Page 99

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Daniel had never felt more useless in his life than he did as he watched Gunnar creep closer to the Barratts’ back door. The Barratts were the closest thing to a family he had ever had.

And he couldn’t do a damned thing.

But he could get his ass to help. There were neighbors. Right there. Across the road from the Barratts’, at the end of the damned cul-de-sac. Hell, Heather’s place was six or seven blocks away. Jake was twelve or thirteen away. He had people here who could help. But blocks in Hughes Heights were damned big, considering.

He just had to get to them. Get Gunnar backup.

Get Powell back. Melissa and Mason.

Daniel pulled himself to his feet. He had lost a lot of blood. He’d never really been shot before. It hurt like hell. And his chest felt like he’d been hit by a damned car.

But he pulled himself forward. If little Hope Coleson could walk up to the damned doors at FCGH like she had, Daniel could keep going until he got to help.

One step at a time. He didn’t even see the dark shape coming at him until it was too late. The man’s fist hit Daniel’s face.

“It’s that shithead cop again!” one man said. “Thought he was dead.”

“Don’t fucking shoot him, you asshole. The neighbors just got home, they’re outside, and they got kids. We ain’t killing kids. We still got shit to get out of the house,” another voice hissed. “Just knock him the fuck out and let’s get out of here.”

“As soon as we get our money from that prick inside, we are gone.”

Daniel just kept fighting.

But there were two of them. He was only one man. But if he kept those assholes out of Gunnar’s way, maybe Gunnar could get Powell out of there in time.

Determination filled him.

He was going to help Gunnar get his woman back, even if it was the last thing Daniel ever did.

He just kept fighting.

Until he didn’t feel a damned thing anymore.