Through the air, he heard a gunshot. His heart dropped, and he said a quick prayer. Then another gunshot exploded through the air. Please, Brittany…be all right!
He finally made it to the alley, and he turned, slowing down his steps. Up ahead, near a dumpster, Brittany lay on the ground. Blood coated her gray t-shirt below her left breast. Her gun was on the pavement, out of reach. Sprawled on the ground next to her was the blonde woman, unconscious. But no blood stained her. Standing over Brittany was Derek.
With a gun!
Austin’s mind scrambled. Derek didn’t know he was here, yet. If Austin could sneak up on him, maybe he could grab the man from behind and disarm him.
Taking careful steps, he moved toward Derek.
“If you hadn’t stuck your nose into my business, I wouldn’t have to kill you,” Derek was telling Brittany.
Color was disappearing from her face quickly. Austin prayed again, that she wouldn’t die.
“Why…why are you doing this?” Brittany gasped for air as she clutched her side. Blood colored her fingers and trickled down her arms. “Why would you set up your best friend for murder?”
“You don’t understand,” Derek yelled. “This was all Hillary’s fault. If she had just been doing her job to begin with, none of this would have happened.”
“Her job as a call girl? But Hillary was Austin’s cousin.”
“I know that,” Derek snapped. “Hillary was supposed to find something about Austin so we could blackmail him—just as we’ve been blackmailing the other wealthy and powerful men. But no! Austin is too pure, too sweet.” Derek’s voice turned sarcastic. “That man’s a freakin’ fairy tale, I swear!”
Austin bunched his hands, keeping them by his side. Every word from Derek’s mouth was ripping him apart.
“Is that why you killed Hillary?”
Derek gave an evil laugh. “Can you believe it? She was trying to turn the tables on us…and blackmail us! Her own employer!”
“Is that…” Brittany took a ragged breath. “Is that why your blonde friend poisoned her?”
“Yes, but when that didn’t work, I stepped in and whacked Hillary over the head with Austin’s weapon.”
Austin was almost upon Derek. He thanked the Almighty for not allowing Derek to hear Austin.
Brittany nodded. “I must hand it to you. That was a clever plan. Your friend would have never known.”
“But now you do know,” he yelled. “And after I finish killing you, I have to kill Austin.”
“What about the security guard?” she asked. “He knows, too.”
Derek spit out more cuss words. “Fine. I’ll kill him after Austin. But first,” he raised his hand and pointed the gun at her head, “I’m going to make sure you are out of the picture for good.”
Suddenly, Austin recalled his training in college when he’d taken kickboxing lessons. Although he hadn’t tried this for years, this was the only way to take Derek down. He’d once been the best at a back-spin kick. He hoped he hadn’t forgotten…
Pivot on the right leg. Kick with left leg. Whip head around toward target.
Focus… Focus…
Austin jumped into action, putting all of his energy into it. His leg connected with the back of Derek’s legs. The man cried out in pain, and crumbled to the ground. The gun fell from his grasp. Austin regained his balance and kicked the gun farther away. Brittany rolled just enough to pick up her gun. She pointed it at Derek.
In the distance, sirens wailed through the streets. Austin wanted to sigh with relief, but Brittany was still shot and bleeding profusely. He dropped to his knees beside her, yanking off his suit jacket. He wadded it into a ball and pressed it against her side.
Weakly, she smiled at him. “I’m glad you arrived when you had, or I’d be—”
“Shhh…” He placed a finger to her lips. “Don’t talk. Save your energy. Help is on the way.”
Her arm shook, lowering the gun. He took it from her and aimed it at Derek. The man was still rolling on the ground in agony. At least Austin knew why Derek had done all of this. He hoped his former friend got the death penalty. Then again…death was too good for him. He deserved to be tortured for the rest of his days.
Gently, Austin wrapped an arm around Brittany. “You’re going to be all right.” Worry escalated as the color from her face disappeared, and her body grew weaker.
“Austin…I love you. I’m sorry we couldn’t…be together.”
