“Put the gun down, David. We both know you won’t use it on her.” At least, that was his hope. The guy didn’t look stable at the moment. There was a red welt on his arm and his hair was in disarray. His eyes even had a wild look to them.
“She’s mine and I’m walking out of here with her.”
“Not happening.”Vincetook a step closer.
“Stop moving. I will shoot her.” David pressed the gun harder into Fiona’s side.Vincecould see David’s hand tremble. He had to be smart about this or David could shoot her on accident. Where the gun was aimed would kill her instantly. He had to remain calm. The banging on the door stopped. Ortiz either gave up or finally got in and was waiting for the right moment to strike.Vinceheld up both hands.
“Calm down, David. You don’t want to hurt Fiona.”Vincedropped a finger on his right hand, giving a signal to Ortiz, whom he knew was watching through the window. He did dare glance that direction to confirm.
“It’s your fault it had to come to this.” He aimed the gun at him.Vincewould rather the gun was aimed at him than Fiona. With it off Fiona, he stood a better chance of ending this without risking her getting injured. He lowered another finger. “She always picked you over me. I was her best friend, but she always told me how much she lovedyou.” He spat the word you. “You’re not good enough for her and never will be. You could never love her the way that I do. Even her family accepts me. They’ll never accept a man-whore like you into their family.”
“You’re right,”Vinceeasily agreed, taking a step to the left and dropping another finger so only one finger remained up. He didn’t care what David had to say as long as he kept talking and could focus on getting into position. “I’m not good enough for her.”
“You’re not so dumb after all,” David sneered. “I should just kill you now. With you gone, Fiona won’t have anyone to pine for. She’ll love me the way she’s supposed to.” That didn’t sound good. He had to act quickly.
Vincedropped his last finger just before the living room window to the right broke. He knew Ortiz was standing by. David turned toward the sound, swinging the gun in the same direction.Vinceused the distraction to reach down for the knife strapped to his ankle and toss it at David, hitting him in the shoulder. He didn’t want to kill the bastard, but instead send him to jail for a long time.
David instantly let go of the gun and started dropping to the floor from the momentum. Fiona flew from his grip and rolled to the side.Vinceran to her, barely catching her before she slammed her head onto the hardwood. As much as he wanted to look her over, he wanted to make sure the threat was eliminated first.
David groaned, trying to roll over for the gun.Vincekicked the gun out of reach and slammed his fist into David’s face, breaking his nose and knocking him unconscious. Ortiz ran in from the front door and headed straight for Fiona.
“Fi, come on, sis. Wake up.” Ortiz stroked her face, looking her over for injury.
“What’s that?”Vinceasked, moving in next to him and turning Fiona’s head to the side to reveal a dark red circle on her neck.
“Shit, it looks like he injected her with something.”
“The police are already on their way. I’ll stay here while you take her to the hospital.” Ortiz all but shoved him.Vincedidn’t question him. He lifted Fiona in his arms and ran out the door. It would be quicker to take her to the hospital now than wait for paramedics.Vinceeased Fiona into the back and took off as quick as he could. “Hang on, baby.” He prayed on the drive to the hospital he wouldn’t be too late.
Chapter 22
Fiona awoke to a blinding light piercing behind her eyes. She lifted her hand to try and block it, but it wouldn’t budge. Something was on top of it. She lifted her other to shield her eyes as she cracked them open. Everything was blurry but she could just make out a hand on top of hers. Bright light was filtering through a window to her left. What was going on? Where was she? Then it came back to her. David. They had fought before he shoved a needle into her neck.
Fiona sat up trying to scramble away. Her knee screamed in protest, but she ignored it when two sets of arms grabbed her. She tried to scream but nothing came out. Her mouth was drier than the Sahara.
“Fi, stop,” a deep voice commanded.
Fiona froze. She recognized that voice.Vince. She blinked several times, trying to will him into focus.
“It’s me, Vince. Ortiz is here too. You’re in the hospital.” Fiona slumped forward as another figure came into her line of sight.Joaquín. She winced when she felt a pain in her neck. Touching it, she felt a bandage. What the heck was that from?
The needle.
“Da-” she started to say, then started coughing. Her throat was so dry she ended up dry-sheaving.
“Get her some water,”JoaquínorderedVince.
A second later, a glass of water appeared in front of her. Fiona took it, drinking large gulps until it was taken away.
“Slowly, baby girl. Don’t make yourself sick.”
She drank slower this time. The water instantly reviving her. “David,” she said more clearly this time.
“We know.”Joaquínheld his hand up. “He’s being treated at the moment, but will be going to jail shortly.”
“Treated?” She didn’t think she hurt him that bad.
“You tell her,”JoaquíntoldVinceas his phone started buzzing. “I need to tell the family what happened and that she’s okay.”
