Page 136 of Contentious

“He’s coming with me. Let’s go.”

“I’ll be fine, Mom. Don’t worry.”

“Get some gas.”

“With what?” Carson asked. “My good looks?”

Marlon threw a credit card at Carson’s head, pulled the back door open and grabbed Ty’s arm, roughly dragging him from the car.

“Please!” Cresley screamed. “Don’t take him!”

The door was slammed in her face. “Carson! What do we do?”

He looked down at the bloodstains soaking his T-shirt. “Come here.”

She got out and opened the driver’s door, gasping when she spotted the blood. “Oh God, Carson…”

“I can’t drive for much longer. You might have to take it from here. Go around to the passenger side and use this key to open the glove box. Hurry.”

Cresley did as he directed and had the box open in a matter of seconds even as her hands trembled wildly. She glanced over her shoulder, looking for Ty, who’d disappeared into the store with Marlon. Hopefully, he was letting the boy use the bathroom.

“Give me the gun and the phone.”

She handed the items to him.

Carson fired up the phone and called 911. “This is Carson Remington. I believe you might be looking for me, as well as Cresley and Ty Dane. We were kidnapped by Marlon Beckett, who’s wanted for attempted murder.” He gave their location and the address of the gas station.

“We’re dispatching units, sir. Please stand by.”

After Carson ended the call, he silenced the phone and stashed it in the door compartment.

“He’s got my son,” she said on a whimper. “I need to go in there.”

“Stay right here. He won’t do anything in front of people and cameras.”

“What will he do when he sees police coming for him?”

“When he comes outside, go right to Ty. Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll take care of Marlon.”

“Carson… You’re bleeding.”

“I’m okay.”

“You’re not okay!”

“I will be. I promise. Do you trust me?”

She bit her lip and nodded, keeping her gaze trained on the store.

“Focus on Ty. Nothing else, all right? Get him out of here.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be right behind you. Here they come.” Carson got out of the vehicle and moved toward the back end while Cresley rushed toward Ty, wrapping her arms around him and taking off before Marlon even saw her coming.

Carson pulled the gun on Marlon, ignoring the pain that ripped through his entire body after sitting for so long. “One more step, and you’re a dead man. Put down your gun.”

“Fuck you.”