Gypsy King (Tin Gypsy, #1)(91)

I was too scared to defy him. I dropped onto my knees but kept my eyes on Genevieve. She was going to see the worst, wasn’t she? He’d make her pull the trigger. He’d make her see the blood and watch me die.

I gave her a sad smile. “It’s okay.”

A sob escaped her lips and her shoulders shook violently as he cut the tape to free her hands.

The man wrapped his arms around her, making her cry out. She fought him, twisting and turning, but he was too strong. With a tight squeeze, he held her to his body until she gave up the fight. One by one, he put her fragile hands on the gun. She shook her head, over and over, her hair falling into her face.

I was glad for it. I didn’t want her to see.

I closed my eyes, challenging my thoughts to my lower belly. I’m sorry, tiny one. I’m so sorry.

In my mind, I pictured a little girl. She had hazel eyes and unruly hair. She had a wide smile and soft cheeks. She’d squeal when Dash threw her into the air and giggle on the way down.

I blew out a deep breath, holding my chin high. I was here because I’d wanted a story. The story of my lifetime. Everyone had warned me away from the Tin Gypsies, and I hadn’t listened. I could be safe and home, right now. I could be at the newspaper, working alongside Dad.

But I wouldn’t regret my choices. I’d do it all over again for the chance to fall in love with Dash Slater.

Another sob broke from Genevieve’s mouth and I blocked it out. I stayed in my happy place, imagining his face. How it felt to fall asleep in his arms. I was there, curled against him in my bed, when the trigger squeezed and a bullet ripped through the gun.

The boom made my entire body seize. I’d expected nothingness. Death.

But as a fresh wave of cold crept up my skin, I opened my eyes to find the world moving in slow motion.

Genevieve slumped in the man’s grasp, sliding her hands free of the gun. Her knees landed hard on the dirt.

The man kept hold of the gun, cursing as he swung the barrel toward the trees. He fired, the blast making me flinch.

“Bryce!” Genevieve reached for me, taking my arm as I struggled to stand.

“Go.” I nudged her with my shoulder. “Run!”

Another gun fired. The shot whizzed by us and the bullet slammed into the tree at my back. The bark flew, sticking into my hair.

“Go, Genevieve,” I said as we both rushed for the trees.

She kept a grip on my arm, lending me her balance. One second, her hand was there, the next she was flying backward. The man had grabbed her by the hair, pulling her to his front as a human shield.

“No!” I spun to go back for her, but more bullets went flying. Two from the man’s gun, another from the distance. It slammed into his shoulder, making him stagger.

“Dash!” I screamed, knowing he was out there.

“Get out of there, Bryce.” His voice came from deep in the trees.

Genevieve ripped herself away from the man and took off in the other direction, sprinting toward the old cabin.

I couldn’t follow her, not if I wanted to get free.

Another bullet went flying and I wasted no more time. I ran, tripping on branches and doing my best to stay upright with my hands behind my back. My hair snagged in my mouth as I kept looking forward at my path and backward for the man.

He was moving my way, his gun outstretched as he ducked behind a tree.

I did the same, hoping he’d lose sight of me. When I looked back again, he was gone. Where is he? I checked to my left, then my right. I looked over my shoulder again but there were only trees.

But he was out there.

Too busy looking for my kidnapper, I didn’t watch where I was running. My flip-flop caught on a rock and the forest became a blur. This is going to hurt. I braced for impact, except I didn’t fall.

Dash caught me.

A sob broke free from my chest as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me to my feet.

“Are you hurt?” His hands touched me from head to toe. The touch was almost too hot against my frozen skin.

“No,” I croaked, collapsing into his warmth. “No, I’m okay.”

He pulled me in closer, his hands running up and down my back to create some friction. “You’re freezing.”

I nodded, huddling into his body and letting my knees give way.

He held me tight, speaking over my head. “Find them and kill them.”

Them? Had there been two kidnappers? I’d only seen the one man. Had someone else helped him take me and Gen—

“No. Stop.” My teeth chattered so loud they rattled in my ears. I found the strength to stand, pushing away from Dash. Isaiah and Leo were only a few feet away. “It’s not her.”

“She tried to kill you,” Dash snapped.

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s not her. He took her. He posed it all. It’s him. Find him.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. Don’t hurt her. Please, help her.”

Draven and Emmett came running over from the trees at our other side.

“Find him,” Dash ordered when they reached our huddle. “Whatever it takes.”

Draven put one hand on my shoulder. The other was holding a gun. They were all holding guns. Dash had one behind my back, in the hand of the arm holding me up.

“Genevieve ran toward the cabin.” I spotted it in the distance. “Don’t let him get her again.”