Cassie (The Mitchell/Healy Family #7)(35)

The voices were close again. There was arguing and then a loud gunshot, my body startled and became full of worry.

I waited to see Brant come back into the room. I thought he was the one who’d shot Rocky.

Then I heard a man’s voice, and I knew Brant wasn’t the one coming to rescue me. Rocky was alive.

“Brant!” I called out.

“Sorry, your boyfriend had to go. I told him it was a bad idea to bring you along. He said you wouldn’t be any trouble. Girls like you are always the problem, Cassie. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve worked to be successful? You think the cops are going to come in and haul me away? Even if they do, I’ll be out of jail in a matter of days. They can’t stop me. I’ve got a few of them in my pocket. This is way bigger than you think, little girl.”

I had to find a way out of the house. He’d be coming for me next. He knew my being alive jeopardized everything he’d worked so hard to protect. He needed to tie up loose ends, in order to continue with his plans. I knew at any minute he’d find me hiding. His gun would discharge and put me out of my misery. As hard as it was to focus, I began to pray for someone to save me before it was too late. I begged for an angel to guide me into the light when it happened. I didn’t want to die within the darkness, alone, without the family I longed to be able to see one more time.

Then I heard my savior’s voice in almost a whisper. He’d come to rescue me from my impending fate. His hand was reaching for mine, while the other held up a revolver locked and loaded for protection. “I’ve got you, Cassie. It’s going to be okay. I’m getting you out of here.”

I clung to him as he lifted me out the bedroom window. Once my feet hit the ground another agent was there to take me to safety. I turned back around to make sure Agent Campbell was following, but he disappeared back inside.

I heard yelling again, but couldn’t make out what was being said. Another team of agents kicked in the front door and entered the home. I watched it unfold from behind a car.

There were more gun shots and then a lot of silence. I covered my mouth and tried to hold in the tears, but was unsuccessful. My heart was being torn into a million pieces. Before I knew what was happening, my delicious burger made a second appearance. I vomited all over the ground and my feet. My knees became weak and I fell down to the side of my puke. This wasn’t happening.

My ears began to ring, and I was losing my ability to think rationally.

Had this really happened? Was my boyfriend, the man I supposedly loved, dead inside of the house? Had I been the reason he’d been shot?

I already knew the answer, and it made me feel sicker. I couldn’t handle what I’d done. I wished I’d been the one who was shot.

While struggling, I heard someone calling my name. It was hard to recognize at first. It wasn’t like I’d known him long enough to familiarize myself with it.

Agent Campbell ran up toward me, lifting me to a standing position. I watched an ambulance pull into the driveway and the paramedics rushing inside the house. I glanced at Agent Campbell, and then back to the house. Being escorted out in handcuffs was Rocky.

Once I knew he couldn’t hurt me, I made a dash for the front door, desperate to find Brant unharmed. I knew it was unlikely, but still hoped for a miracle.

There was blood everywhere. A pool was forming under his body as the medical workers did their best to revive him. They were doing CPR and calling out for him to breathe. I sank down beside him and fell apart. I thought he was my future. We’d run away to start a life together, only to have it be the end of his. I couldn’t contain the excruciating emotions that overwhelmed me.

Every second that went by left little hope for Brant to survive. As I waited for the verdict, I felt someone come up behind me and touch my shoulder. I already knew who it was, though I didn’t turn to address him. If he wanted to take me to jail for interfering I deserved it. There was nothing else to live for now. I’d lost my hopes for a future. I’d not only caused the death of my boyfriend, but I’d lost hope for my own life. I’d never be able to forgive myself for what I’d done.

The moment they announced his death I knew nothing would ever be the same. When Agent Campbell lifted me to stand again, I held out my wrists and prepared to be detained. This time I’d take that call, and I knew exactly who I needed to reach out to.





Chapter 18


Logan


I wished it didn’t have to end this way; with her surrendering as if she’d been a part of this from the beginning. Instead of cuffing Cassie, I pulled her into my arms and let her cry. She was unresponsive for a few seconds, and then finally broke down.

There was nothing I could say to ease the pain. She’d lost the person she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. Regardless of what he’d done, she’d forever blame herself. I knew I was to blame, at least for her part in it all.

As much as I’d tried to protect her, some people just don’t want to be saved. For Cassie, it was more of her needing to make up for her mistakes. She wanted to do the right thing and save her boyfriend. Unfortunately she was unable to convince him they were better off leaving. Brant was probably too messed up to understand what was happening. Maybe if he’d been sober she could have gotten to him in time.

While I stood holding the girl I barely knew, I watched the paramedics preparing Brant for transport. He’d be taken the morgue and from there someone would have to claim his body. I wondered if it would have to be Cassie. Would she have to suffer the pain over and over again until it consumed her? Would she revert back to drug use to alleviate the pain?