“Correct.” Nico twitched as the ground shuddered. “But you’ll do as I tell you anyway, because you don’t have the stomach to watch them suffer.”
But I’vegot plenty of stomach to watch you suffer.
Cullen walked over to the open tailgate where Annette was rolled in the mat. He could see only the toe of a pink sneaker. She’d tried so hard. Suffered so much. Too late for her, but he wouldn’t let it be for nothing. He bent over, pretending to pull the bundle toward him as he grabbed the muddy pink shoe and slid it off. He clutched it in his sweat-slicked palm.
No line-of-duty heroics. Not fueled by some overblownsense of his own capabilities. Just a desperate man with only his faith and one slender chance to preserve the life of a woman and a baby he’d grown to love.
He gripped the shoe with his right hand and pulled the wrapped body toward him to give him a few more seconds.Lord,help me.
Then he whirled around and threw Annette’s shoe directly into Nico’s face. Kit was indeed ready, and she dove aside as it left his fingers. Nico’s eyes widened and he squeezed the trigger while throwing up his forearm to block the blow.
Bang.
Cullen was astounded that Nico’s shot missed him. Nico recoiled as the shoe glanced off his shoulder, the gun flying loose as he stumbled. Taking the advantage, Cullen delivered a punishing kick that sent Nico’s head snapping back. Kit didn’t hesitate. With Tot clutched like a football, she ran forward and snatched the envelope from Nico’s pocket.
Good woman. The best.Get them away now. Quick.
They’d take Nico’s vehicle. Drive to safety. Odd that his legs weren’t moving at the command of his brain.
He smiled at Kit, a unique woman of strength and sensitivity. Incomparable.
Who else could have survived what she had?
What other woman could look at him with such ferocity and tenderness and a mouth that made him want to kiss her? One delicate hand was thrust out as if she might embrace him.
Her outline grew fuzzy, and he blinked to keep her in focus.
“Cullen?” he heard her say.
The ground shuddered underneath him. Mount Ember would wait no longer.
Getto the SUV.But no words actually came out. His thoughts turned liquid and slow, and the ground rushed up to meet him.
He felt her pressing against him, noted the slow burn from the bullet he now realized hadn’t missed after all. Tot squirmed at Kit’s shoulder.Good job,Tottie. You survived. Your mama would be proud.
Kit put her face to his, inches away, and glared at him. “You will not die.”
I will not die,he tried to repeat.
From over her shoulder, he saw a shape loom into view. The killer with nine lives.
“Nico!” he shouted, but it came out as a croak.
There was a hideous bang.
A shot?
The volcano?
Kit...
She screamed, curling around Tot. Cullen managed to roll onto his side in time to see Nico spin around, clutching at his ribs, falling onto the ground that was bucking visibly.
From the other direction, Archie and Gideon ran toward them, away from a familiar truck. John’s. Was he dreaming? Could that actually be his brother and a very dirty Archie Esposito?
Gideon had taken the shot, the gun still held in his hand.
Gideon never missed.
