One More Day (The Alexanders 1)

For the first harrowing moment after the shot rang out, Jackson wasn’t sure what had happened. One moment he was looking at Ridley and the next, she was on the ground. Time seemed to compress before Moreno’s eyes widened. He looked down at his chest, then back up at Eli. A red bloom appeared on the front of his shirt. Time sped up as Elliott rushed toward them. Just before he got there, Moreno raised his arm.

Another loud sound rent the air.

“Oh, shit!” Elliott tackled him, sending Moreno’s gun skittering across the floor. The team of guards who’d been waiting behind them surged forward. Jackson could only see one thing.

Ridley was still on the floor. Unmoving.

He raced forward and cradled her in his arms. “Ridley? Baby, wake up. It’s over.” The skin on her neck was red and inflamed but otherwise she looked okay. He held her tighter, overcome with emotion. Her eyes were closed and she looked almost as if she were asleep.

“Jackson? You have to give her to me.”

Jackson looked up wildly at his brother. The room was suddenly filled with people. People he didn’t know. A few men stood behind his brother. They had a gurney with them. Paramedics, he thought dimly. He startled as someone tried to pull Ridley from his arms. He looked up into Elliott’s concerned face. His brother. His brother was trying to take her away.

“No, she’s mine. Don’t take her away from me.”

Elliott grasped his face between his hands. “Jackson, she’s been shot. You have to give her to me. Now.” His brother’s voice was calm but firm.

Jackson gripped her tighter, noticing for the first time the sticky wetness on her side. “She was shot? Oh God…”

“It’s okay. Just let me help her.”

He watched numbly as Elliott laid her back on the floor and pulled him out of the way. Emergency personnel immediately started working on her. The next thing he knew, she was on a stretcher and being rolled out.

“Where are they taking her?”

Elliott grasped his shoulders. “New Haven General. Go ahead and follow her. I’ll give a statement to the police.”

“I’ll drive him.” Nick appeared at his left side.

“I didn’t keep her safe. She was scared and I didn’t keep her safe.” All he could see was her face as she’d said goodbye. She’d been terrified but she’d still been smart enough to do what was necessary. His brave, beautiful girl had been strong enough to do what he hadn’t.

“Jackson. Listen to me.” Elliott grabbed his face so hard it hurt. “We figured it out in time and Ridley was very smart to do what she did. She gave me a shot and I took it. Moreno is in custody. She’s going to be fine. She has to be.”

“Did you see where she was hit?” Jackson demanded.

Eli looked pained. “It looked like she got hit in the side. I’m hoping it was her arm.”

“Hoping won’t keep her alive.”