Page 15 of Untouchable
“Second chance?” another woman asks. “So this is him, then? He’s the Braxton fromOur Love Story?” They must not have seen the kiss we shared at the last event circulating around. “Does that mean you’re together now?”
Joss looks at me for confirmation, and I raise a brow at her. How is that even a question she needs to ask me? “Yes,” she smiles brightly. “We’re together now.” A loud cheer erupts in the room as they beg to get a picture of us together.
I pull my woman into my arms, leaning down to capture her lips and sweep my tongue into her mouth as I hold her close while devouring her. She mewls and holds onto my shoulders as I cup her ass, my rigid length digging into her belly, ready to take her for a fourth time already.
A throat clearing breaks us apart reluctantly. Ena is shaking her head at us with a smile on her face. “That ass is mine tonight,” I whisper into her ear before releasing her to address more questions before she begins signing books and taking pictures with her fans.
By the time the event comes to a close and the last few readers leave, my spine begins to tingle, and I know from experience that can only mean one thing.
Shit is about to go down.
Calling Porter and Trusen over, I tell them to keep an eye on the bookstore’s windows and doors because someone is watching. They nod and begin discreetly looking for the threat.
“What’s wrong?” Joss picks up on my tension.
“Not sure yet.” She’s holding her laptop close to her chest as I move her and Ena towards a part of the store that can’t be seen unless you enter the building. “Stay here; don’t come out.” Outside, a flash of something familiar catches my eye seconds before I register what it is. “Get down!” I shout as the first shot is fired.
Bullets pelt the walls through glass and books, and employees start screaming. Working my way back to Joss, I see her and Ena lying on the floor, hands covering their heads but unhurt. “Don’t move!” I tell them again, waiting until they glance up at me and nod.
There are too many seconds between shots for the weapon to be automatic, which makes me believe it’s a handgun and this person is likely an amateur. When the firing stops, I move, heading straight for the front door until I’m on the sidewalk.
Rushing into the road, I hear sirens coming closer, but I don’t see the shooter. Glancing up to the rooftops across the street, I notice nothing there either. Something is not clicking. This isn’t the work of a professional; this is personal and someone who doesn’t care about bystanders. Which, as far as I’m concerned, means the Senator and his son aren’t the ones behind the threats. They’d hire someone to do their dirty work.
Unfortunately, that brings it back to her parents or sisters. I’d prefer one of the Clancys, if I’m honest.
“Brax?” Trusen’s voice sounds off.
Turning around, I see him holding his side as blood stains his clothes, and he drops to the sidewalk. “Fuck, call an ambulance!” I point at Porter as he stares in shock at his brother. Rushing to Tru’s side, I help him lie down and lift his shirt to assess the damage.
“Never thought it’d burn,” he mutters, staring up at the clear blue sky.
Porter drops down next to me. “Ambulance is coming; cops are right there.” He nods to the cruisers screeching to a halt a few feet away.
One comes rushing over with a jump bag, pulling out gauze to staunch the bleeding. “Through and through,” I report, but it’s in a precarious position. Could have hit an organ. “You’ll be fine, Tru.” He nods as his eyes close, hand reaching out for his brother.
“How’s Joss? She okay?” he asks, pain evident in his tone.
“Yeah, man. She was hidden and down low when the shots started. Just breathe. That’s all you’ve got to do right now.” An ambulance arrives, taking over, and I send Porter away with them. After giving the police a run-down of what happened, why, and who I think it might be, I’m finally able to get back to Joss, who is pale and shaken as Ena stands with her.
“How’s Trusen? Will he be okay?” Tears crowd her eyes as I drag her into my chest, holding her tight and thankful she’s unhurt.
“He was talking when they loaded him up. We’ll make a stop at the hospital before we leave,” I reassure her. I’m no longer working on her schedule, and plan to take her off-grid until I can get a handle on who is out to kill her.
This is no longer a stalking situation. What happened today was attempted murder, and I won’t let that stand in order for the perp to get a second shot.
* * *
With her head resting on my lap, Joss passed out almost as soon as we were told Tru would be in surgery for a few more hours. We’ve been sitting with Porter, Sage and her husband, and Ena ever since.
“He’ll come home with us,” Sage says. “You need to hide her away again.” Her hand rubs up and down Joss’ leg from where she’s sitting next to my woman with her feet in her lap. “Porter, you should come, too. I know the kids would love to see you.” Lochlan agrees, and I’m glad they’re taking over because I don’t want to have to tell either of the brothers they won’t be coming with us. Where I plan to take Joss is a small cabin high in the mountains, with no civilization for hours. If someone breaches the perimeter, I’ll know who and from where before they’re aware I’m onto them.
A doctor finally arrives, and while waking Joss kills me, I do it. She cries as she listens to the damage done to her brother—his spleen had to be removed, and he coded on the table once as they were repairing damage, but they’re hopeful for a full recovery.
She sags in my arms, so I pick her up and carry her behind the doctor so she can see Trusen before I whisk her away.
“Oh, Trusen.” He’s pale and groggy, but they take a private moment to speak, and Joss seems to feel better for it. After he makes me promise to protect her with my life and find out who’s after her, I’ve got her lying down in the back of a blacked-out SUV with fresh plates, and we’re on our way to my old friend, Shaw Remington’s hunting cabin in the Crazy Mountains of Montana.
* * *