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Thankfully, the roads are empty as Frank weaves back and forth across the lines like a madman hell-bent on death. I’m happy for him to journey to the afterlife, but my mouth goes dry, knowing if he dies, he’ll take her with him.
“He’s going to kill her,” I rasp.
“She’s going to be alright,” Adam replies, focusing on the road. “Look.”
Blue and red flashing lights appear in the distance, lining the street to form a steel barrier. My hands clench, and the hair stands up all over my body. A cold sweat covers me as anxiety coats my tongue. Frank is unpredictable. Fear coils in my gut, churning and raging.
My eyes widen. Sparks fly. Blood pounds in my ears. Frantic need claws up my throat.
Frank’s car careens across the road, and my life flashes before my eyes. A life of Arden smiling, happy, round with my child. Trail rides, snowy nights, and watching her filled with joy. And in an instant that life disappears when the car slams into a light pole.
The front caves in and white airbags deploy, popping across the windows with alarming speed. A slow plume of white smoke rises from the front of the vehicle.
“I need to get her out of there before it bursts into flames,” I cry, wrenching the door open. The truck’s still moving, but Adam jams hard on the brakes causing it to slam back at me. With another thrust, I slam it forward and jump to the ground.
The impact from the rough landing sends pain shooting from my feet up my spine, but there is absolutely no time for that shit. Blue leaps out seconds after me, and we streak toward the car.
The driver’s side door opens and rage fills me. Frank steps out, dragging Arden with him by her hair. Her body hangs limply, and he pulls her up, holding her back against his body. Is she conscious? His arm crosses her chest, hugging her to him. She doesn’t move, letting him maneuver her like a doll.
“Let her fucking go,” I warn, advancing on him. Please be breathing, Sugar. We can get through anything as long as you’re here with me. Please.
Blue snarls in a way I’ve never heard before. Ready to rip this son of a bitch limb from limb. We move closer. Closer.
“Stay back, or you’re dead, motherfucker.” Frank’s pupils are so dilated that they’re nearly black, and his words slur like a drunk who’s been at the bar for hours. He hoists Arden up; her long blond hair falls across her face, and I’m so busy trying to see if she’s breathing that I miss the glint of sunlight against steel.
Frank’s arm flails wildly and his hand shakes…. Pointing at Blue, the sky, Blue.
Bang. A gunshot sounds, and my eyes lock on the barrel of the gun. The gun that’s now staring me down. A bullet headed straight for me. A blur slams into me, knocking me to the ground, and suddenly Tucker is there.
The bullet slams into the light post behind me, shattering the glass, which falls like rain onto the ground, tinkling as it hits the pavement.
“Put the fucking gun down, Frank,” Tucker shouts as I get back to my feet. What do I do? I want to rush the prick gunshot wound be damned, but he holds Arden’s life in his hands.
“I’m not going to jail. This bitch is mine, or she’s no one’s,” Frank presses the hot tip of the gun to her temple, and she lets out a moan. Relief and rage war within me. She’s alive, but he still has her. Pain and fear fill Arden’s glazed-over eyes. Anger claws me apart, and I can’t wait another minute. Looking left and right, I search for cover.
If I can only get behind him, grab the gun…
Before I can do anything, Blue’s there. He darts forward, mouth snapping. My dog’s so fast from years of chasing the horses that Frank doesn’t even see him coming. Blue’s jaw clamps down on Frank’s ankle.
The piece-of-shit roars in pain, moving the gun from Arden’s head to point it down at my dog. Time slows, the world narrows to a point and everything blurs. The only thing I can see is that gun, my girl, and my dog.
“Noooooo,” I roar as he aims; throwing my body forward in between the gun and Blue. Everything happens so fast and slow at the same time.
“Drop to the ground, Arden,” Tucker shouts, and as dazed as she is, she listens immediately. Her knees crumple, and she plummets toward the earth with a sickening crack. The second she isn’t being used as a human shield, Mayhem leaps into the fray.
His sharp fangs clamp down on Frank’s arm, shaking it back and forth with a merciless growl. The dog bites hard enough that blood pours down onto his fur. Frank bellows in pain. Another gunshot splits through the air. My eyes screw shut, waiting for the burst of pain or the end. But it never comes.
Frank lets out a high-pitched scream, staggering around with Mayhem hanging on his arm. But that ferocious psycho of a dog refuses to let go until he topples over. Shouting and orders are barked all around us, and I ignore all of it.
Crawling forward, I hiss when the asphalt digs into my hands and broken glass stabs my palms. But getting to Arden is worth the pain. She’s so small, lying on the ground, and as soon as I get to her side, I kneel up, reach under her arms, and pull her toward me. Leaning back, I settle her on my lap and brush the tangled hair from her face. Her once blond tresses are muddy with blood from a cut along her hairline, and her jaw has a large purple bruise that’s swollen and angry. I’m sure there’s more damage that I can’t see, both physical and emotional.
But she’s alive. And she’s in my arms. And that’s what matters most.
“I’ve got you, Sugar. I’ve got you,” I whisper the words over and over, rocking back and forth with her in my lap. Her hand comes up, twisting in my shirt, lifting her eyes to mine.
“Is Theo okay?,” she asks, as though trying to process all that’s happened. “I should have waited for you. You asked me to.”
“I don’t think Theo even knows. Frank never got to him,” I tell her, running my hands gently over her face.
