Page 25 of Striker's Foul
“Because this town has always considered me trash,” Luke says as he steps out of the den. “Angel, let’s get going. Come on, kiddo.”
I hate that this town still sees him as garbage. He’s a war hero and was an amazing soccer player. He got out of a bad neighborhood and didn’t follow his parents’ paths.
“Is my car downstairs?” I ask Julian, and he nods.
After saying goodbye, we step outside into the night. Several cars line the street, but I don’t see mine. I click the key fob, and everything lights up. Then I’m thrown backward. I slam into the building, hard. Screams and loud noises fill the air, but everything feels distant, like I’m hearing it through a tunnel. My body aches, and I can’t make sense of anything.
I turn my head and see my son sprawled on the ground. Luke is lying further away. Moving to my knees, I crawl toward Jude. His eyes are open, and he’s talking, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.
Arms wrap around me, and I start to fight until I’m turned around and see it’s Julian. I almost drop right there with relief, but then I look over and see everyone working on Luke. Screams break free from my throat as Julian holds me back, and I watch in horror as they begin CPR.
“No. I love him. Don’t take him away from me again. Please,” I cry.
His body jerks when the AED shocks him. He starts flailing and suddenly sits up. Julian releases me, and I rush to Luke’s side, dropping to my knees beside him.
“I love you too, angel,” he yells, and I nod. I heard him.
Jude moves into our embrace, and we all hold on to each other for dear life. I can’t lose either of these men.
The guys help Luke back inside, and now we’re sitting in Ridley’s home gym. Her dog lies at her feet, comforting her after a mild panic attack from the car explosion. I learn that earlier this year, she, Leif, and Franci survived their car being firebombed.
“We have the perfect advantage right now,” Browser says. “No one saw us revive Luke. We can say he died and we have his body. We don’t have to turn it over to the police.” He showed up right after the explosion, having been in his office next door when it happened. “I can pull the surveillance footage. I bet it was one of the jerks Pierceson hired.”
“I don’t like it,” Julian and Ridley say at the same time.
“That leaves Amelia unprotected. She’ll become an even bigger target.”
“I don’t think this is just about getting rid of her. I think Pierceson would be okay with it, but he’s more focused on making Striker go away,” Ridley says as Leif holds her.
“Let the police and EMTs in,” Luke says, and I hope they take him to the hospital for a full evaluation.
The paramedics insist on taking the three of us. Luke tries to get them to let us all ride in the same ambulance, but they separate us. Luke is in one and Jude and I in another.
When we arrive, they wheel me into a room. I’ve got a sizable goose egg on the back of my head, and I’m seeing double, which is starting to fade. Jude is sitting in a chair beside my bed after being examined. He has the least injuries, and I’m thankful for that.
“Is it true, Mom?” he asks once we’re alone.
“What, kiddo?” I try to soften my voice, but my head is killing me. The headache is so intense that I have to keep my eyes closed.
“That you could be pregnant?”
“What?” My eyes fly open, but the bright light burns, so I close them again.
A nurse walks in before I can answer him and turns down the lights.
“I think we should let your mother get some sleep. I can take you to another room,” she says to Jude.
“No. He stays with me or his father.”
“His father isn’t in any shape for visitors, and your son could use some rest too. Don’t you want what’s best for him?”
I open my eyes and take her in. She’s wearing a scrub top, jeans, and heels. Something doesn’t feel right. She’s older, with dark hair that’s clearly been overdyed. Her makeup is heavy, and her face barely moves from the Botox.
“No. He stays with me,” I repeat, my voice firm. “Jude, come here.”
He had started to move toward her.
She lunges for him, pulling a gun from her back.