“No!” he said in a commanding tone. “You are not going to die. Do you hear me? You will live through this, and I will take care of you.” His throat clogged with emotion, and he swallowed hard. “Brittany, look at me. My strength will give you strength. I can’t lose you. I won’t be able to live without you in my life. So if you give up, you’ll be ending my life, as well. Do you want that on your conscience?”
Her weak gaze met his and she smiled faintly. “When did…you take up…kickboxing?”
He chuckled lightly. “In college. Do you know how to do it, too?”
“Yes.”
“Then instead of arm wrestling, let’s do a round of kickboxing.”
Her smile stretched. “You’re on.”
EIGHTEEN
Brittany’s pain level was lower than normal. Either that or she’d taken a bullet somewhere she wasn’t used to hurting. She’d taken bullets before, but none of them had made her nearly bleed to death like this one had.
As she lay in the hospital bed with tubes running through her arms—in addition to the IV—she watched the nurse shoot another dose of pain medication from the syringe to her IV. Soon, she’d feel fine…
The operation had been successful, thank goodness. But she had lost a lot of blood. The doctor had mentioned that she was very lucky. The bullet grazed off her rib and barely missed piercing her kidney by half an inch. If the bullet would have punctured an organ, she certainly wouldn’t be laying in this hospital bed, complaining of her pain. But now, she just had to worry about the discomfort from the stitches, and the bruised rib.
If it hadn’t been for Austin’s quick thinking, she would have been dead with a bullet through the head. He had thought of the best way to take Derek down. If Austin would have jumped on him, there was the chance that Derek would have pulled the trigger, anyway. But because Austin brought instant pain to the man’s legs, that’s what made him release the gun.
The cops and ambulance had shown up immediately. Her team wasn’t too far behind. Not long after that, she had passed out—probably because of her low blood levels. When she’d awakened, the doctor assured her she would be fine. She had only wanted one thing at that moment. Austin. Thankfully, the hospital staff allowed him inside the recovery room.
When he first looked at her, tears had filled his eyes as he smiled. This amazing man was so incredibly loving and caring. How had she gotten to be so lucky?
Now, sitting in her hospital room, she wanted to see him again…before the meds took over and made her silly and sleepy.
“Is Austin Reeder in the waiting room?” Brittany asked.
“Do you mean that good looking rich man who has been tipping all of your nurses one-hundred dollars?”
Brittany laughed. “Yes, that sounds like something he’d do.”
“He’s still here. I don’t think he’s left the hospital since you arrived. And, if you can believe this,” the woman leaned down closer as if to tell Brittany a secret, “he even had one of his servants bring him a new change of clothes.”
“That’s definitely something he’d do.” Brittany nodded.
The nurse straightened and turned to place the empty syringe in the plastic container. “And your co-workers are waiting to talk to you, as well.” The forty-year-old nurse wagged her eyebrows. “You definitely work with some good looking men. And here I thought that happened only in the movies or on tv.”
“Yes, I have to admit, I do work with some very handsome men.”
“Would you like them to come in? This medication will make you tired
very shortly.”
“I know.” Brittany licked her dry lips. “Let them in. Let all of them in.”
“Of course.”
“And hurry,” Brittany added. “Before I fall asleep.”
Once the nurse left, Brittany used the remote to adjust her bed to help sit her up a little more. She arranged the blankets around her legs and waist. She really couldn’t reach her hands to the top of her hair to make sure she didn’t appear like a raving lunatic with hair flying all over the place, so hopefully she didn’t look that way—or her visitors would have the decency not to mention it.
Austin was the first one to come in. His smile was wide, and his eyes glimmered with love. Her heart melted—again. But now, she actually enjoyed that feeling.
“You’re looking better.” He kissed her briefly on the lips.
“I’m sure. White looks better on me than blood red.”
“In this case, it does.” He stroked her fingers, lovingly. “I just realized that your family doesn’t know. Would you like me to call them for you?”
