Page 145 of Illicit

Teagan

I see it.

In all this time, I didn’t think he’d do it. Not with witnesses.

Vengeance must be rooted deeper than his will to live free. Rodney Monroe is proof.

I’ve barely looked away from the gun. He might be pointing it at Rocco, but he’s been all show and no threat. His index finger has never touched the trigger.

Until now.

“No!” I scream and twist my arm. I’ve been compliant and passive this whole time. But not anymore. I can’t live without Rocco.

I reach around with my free hand, grip his shirt, and pull.

“Teagan!” Rocco calls for me, but I don’t stop

I pull and yank. I claw and jerk in every way I can. Rodney and I both tip to the side just as Rocco lunges forward.

I hit the ground when the gun goes off.

“Dammit!” Rocco yells.

Rodney lands on top of me, but our scuffle doesn’t stop. Deep voices come out of the dark as boots hit the ground.

Rocco wrestles with his father, but Rodney doesn’t let go of me. The weight of him is too much, pressing me into the pavement.

Voices rise and echo through the night. It’s chaos.

“Get the fucking gun,” Brax orders.

Rodney cries out in pain.

Micah joins the fray. “Roc, no!”

“Teagan!”

Dad.

They’re all here.

All of a sudden, the mass that felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders is gone.

I scream when I’m pulled from behind.

“Baby, it’s me.”

Dad.

“You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

“Rocco?” I crane my neck around to look for him.

Then, I hear the gun discharge for a second time.

The sight in front of me … God.

I slump in my father’s arms, and my tears flow.

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