Page 25 of Say You'll Stay

“I thought you didn’t live here anymore.”

He whirls around at the sound of my voice. There’s a knife in his hand. I remove my gun and point it at him. “What are you doing with that toy?”

“You gonna shoot me?” he jeers, but there’s a quaver of fear in his voice.

“I’d like to, but since that’d probably put me behind bars, I opt for a different plan.” I toss the gun to the side. It lands exactly where I wanted it to, closer to him than me. “Let’s fight, then. You’ve got age on me.”

“Sure.” He dives for the gun, and when he brings it up, he shoots. I dive to the right and feel the blow in my shoulder.

In dramatic fashion, I fall to the ground, clutching the wound. “You shot me,” I gasp.

The side door opens, and Ware steps out. “I watched it all on camera. Attempted murder.” He shakes his head.

“What? No!” Gideon protests. The gun falls out of his hand to the ground. “I was defending myself.”

“The entire interaction is on video.” Ware points to the security cam. “Evers threw down his gun. You grabbed it and shot an unarmed man who was trying to stop a robbery.”

“Robbery with a firearm is an aggravated felony,” I add helpfully.

“Does The Academy have law classes?” Ware asks.

“Just a little tidbit I picked up.”

“You planned this,” Gideon shrieks, but his protestations are drowned out by police sirens.

“I gave them a call when I saw Gideon in the security camera,” Ware explains.

“Nice.”

“Your acting is top-tier.” He hands me a towel.

I press it against my wound. “I was shot for real.”

“You stepped into the bullet,” he says quietly. “That kid has never shot a gun before and would have missed you even from point-blank distance.”

“You can’t prove it.” Not even the camera footage would reveal that.

“No, but it’s a good plan. Gideon will be put away for several years, and my family will be safe. I owe you one.”

“Great. I’m calling in the favor. Hire a new nanny. Vasey will always be there for Jasmine, but you need a new caretaker for your girl.”

Ware sighs. “I honor my debts.”

The ambulance squad brings over the backboard. I refuse it but agree to ride to the emergency room to get stitched up. When I get back home, the sun is peeking through the clouds. Vasey’s on the steps looking unhappy.

I grin. “Honey, I’m home.”

Chapter Seventeen

VASEY

“Istill can’t believe he shot you.” I rest my head against West's chest. Despite having been shot hours ago, he remains as handsome as ever.

“It’s for the best.” I snap my head up and glare at him. What a ridiculous thing to say.

“You being shot isn’t for the best. You’re lucky it was only in the shoulder.” I can’t bear the thought of something happening to him.

“That little shit’s in jail, so—” He shrugs. I huff out a breath.