Series: Sean Moriarty
Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Sonya shakes her head. “No. I was too busy looking at all of these…”
Hefting up an army green duffle bag stuffed full of guns, she grins at me.
My eyes go wide. “Where did you find that?”
Sonya gently lowers the bag down to the bed. “Hidden underneath the mattress.”
“We might need those…” I say, and my stomach clenches again at the possibility.
I’ve never used a gun before. I’ve never killed anyone…
Just the thought of going up against those men makes me break out in a cold sweat.
“Hey! Isn’t that James?” Sonya says excitedly and points at the displays.
I spin back around and almost pass out in relief. James is standing in my driveway now with two other men.
I recognize the tallest man as Gabriel, the giant who rubbed Abel’s head, and the other is Nathaniel.
The three of them seem to be arguing and don’t look concerned about being shot at.
There’s something about the intense way they’re arguing though that fills me with a sense of dread.
The danger out there might be over, but something is very wrong.
I can feel it in my gut.
Where is Jude?
He promised he’d always keep us safe…
Why isn’t he here?
Turning back to Sonya, I say, “Give me one of those guns. I’m going to go check on what’s going on. See if they need help.”
Sonya looks at me in disbelief. “What?! Are you crazy? You could get shot!”
Yes, I’m crazy.
Crazy because the longer I stand here, the stronger the feeling in my gut grows. Churning and making me feel sick.
I hold out my hand expectantly. “That’s why I need a gun.”
“Do you even know how to use one?” Sonya scowls at me.
“Sure,” I lie easily. “I’ve used them plenty.”
For a moment, Sonya looks like she wants to argue with me some more, but something on my face must make her change her mind. “Fine. Here.”
Digging into the duffle bag, she pulls out a black handgun.
“It’s already loaded with a mag.” She hands the gun over reluctantly. “They’re all loaded and ready to go.”
I turn the gun over in my hand and nod. Though I’ve never held a gun before and it feels heavier than I imagined, I’m smart enough to know to keep my finger away from the trigger. “I hate to ask this… but can you watch Abel for me?”
Sonya’s face falls and tears glisten in her eyes. “Dammit, Eden. Are you sure?”
Clenching my jaw in determination, I nod my head. “Look at the screens… it’s safe.”
I’d pick Abel up and give him the hug of my life, but I’m afraid I’ll break down and lose my nerve if I do.
So I drink in his little tearstained face. He’s calmed down, but he’s sucking on his thumb to self-soothe.
I should be soothing him…
All the shooting has stopped, I mentally tell myself as I walk to the door. The men wouldn’t be standing around like targets if there was anything to worry about.
Yet I have this dreadful feeling I’m telling myself more lies than I realize.
Sonya follows behind me and helps me push the door open.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, her voice cracks behind me. “You better come back. I’m a damn good babysitter, we both know that, but I can’t be his mommy. He needs you.”
Unable to look back at her, I take deep breath and say, “I know. Close the door, just in case.”
Slowly walking up the stairs, my hands shaking, my ears straining, the sound of the door closing behind me sounds entirely too ominous.
Like it’s telling me I won’t be able to go back now.
When I reach the top, I pause and listen closely.
It’s surprisingly quiet, except for the men arguing.
“If you don’t let me work on your thigh, you’re going to fucking bleed out!” Nathaniel says angrily.
“Fuck that! We don’t have time!” Gabriel roars.
“You’ll be of no help if you’re fucking dead, Gabriel! How do you expect to help if you pass out before we even get there?” Nathaniel yells back, matching the other man’s volume.
Figuring it really is safe, I walk up the rest of the stairs then pause again. Noticing a trail of blood leading from below the window and out the door.
Fuck.
Did James get hurt?
I hurry out the open front door and rush down my driveway, carefully avoiding the dead guy hanging outside the SUV.
James leans against his own busted up car on one leg, cradling his left hand. Nathaniel and Gabriel face off with each other.
A puddle of blood is forming below Gabriel. Blood soaking through the left leg of his slacks.
Attention immediately snapping to me, James growls, “What the fuck are you doing out here? Get back in the safe room!”
I freeze a few steps away. The tone of his voice making me rethink the idea of them letting me help or telling me anything.