Page 35 of Burn the World Down

Snyder was shouting, his words unintelligible. I hit the pavement, but I was in too much agony to move. Then I realized the guard who’d been holding me, Zanotti, was on the ground, as well. I gingerly turned my head. He was lying still, and there was a hole between his dark eyes.

What?

My foggy brain tried to process it. Then I spotted Snyder scrambling away. Bruno was shielding him. There were more cracking sounds. Gunshots. They were slow. Careful. Controlled.

Bruno jerked, and red bloomed on his shirt. He waved his gun around, firing wildly and blindly.

The pair of them dove into the backseat of the car.

More bullets hit the metal. The car fishtailed as it sped away, its engine revving.

Then there was just the sound of my own ragged breathing and nothing but pain.

I heard the sound of running footsteps. I tensed. Was it another guard?

Then I saw Nash’s face.

“Fuck, sweetheart.” There was a brief touch on my face. “They’re gone. I’ve got you.”

I tried to talk, but my lips were bloody and I couldn’t form the words. I managed a low gurgle.

“Shh. Easy.” He eased his arms under me and lifted me.

Pain flared to life everywhere. A small cry escaped me.

“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I know it hurts. I need to get you out of here.”

I closed my eyes. Nash was carrying me. It felt like a dream.

Then I felt him stop. He was standing in the shadows and I heard his voice. It took me a second to realize he was talking on the phone.

“Landon, it’s me. I need your help.”

I drifted in and out of consciousness. I loved the low rumble of his voice. So deep, sexy.

“She’s been beaten badly. Can you come and get us? We’re on the corner of?—”

I breathed in his scent. Dimly, I realized he must have come here on foot. It was a long way from the Avernus.

“Okay, thanks, man. See you soon. Hurry.”

Gently, he shifted me in his arms.

“N-Nash.”

“Yeah, Georgie. I’m here. I’m going to take care of you.”

“You…came.”

“Yes. I realized you were in trouble. I ran here as fast as I could.”

I thought for a second that I heard a shake in his voice.

“Hell, if I was a little later…” He made a low sound. “I’m going to look after you and keep you safe.” He paused. “You had the chance to walk away, but you didn’t. Now, you’ll have to deal with the consequences.”

I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.

I drifted in and out of consciousness, listening to his steady heartbeat under my ear. I felt warm in his arms. And not alone. The pain didn’t seem quite as bad.