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“We have to keep running,” Ari begs, trying to pull me, but I shake my head, my legs paralyzed, my heart breaking in half.
Paxton appears with a half-dozen other officers, all with their guns out, through the clearing ahead. “Get them out of here.” He barks out the order, still running full speed ahead. I watch him until he’s disappeared into the trees.
Another shot rings out, and my stomach twists in fear.
Two officers run over. “Are you okay to keep going?” an officer asks.
Ari nods. Me, I’m not okay. I glance back to the thick brush, not seeing or hearing anything before they usher us back to the house.
This is not how it ends.
My hero can’t die.
CHAPTER 45
Kali
The frantic scene continues to unfold as I stand, rooted in one spot, staring into the woods. Waiting and praying. They’ve already tried to check me out at an ambulance, but I brushed them off. I’m fine. Physically, I’m not damaged, emotionally is another story. A group of EMTs ran into the woods minutes ago, carrying a stretcher.
Nobody will tell me anything.
All I want to know is if Riggs and Paxton are okay.
Where are they?
My heart stops, and I hold my breath when I notice movement between the trees. A cluster of officers and EMTs gather around a stretcher. I strain to catch sight of the figure within. Denim-covered legs come into focus. I rush over, hoping to find Carl dead. Bile rises in my throat when I catch a glimpse of Carl’s face. Or what used to be his face. I have to turn away. But it’s too late. The haunting image sears into my brain.
An officer rushes over as I double over. “You all right?”
I nod, covering my mouth with my hand. “Please tell me if Riggs is okay? And where is Paxton?”
He juts his chin forward, and his gaze moves over my shoulder. I spin around, finding Paxton and Riggs walking side by side. I run over and fall to my knees in front of Riggs, lifting my hand to touch him but not knowing if I should. He sits, and his dark eyes stare at me, his tongue falling out the side of his mouth as he takes quick breaths.
“You’re bleeding. Where was he hit?” I ask, looking up to Paxton and back down to a blood-covered Riggs. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. There’s blood everywhere.
“He wasn’t hit.”
“But I heard him yelp.”
“It could’ve been from the sound of the gun. But I searched him from head to toe. Carl missed. He’s good.”
I tilt my head back and blow out the breath I’d been holding since I heard him yelp. The relief is immeasurable. I feel an ugly cry coming on.
Paxton helps me up and lets me get it out, holding me tight to his chest. He murmurs into my ear, “It’s over, Kalico. You’re free.”
Chip died from a single gunshot to the head.
Carl died in the ambulance. I’d never wished anyone dead until I saw him pull Ari out of the truck. Ari and I share tearful glances, our emotions mingling in the confined space. It’s a strange mixture of sorrow and relief.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me about what happened to you?” Ari asks, wiping tears off her cheek with the back of her hand.
We’re in the back of Martinez’s black SUV, headed to the police station. Before we left the house, she told me that Carl was too busy trying to track me down that he hadn’t harmed her. Yet. She didn’t know what he planned on doing, but I can guess it was to bury both of us. He tracked Chip’s car, saw him go to Austin and a rural residence, and took a chance I was there. Martinez grumbles in the front about how small towns don’t always put trackers on their cruisers or they would’ve found me sooner.
Why is it so easy to track someone? There will be a weekly care check in my future.
“It’s a chapter in my life I never wanted to revisit.” She nods in understanding. “I never thought it would catch up to me, let alone put someone close to me in danger. I’m so, so sorry.”
Her arms wrap around me in a reassuring embrace. “This is not your fault,” she murmurs, the weight of guilt still lingering despite her words. “Even if you would’ve told me what happened, that was two years ago. I wouldn’t have done anything different.” I rest my head against her shoulder.
