Page 109 of Protected

“What the...” Kaden began.

“Hands in the air!” shouted a voice she recognized. He had a gun aimed at Kaden’s chest.

Kaden didn’t listen. Instead, he lunged for the knife on the table.

The gunshot was the last thing Darci heard before her world plunged into darkness. She wasn’t sure how long she was out, but it couldn’t have been long.

Strong arms lifted her from the chair. They must have cut the rope off her.

“Bradley?” she whispered.

A low voice chuckled.

“I knew you were in love with him.” She opened one eye, and it was Michael’s face staring down at her.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart. Close your eyes. An ambulance is here and so are Bradley and Peter.”

“He was going to kill me,” she murmured.

“I would never let that happen. Hush now. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

He carried her out of the house where lights were flashing. The world was getting blurry fast, and Michael placed her on a stretcher. She tried to fight the blackness, but it was swallowing her. Just before things went dark again, she saw Bradley standing over her and for a split second she thought he was holding a gun.

• • •

The next time Darci opened her eyes, she was in a hospital room. Bradley was sitting next to her. “Bradley?” she said. It came out a hoarse whisper. Her throat was dry.

“Darci. You’re awake. Thank god.” He scooted his chair closer to her and picked up her hand.

“What are you doing here?”

“Where else would I be. I didn’t stop loving you just because you left.”

She closed her eyes. Her head hurt too much for this conversation.

“What do you need, baby?”

“Water,” she whispered.

“Of course.” He stood and walked to the door. “I’m going to find a nurse, be back in a second.”

When he left, Darci started to assess her injuries. Her face felt bruised, and her left shoulder was stinging. It was wrapped in a thick gauze. The memories of Kaden waving the knife came flooding back, and a tear slid down her cheek. Bradley came in with a cup of water.

“Oh, baby. Please don’t cry. You’re going to be OK, and the bastard is dead.” The tears flowed freely now. “Here, drink some water. Don’t cry,” he said again.

“I was so scared,” she sobbed.

“Me too, baby. And before you hear it from someone else and it scares you, yes, I’m the one who shot him.”

Darci gasped. “I knew you were there. I didn’t know you were part of the rescue. How can I ever thank you enough?”

He held the straw in front of her mouth. “Drink.”

The command calmed her. She took a ragged breath.

“Still bossy as ever,” she teased before taking a sip.

“I have a good memory, Darci. Give me any lip and I won’t hesitate to take you over my knee once you’re healed.”

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