Page 62 of Stopping Short

“What does it matter?” Evan’s gun slowly lowers. I don’t think he’s even aware of his arm dropping lower and lower.

“Well, I'm wondering how much trouble I can get you in for having it.”

Emma reaches the secret door and Dad gives her a nod before she quickly slips through it before Evan notices. As she races into the room, I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly as she sobs into my shoulder.

“Where is she?” Evan looks around the room frantically again. Even through the camera view, I can tell something has snapped in him.

“Harper? She isn’t here.”

“She was! I saw her and she didn’t leave!”

“Sure, she did. I watched her leave right before you got here.” Mason grins. He’s getting on Evan’s nerves and he doesn’t care one bit.

“I need her! She has to be here. I don’t have any more time! You have to take me to her.”

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Mason shakes his head.

“Take me to her, or I’ll shoot you!” He raises the gun, pointing it right at Mason’s chest.

“That’s not happening either,” Dad says sternly, stepping out from where he was hiding.

Evan whips around, his gun pointing at Dad. I sob harder, watching two of the men so dear to me putting themselves in danger to protect me. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to either one of them.

I jump as a shot goes off, followed by three more. I watch in horror as two bodies fall to the ground and my entire world crashes down around me.

Chapter 39

Jackson

“Nah, this will be a good game. We’ve got this. You’ve seen how their team has been playing. We’ll have no problem beating them.” Cord smirks as he sways side to side, rocking his son on his shoulder.

Seeing the guys get married and start families is making me want the same. I can’t wait to officially make Harper my wife and start a family with her. I guess I should make sure she wants that too, but I think we’ve always been on the same page.

“Jackson!” Owen calls from his office, his voice coming out more emotional than normal.

I jump up and race towards him, meeting him as he’s exiting his office.

“What happened?”

“Evan showed up… Someone was shot.” He shakes his head like he can’t believe the words coming out of his own mouth.

“Who? Who was shot? Are they ok?” My voice sounds frantic, but I don’t care. I just need to know she’s safe.

“Maddox. He’s at the hospital. I don’t know how he is-”

“I have to go!” I cut him off, already racing towards my cubby to grab my keys.

“Nah, you’re not driving, Jackson. I already pulled my car around. Let’s go.” Charlie places a hand on my shoulder and guides me towards the door.

“Are you sure you can drive? You were close to Maddox too.” My vision is blurring as tears gather. Maddox has always been part of my family. He showed up to every celebration and was there for every milestone. When I signed with the Pit Bulls, he was there cheering me on.

“I am close with Maddox. Stop talking about him in the past tense,” Charlie hisses, practically shoving me towards her car.

The drive to the hospital is a blur. I barely pay attention to anything. I'm too busy praying Maddox will be ok. Not only would it be a hit to lose him, but I know Harper would forever blame herself if something happened to her dad.

I swear, in the blink of an eye, we’re pulling up outside of the hospital.

“Go find her. I’ll park and then make my way up. I want to call Aunt Olivia. I’m not sure if she knows and she’ll want to know.”