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I run up the stairs, slipping once, but I find my stride.
There’s a slamming of a door.
I hear a struggle of some sort.
“Maksim!”
I dart back down the steps.
Just in time to hear the first firework go off.
Then another.
And a muffled shout.
Except
It’s
Not
A
Firework….
“Parker!”
He gulps for air – a wet, gasping wobbly breath – and I scream, racing to get to him. I drop to my knees and clutch him to me. His eyes are open, and I kiss him.
“You’re okay.” I lie.
“Sabrina-” He points, and I grab his gun – blinded in my rage – shooting to kill. The form in the LED X eyes mask falls limp on the floor,and I go back to the love of my life. I grab a dish towel, tear open his costume, and pack it into his wound as quickly as I can.
“You can’t leave me. You can’t. I love you. You aren’t allowed to leave me, remember?”
“Forever…” he gasps.
I nod, kissing his lips. Nothing but a string of saliva connects us – but he’s more than a string of saliva. We’re more than bodyguard and employer. “Exactly. I love you. Forever. You have to stay. You have to stay. I love you. I love you.”
“For…ever…”
Eternal.
“PARKER!” I scream his name like a banshee in the night.
Then I scream again.
But he’s not blinking.
I get on my knees and get to work - not allowing the light behind his eyes to leave him. To leave me.
He’s not allowed.
The door slams open again – and I grab the gun, raising it, to see Niko with his hands up. Zorro mask gone. His pale eyes widen – Aleksi behind him. He runs to me first, taking over.
“Sabrina, go get help. We have this. We’ll… we’ll take him.” he shushes.
“Niko, I can't!”