Page 216 of Even Exchange

“Let her go!” I shout, pointing the gun at him, my arms bloodied. Luckily she shot my left shoulder, and my shooting hand is functional. Although the blinding pain I’m experiencing makes focusing incredibly difficult.

“Drop the gun or I break her neck!” he shouts back as she slaps at his hands.

My body flickers with indecision. She needs oxygen urgently, and if he doesn’t release his grasp, she could die. Baby could die. I would die.

“You have one more chance!” he sneers, tightening his grasp.

I grip the cold metal in my hand.

Finger on the trigger.

Take a deep breath.

Bang.

50

CHARLOTTE

Air floods my lungs at a speed I’ve never experienced as I wheeze, gulping, gasping. Noah’s father is slumped on top of me, and I sob, trying to shove him away, but I’m too weak from lack of oxygen. The body flies off of me as Noah tosses it to the side, his panicked face coming into view.

“Are you okay?” he asks, eyes trailing my body, widening at the sight of blood.

So much blood.

I pat myself down and glance at his father, limp on the floor.

“No,” Noah chokes out, hands frantically flying over every inch of me as he winces in pain. “No.”

“It’s not mine!” Our eyes meet as his hands continue their desperate search. “It’s not my blood. I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, unable to let go of me while he gasps for air himself.

“Yes.” My eyes fall to his shoulder, whichissoaked withhisblood. Tears burst free. “I shot you, oh my god, I’m so sorry.” He pulls us to standing, and I flop against him, body entirely drained from the adrenaline.

“Oww!” He flinches, gripping me with his free hand.

“I’m so sorry.” My heart squeezes. “Oh my god, is it your throwing arm?” I huff quick breaths.

“Shh,” he says, rubbing my back gently as I clutch his blood-stained shirt. “It’s not. It’s okay. I’m okay.”

A stabbing pain explodes in my uterus.

“Fuck!”I say, flinching and pushing a hand against my hard stomach.

“What’s wrong?”

I take short quick breaths till the pain subsides. “Nothing,” I rush out.

“Is baby coming?” I shake my head. “Are you sure?” I shake my head again. “We need to get you to a hospital.”

“Um…” I gesture to his arm. “I thinkyouneed a hospital.”

His pained eyes find mine. “You and our baby are first priority.”

I glance to the lifeless body on the floor, unable to conjure up any feeling of empathy.

“Is he?—”

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