Page 63 of Gin & Jewels
“She’s in good hands, and there’s nothing you can do.”
He was right, but I hated having to recount everything while she lay on my mother’s front porch bleeding out. As I was telling him about Keith and Micky, I noticed Mom across the street with Mary and Holly. I fucking hated that this had happened at her house—on her porch—but I was thankful she hadn’t been home when it did. I wasn’t sure how she got home so fast. Maybe someone had called and told her shit was going down at her house.
Fuck, I hoped all of this was over.
Just as I was telling Daryl about the connection to the robbery in Vegas, another ambulance showed up. I continued to tell Daryl everything I knew as multiple paramedics tended to both Cassie and Keith.
A sheet was draped over Micky as Daryl asked, “You were wrestling the gun away, and it went off?”
I nodded because that was half the truth. I knew what I was doing. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do, and maybe I wouldn’t have had the same reaction if it wasn’t right after Cassie had told me that the motherfucker had his hands around her neck, but I did do it.
I killed him.
Another gurney was brought in, and I watched as they lifted Cassie and put her on it. “Can I go with her?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you. You killed a guy, Brad.”
“I’m being arrested?”
“I didn’t say that, either. I just need to get some more information before I can let you leave.”
“I’m all she has.” My heart ached.
“What about your mom?” He pointed to where she stood, watching us.
“Yes. That will be fine as long as someone goes with Cassie.”
“Stay here, and I’ll ask her to hop into the ambulance.”
“Thanks.” The paramedics wheeled Cassie past me, and I grabbed her hand, walking with them. “Mom is going to go with you to the hospital.”
“What about you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I’ll be there shortly. I just have to talk to the officer some more before I can leave.”
“And Keith?”
“I’m not sure, princess. I’m more worried about you, but I’ll find out and let you know.” I wasn’t going to tell her that he was shot too because I didn’t want her to panic more than she already was. The paramedics lifted her and placed her into the back of the ambulance.
Mom rushed over with Daryl not far behind her. “I want answers.” She pointed at me.
I nodded. “You’ll get them as soon as I get to the hospital.”
She climbed into the ambulance, and they shut the doors before driving away. Not long after, Keith was put in the other ambulance.
“The witness who called it in recounts your same story,” Daryl stated. “Said she saw the entire thing, and your actions were done in self-defense.”
“Exactly.” I made a mental note to thank Holly.
“I just have a few more questions, then you can grab a clean shirt, and I’ll let you get to the hospital.”
“Of course.”
I was scaredas we rode to the hospital, Shannon gripping my hand the entire way.
I never thought Micky would show up with a gun. How did he find us? Had Keith told him where we were? Jeff, maybe? They’d all gone to school together in Vegas.
As I’d lain on the porch, my stomach burning with fire, I’d thought it was the end, that I was going to see my parents again. I didn’t want that to happen, even though I missed them because, at that moment, I knew I was in love with Brad. I had thought it was just a crush, but when I hugged him at the diner, I never wanted to leave his arms, and I knew it was more than a crush.
