“And why is that?”
“Weakness.” His voice sends nerves down my spine. Alexander groans in the background.
“I have no weakness.”
“Oh, but you do. He’s lying there, on the ground. Your heart is full of your weakness,” he sears his response.
“I protect the ones I love,” I say shakily, taking one step slowly, as he creeps closer and closer.
“And what a fine job you’ve done. Jeremiah, Lucie, and now that pathetic little pup, Jackson.” His words echo louder than the thunder booming around us. “It’s time to rid the streets of pathetic, ungrateful, insignificant vermin.”
I shake my head. Evil words. Disgusting words. I’ll find a way to erase his name and build something greater. “Take another step and I will end you, Connors!” I yell, inching closer to the bottom of the step. I go to shoot the gun, but nothing happens. My anxiety and nerves get the best of me, and the gun locks for some reason. I panic.
“Little girls shouldn’t play with guns,” he laughs. Alexander starts to get up, but the fall took something out of him. I look back at Connors. Another roar in the distance swirls through the air. It’s not thunder, but the engines of bikes.They’re here. Light at the end of the tunnel.
“You lose,” I snarl. A weak grin spreads across my face. He points his gun, not at me, but Alexander.
“We’ll see about that,” he chuckles as he fires. Everything is slow now, but somehow, I’m faster. I shielded Alexander, just like he did for me.
The bullet hit me in my lower side, and the impact jerks me back. Pain radiates through my body. I see the blue eyes of Alexander staring into mine.I’m sorry mo chroi.His body vibrates in shock. He yells but all sound is muffled. Time and sound have slowly disappeared on me. I jerk my head up, see Doc and Memphis coming in first, guns up and firing. I collapse to the side. I watch Connors’ body shake from the impact of bullets impaling him, his life ending in one fiery swoop.
An enemy is out of the game. No more harm can be done. People will be safe. We did it. If I have to go, at least I know everyone is safe.
Alexander cradles me in his arms. “Teresa, what have you done?”
My breathing becomes heavy. I caress his cheek. “Oh, I don’t like the sound of that. I’m in trouble when you say that.” I laugh a little.
“You..”
“Stubborn woman.” We both smile. My body is aching, I don’t know how much time I have or what’s left, but I’m happy I’m here in his arms. The man who brought me back to life when I needed it the most.
“Stay with me, darlin.’ You can’t leave me.” He kisses my forehead.Don’t cry, my love. It takes a lot to get this woman down.
“Never,” I start to say, my eyes growing heavy and tired. “Until the roads end and in the after,a ghra mo chroi.” There’s a bright light, so warm and comforting. I close my eyes and fall into it, with Alexander holding me tight.
Chapter 32
Ifindmyselfbackon Granddaddy’s porch. Sitting with a lemonade in my hand and a white summer sundress to style. I can hear the chirping in the back. A warm breeze greets my face. Then one of the most majestic sights I see.
“Granddaddy.”
“My brave little bear.” The hint of his Irish accent melts my heart. “So brave.”
“I did it. Are you proud of me?”
He cupped my cheek. His gentle smile, his kind blue looking into mine. Burning away darkness that dares lingers.
“I have always been proud of you.”
“Am I in heaven?”
He shakes his head. I’m alive? How? I thought the gun shot would have ended my life. With the extensive injuries. “Then what is this?”
“Think of this as your mind telling you to rest and fight”
“My mind… ”
“Your mind giving you a friendly face of strength.”