“Don’t know, but I don’t think so.” Josh rolled the unconscious bastard over on his stomach and clamped the sheriff’s bracelets around his wrists.
Matt, Sean, and Jena rushed in with their guns out also.
“Where’s my daughter?” Jena asked frantically. “Where’s Kimmie?”
“Upstairs,” Jacob answered. “I can hear her singing, can you?”
Jena didn’t respond, but she, Matt, and Sean shot up the stairs.
Easton Black and Jaris Simmons came in with their guns out also, followed by Paris, Doc’s wife and a
physician herself. Paris wore paintball gear but held a Glock instead of a play weapon. Everyone in Destiny carried guns. It was the norm here, especially since the war with Trollinger’s brother had begun.
Black and Sheriff Wolfe left to check out the rest of the house for any other intruders. Doc took Carrie’s blood pressure and listened to her heartbeat through his stethoscope while Paris did the same with Janet.
“Carrie is okay,” Doc said. “Pressure is fine and so is her pulse.”
“Janet’s pressure and pulse are normal, too,” Paris said. “But she needs stitches and she also has a concussion.”
“We need to get both of these women back to the hospital for further care,” Doc said.
Willie stirred and began cursing. “Fuck you, assholes. This isn’t the end. Cindy Trollinger will see to it.”
Jaris bent down next to Josh.
“Simmons?” Willie spat. “You’re a dead man. Enjoy today because it won’t be long before you have a bullet planted between your eyes.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Josh punched Willie in the face again. It wasn’t what a good guy did, but he didn’t feel like being good right now. “You’re lucky I don’t slit your throat for hurting Carrie, motherfucker. Be smart and keep quiet.”
The asshole nodded and shut up.
“Go to Carrie, Josh,” Jaris said. “I got this bastard. He’s not going anywhere.”
Josh knelt down beside Carrie. She was coming to.
Jacob was on the other side of her, holding her hand. “We nearly lost her, Josh.”
“But we didn’t,” he said as relief replaced the intense rage inside him. “Carrie’s okay. Doc said so.”
“What’s going on, Josh?” Carrie’s voice was raspy and her throat was red where Willie’s hands had been. Her eyes were completely open now. “Why are all these people here?”
“Just relax.” He could tell she was a little confused. “What’s the last thing you remember, sweetheart?”
“Paintball, I think. Didn’t I shoot Ethel?”
Chapter Twenty
Jacob held the door for Katy, Carrie’s nurse, who was bringing her back from the X-ray room. Josh adjusted Carrie’s pillow as Katy helped her into the hospital bed.
“Doc will be here shortly,” Katy said. “If you need anything, Carrie, just use the buzzer.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Katy left.
He and Josh stood on opposite sides of the bed, taking Carrie’s hands.
“Tell me again, what happened after I shot Ethel?” The panic in her tone hadn’t gone away.