Point number two against Tara. This woman thoughtherself untouchable. “Whoareyou?”
“You must not have caught the news.” She straightened. “I’m Muffin Davis Fitzhugh.”
“Wow, three names. Impressive.”
Muffin glared. “Nothing?”
Tara gave her a blank look. “I guarantee I would have remembered the name Muffin. Did your parents own a bakery? Are your sisters Cupcake and Éclair?”
Muffin turned bright red and she stepped forward in a flashto slap Tara across the face. “Shut your fucking mouth!” Spittle flew from her lips and she held the gun to Tara’s forehead. “I’ll have you know that I’m going to be the next First Lady of the United States.”
Good God, I hope not. Tara’s heart threatened to jump from her chest. Before she could knock the gun away, Muffin took two steps back and gave herself a little shake, re-cloaking herselfin the mantle of control.
Something clicked in Tara’s brain. Holy shit. Was Muffin married to that misogynistic senator, something-or-other Fitzhugh from North Carolina?
“The only thing standing in my way is you.” The picture of composure except for her rapid breathing, Muffin gave her a cruel smile. “Any last word—”
Someone pounded on the bathroom door, drawing the woman’s attention.
Tara jumped, grabbing for Muffin’s arm. They slipped on the tile, landing hard. “Oof.” Her hip slammed into the floor.
She lost her grip, but the fall knocked the gun from Muffin’s hand, sending it into the corner.
“Tara?” Jeff’s muffled voice came through the door.
“Jeff!” She crawled toward the weapon. “Hel—”
Muffin yanked her back by her ankle, clawing over her. “No,” Muffin said. “Youwill not ruin everything I’ve worked for.”
Tara threw an elbow, connecting with something bony, pain radiating up her arm as Muffin cried out but didn’t stop crawling. Tara threw back her head and flailed, anything to stop the other woman’s progress.
A key rattled in the lock. “She has a gun!” Tara yelled.
The door slammed open with a loudthunk.
Muffin scrambled off Tara. She grabbedthe weapon and raised it toward Jeff, who crouched low in the doorway, ready to pounce.
No!Tara pushed to one foot and dove for Muffin.
Bang!
Tara’s body jerked.
The shot was shockingly loud. Deafening without the ear protection she wore to the range.
Muffin’s eyes widened.
Tara reached for her, but her left arm wouldn’t cooperate.
Something slammed into her back, crushing her andMuffin into a heap against the wall with a strangled cry.
Bang!The sound filled her ears, filled her head. Her mind turned fuzzy and the room dimmed.
And then, like an explosion, came the pain.
“Tara!”Jeff hadn’t wanted to tackle both women, but it was the only way to knock down and possibly disarm the shooter before she fired again.
He gripped Tara around the waist, yanking heroff her attacker as he spun to the left and onto his back with Tara on top.
