Hollywood ran in from the back, gun drawn. “Heard gunshots.” His gaze fell on Baldie. “What the fuck?”
Coughing and gurgling came from the hallway, the sound turning my blood cold.
“Jill!” Wolf ran past me.
It was then I registered where Baldie’s shot had gone.
“Goddammit, no,” Wolf wailed. “No!”
David stopped in his tracks at the entrance to the hallway. He shook his head with a grim expression.
The air left my lungs, tears burning behind my eyes. I shook my head refusing to believe it. My sister couldn’t be dead. I squeezed my eyes shut, hugging Aspen in my arms. Burying my fingers in her soft hair. Fighting through the agony in my heart.
Fuck no, Jill couldn’t be gone.
But I knew she was. Felt it deep in the marrow of my bones.
I released Aspen, forcing my feet to move despite the horror I was about to face. Wolf cried on the floor, cradling my sister in his arms. Her face was white as a ghost, eyes open and vacant behind her black-rimmed nerdy glasses, blood drenching her scarf.
David gripped my arm. “I’m sorry.”
“What?” Aspen rushed toward the hallway, but David stopped her. I couldn’t move to tend to her as I watched my brother totally destroyed, rocking my sister back and forth.
“Come here, babe.” Hollywood took Aspen from David.
The sound of my Snow crying brought on my own tears. I collapsed on my knees beside Wolf and took Jill’s hand.
“Jill, come on, sis, don’t do this to me. Don’t leave me.” I kissed her hand, begging her to come back to us as if she could hear. “You’re all the family I have left.” We’d been through the wringer when our parents died five years ago. It was why she moved to Minnesota to be with me after she graduated college. We were all we had left.
“She’s gone. She’s really gone,” Wolf muttered through his tears. His shoulders shook, holding her head to his chest. “My one, how can you leave me on this place alone?”
A hand touched my shoulder. I didn’t acknowledge it, keeping my gaze on Jill’s, entwining my fingers with hers. I didn’t care about her part in ruining everything for Aspen and me. I loved my sister and wanted her back. Dammit, I wanted her back.
“Boxer, I know you don’t want to hear this. But you need to leave. Campbell has men coming.” David turned around. “You did good, little lady. Real good.” His gaze shifted from Aspen to me. “I’m so sorry about this.”
“No! I won’t endanger anyone else.” Aspen ripped herself out of Hollywood’s arms and ran out the front door.
Hollywood went after her, hollering her name.
I dropped my head, letting a tear escape.Hollywood will get Aspen. He had to because my body wouldn’t move. I couldn’t let Jill go. In the same breath, I felt it in my soul that I needed to go after my woman. It took me a few agonizing seconds before I kissed my sister’s hand and released it. I jumped to my feet, bolting after Aspen.
She was fast as lightning, outrunning Hollywood. I booked it, catching up to him as more distance spread between my girl and us.
“Aspen, stop! He’ll kill you!” I couldn’t lose her too. I fucking couldn’t lose her.
“What the hell, man?” Hollywood gasped, pushing himself as hard as me. “Did she run track?”
“Yeah, she did.” Fuck, I’d forgotten about that. I heaved in air, trying to push myself harder. Aspen flew down the road, kicking up snow, her blonde hair swinging in the breeze.
“Aspen!” My damn lungs burned. It felt like my legs might give out before I caught her.
She didn’t look back, staying focused.
From behind me, the roar of a motor neared. David drove by us in his Jeep.
“Think he’ll run her over?” Hollywood panted.
“He better not.”