Inwardly, she groaned, and switched her gaze to the clock on the wall. Nine thirty-five. “I’m sure they’ve been trying to reach me since we were to have a family dinner at seven o’clock this evening.”
“Let me call them and explain.” He reached in his pocket for his cell.
“No, I will. They don’t know who you are yet.”
A movement from the doorway caused her to shift her gaze. Kurt walked in first, followed by Captain Martinez, and then Gibbs, and Tyrone. Kurt held flowers for her.
“Hey,” she said, meeting Kurt’s sorrowful gaze. Her heart didn’t flip like it used to when looking upon his gorgeous face. And now…it made her happy knowing she didn’t hate him anymore.
“For a speedy recovery,” Kurt said, holding up the vase of flowers.
“Thank you. They’re lovely.”
He set them by the window, before moving to her and kissing her forehead. “How are you?”
“I’m getting to be fine. The nurse just gave me a shot of pain killers.”
He chuckled. “She told us not to stay long.”
Austin moved aside as each one came over to her and kissed her forehead. She thanked each one, individually.
“So,” she said, “did you catch the killer?”
Captain Martinez shook his head. “No, you did.” He arched an eyebrow, critically. “Remind me later to reprimand you for going after the killer even when I had taken you off the case.”
“Yeah, well…you know me. Headstrong. Besides, I couldn’t let him get away. And,” she pointed to Austin, “I told him to call for back up.”
“He, did,” Kurt said, giving Austin a look of gratitude. “If not for you, we would have lost her.” His voice cracked.
“I did all I could,” Austin answered with a smile.
Brittany rested her head back on the pillow as her mind grew foggier by the second. “Oh, you should have seen him. He was incredible! I thought he was Jackie Chan popping out of nowhere from one of his action movies, to take down the bad guy.” She giggled as her mind played back the scene with Austin.
His face turned red. He lowered his head and bit back a grin, as her co-workers laughed.
“Sounds like Brittany is drifting off to la-la-land,” Gibbs mentioned.
“What happened?” Martinez asked with a touch of humor in his voice.
Brittany was shocked. The man who never smiled, actually was doing it now. Good grief…he did have teeth, and they were real!
“Oh, you should have seen it,” Brittany began excitedly. “He did a ha,” she tried to position her hands correctly as if she was ready to do a Karate chop, “and a hi-yah, and…he kicked him, sir. Derek fell to the ground and rolled around in pain, screaming like a girl.” She giggled even more.
“Brittany?” Austin asked, stepping closer and laying his hand on her shoulder. “What happened with the ditzy blonde? When I arrived, she was already out cold.”
“Well,” she paused, waiting for the wave of dizziness in her head to pass, “when I ran into the alleyway, blondie jumped on me, which knocked my G42 out of my hand. We wrestled for a bit, but I had her down, and I was able to knock her unconscious with one blow of my fist. That’s when Derek shot me from behind.” She gently touched her bandaged middle.
“So Reeder is our hero?” Kurt walked up to Austin and patted his shoulder. “We have you to thank for saving our Brittany’s life.”
Austin offered Kurt a kind smile. “I acted on instinct. I knew I couldn’t let her die.” He looked at Brittany and took her fingers gently in his hand. “I couldn’t lose the woman I’d fallen madly in love with.”
“I’m glad.” She sighed as her eyes slowly closed. “Because I didn’t want to lose the man I’d fallen madly in love with, either.”
~*~*~*~
Every other step Brittany took, she winced. She was on her way to making a full recovery, but unfortunately, her father’s wedding came upon her, and she knew she had to attend. Although she’d missed the family dinner, they had all dropped by to visit with her while she was in the hospital. Some days, Patricia came by herself. It was a little awkward at first for Brittany, but soon she saw what her father had seen in this woman. True, she wasn’t Brittany’s mother because nobody could fill those shoes, but Patricia was well suited for her father. And they were happy. That’s all that mattered.
“My sweet lady,” Austin said as he helped her walk while keeping his arm around her waist, staying clear of her wound, “I told you we should have gotten you a wheelchair.”
“I don’t need a wheelchair.”
