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Kane dove for the ground as dust flew through the night, and one second later, he lurched back to his feet as Tyke ripped open the driver’s door. The bastard fisted Kelp’s shirt and tossed his body to the ground, jumping in to take his place.
Kane fired again. It struck the inside of the door just as Tyke was slamming it shut.
The engine ground as he shifted into gear and the truck started to roll.
No.
No. No. No.
Kane couldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t let him get away with them.
He ran after him, pushing himself as hard as he could go. His feet pounding on the pavement as he chased down the truck that increased in speed.
The truck gained distance with each second that passed.
Kane strained, gasping as he struggled to keep up.
But there was no chance. No chance as the truck skidded around the corner at the next street, tires squealing as he made a sharp left turn.
Kane stumbled to a stop, air raking from his lungs as he bent over at the waist, grief nearly cutting him in two.
He roared in agony.
Because he knew there was no chance that Tyke would end up at the docks with those girls.
No chance that Kane could find them.
And undoubtedly, his death warrant was being signed by Cutter right then.
He failed.
He failed.
Cries echoed on the deepening night as the sound of the truck disappeared into the nothingness and the shriek of the sirens increased.
Kane lumbered off the side of the road and dropped to his knees.
Hatred and shame and regret battered his soul.
Every mistake and sin he’d ever committed laid out in front of him as if it were proof.
A devastating condemnation.
And he submitted himself to it.
Gave his complete surrender.
His one purpose distinctly clear.
Because as he hid himself on the far side of the embankment in the distance and watched as four police cruisers came skidding to a stop where the four girls had staggered to their feet and out into the middle of the road, their silhouettes lit up in the blaring glare of the cars’ headlights, Kane knew.
“Don’t ever change. Don’t ever let that beautiful light fade. Fight for love and what’s right. I know you will…because it’s who you are.”
His mother’s last words fell over him, and he welcomed the pain.
The grief.
The shame.