Page 79 of Save Me

Keelan passed me to Colt, who began leading me away with his arm around me.

“Wait a minute, you’re not taking her anywhere,” Logan said.

I stopped walking and glanced back.

“Yes, we are,” Knox said.

“What you just said to her, whether you meant it or not, was not okay,” Keelan said in a deep and angry voice.

“She battles every day to not blame herself for what happened and you turned around and did it,” Creed seethed.

Logan’s gaze flicked to me and a coldness hardened his face. “They know?”

Colt’s arm around me tightened, but I didn’t react.

“Damnit, Shiloh!” Logan roared. “Do you have any idea of the danger you have put yourself in?”

I stepped away from Colt and turned to face my uncle fully. “I want you to leave.”

“You’re damn right I’m leaving. We both are,” he snapped, taking a step toward me.

Both Knox and Keelan blocked his way.

Logan stared them down. “Get out of my way.”

Keelan stood straighter. “You take one more step toward her and you and I will spar.”

I saw the calculation in Logan’s eyes. I knew what it meant. There was a possibility Keelan could take Logan, if Logan fought fair. But one of the first things Logan had taught me was that when it came to survival, there was no such thing as fairness. It was you or them. I wasn’t going to sit back and watch Keelan get hurt.

“You think you can take me, boy?” I heard my uncle ask Keelan as I reached behind the TV and grabbed the gun hidden there.

Colt’s eyes widened when he saw what I had. I stepped between Knox and Keelan.

Logan’s gaze flicked to me, then dropped to my hand. “You going to shoot me, Shi?”

Knox, Keelan, and Creed looked at me. I briefly glanced back at them. “Wait for me outside.”

Keelan looked like he was about to argue.

“Go,” I ordered. “Please.”

They slowly moved toward the door. I didn’t take my eyes off my uncle as they did.

“What’s the plan, Shi?” Logan asked. “Are you thinking ahead? Shooting me will only get you put in jail.”

“I am thinking ahead. I think you’re going to let me walk out that door and you’re going to be gone by the time I come home in the morning.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “You aren’t safe here.”

“Then go stay with Ian, wherever he is.”

“I’m not going anywhere without you.”

I shook my head. “I’m not leaving with you, Logan.” He took a step toward me and I took a step back. “Please, Logan,” I begged as I squeezed my hand around the gun, scared to lift it to point it at him. “Don’t put me in a position where I don’t have a choice.” I knew my uncle. When it came to my safety, things like reason didn’t reach him, only the need to get me safe. I still had to try, though. “I won't kill you, but I will shoot you where it’ll hurt. The foot or maybe the leg. Either one will keep you from getting your revenge on Mr. X.”

“You really think I’d choose revenge over your safety?” he asked.

“I honestly don’t know.” My hand holding the gun shook a little. “I’ve lost everyone, Logan. Don’t take them from me, too.”