"Whoever did this . Lexy gripped his hand. "They could be anywhere."
"You stay right here." He lifted her hand to kiss it. "Yirby may need some help." He moved to the bed, bending low as if to study Brian, and spoke sorry to Sam. "You got a gun in the house?"
Sam continued to stare at the tubing that was transferring his blood to his son. "My room, top of the closet. There's a metal box.
Got a thirty-eight, and ammo." His gaze shifted briefly, measured the man. "I'll trust you to use it if you have to."
Gaff nodded, turned to give Lexy a quick smile. "I'll be back."
"Is there another lantern, more candles?" Yirby lifted Brian's eye lid. His pupils were dilated with shock. "If I don't close this exit wound, he's going to lose more blood than I can get into him."
Kate rushed over with a flashlight, beamed it onto the ripped flesh.
"Don't let him go." she fought to blink back the tears. "Don't let my boy go."
"We're keeping him here."
"We won't lose him, Kate." Sam reached out, took the hand she had balled up at her side.
" Gaff may have trouble with the generator." Jo spoke quietly, laying a hand on Lexy's shoulder. "I'm going to go down and get more emergency lights."
"I'll go with you."
"No, stay here. Kirby may need another pair of hands. Daddy can't help, and Kate's not going to hold up much longer. I'll be quick."
she gave Lexy's shoulder a squeeze.
she took a flashlight and slipped out quietly. she had to do something, anything to help hold back the fear for Brian, for Nathan. For all of them.
What I if Nathan was shot too, lying out there bleeding, dying?
There was nothing she could do to stop it. And how could she live if she only stood by?
He's taken shelter, she promised herself, as she hurried down the stairs. He'd taken shelter, and when the worst of the storm had passed, she'd find him. They'd get Brian to the mainland, to a hospital.
she jolted at the loud crack, the crashing of glass. Her mind froze, envisioning another bullet, more flesh ripped by steel. Then she saw the splintered plywood in the parlor window, the flood of rain that poured in where the tree limb had snapped through it.
she grabbed a lantern, lighting it and holding it high. she would have to find Giff. As soon as she took the light to Yirby, they would have to get more wood, block the damage before it was irreparable.
When she whirled back, he was there.
"This is nice." Kyle stepped forward into the light. "I was just coming up to get you. No, don't scream." He lifted the gun so she could see it clearly. I'll kill whoever comes down to see m hat was wrong." He smiled widely. "So, how's your brother doing?"
"He's holding on." she lowered the lantern so the shadows deepened. Beside her, the storm blasted through the splintered wood and spit rain into her face. "It's been a long time, Kyle."
"Not all that long, in the grand scheme of things. And I've been in close touch, so to speak, for months. How did you like my work?"
"It's ... competent.
"Bitch." The word was quick and vicious, then he shrugged. "Come on, be honest, that last print. You have to admit the creativity of the image, the blending of old and new. It's one of my best studies."
,,Clichdd at best. Where's Nathan, Kyle?"
"Oh, I imagine he's just where I left him." He darted a hand out, quick as a snake, and gripped her by the hair. "For once, I'm not going to worry about taking my big brother's leftovers. The way I look at it, he was just ... tenderizing you. I'm much better than he is, at everything. Always have been."
"Where is he?"
"Maybe I'll show you. We're going for a ride."
"Out in this?" she feigned resistance as he pulled her to the door. she wanted him out, away from Sanctuary, whatever it took. "You have to be crazy to go out in a category three."
"What I am, darling, darling Jo, is strong." He skimmed his lips over her temple. "Powerful. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you until everything is perfect. I've planned it out. Open the door."
The lights flashed on. Using the split second of diversion, she swung back with the flashlight, aiming for the groin, but bouncing hard off his thigh. Still, he grunted in pained surprise and loosened his grip. Ripping away, Jo tore open the front door and rushed out into the teeth of the storm. "You want me, you son of a bitch, you come get me."
The minute he barreled through the door, she was pitting her will against the gale, and fighting to lead him away from Sanctuary.
The rain-lashed darkness swallowed them.
It was less than a minute later when Giff climbed the steps from the basement. He felt the mild gust of wind the instant he turned into the hall. The front door was open wide to the driving rain. With his blood cold, he palled out the gun he'd tucked in the waistband of his jeans, flicked off the safety, and moved forward. His finger wrapped around the trigger, trembled a breath away from frill pressure when Nathan fell through the door.