We have maybe two minutes before this whole place goes to hell.
I slide my arms under Blake’s body, one under her shoulders, one under her knees, and lift. Her head lolls against my chest and more blood smears across my shirt. My heart hammers so hard, I feel like I could collapse right beside her.
This is my worst nightmare come to life.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur, even though I have no idea if she can hear me. “I’ve got you. Just hold on.”
The hallway is clear when I step out, but it won’t stay that way for long. I move fast, retracing my entry route toward the side door. Every step jostles her and I really fucking hope I’m not making anything worse, but staying here isn’t an option.
I hear them fighting. The girl screams… The woman barks something at her. Maybe she has a fighting chance… It’s possible. Blake is all that matters to me, though. That girl, Lexi, made it this way.
My shoulder scrapes the walls as I rush toward the exit, trying my best to be fast and keep Blake as stable as possible.
Almost there. Just a little further.
“Who the fuck are you?” It’s Patton, he’s coming out of an open door, phone in hand. “Stop right there!”
“You don’t want to fuck with me, man!”
I can’t reach my gun without moving Blake or this prick would be growing cold on the floor already.
“I said stop!”
I ignore him until I hear the telltale sound of a weapon being cocked. Turning back, I narrow my gaze, and put every ounce of rage into my voice.
“The love of my life could be dying here, in your fucking house. You want that on your hands? I’m giving you one chance to let us go… and trust me, I don’t give chances.”
His hand shakes as he aims the weapon in my vicinity. “I can’t let you go… You know too much. He’ll kill me… he’ll?—”
Lexi comes from nowhere, shoving the taser into his back. Patton drops like a sack of potatoes… jerking and twitching until a puddle of piss surrounds his body.
“Go!” she says. “And tell her I’m sorry.”
“Fuck!”
I take my opening and move, reaching the side door and hitting it hard with my hip as I struggle with the knob. Once we’re finally outside in the cold, I let the weight of the situation wash over me.
Blake is limp in my arms. The blood hasn’t stopped.
At least the car is close enough, parked at the end of the long driveway. Every step feels like miles as I navigate the slick, barely shoveled walkway along the side of the home. My arms burn but how I feel doesn’t matter.
When I reach the car, I have to prop Blake against my chest with one arm while I wrench the back door open with my free hand. I lay her across the backseat as carefully as I can, but her head still jostles to the side, smearing blood on the leather.
“Blake.” I cup her face, patting her cheek. “Come on, baby. Open your eyes.”
Still nothing.
I grab my phone from my pocket, hands shaking as I pull up Leon’s number and hit call. While it’s ringing, I yank off my jacket and drape it over her, then pull off my t-shirt and wrap it carefully around her wounded head.
“Pick up, pick up, pick up?—”
“D?” Leon’s voice comes through. “Everything alright? I wasn’t expecting a check-in?—”
“Blake’s hurt. Bad.” My voice cracks and I hate it, hate how close I am to losing my shit completely. “It’s her head. She’s unconscious and bleeding. I need you to tell me what to do.”
There’s a pause. I hear his breath catch but then he’s back, all business. I knew he’d be the strong one. “Where are you?”
“In the car. We’re leaving the Patton house now.”
