Page 113 of You Saw the Best In Me

“Karina? Where are you? Are you hurt?” I ask, listening as she takes a deep breath.

“I shot him twice,” she sobs, and I run my hands through my hair.

That’s my fucking girl.

“I don’t know where I am. The cops are taking me to a hospital. My nose is broken,” she tells me, and my blood boils.

That son of a fucking bitch. I’ll kill him.

The officer tells Karina to wrap it up and gives her the hospital's name.

Hunter types it in on his phone, telling us she’s ten hours away.

Fucking Christ.

“I’m coming, baby girl. I’ll be there as soon as possible. I love you,” I say, and she says it back before giving her phone to the officer.

I’m frantic, attempting to gather my things and get on the road quickly.

“What’s the plan?” Adam asks while the girls chat about Karina being okay.

“What do you mean? I’m going to her,” I say, slipping my wallet into my pocket.

“You can’t drive alone for ten hours, running on two hours of sleep,” Hunter chimes in, and I shake my head.

They’re starting to grind my nerves.

There’s no reality where Karina is safe, and I don’t immediately go to her.

“Listen, I’ll drive your truck. Adam can follow in his. We’ll all rotate shifts until we make it there, deal?” Hunter offers, and I accept under one condition.

“This isn’t a fucking road trip. No stops,” I say, and they both nod in agreement.

“Gas and bathroom breaks, that’s it,” Adam proposes, and I give them space to say goodbye to their wives.

I grab Karina a small bag of her necessities and a few of my own. I don’t know how long we’ll need to stay, and I want her to be comfortable.

“Juliette, can you pick up Harper and stay the night?” I ask, slipping her cash for dinner.

“Absolutely. Willow and I will have a girl's night with her,” she smiles, hugging me before I go.

Hunter leaves Willow the keys to his truck and reminds me to text Harper.

We’re on the road ten minutes later, and I’m incredibly anxious.

Juliette and Willow will pick you up in Hunter’s truck.

Karina is safe. The guys and I are driving to get her. Call you soon.

This ride is absolutely monotonous. There’s nothing but trees, and I have to listen to Hunter mumble along with the music for the first three hours.

I attempt to nap but can’t stop thinking about my girl. She sounded so broken and terrified, all I want is to hold her in my arms.

“So, you taught Karina how to shoot?” Hunter asks, his attempt at making conversation.

“Yeah, she’s a natural. In a few weeks, she passed her carry test,” I say, staring out the window at all the trees passing by.

“It may have saved her life. Where’d you take her?” he takes his eyes off the road, waiting for my answer.