Once inside the chapel, she paused, putting her weight against him. She nodded to guests attending the wedding, some she remembered from her childhood. Glancing up at Austin, she grinned. “You’re better than a wall.”
“What?” His mouth quirked.
“What I meant was, I’d rather have you hold me up than the wall. You’re more comfortable.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m always comfortable in your arms, too.”
Could she love and adore this man any more than she already did? Not only had he saved her life, but since she was released from the hospital, he played her nurse-maid twenty-four, seven. He either put his meetings on hold, or he conducted them over his cell or computer, only so he could stay and care for her.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” she whispered.
He nodded. “This morning as I helped you dress.” His gaze swept over her dress. Desire lit his eyes. “And, I might say, I did a pretty good job.”
She glanced down at the brand new, ankle-length dress Austin had purchased for her just for her father’s wedding. The silky, hot-pink sensation fit her body perfectly, and actually made her look as if she had a curvy figure. Apparently, he’d thought so too, because she caught him drooling several times.
Instead of pulling her hair back into a ponytail, she kept it long and wavy…just the way Austin liked it. He couldn’t stop running his fingers through her locks. But she didn’t mind at all. She enjoyed watching the pleasure on his face when he did small, intimate, things like this.
He looked mighty fine, as well, wearing a black, cashmere, single-breasted Armani suit with a white shirt…and hot pink tie to match her dress. She wasn’t sure she liked the women ogling him with their stares, but Brittany supposed that if she had such a handsome man for a boyfriend, she’d just have to get used to other women staring with stars in their eyes.
After all, that’s how she had looked when she first saw him.
“I’m ready now.” She tapped him on the chest. “Let’s go into the chapel and find a seat, but I don’t want to sit up front.”
“Why not?”
“In case I have to go to the bathroom or something. I’ll need you to help me walk.”
He laughed. “Your wish is my command, my wonderful woman.”
Being so very tender with her, he walked them inside and found a place near the
back. Once they were seated, she leaned against him, resting her head on his arm. She noticed her brothers right away. The oldest, David, was sitting with his pregnant wife who was ready to deliver any day now. He had lighter brown hair, like their mother had, but he inherited his height from their father.
Sean, the second to the oldest, was getting his master’s degree. He’d soon get his doctorate. He started out with lighter hair, but over the past few years, it grew darker. She figured he would have black hair like her, eventually.
Rick was in college, too, but his interests lie with the law. He’d told her once he either wanted to be a police officer, or a lawyer. Maybe that was why they were closer—because they shared the same passion for justice and fighting bad guys. They also shared the same color of eyes, and hair. Throughout their years, people had commented that they could have been twins.
When her brothers saw her, they waved, and she returned a small wave. She moved her attention to the decorations. Everything was so beautiful. Patricia had chosen green and tan for her colors. The bride and groom decided not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen, mainly because they’d both been married before. They wanted a simple ceremony—no more than fifty guests. Instead of a reception, they elected to have a dinner at a local restaurant, inviting only family and close friends.
If Brittany had wanted a small wedding, that’s what she would have done, too. But ever since she was a small girl, she’d always wanted a large wedding ceremony, with several bridesmaids and groomsmen, a flower girl, and a ring bearer. Her colors would be deep purple and silver. She wanted a fairy tale gown, but not so overly decorated that the guests couldn’t see the bride.
In all of her dreams, she hadn’t been able to see the groom’s face. But she knew he had short, dark brown hair. She also knew he’d have hypnotic green eyes, and a magnificent smile.
Tilting her head back, she looked at Austin. He was the perfect man. Surprisingly enough, he fit all the points on her checklist. He loved her for herself…even if she didn’t wear a lot of makeup. He didn’t mind when she had her hair in a ponytail, either. Rarely had she worn dresses, and he was all right with that, too… Although, he nearly devoured her when he saw her in this dress. Last, but not least, she hadn’t told him I love you first, because he had confessed it. That meant he really did love her!
Prince Charming is a Liar (Your Every Day Hero Book 1) Page 16