Went for the gate. Opened it.
Tarver lurched to his feet and pushed Brooklyn down to run toward Colin.
The cat started moving. Coming fast now.
“Run for the gate, Brooklyn,” Colin yelled and charged Tarver, tackling him into the dirt away from the opening so Brooklyn could squeeze through. “Close the gate behind you.”
She got to her feet and slid outside. “I can’t close it with you in there.”
“You have to.” Colin strained to hold Tarver back from blocking the gate. “We can’t risk the cat getting free. Killing others.”
She started sobbing and latched the gate.
Colin prayed for help.
His strength seemed to double, and he rolled free of Tarver to scramble up the chain-link fence, clinging for safety near the top. Sumo could likely drag him down, but Tarver was an easier prey right now.
A bullet struck the dirt in front of Sumo. Then another and another. Had to be Dev trying to warn the cat off without killing him. Sumo skidded to a stop, his eyes dazed.
Please, God, say the dart is finally starting to work.
Sumo roared, then lunged at Tarver, his mouth wide open. He came down, his mighty jaw clamping around Tarver’s leg. The man screamed in agony. Colin wanted to look away, but he couldn’t. Not when Sumo could come for him next.
24
Brooklyn screamed, feeling as if she were out of her body in a nightmare.
She didn’t like Kane, but she didn’t want him to be mauled by a giant cat. And she sure didn’t want him to move on to Colin.
“Stop! Stop!” She waved her arms and charged the gate.
Sumo looked up at her, his eyes rolling back, and he suddenly collapsed, releasing Kane’s leg. Kane glanced at her, his face contorted in pain. He doubled up and moaned.
“Calling an ambulance and we’re in Sheriff Day’s jurisdiction, so I’ll give her a call too,” Dev yelled from somewhere nearby, but it sounded like he was moving their way.
While Brooklyn was focused on Sumo, Nick had come forward, gun in hand and had Luka pinned down. She looked around for Rocco. The giant of a man was tied up next to the trailer, with the rope she’d used to pull the gate closed as his restraint.
She continued to the gate. Lifted the latch to let Colin out.
He dropped to the ground. Went to Kane.
“How long does the tranquilizer work?” Colin asked.
“Not sure.”
“Then let’s get you out of here, but it’s gonna hurt.” Colin scooped under Kane’s armpits and dragged him out.
He screamed in anguish with each step. Brooklyn’s stomach roiled, but she got the gate closed. Locked the cat in. She took a long breath, then turned to stare at Kane’s mangled leg as it bled into the soil.
Colin whipped off his belt and secured it above the wound. Kane screamed and writhed in pain.
She felt bad for him. She really did, but he’d brought this on himself. Still, as her thoughts started to be more coherent, she offered a prayer on his behalf.
“We need a first aid kit or some bedding or towels to pack the wound,” Colin said.
“Got a first aid kit in the car,” Nick said, “but you need more than the little bit of gauze it contains.” He looked at Dev, who’d joined them. “Take over guarding this loser, and I’ll check the house.”
Dev stepped up to Luka and held his rifle at the ready. Overkill? Likely, but Brooklyn had to admit to finally feeling safe.
