on the forehead and gives me a once over. His body still tense with alarm and breathing heavy, matching my own.
“You good?”
I nod my head, unable to speak as my lungs work in overdrive.
“Good, I have to go find Eli—”
Bang.
Another gunshot rings out.
Our heads turn toward the echoing of the shot. The sound following the path Elias and Lucio took. Everything slows as I turn back to Roamyn, and as I do he runs at the speed of a man with everything to lose. He takes off around the corner of the empty building. I stand still, unsure where to run, whether to wait for Roamyn or run like hell towards the police. Toward my sister. Without another second to decide the decision is made for me when men in swat uniforms swarm around me.
One greets me, dressed all in black gear. He drops the large gun in his grip to his side. “Miss, you need to come with us now.”
“But Roamyn, he’s back there with—”
He puts a hand on my back and gently pushes me forward. “We know. We’ll get them. We need you safe, it’s time to get you out of here.”
I look back and protest. “Please. I don’t want to leave him.”
He ignores my plea. Fresh air whips through me as we make it out of the building.
“Roamyn!” I call out, so loud my throat becomes hoarse.
Please be okay. Please get out alive.
Sirens blast around me from multiple police vehicles, drowning out my voice. They block off the street with the help of SWAT and NYPD officers who are scattered everywhere in my line of sight. The officer who brought me out is now talking to a paramedic.
I turn to both of them. “Lindsey Jenkins. My sister. Did she get out? Have you seen her?” I ask, my tone frantic.
The paramedic smiles and the knots in my stomach untangle. “She’s okay. The police just got her.”
My heart skips a beat. “Oh, thank God.”
Easing some of the worry I turn back to the building.
Come on. Come on, Roamyn.
My palms sweat. I link my trembling hands together. My eyes never leave the door as I wait in fear. I can’t lose him. I can’t lose him even if he isn’t mine to lose.
I bite my nails and begin pacing when a voice slashes through my nerves.
“We need more help here!”
His deep throaty voice sends me running toward him through the thick commotion as he wheels out Elias on a gurney, SWAT team and two paramedics beside him.
“Roamyn!” I yell.
He turns at my voice and scoops me up. I bury my face in his neck and his scent invades me, warming my body. He’s okay. He’s alive. I’m alive. I soak in the comfort it brings my heart until reality smothers my reprieve.
“Lucio shot Elias in the back. He’ll be okay. But Lucio got away,” Roamyn says, tone low, filled with hate. “I’m sorry.”
I rest my palms on his chest and kink my neck back. “Don’t be. Let’s just have this moment because five minutes ago I never thought I’d get to do this again.”
He gives me a yearning look. Strokes my hair and inches his face closer to mine. My cheeks blaze as he cups my face. His lush lips so close and tempting. If I dip my tongue out, I could taste him. I move from his lips to his eyes, cautious. Guarded. I want him but I’m not ready for him. My body betrays me and leans in, smashing my lips to his. Hot. Wet. I gasp, and his tongue surges into my mouth. He brands me with a kiss to ruin everyone before him. I circle my arms around his neck before sliding them down to my waist and stepping back, breaking our connection.
“I need to see Lindsey.”
He nods as a paramedic wraps a blanket around my arms.
“Thanks.” I smile, grateful, and take a seat on the back of the ambulance with Roamyn by my side. As if she could read my mind, Lindsey’s voice powers through and she hustles over.
“Ali.”
My eyes shine and I smile at my sister. “Lindsey.”
She wraps me up in a hug. The relief overwhelms me as I cry into her shoulder. Sad tears. Happy tears. It’s all too much for my fragile heart. I didn’t think I’d make it out this time. When Adriana trained her gun at my head and pulled the trigger, I thought it was the end. But it wasn’t. She’d chosen to save us and shot her