Page 57 of Trapped (Sheppard & Sons Investigations #6)

Nathan

T wo rapid gunshots, a short pause, and then another shot split the air following the unexpected gunshot.

Cate’s high-pitched voice came over the comms. “Tango down. Bravo Two hit.”

Guns were up, and everyone turned towards the perimeter, watching for incoming threats.

Kroup and Havoc were already in motion, moving towards the front of the cabin.

“It’s just a scratch,” Jay said, putting everyone at ease.

I heard John release his breath and turned my attention back to Perpura.

Fuck.

He’d slipped one hand out of the zip ties while we were looking for threats. The next few seconds happened in slow motion.

Perpura grabbed John’s knife. Feeling the pressure on his belt, John turned.

Perpura shoved the knife under John’s armor.

“Dad!” his sons yelled as they rushed forward.

Perpura yanked John’s pistol out of its holster and, using John as a human shield, pointed the gun at me.

“For Tommy!”

I spun so my armor would protect me, and I’d protect Ashley.

Protect them .

It was my only thought as the sound of gunshots echoed through the clearing.

Fire burned through my inner right thigh. Then tore through my right side.

Protect them .

I stumbled and fell to a knee. Warm blood soaked through my clothes as the scent of copper overpowered the smell of burned gunpowder.

“Are you hit?” I asked, still clutching Ashley to my chest as my other knee hit the ground.

Protect them.

The telltale crack and crunch of a neck breaking cut through the chaos erupting around me.

None of it mattered.

I clutched Ashley to my chest as my vision blurred.

When I fell to the side, I rolled over her.

Protect them.

“Nathan!” Ashley yelled and pushed at my chest. “Get off me.”

“Not safe,” I mumbled.

“Let go,” someone said as a hand landed on my shoulder. I didn’t know who it was, and it didn’t matter.

Protect them.

“I’m okay.” Ashley’s voice sounded funny. “But you’re not.” She squirmed in my arms.

My hold loosened as my vision blurred. The background noise faded as I focused on Ashley’s voice.

“Please, Nathan. Let them help you.”

Ashley yelling at me not to die was the last thing I heard before the world went dark.