“That’s my cue to leave.” Summer stood and packed away her laptop. “Nikolai will be wondering where Sam and I have got to.”
“Thanks, Summer,” Josh said. “I’ll carry Sam out to the car for you.”
Outside, he opened the vehicle’s rear door and fastened his wriggling nephew into his car seat.
“You’re falling for her,” Summer accused.
“Butt out.”
“Do you want to live in a fishbowl with the press watching every little thing you do? That’s what will happen.”
Josh glanced around him and lowered his voice, even though they were alone. “We’re friends.”
“Kissing friends,” Summer retorted. “Ashley has the appearance of a well-kissed woman.”
“Butt out.”
Summer laughed. “So if someone from the press corners me, I should tell themno comment.”
“Summer,” he growled.
His sister laughed again as she settled behind the wheel. “Emotions are tricky things, brother, mine. They sneak up and pounce when you’re not looking, not ready, not prepared. And they pack a punch. Don’t say I never warned you.”
Josh scowled as Summer drove away. As he turned for the door, he caught a glint of something in the trees. Curious, he took two steps closer before every well-trained instinct screamed a warning. Josh dived to the right as the gun fired. Hot, agonizing pain seared his left arm.
The door burst open behind him, and Nelson and Gerry appeared, both with weapons raised.
“Rifle, eight o’clock,” Josh snapped. “Flesh wound. I’ll live.”
With a nod, the two cops cautiously ran from bush to bush, seeking cover where possible. Josh yanked on his shirt and held the fabric to the wound on his arm.
“Josh? What’s happening?”
“Get back inside. Close the door and don’t come back out until one of us says it’s all right. Move!” Josh barked when Ashley hesitated.
In the distance, a car started and roared as it accelerated away. The bastard was making a run for it.
Josh pushed to his feet and lifted his makeshift pad to check his wound. The bullet had furrowed across his upper arm. It throbbed and bled, but he’d been lucky. If he hadn’t moved when he did, the bullet would’ve struck him mid-body.
Nelson appeared from the shrubbery. “You’ll need medical attention. I’ll ring for an ambulance.”
“No, I’ll go to the emergency medical center on Great South Road.”
Gerry sprinted up the driveway. “He got away. I know the color and make of the car. Guy is smart. He covered the plates with mud.”
“This is going to cause complications,” Nelson said.
A siren blasted in the distance, the din indicating an approaching vehicle.
“A neighbor must’ve rung it in.” Gerry eyed the blood staining Josh’s T-shirt. “Come inside and let me check your arm. Nelson, get the cops to wait. They can drive Josh to the clinic. I think we should stay with Ashley. For all we know, the guy might decide to double back and try again.”
“Give me a sec.” Josh pulled his phone out of his pocket. He’d cracked the screen when he’d struck the ground. He pushed a button and the screen lit. With relief, he dialed Nikolai.
“Josh,” Nikolai said.
“Ashley’s stalker shot me. A flesh wound. Nicked my upper arm. I’m bleeding like a stuck pig. Thing is Summer and Sam had just left.”
“Fuck.” Nikolai’s curse trembled with fear for his wife and son.
