Page 70 of Madam Temptress
Forty-Five
Magnolia
Ipush my way through the darkness to consciousness as the wheelchair flies across the van from one side to the other, knocking the shit out of me and throwing me to the floor. I grasp for something to hold on to, but there’s nothing I can reach. As soon as we turn, I start rolling again, and then ...impact.
I’m flung through the back, and my head cracks against the side.
My vision is hazy, and I know my system is shutting down as my body takes a beating from the ride. But there’s only one thought in my mind.
I have to say good-bye to Moses. I can’t leave before I tell him I love him again. Tell him I’m sorry we didn’t have more time.
Sounds come from the front of the van, but I can’t focus on them. I don’t have enough energy.
Sirens pierce the fog I’m swimming through.
Help for me? But no one helps girls like me.
It’s the old lie I told myself. The one that kept me from asking for help for far too long. But I know it’s not true anymore.
BecauseMoses is coming for me.
Moses loves me.
Moses won’t let me go without a fight.
I have to fight for him.
Spots scatter in my vision, and pain radiates from every inch of me, but still,I hold on.
Forty-Six
Moses
“I’m going for her!” I yell as I jump out of the ambulance and run toward the van, pistol in hand. I don’t see Reyes crawling out of the wreckage yet, but he’s my second priority.
“Mags!” I scream as I go to the back door of the battered van and try to open it.
Locked.
“Goddamn it!”
Sirens scream in the distance, and I don’t have much time. Magnolia needs me, and we have to get the fuck out of here as fast as humanly possible. I’m not taking a chance that they’ll cuff me and let her die right here.
I take the butt of my gun and smash the back window, reaching through it to unlock the door from inside.
As I yank it free, tires screech to a halt behind me. The sirens are still blocks away, though.
“I’m behind you. I’ve got your back.”
Jules is on me as I lay eyes on Magnolia. She’s curled into a ball on the floor of the wrecked van, and there’s blood fucking everywhere.
“I’m here, mama. Hang in there just a little longer. You’re okay.” Even as I say the words, I fear I’m lying. She’s not okay. She’s far from fucking okay. “We gotta get her out of here.”
“Put her in the ambulance and take her back to my place,” Mount barks from beside me, appearing like a demon from hell. “Have someone ditch the bus and lead the cops off. I have a top medical team on standby. They’re better than any hospital. Go!”
I lift Magnolia out of the van, and Mount charges inside. For Reyes.
But I don’t give a fuck about him anymore. I have the woman who matters more than life itself in my arms, and she needs my help.
