Page 269 of Saving Her

Decker yells something about a gun, but I struggle to make out the words. I don’t care anymore. Not about my life or my pain. Nothing matters except Penny’s safety as I search blindly for this fucker’s throat, latching on with both hands to squeeze with all my strength.

The impacts to my face increase. My consciousness fades.

I close my eyes against the vertigo.

Clutch harder.

Pray.

I roar with the effort of staying alive, fingers clawing at my skin, Robert bucking beneath me.

“I said, I’ve got a fucking gun,” Decker yells.

I don’t let go.

One more burst of gunfire and I’m as good as dead anyway. My brain can’t take anymore. I keep squeezing, harder and harder, until the punches lose their strength and the bucking stops. It’s then that I open my eyes, the double vision making it hard to distinguish if the fight-less asshole beneath me is dead or bluffing.

I squint. Lean forward. Blink and blink.

He wheezes, still dragging in breath.

I’m about to swing a heavy punch at his face when Penny dives to her knees beside me, shouting a war cry as she stabs a blade into his throat. She doesn’t pause after one attempt. She repeats the severity over and over, continuing to yell her lungs out with every puncture of skin.

I slide off of him, falling onto my ass like a pile of garbage.

Despite the horror, the clarity of her is a fucking sight to behold.

She’s fierce.

Strong.

So fucking beautiful.

My head continues to swim as I struggle to my feet, my body swaying. I attempt to right the sudden lurch of movement, stumbling backward, but it’s no use. I’m completely fucked, unable to stand straight.

“Luca?” Decker’s voice calls over the static. “Luc?”

I blink and blink, getting obscure snapshots of him grabbing Penny’s arm to drag her away from mindless destruction.

He’ll protect her.

He’ll do what’s right.

I bump into something. A desk. A box. I don’t fucking know, but it sends shit scattering around my feet.

“Luca?” Her voice is pained as she turns to me.

I want to be strong for her, but there’s no fucking strength anymore. I can barely keep my head up as I plant my feet, willing my sea legs away.

She rushes forward, those dark eyes taking over my vision. “You need to get to a hospital.” She cups my cheeks, the warmth of gentle hands slowing the world’s spin just a little.

“We don’t do hospitals.” I kiss her forehead. “You be strong, okay? Don’t take shit from anyone.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Her face turns stark, the brief glimpses of clarity cutting me to my core.

“Take care of yourself.”

“Stop it.” She increases the pressure of her palms. “Look at me.”

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