Page 23 of Stalwart Ridge Security: Murray
“Maybe it’s Seamus,” Murray says, and we both turn to watch Ballard open the door.
It’s neither Seamus nor Helena, and the shock of watching blood spray makes my scream a terrifying silent one.
CHAPTER TWELVE
–MURRAY –
The blood spraying triggers my instinct and I reach for my gun.Recognition settles and I watch Nolan slice Ballard again.Hank sprints forward and digs his teeth in Nolan’s leg, making him scream.
I can’t get a clear shot the way Ballard and Nolan are struggling.Ballard throws his arm up to ward off another strike with the knife.A gunshot from outside rings out and I watch the impact in the wood above Ballard’s head.
Who the hell is out there?Royce?I need to shut that damn door to cut off their sight.Screeching tires are followed by more gunshots.Ballard is still fighting Nolan and I feel like I’m holding my dick here instead of my gun.Motherfucker, if they only turn slightly so Ballard’s back isn’t facing me, I would have a clear shot.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Elodie who is moving to get a good angle to shoot when another shot rings out.This time it sounds closer.Nolan crumbles to the floor and at the same time someone steps inside.Hank still has his teeth in Nolan’s leg.My gun swings to the person who is aiming a gun at my head.
“Put your gun down,” the woman snarls.
Conflict claws at my brain.She’s wearing law enforcement clothes, and I recognize her from the photograph Ballard showed me earlier.This is Helena Elden.Royce’s daughter.
“Put it the fuck down.Your friend is bleeding out on the damn floor,” she snaps and adds, “Fuck it.”
To my surprise she lowers her gun and places it back in its holster.Rushing forward, she turns Ballard who is lying on his side, clutching his throat.
“Get me some towels,” Helena snaps and reaches for the police radio on her shoulder.“I need a medivac at my location right now.”
Elodie rushes to Helena and hands her some towels.Helena grabs one and presses it against Ballard’s throat.Blood is everywhere while I’m still trying to comprehend the situation.
“We really need a damn peephole in the door,” Elodie mutters, kicking my mind into action.
“We let our guard down after weeks of waiting for that fucker to attack us,” I grit, and snap my fingers.“Hank.”
Hank lets go of Nolan’s leg and trots toward me as I point at the couch.He quickly jumps on and lies down while he keeps staring at us.
“Anyone else who might be still out there?”Helena asks.
Fuck.She’s right.The gunfire.Nolan chose to attack us head-on because his aim is fucked up.It was a suicide mission, sacrificing himself to take out as many as he could before he died.The other one shooting would take out the rest.
