The man’s eye was nothing but a blank socket now, leaking blood. A high-pitched scream ripped from his throat as he dropped his weapon to hold the side of his face. Another shot caught him right through the throat, silencing his scream. He went down like a falling tree, landing on top of his buddy’s body.
I jumped to my feet and stepped in front of Ford, ready to use my body as a shield.
The smell of smoke hit me at the same time I registered the sound of a fire alarm going off in another room.
“Is something on fire?” I asked.
“The living room,” he answered in a whisper. “Shh. Still have two more out there. Stay here.”
He circled around me to head out the door, but I grabbed onto his arm. His head whipped to face me. His eyes were stern as he shook his head at me. I didn’t want to listen, but I didn’t have any other choice. One, I was in no condition to protect him or myself. The worst of it was that my vision was extremely blurry. Two, that was one look I didn’t want to mess with. Ford might have let me take charge and even boss him around a little ninety-nine percent of the time, but this was the one time he put his foot down. And damn, yeah, I had no choice but to step back.
The world blurred and spun around me. I was forced to let go of his arm as I fell against the wall for support.
What the hell was wrong with me?
“I think they cracked you good on the head. I’m no doctor, but I’m guessing you have a concussion. You should sit.” Ford helped me lower to the ground as he spoke.
I had to protect him.
“Wait,” I said before he turned his back on me. “Should keep one of them alive if you can. Need answers.”
He left me sitting there with heavy lids and a heart pounding.
I wasn’t one to complain, but everything hurt. Even breathing was painful. If there was ever a time in my life to bitch about the predicament I was in, this was it. Which was why I didn’t even hold back the pained whimper that slipped out when I attempted to move.
I think I passed out again because it felt like I blinked and Ford was shaking me again.
“Good?” I asked over a raw throat. The smoke was choking the air.
I couldn’t think about how I was going to lose the house. It was too painful.
“Yeah. I’ve got him tied up in the barn.”
“What’s the plan?” I asked.
I felt his hand on my face. Soft palms and rough fingertips cupped my cheeks. I think I hummed happily, but I couldn’t have been sure.
“I’m worried about you,” he said.
“No time,” I mumbled.
With a deep breath, I pulled the last of my strength to the surface. Another deep breath, and I got my feet under me to stand. I wavered for a beat, but then I steadied myself. I might have had to use the wall for support, but that wasn’t the point.
“Let’s go see what this fucker has to say.” I looked at Ford, smiling around a swollen jaw and cheek. His wince in return to my face didn’t give me confidence I was pulling off looking like I was fine.
At least, he didn’t say anything. And it kinda made me want to kiss him.
He helped me outside, the smell of smoke following us into the night air. Or maybe it was already out here. The house was a lost cause, I just had to accept it.
I coughed hard as I tried to pull fresh air into my lungs. We made it to the barn but only because I used him to hold me up.
“Couldn’t have dragged him closer?” I teased.
“The house is on fire,” he reminded me. Fair point.
Inside the barn, the lights were on, lighting up the dead body near the entrance and the guy in the middle who was tied up from his ankles to his neck.
“Bit excessive, don’t ya think?” I looked at Ford pointedly.
