Page 64 of Laura's Truth
Hackett’s mouth twisted in a feral grimace, but he kept the gun aimed at Laura. “You should’ve stayed dead.”
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “But what’s misery without company?”
“You can’t kill me.”
“I promised I wouldn’t.” Drew held up his hands. “But if she does it, it’s justified.”
“No way. She’s an Army officer, she won’t. Can’t.”
“Actually, I can.” Laura had drawn her revolver from the holster at her back. “Are you aware I’ve always earned expert on the firing range?”
“Put down the gun,” Drew suggested.
“No.” Hackett held his ground, his eyes darting between Drew and Laura, his finger hugging the trigger. “No,” he repeated. “I’m not going down like this. I can’t go to prison.”
“Lower your weapon,” she said with a deadly calm. “Kick it away.”
Hackett’s laughter bordered on hysterical. “You think you’re the only one with a few tricks?”
Drew told himself Eva was dismantling Hackett’s tricks and excuses and the team was in place. If the crazy bastard managed to escape the garden he wouldn’t make it to the corner. But Drew recognized the signs of desperation in Hackett’s gaze. The man wasn’t going down without a fight, if at all. And Drew was just the man to take him on.
Laura called out another warning, but Hackett’s aim was already changing. He had the gun to his temple, but before he could pull the trigger and steal any real hope of justice, Drew fired. With a pained scream, Hackett collapsed in a heap, the gun forgotten as he cradled his bloody hand.
In two quick strides, Drew had his boot on Hackett’s wounded hand. The man howled in outrage, hurling threats that landed on deaf ears.
Not quite as satisfying or final as a lethal shot, but if ‘alive’ was the way Laura wanted it, Drew aimed to please.
***
Laura stared at Drew as his long legs brought him closer. He hadn’t left. He’d had the option when they’d parted at the hotel this morning. They both knew she had enough support from Cypress that he could’ve walked away and watched it all shake out from the safety of a small, unmonitored corner of the world.
He hadn’t left. She couldn’t decide how to feel about seeing him right here, helping her when he had a chance to escape cleanly. Forcing her thoughts away from that potential mine field, she focused on the immediate problem.
Her gaze dropped to Hackett, writhing in pain on the ground. “You didn’t have to shoot him.”
“Didn’t I?” He used his foot to kick away the gun Hackett had been aiming at her seconds ago. “He’ll live even though he was hoping for suicide by cop. This is better.”
It had certainly felt that way. Looked that way when Hackett refused to lower his gun. “I had him.” Though she’d seen the stark hopelessness in his gaze and experienced a moment’s doubt. “I had him,” she repeated, convincing herself that her aim would’ve been true.
“I know,” Drew said. His somber gaze and the flat line of his mouth reflected the intensity and depth of feelings she’d wanted to ignore. “You weren’t in danger, I was just annoyed. Impatience can kill you.”
She cleared her throat, smothering a laugh at Drew’s joke. “Well, he’ll get his day in court instead.” It’s what she’d wanted, insisted on, despite the risks involved. Her career might not survive this, but Drew had put his freedom on the line. She hoped it wouldn’t cost him. “You were supposed to leave.”
“Only if you leave with me.”
They’d beaten this dead horse enough already. She shook her head. “Not an option.”
“All right.” He tucked his gun into the holster at his back. “Then we stay. Face it together.”
“Drew—”
“That tone won’t work, Laura.” He stepped over Hackett. “I’m done leaving. Done running.”
“There may not be enough evidence to clear you,” she whispered, her eyes stinging with tears she couldn’t shed.
“We’ll see. I’m taking a leap of faith.”
“Oh.” She pressed a hand to her belly. “That’s a low blow, using my words against me.”