Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
My stomach twists painfully. As much as I’d like to give Hank an ass whipping myself, I have to save my brother. That’s more important than revenge on a monster. If Zak shoots him, his life is over too.
“Is that Hank’s gun?”
Zak nods. “It was in his b-bag. He would have done it. He was serious. You have to believe me!”
“I believe you,” I say quickly. “And when Coach came back?”
“I…I had the gun. I hit him with it. Everyone screamed and r-ran off when t-they saw me with the gun.” Zak trembles as he starts to cry harder. “Everyone thinks I’m the m-monster, Jax. I’m not. It’s not me. It’s him!”
“I know,” I assure him. “You were trying to save your friends. Let me fix—”
Knocking on the locker room door has our attention. Before I can utter a word, Brie announces herself.
“Zak, I’m coming in,” she says, her voice calm and soothing.
“It’s okay.” I keep my eyes on Zak. “We’re all just talking. Just me, Zak, and—”
“Hank?” Brie utters in confusion as she enters the locker room behind me. “What the hell is going on here?”
“Come the fuck on, Brie,” Hank chokes out, still unable to get out of Zak’s tight hold. “Did you really think I was sleeping with you because I liked you?”
She gasps in shock. “What are you talking about?”
“The faggots, woman,” he snarls. “You’re fucking friends with all of them. How else was I supposed to keep tabs on shit?”
“You…you were the one who hurt Callan?” Her voice trembles. “The BFB Stalker?”
“I’m just doing the job our fathers are too chicken shit to do,” Hank growls as he stomps on Zak’s foot.
Zak howls, losing his unyielding grip on Hank. Everything else happens so fast. Hank grabbing the gun pointed at him and forcefully twisting it back toward Zak, an unhealthy snap in my brother’s wrist before the gun is in his face.
Bang!
Time freezes as the weapon goes off.
My brother. My baby brother.
But it’s not from Hank’s gun. The gun in Hank’s hand clatters to the linoleum floor as blood gushes from his arm. Brie pounces before I can gather my thoughts, dragging Hank away from Zak. I snap into action and yank my brother to me before he passes out.
“Hey, bud, you’re okay,” I croon, hugging him tight. “You’re safe now. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Hank howls in pain. “You fucking shot me, you bitch!”
She pins a knee between his shoulders as she wrestles his wrists into cuffs. Blood gushes from his wound.
“Brandon,” I call out. “The scene is secure. Get an ambulance!”
I release Zak to rush into the supplies closet. Once I’ve found some towels, I make my way back over to Hank to staunch the bleeding until medical personnel can arrive. Brie reads him his rights as I do my best to secure the scene.
“Zak, bud, have a seat right there and don’t touch anything.”
He nods, hugging himself, reminding me when he was just a kid. So small and young. Thank fuck Brie and I managed to dodge what could have been Zak’s end in more ways than one.
It’s over.
We captured the BFB Stalker.
Dante and his family are finally safe.
Dante
“Dante!”
I fly out of my office chair, making a beeline for Callan’s room. He’s sitting up in bed, pointing at the television. It’s a news report about a situation at the school. Shelly rushes into the room and the three of us listen to the report.
A gunman on campus.
Hostage held at gunpoint.
Police are on the scene.
My gut hollows out, knowing Jax and Brie are the only cops in this town, which means they’re dealing with the dangerous situation alone.
“The EMTs have arrived on the scene,” the reporter says. “It’s unclear at this point if anyone is injured. Stay tuned for more on this ongoing situation.”
A few minutes later, Brie exits the building holding a blood-soaked towel to Hank Townsend’s arm and he’s in cuffs. Callan sucks in a sharp breath.
“Is…did he shoot anyone?” Callan whimpers. “Oh, God.”
“Hey,” I say, pulling him to me. “It’s okay. What’s wrong? You’re shaking.”
Moments later, Brandon, Jax, and Zak walk out. Alive. Safe. Thank fuck.
Callan starts to cry. “Thank God.”
The reporter calls out to Jax and he leaves Zak with Brandon to approach her.
“Sheriff, what can you tell us about what happened today?” she asks, shoving a microphone in his face.
“All I can say is we’ve caught the BFB Stalker. We’re still processing the scene, but we have proof of his many crimes, including the near deadly assault of the Kincaid boy. It’s unfortunate that it’s one of our own who’s done this, but let it be a reminder that the Brigs Ferry PD will do whatever it takes to keep its community safe. Deputy Larson was heroic in her assistance in diffusing the hostage situation.” His brows furrow. “My brother is safe now and I can’t thank her enough for her quick thinking in a harrowing moment. He’s alive because of her.”