Stryker

My mother grabbed my arm and tried to tug me behind the chair she crouched behind, but I couldn’t move as I watched my father fight for control of the gun.

As I watched, Declan had the upper hand. He was a bigger man than my father, so without thinking, I stayed on my knees and crawled forward.

Close beside them, I grabbed a chair and standing over them, swung the chair toward Declan’s back. But he turned, swiveling the gun toward me. My blood turned to ice seconds before Patrick knocked my legs out from under me as the weapon discharged.

Seconds later, there was another shot followed by a wail as though an animal had been hurt. I turned and noticed my mother’s stricken expression.

My head whipped around to my father who lay on his back, blood covered his shirt and seeped out from his jacket.

No!

Declan had started to run toward the trees and I briefly registered him dropping to his knees as men appeared from the direction that he ran.

But all my attention was back on my father as I quickly crawled to him. He was covered in blood as I ripped his jacket open.

So much blood.

“Daddy,” I cried, as I tried to open his shirt. “Please.”

“Evangeline,” he called, faintly.

I needed something to try and stop the bleeding.

My dress.

I gathered the front of my dress and pressed it to his stomach.

“Fuck, Evie. I’m so damn sorry. I’ve called for help. Tell me what to do.” Patrick kneeled beside me, frantic. Millie dropped to the other side, her face streaked with tears.

“I don’t know what to do,” I cried. “I don’t know how to help him.”

Chapter 24 ~ Stryker

HEARING THE GUN SHOT, my feet started to carry me through the forest before I could even think. I just knew that Evie needed me. But hearing the second, I thought I was going to puke with fright.

We’d met up with Carter’s ‘friends’, who happened to be men and woman of the FBI wearing combat gear. I knew the minute that Carter gave the signal to go in, it was seconds after I started to move.

We burst through the trees and there the fucker was, running toward us thinking that he would be safe in that direction. Arrogant asshole.

My fear for Evie overrode the vengeance I wanted to inflict on Declan. The Feds could have him. I needed to find Evie.

I couldn’t see her anywhere, and as Carter came up beside me, he grabbed my arm and gave a tug. We changed direction and went to where people were down on the ground.

My heart somersaulted in my chest when I saw the wedding dress.

Evie.

She was on the floor and as I ran closer, Patrick met my gaze, briefly. All I could see was the blood all over Evie; her hands, neck, a bit on her face, but it was the dress that was covered.

Carter dropped to his knees beside Millie, wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead in relief.

“Evie?” I mumbled, and then her eyes were on mine.

Tears filled her eyes and with a look of hopelessness, her face crumbled as large racking sobs broke her.

“Where are you hurt?” I asked, kneeling next to her, her face cupped in my hands. “Evangeline, please. Are you hurt?”

“It isn’t hers,” Patrick said, instantly putting my mind at rest.