I crawled around the desk to find Brad. He was tucked into the corner, hiding under the blanket I took to my therapy appointments with Dr. Kelly.
“Brad,” I whispered, touching his leg.
He jerked but didn’t scream. Slowly he revealed his tear-streaked face. Oh, my heart. What would his parents think, or my colleagues? Would I even have a job after this? It didn’t matter. I couldn’t think about my career or future. My only concern was getting Brad out of here safely. And Willow and me.
“Everything is going to be okay. I’ll get us out of here, but I need you to stay put. Okay?”
He nodded, blue eyes pleading with me to keep him safe. I would. I would protect Brad with my life.
I nearly screamed when Luna leapt into my lap. My poor baby. I hadn’t seen where she’d run off to. I nuzzled her with my nose, then handed her to Brad.
“Keep her safe, okay?” I whispered.
The corner of his lip curled as he tucked Luna into his jacket. She settled in without complaint, melting my heart.
Willows wails increased. So did Paul’s yelling.
Peering around the corner of the desk, I held back a gasp. He kicked Willow in the stomach, grunting as if it took all his strength. I needed to help her.
Where was Storm and his posse? The Sheriff? Swat team?
Where was my Hero? I desperately needed him.
I heard his raspy voice telling me to take control.You are strong,mi vida. A badass.At this moment, I had no other choice but to be.
With the mace in my right hand and the switchblade in my other, I charged toward Paul, hellbent on making my man proud.
“Leave her alone, you fucking asshole!” I screamed at the top of my lungs to get his attention. When he whirled around, I sprayed him in the eyes.
Paul stumbled back, a feeble cry as he rubbed his face, tripping over his feet.
“Get to the door,” I shouted to Willow as I ran to get Brad.
“I’ll kill you, you bitch,” Paul hollered, more furious than before.
I took Brad by the hand to make a run for it. “Come on.” I pushed him, shielding this body with mine.
Willow crawled to open the door, a look of abject horror in her eyes. I sensed Paul getting to his feet quickly.
“Hurry,” Willow coughed.
I heard the gun go off before I reached the threshold. My knee buckled, blinding pain nearly knocking me over, but I caught myself against the door jam. Warmth spread down my back, my right arm going limp.
“Brad, run to the front.” I fought to keep going. The pain in my shoulder was worse than anything I’d ever felt before. “Run, Brad!”
“Dorothy!”
“Come on.” Willow wrapped her arm around my waist to help me down the hallway. Breathlessly, I kept my eyes on Brad, running for his life.
Another gunshot went off. Willow screamed, tugging me to go faster, but my legs weren’t cooperating. My shoulder felt like it was on fire. My father shot me...
Another round fired. And another.
We were almost to the exit, but I feared we wouldn’t make it as Mr. Wizard blindly shot at us.
Willow huffed, dragging me to safety. Brad was nowhere in sight. We had to make it out too.
So close, keep moving.