Page 44 of Yours To Keep
“No matter when, no matter where, I’ll always find my girl,” I reply, and I see the smallest bit of tension drain from Magnolia’s shoulders.
“Oh, how disgustingly romantic,” Patricia says, still pointing her gun and Magnolia’s chest.
“Let her go. And you and I can figure out how to get you out of this mess you’ve made.” I tell her, stepping closer to the women. Breaker has my back, and Ev and Eli have Magnolia’s. I have no doubt about that.
“Not a chance in hell am I letting her walk out of here with you. She’s the only leverage I’ve got against her father,” Patricia says so plainly. It’s as if she’s talking about the weather or what her servants will make for dinner.
“It’s over, Patricia. Let her go and maybe you can leave with your life.” I say, just as plainly as she spoke about using her daughter as a bargaining chip.
“You ruined everything, you know. If she had just done what she was told, what I always taught her to do, everything would’ve been FINE!” Patricia yells, and Magnolia rolls her eyes.
“Did you really think it would be that easy, mother? I’m not a doll you can dress up and play with however you please. This is my life you’re messing with, and I'm done letting you believe you have any control over it. Dalton loves me, he protects me against anyone and anything. You had to know this is how it would end.” Magnolia replies, and I'm proud of her for standing up to her mother. She believes we can get out of this situation without sacrificing her happiness, and I'm so glad she’s realized that.
“AARON! GET BACK IN HERE!” Patricia screams, not realizing he’s already been taken care of.
“I warned you, mother. I told you they would come for me. I don’t want to see you die tonight, but you’ve already made your bed. Now you have to lie in it.” Magnolia says, taking a small step towards me.
Patricia swings the pistol back at her daughter, and every muscle in my body tenses.
“I’d put it down if I were you. You’ve got no idea how badly we all wish we could put a fucking bullet in you right now, lady,” Everett’s voice comes from down the hall as he walks in. Eli comes behind him, pushing Aaron in front of him with his hands cuffed behind his back and tape over his mouth.
“Was the tape really necessary?” I laugh, and Eli shrugs.
“He wouldn’t quit crying like a fucking girl. Trust me, it was necessary.” He says, and Aaron bucks against his restraints as if he actually has a chance. Elijah shoves him forward hard, causing him to trip and land directly on his face between Magnolia and her mother.
I can see the fear and desperation in Patricia’s eyes. She knows her plan has failed. Like a scared dog, I see her whole body shake, her grip on the pistol in her hand growing tighter and tighter until her knuckles are white. My eyes meet Magnolia’s, and I know she’s desperate for an end to this standoff.
Before I can make a move to disarm her mother, Magnolia takes a bigger step towards me, startling Patricia.
“Give it up, mom-” is the only thing that comes out of Magnolia’s mouth before a loud shot rings out. I move faster than I ever have before, doing everything I can to put myself between Patricia’s gun and Magnolia’s body.
Someone screams, loud and ear piercing, as my body falls on top of Magnolia’s. Several more shots sound around us, but I cover Magnolia, keeping her as safe as I can until the chaos subsides. Patricia is dead. I don’t need to see her body to know that's true. My men acted as soon as she fired, and neutralized the threat, just like we’ve all been trained to do. A small part of me wishes she had suffered far more before the sweet release of death. God knows she deserved it.
twenty-six
“Call it out. Anybody injured?”Breaker shouts. My ears ring harshly, the consequence of so many rounds going off in such a confined space.
“All good,” Everett says, patting his torso down to make sure.
“Yeah, we’re fine,” Elijah says, rolling Aaron over. A bruise blossoms across his cheekbone, but otherwise Aaron is unharmed. Unfortunately.
“Angel, are you okay? Are you hurt?” I say, pushing myself up so I can see her face. Her eyes are closed and panic grips my chest. “Magnolia? MAGNOLIA? Wake up, baby. Look at me.”
I stand, finally feeling a wet spot on my chest. Blood pools beneath her and a strangled sound comes from my mouth.
Not Magnolia. Not my woman. Not when we haven’t had nearly enough time.
Tunnel vision takes over and I cut her dress up the middle, searching for the wound. Blood pours from a gunshot just below her collarbone, and I feel the sting of tears welling up in my eyes. I can’t lose her. I won't.
“Ev, there's a medic kit in the bronco. Run, tell the girls to call 911,” breaker orders and he obeys. I can’t focus on anything else besides holding pressure against her chest.
“Break… I can't… I don’t…” Full sentences just won’t formulate in my mind. I want to tell him we have to do anything and everything possible to fix this, but I can't.
“I know, brother. She’s gonna be okay,” he says, pulling Elijah to the side and mumbling something before Eli nods and takes Aaron out the back door.
I should be asking what's going on, should be maintaining my composure and control in such a chaotic situation. I've been in the middle of mortar fire, a thousand miles from home, wondering if my next breath would be my last. But that fear is nothing compared to the thought of losing the woman in my arms right now.
The action around me is all a blur. Everett comes back into the room and tries in vain to pry her from my arms, but I can’t let her go. I won’t. Finally, he gives in and treats her wound as best he can without taking her from me. At some point during the commotion, an ambulance arrives. It takes all three of my friends to pull us apart long enough for the paramedics to take her.
