Endgame
Page 31
The pain in her shoulder was searing, and her left hand slipped, causing her to list to the right. Kingston's grip loosened slightly with the surprise of the movement, and she took advantage of the fact, regaining her grasp on the window and kicking her legs against his hold.
One hand released her, and closing her eyes in concentration she slammed her right leg against the side of the building, taking his hand with her. He yelped in pain but held firm, his other hand trying to find purchase. Again she swung her legs, this time both of them, the impact against the building sending shards of hot pain searing through her body.
But the result was worth it. Kingston screamed again and then released her, the relief of the reduced weight on her arms making her feel suddenly stronger. Holding herself as still as possible, she looked down in time to see him shatter the atrium window below, his body impaling itself on the point of the statuary adorning the fountain.
Kingston Sinclair was dead.
And unless she found a way to get herself back over the sill, she was going to follow suit. Her shoulder was strained beyond the point of endurance, and she could feel the muscle beginning to shake, the fingers of her left hand starting to go numb.
She tried to pull herself upward, but her left arm simply wasn't following her brain's command. She could see people moving in the gym below, but by the time they reached her it would be too late.
There were no balconies on this side of the building. Nothing protruding that might serve as a ledge to break her fall. The windows on either side of her were closed tightly and probably too far away to reach even if they were open.
The cold wind whistled around the building, and she felt her hand start to give way. She was out of options, and the only thing she could think about was the fact that she wouldn't see Gabriel again. Wouldn't be able to make things right, to make certain he understood how very much she loved him.
Her left hand slipped farther, the bulk of her weight now pulling against her right hand. She swallowed her fear, knowing that it was an enemy, and that if she was going to use these last few moments productively she had to keep a clear head.
Fear helped her hang on longer than she'd have thought possible, but she could feel the blood dripping down her arm, and knew that her left arm was soon going to be completely useless, and that her right arm simply wasn't capable of supporting her entire body as she hung from the sill.
People were screaming below her now, pointing upward, watching with the horrified fascination that comes from realizing the inevitable and knowing there is nothing one could do about it.
She gave one last attempt at getting her left hand to perform, the fingers responding to the effort by releasing the sill altogether.
She wanted to continue fighting, but she simply didn't have the strength....
Something grabbed her free hand, her heart registering the reality before her brain, and she shot a look upward, expecting angels but finding Gabriel instead.
He grasped both of her wrists, the determination on his face beyond anything she'd ever seen. "Hang on," he mouthed and began to inch her upward. Her brain finally clued in to the situation, and using her feet she helped him "walk" her up the wall, until she was halfway in the window, and with a final jerk he pulled her over the sill and onto the floor.
Their hearts beat in tandem as Madison enjoyed the simple act of breathing, not even the pain in her arms and shoulder dimming the pleasure of the process.
"You all right?" Gabriel had rolled over to cradle her in his arms, his hands stroking and exploring, trying to assess the damage.
She nodded, smiling up at him, content for the moment just to be in his arms. "I thought you'd never get here."
His smile was crooked and endearing, the love in his eyes humbling and exciting all at the same time. "I thought you didn't want my help."
"I guess I changed my mind." She leaned up to kiss him, savoring the feel of his lips against hers, knowing that no matter the obstacles they belonged together.
Now and for always.
EPILOGUE
"Here's to my goddaughter." Cullen Pulaski refilled Madison's glass with champagne, and she smiled up at him lovingly. He'd certainly made sure she had the very best. A private hospital room with a view of New York that rivaled the best apartments.
Harrison and Payton stood on one side of the bed, while her father and Cullen stood at the end. Gabriel sat on the opposite side, holding her as close as her cast would allow. The surgery on her arm had been a success, and with physical therapy and some TLC she'd soon be good as new.
"Here's to Last Chance, Inc." Madison held her glass high. "We might have been slow out of the gate, but you have to admit it was a hell of a finish."
"A bit too close for me," Gabriel said, pulling her closer, his breath teasing her hair.
Harrison raised his glass, echoing both sentiments. His gaze met Madison's, the relief there almost palpable. "I'm just glad you're here for the celebration."
"Me, too." Her whispered response brought a cluck of concern from her father. He'd flown back from Belgium as soon as he'd heard, and wouldn't have left her side for a minute if Gabriel hadn't insisted they be allowed at least a few minutes alone now and then.
"Well, it's all in the past now," Cullen said. "The summit is on, the negotiations occurring even as we speak. If things continue going so well, I fully expect a signed agreement by the end of the week."
"So a winning situation all the way around." As usual there was a mocking edge to Payton's voice, but his smile was genuine.
"I still don't understand how Kingston was able to manage the variations in M.O.," Harrison said, reaching for the champagne to refill his glass.
"That one's actually pretty easy," Payton said. "Turns out Kingston did two tours in 'Nam. One as a sharpshooter, and the other in medevac. So his skills covered the gamut. And especially in the beginning, he had the element of surprise. The victims trusted him."
"Well, it's over now," Madison's father said, with a wave of his glass. "That's all that really matters."
"Yeah, time to get back to our real jobs," Harrison concurred. "I don't know about you guys, but I've got a pile of work waiting for me."
"Not us," Gabriel said, shooting her a wicked smile. "We're set for a little R & R. Right after I get her to the justice of the peace. I'm thinking Hawaii, or maybe a deserted island in the Pacific somewhere."
"As long as there aren't any cell phones," Madison agreed, laughing, her heart soaring at the thought of spending the rest of her life with Gabriel.
"I'm still miffed I won't be here for the wedding," Pay-ton frowned playfully.
"It's not our fault you got called off to the wilds of South America," Gabriel said, his expression turning serious. South America was all Payton had been willing to divulge of his next assignment, and they really weren't even certain he was telling that much truth, but Madison knew she had to be content with not knowing. Payton would always have secrets, but he would also always have a place in her heart.
"I don't know that any of you should be making those kinds of plans just yet."
Almost in unison the four of them frowned at Cullen, suspicion raising its ugly head.
Cullen took in their expressions, and answered with a benign smile. "It's not my fault you all did such a bang-up job. And it isn't my fault that the president called this morning to say that there's been a bit of a problem at the border. Something to do with a Mexican cartel. DEA's been on it for years with no success."
"Don't tell me," Gabriel said dryly, his gaze meeting Madison's. "It's a last chance' situation, and no one else is equipped to handle it like we are."
Cullen's smile broadened, his eyes twinkling with the success of a battle won. "Exactly."
* * * THE END * * *
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