“Get Porter, Darren. Now,” I ordered him, keeping my gun trained on the man.
Thankfully, he didn’t argue. He went to Porter’s side and grabbed him beneath his armpits, dragging him back toward where Alden was.
“This is quite the stalemate, Sophia. What is there left to do besides just shoot each other?” The man grinned, clearly thinking he’d won.
“I don’t think it’s a stalemate at all. You just shot one of the men I love, asshole. Big mistake.” If my stalker should’ve learned anything from me, it was that my dad had taught me how to use guns at a very young age and was damn good at it.
Which was why I had all the confidence in the world when I took aim and fired, hitting his hand that held the gun, making him drop it. It clattered to the floor, skidding toward me. I took a few steps forward with my gun still aimed at him and picked it up then tossed it behind me.
The man howled in pain and clutched the bloody hand to his chest, he stumbled over and fell next to the propane tanks. “Clever, bitch. Looks like you’ve won. Shoot me and be done with it,” he said, leaning against the tanks.
I smirked. “Oh, I’m not going to shoot you.”
He gave me a confused stare, clearly not ready for that response. “You’re not?”
I shook my head. “Nope. What was it that you had said in all your notes? I burn for you, Sophia?”
His eyes widened but he didn’t answer.
I gave him one last grin before turning my gun to the propane tanks he rested against. “Burn for me, asshole.”
Then with a calming breath, I took my shot.
“Fuck,” was all he managed to get out before an explosion blasted him into hundreds of pieces and I was sent flying backwards.
My body slammed into a wall and the world faded to black around me with one last thought racing through my mind.
I was finally free of him.
A beeping roused me awake, and I found myself in yet another hospital room. Only this time, it wasn’t the burn unit.
I glanced around and saw a figure laying on the couch that was in the room, his body covered with a blanket. I groaned as I sat up, feeling like my head was on the verge of exploding there was so much pressure.
The figure jerked awake and came to a seated position. I gasped realizing who it was.
“Kaden?” I whispered in shock.
My brother wiped a hand down his face, which looked far more tired and aged than it normally did. His blonde hair was a rumpled mess and his hazel eyes were rimmed with red.
“Soph, I was so fucking worried. Can you please stop almost dying on me?” he told me, coming to my side to pull me into a hug.
“I’m okay. But what the hell are you doing here? You should be home with your wife and your kid!”
He scoffed and sat in the chair next to my bed. “You really think I wouldn’t come when not only did my sister almost die—again—but also one of my childhood best friends almost died as well?”
My heart sputtered. “Porter’s alive?” I asked, hope burning in my chest.
He smiled and nodded. “He is. The bullets missed major organs and only nicked an artery and shattered one of his ribs, but he made it. He’s resting. Darren and Alden are with him now while I spent some time with you.”
A sigh of pure relief blew out of me. He was alive. They all were. I hadn’t killed them with that explosion.
“But my stalker is dead right? I didn’t imagine his body being blown to pieces?”
Kaden laughed. “Yes he’s dead. Did you really have to blow him up though? Wasn’t a head shot enough? You could’ve gotten yourself killed from the blast. You’re lucky you only got a bad concussion and a broken nose.”
I huffed. “No it wouldn’t be enough. I wanted to make sure he was dead this time. And for your information, he gave me the broken nose.”
“Tomato, tomahto. Just be glad you’re all in one piece unlike that guy. I’m proud of you for getting yourself out of there. Dad would be too.”
