“Deklan, no!”
He looks down at me and then to Kathy. I hold tightly to his arm with both hands, and he keeps his hand low, the gun pointed at the ground as I glance back at Kathy. She looks confused as she lowers the gun slightly.
“This is Deklan?” she says. “What the fuck—”
A loud crack deafens me.
My ears start to ring as Deklan shoves me against the side of the building and shields me with his body. I can’t even see around him at first, and I can’t comprehend either the sound or why he’s holding me so tightly.
I pull my head away from his chest, knocking it against the concrete wall and twisting until I can see under his arm. I blink several times at the sight of Kathy lying on the sidewalk just a few feet away from me.
“Arden, get the fuck out of here,” Deklan says over his shoulder.
I turn my head to the side and see Deklan’s business partner standing in the shadows at the edge of the building, gun drawn. He gives Dek a quick nod before disappearing. I look back in the other direction as slow comprehension creeps over my skin and lodges deep in my brain.
Then I start screaming.
Chapter 21
Flashing blue and red lights invade my eyes. I know people are trying to talk to me—ask me questions—but I can’t answer. Dozens of people in black leather and chains are milling around, muttering to each other and pointing at me. I can’t take my eyes off the lump on the sidewalk that is now covered by a black blanket.
My throat is raw from screaming.
“If you’d just check the damn gun, you can see it hasn’t been fired.”
My husband’s voice brings me out of my trance. I blink a few times as I see three police officers surrounding him. One of them is putting him in handcuffs.
“We still have to take you in, Mr. Kearney. Your gun matches the type that killed our victim.”
Victim.
I stare back at the lump on the ground.
“Ma’am, please. We really need you to come over here so the EMT can check you out.”
I glance at the face of the woman next to me. I see her put her hand on my arm, but I can’t feel it. I look from the woman to the lump and then back again.
“Is she okay?” I ask. My chin starts to quiver, and tears begin to pour down my face.
This is a dream. A nightmare. This isn’t happening.
“Kera. Kera!” I look up at the sound of Deklan’s voice and see him being pulled away by the officers. “I’m gonna get this worked out. It’s all gonna be okay, babe. Just hang in there.”
“All okay,” I whisper. I can’t focus, and I’m starting to feel sick.
“She’s quite intoxicated. She’s got some scrapes and bruises and is showing some signs of shock. We better take her in.”
Multiple hands lift me off the ground and onto my feet. I can’t seem to make my feet work, and I’m half dragged to an awaiting ambulance. Someone shines a flashlight in my eyes and touches the palm of my hand.
“She’s cold. Let’s get her inside.”
I’m lifted again and end up on my back inside the ambulance. There’s an EMT on either side of me, and they strap me onto the gurney before the ambulance takes off.
“Ma’am? Can you tell me how you got hurt?”
“Hurt?”
“There are bruises on your arms and legs, and your knees are scraped.”