With her hands still bound behind her back, she couldn’t even fasten her seatbelt. She watched as Russell got in and keyed the ignition. A brief moment of hope that it wouldn’t start passed her thoughts, but the damn thing came to life instantly. He threw it into gear and started moving, but then she heard a loud pop, followed by another one. The vehicle swerved as Russell fought for control before slamming on the brakes and skidding to a stop.
Standing less than ten feet from the vehicle were Luke and Tanner. How had they gotten here so fast? Unless, they’d come with Garrett… Her heart sank again at the thought of what had happened to him. And to think she actually thought she could stop it. She’d been such a fool. A madly in love, stubborn fool, who’d let her heart overrule what her mind had always known. The only way to save Garrett would’ve been to leave Dallas whenshe still had the chance. She’d never forgive herself for staying, and killing the man she loved.
Unable to process the fact that Garrett was really gone, she turned her attention to Luke and Tanner. They held up their guns, aiming them at her and Russell.
As they should. They had every right to want her dead. She was the reason their friend was dead. Garrett was the best thing that had ever happened to her and now he was gone, and she was the only one to blame for his death.
“End of the line, Russell Graham,” Luke called out.
“Toss the keys out and get out of the vehicle. Keep your hands where we can see them,” Tanner ordered.
Reese shook her head. What were they doing? They should be trying to save Garrett, not her.
“I’ve waited a long time for this day,” Luke said. “One way or another, you’re going to pay for your crimes. Now get out with your hands where we can see them.”
Reese swallowed hard, afraid to look at Russell, knowing this was it. After what he’d done to Orly, Luke wasn’t going to let him get away again. She just couldn’t figure out why they looked so calm. Didn’t they know Garrett was inside that cabin? Didn’t they care?
Russell shifted in his seat, and Reese held her breath, thinking maybe he was about to do what they’d asked. But instead, he pulled out his weapon and brought it up to show it to them.
Luke and Tanner took a step back and aimed their weapons on Russell.
“Last chance, Russell. You drop your weapon and come out with your hands up, or you don’t come out at all,” Luke warned. His voice was loud enough over the roar of the fire, but all Reese could think about was Garrett. Would Luke and Tanner really be out here trying to save her if they knew their friend was dead?
She shook her head again, wishing they’d heed her warning and let Russell take her wherever the hell he wanted to. Garrett was inside the cabin and he needed them!
Russell moved the gun, bringing it below the dashboard where Luke and Tanner likely couldn’t see it and pointed it at her. Her gaze locked on the barrel and her breath caught in her throat. She wouldn’t plead for her life. Without Garrett, she had nothing to live for. She just watched and waited for the bullet to come. But Russell turned the gun on himself, pointed it at his chin and then - BAM!
Reese flinched, a scream ripping through her as wetness sprayed the side of her face and arm. She’d seen this exact moment when she’d looked into his eyes earlier, but she hadn’t seen herself with him. Was this really it?
Before she even knew what was happening, her door was being ripped open. Tanner was pulling her out of the SUV and pushing her gag down to around her neck. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
Reese gasped for air as if someone had been choking her this whole time. “Garrett,” she managed to say between sobs. “He killed Garrett.”
