She jerked open the back seat door and all but shoved him inside, then slammed the door. She fired several shots toward the sound of voices, then leaped into the driver’s seat, turned the key.
And gunned the engine, praying every second.
Then they shot into the night.
Not far down the road, she encountered a fleet of black SUVs.
And for the first time in her misspent life, she was happy to land in the arms of the law. Agents surrounded them, and she found herself assuming the position at the side of the Jeep.
Until, that is, they caught sight of Drake, and he haltingly explained. Things moved quickly after that, medics examining him, agents peppering her with questions—then they tried to take him away and leave her behind.
Not happening.
“You can’t go with him. Hey!”
She used elbows and feet and teeth and slithered past the last barrier, then leaped inside the ambulance and grabbed the first sharp object she saw. “Don’t even think about separating us.”
Still, it was Drake who had to intervene before they’d relent.
At last the agents returned to their initial objective, Hafner’s men and his network.
Jillian slumped to the floor by the gurney, making herself as small as possible so as not to impede the care Drake needed.
The paramedic removed Drake’s oxygen mask under protest.
“Good work...hot...shot.” He stared into her eyes until her own shimmered with tears.
“I love you, Drake.”
“Love...you.”
Then the toughest man she’d ever met passed out.
“He’ll be okay,” the paramedic assured her as he placed the mask back over Drake’s face.
“Promise?”
“Yeah. He won’t be dancing anytime soon, but we’ve got him stabilized. He’s in excellent physical shape, so I think you can relax.”
Relax. She wanted to laugh, but she was too blasted tired.
But there was hope, in all sorts of ways. She’d made her choice, and Drake would live.
And somehow she would learn to live with Belinda’s death. This time with Hafner had made her see that Belinda had been way out of her league and far too isolated for Jillian to have intervened, regardless.
Jillian laid her head next to Drake’s, touched his arm simply for the comfort of feeling him.
And, for the first time in longer than she could remember, let go.
###
About the Author
USAToday and Kindle bestselling author of over 30 novels in romance and women’s fiction, a three-time RITA finalist and RT BOOKReviews Career Achievement Award winner, Jean Brashear knows a lot about taking crazy chances. A lifelong avid reader, at the age of forty-five with no experience and no training, she decided to see if she could write a book. It was a wild leap that turned her whole life upside down, but she would tell you that though she’s never been more terrified, she’s never felt more exhilarated or more alive. She’s an ardent proponent of not putting off your dreams until that elusive ‘someday’—take that leap now.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Fice
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
The Choice Page 19