A flicker of sadness crossed Cody’s face then vanished.He worked his jaw back and forth as if willing himself not to answer, but he must have needed closure because he replied.“Liam and Quin were always so diligent about inspecting the equipment.I knew I’d have to be smart about it.I waited until they’d done their once-over then called them on the radio and asked them both to help the other team working on the other side of the property with a load.I switched the lanyard while they were gone.Then it was just a matter of messing with one of the hydraulics cables and I knew the bucket would tip when they tried to pull Liam down.”
A deep, twisting ache started in her chest and spread to her limbs, making her knees wobble.She brought her hand to her chest and held her cold palm against her wailing heart.Hearing him spell it out in cold blood had taken the wind from her lungs.Her sweet Liam.Dead because of mistakes Cody had made and didn’t want to pay the consequences for.
Searing fury filled her body, her anger so intense she shook.“I hope you burn in hell,” she wheezed through the vise around her throat.Her hand trembled against her chest, and something brushed against her knuckles—her pendant.
Cody’s skin paled a shade.“You’re the one who’s dying tonight, honey.”
Gripping the chain of her necklace, she yanked it off.The chain tinkled as it fell away from her neck.
“Look at it this way, Josie.You’ll be with Liam.”Cody’s tone softened, as if he actually wanted to reassure her.
She took a step backward again and wedged the jagged edge of her crystal between her fingers so it poked through her knuckles.It wasn’t much of a weapon, but it was all she had.
Cody lifted the axe.Headlights shined from behind Josie, making Cody blink.He refocused his attention on her, his eyes as hard as lasers.Her blood pumped viciously through her veins.She let out a deep scream, a warrior’s cry of anguish as she dove toward Cody.His eyes widened.She drew back her arm and drove a punch to his face.The crystal slammed into his cheek.Blood gushed from his face.
Cody stumbled backward.He grabbed the handle of the axe with both hands, but she took another swing.This time, the crystal slammed into the side of his neck.Wetness coated her fingers.Cody choked and sputtered.She barreled backward as she stared at the stone sticking out from beside his windpipe.One of his hands left the axe to grab his throat.
Her body froze.Her brain went to war with her feet.One wanted to finish the attack, the other yelled at her to get away.
She turned and ran, pumping her arms and legs.The headlights coated her in their glow, almost warming her chilled skin.Quin.Gravel shot behind the vehicle as it bounced over the uneven terrain toward the grass, heading right for them.
“I’ll fucking kill you!”Cody’s roar bounced off her back—too close.She didn’t dare look behind her to see his approach.
Josie sprinted across the lawn, her breath huffing out around her, drowning out the sound of her heartbeat in her ears.
Quin was here.Her relief was so great she almost crumbled to her knees.She dared a glance over her shoulder.Cody’s face was twisted with hate, his eyes locked on her.He pumped the axe at his side as he ran.
As Cody closed the distance between them, Josie let out a scream that shook her chest and parted the sky.
CHAPTER 16
Quin’s pulse thunderedthrough his body.His heart banged against his ribs like a lion in a cage.Josie’s wide, terrified eyes were caught in his headlights.
Cody’s form advanced on Josie.He had an axe in his hand.All the blood drained from Quin’s head.He was too late.
No.
He hadn’t fought to find Liam’s killer only to watch the psychopath slaughter Josie before his eyes.Josie screamed, and the sound split the night like a battle cry.He steered the car toward them.If he hit Josie, he’d never walk away from it.But he had no other option.
Alarm turned Josie’s skin alabaster.Then awareness flickered in her eyes.She dove over the lawn, flinging her body out of his path.Cody skidded to a stop.Confusion contorted his face.Quin stepped on the gas.
Cody darted to the side, but Quin’s bumper slammed into Cody’s hip.His body rolled up the hood of the car and connected hard with the windshield.The axe smashed on the glass, splintering it into a shattered web.Quin stomped on the brake and Cody’s body landed on the ground with a thud.
Trembles overtook Quin’s hands as he wrestled off the seatbelt.
Josie.
With the windshield marred, there was no way to see all of his destruction.She could have been caught in the crossfire.Hit within the short distance he’d driven with Cody on the hood.He shoved open the driver’s side door and rounded the vehicle.Cody lay on his back, blood coating his face and his arm twisted at an unnatural angle.Pain-filled moans broke from his lips, and his eyes rolled around as if he were waiting for the angel of death to greet him.He’d make sure Cody was finished—as soon as he found Josie.
The beams of the headlights illuminated the grass and long weeds.“Jo—”
“Quin!”Josie launched herself at him from the shadows.Her arms circled his neck, and her face smooshed onto his chest.
He folded his arms around her and his insides swelled with relief.He closed his eyes and breathed in her sweet scent.She shook against him, the clank of her teeth chattering making him move his hands up and down her spine.“It’s OK.You’re fine now.”
The wind picked up but didn’t do anything to cool down his body, still fueled by adrenaline and rage.
“I thought I’d never see you again.”Her voice, tight and small, pulled at his heart.
