Strategic Maneuvers - Jemma Westbrook Page 0,87

don’t feel bad for killing him.” Mona’s throat went tight. “Like last time.”

Was she so afraid of confrontation that she was actually relieved when the situation was remedied?

Even if that was through the death of the person causing her the upset?

Eva moved in close, carefully wrapping one arm around her as she leaned her head against Mona’s. “I wish I could have killed him for you.”

Harlow was the next to pile on, her arms going around both Eva and Mona. “Me too.”

Heidi and Lennie and the rest of the girls followed suit, crowding around Mona, working themselves into the lopsided group hug.

Heidi’s face was right against hers. “You want me to call Vincent and have him bring Anthony back so we can all shoot him and not feel bad together?”

A laugh bubbled out, along with a single tear. “No.” Mona sniffled, trying to wipe at her running eyes and nose. “Thanks though.”

“So, while I appreciate the support you’re giving her, I really need some space to work.” Eli was crammed between Willa and Paige, his elbows tucked down as he tried to flush out her wound.

“Ugh.” Heidi was the first to back away. She gave Mona’s arm a once-over. “That definitely qualifies as shot though.” She wiggled one finger in the direction of where Eli was now moving to the backside of her arm. “Bullet definitely went in.”

Mona laughed a little as she turned toward Eli. “That’s not going to scar is it?”

His eyes immediately jumped to hers and she laughed a little harder as Eva cackled beside her.

She relaxed her head back against the angled table, the clench in her belly easing. The girls all found places to stand or sit as Eli finished cleaning her out and stitching her up. Eva held her hand the whole time, sticking close.

Finally he finished and they loaded her back into the wheelchair.

“I really can walk.”

“Yeah, but why?” Eva released the brakes and shoved her down the hall toward the hall that led to the main building. It was barely passable, but the fire was out and the remnants of the van were gone.

Shawn stood in the center of the space, directing men as they worked to get the damaged walls boarded up. Heidi grabbed his shirt, pulling him in for a quick kiss. “Where’s Pierce?”

“I think he went to change.” Shawn smiled softly at Mona. “How you feeling?”

“They won’t let me walk.”

“That sounds about right.” He swatted Heidi on the butt. “Get her delivered and come back down here. I need you to make sure we can keep this place locked down.”

She gave him a wink and a smile. “Kay.”

Mona let them wheel her all the way to the stairs in the rooming building. Eva and Harlow actually discussed the possibility of carrying her, wheelchair and all up the steps.

“We’re not doing that.” Mona stood up. Her head was a little swimmy at first, but the feeling cleared as she went up the steps. “You guys should go check on Helen. Make sure she’s okay.” She turned to look back at the women who had as much to do with her finding a way to be better as she did. “I love you.”

“Awe.” Heidi’s face crumpled a little. “We love you too, Monster.”

She smiled. “I know.”

Eva pointed up the stairs. “You better not fall. He’ll kill us for letting you go on your own.”

Mona turned and continued up the steps. “He’ll get over himself.”

Two of the men tasked with watching Amelia were parked outside her room as she passed. She took the final set of stairs to Pierce’s back door, punching in the code she’d used to override the lockdown earlier to open it.

Someone had a secret skeleton key code.

Mona quietly opened the door. It was the way she’d entered and left every room for as long as she could remember, always trying to make sure no one was bothered by her arrival.

Pierce stood at the kitchen island, his dark eyes on her.

“Hello, Love.” He lifted a glass from the top of the island and held it her way. “I thought maybe you could use this.”

“I’m not going to turn it down.”

He slowly came around the island, stopping in front of her.

She let her forehead fall to the center of his chest.

His arms were immediately around her, carefully avoiding her arm as he pulled her close.

She relaxed into him, letting him hold her weight. Letting him carry the load for just a minute.

Pierce held her, not saying a word, his head

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