogue screamed. “No!”
I lunged toward Rogue, intending to tackle him, but I was too late. He leapt between Ghost and Tiny.
“Rogue. No!” The shout came from Rhys. He must have gotten up and come looking for me.
It felt like I was watching everything in slow motion.
Tiny fired.
The shot hit Rogue in the chest.
Ghost fired off a shot, but Tiny dove out of the way.
Then Rhys put a bullet through the back of Tiny’s head, and he collapsed. He was probably dead before he hit the ground.
Rhys dropped his gun and ran to his brother, falling to his knees beside him. He tore off his t-shirt and pressed it to Rogue’s chest, trying to stop the bleeding. “Rogue. Rogue! Please. Talk to me. You’re going to be okay. You’ve got to be okay.”
Grant had appeared soon after Rhys. He called 911 as I knelt next to Rhys and tried to assess how badly Rogue was hurt. Ghost stood there, frozen, staring down at Rogue. His mouth hung open, and his face was devoid of color.
Rogue stirred, looking up at his twin. “It’s’okay.” He tried to lift his hand but was only able to move it an inch or so.
“Don’t try to move. I’m right here. Just keep breathing.”
I checked Rogue’s pulse. It was slower than it should be but strong considering his condition. His breaths were labored and crackly. The bullet had probably hit a lung.
Grant held out his phone to Ghost. “You need to talk to X. We’re going to need all your connections to hush this up since Rogue’s going to the hospital.”
“I… um…” Ghost looked at Tiny’s body, then back at Rogue. “I can do that.”
I heard him talking on the phone, but the words didn’t really register. I was too focused on Rhys. I could practically feel his pain. He’d told me he always knew when his brother was injured. What was it like for him to witness it like this?
Grant knelt on Rogue’s other side. “What the fuck happened?”
I explained as best I could since Rhys seemed beyond speech.
“He’s a goddamned idiot,” Ghost said as he gave Grant back his phone. “I… That’s supposed to be me.”
“I wish it was,” Rhys snarled at him.
I pulled Rhys against me. It was useless to tell him not to be angry, that fighting with Ghost would only make things worse. “Let’s focus on getting Rogue the help he needs.”
“I…” Rogue coughed and sputtered. Blood leaked from his lips.
“You have to be okay. Please,” Rhys begged.
“Rhys. Look at me,” Grant demanded.
When he looked up, the anguish on his face did me in. I wanted—needed—to fix things, but there was nothing I could do but be there for him.
“Rogue is strong. He’s going to fight. He doesn’t want to leave us. Just let him know you’re here. That’s all he needs from you right now.”
Tears began to roll down Rhys’s cheeks. “Why? Why did this happen?”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Because of Franco and… Fuck, I should never have stayed here.”
Grant shook his head. “It’s not your fault any more than it’s Ghost’s. The man responsible is dead, and Rogue is going to live.” His voice shook as he spoke. I knew he was as scared as Rhys, but he’d never show it in front of his brothers.
Finally, the ambulance arrived. Rhys insisted on riding with Rogue, and I knew better than to try to separate them. The paramedics wouldn’t allow anyone else to join them, so Grant, Jacob, Ghost, and I rode in Grant’s quad cab. He drove so fast he nearly kept up with the ambulance.