Chapter 54

CHAPTER

FIFTY-FOUR

Kai pulled the trigger before ducking back behind the door. This wall was the only thing that made him feel safe.

His bullets had already hit two of the men. The wounds hadn't killed them, but it had taken the men down.

Stephen stood behind Kai. Despite his injuries, he had his gun, and he'd fired as well.

It was only a matter of time before they ran out of ammunition. Then they'd have to fight the old-fashioned way.

Stephen wouldn't last long that way. His body was too weak.

That meant it would be Kai and Gage against four men.

They had to make sure their odds were a little more in their favor.

As one of the men reloaded his ammunition cartridge, Gage pulled the trigger.

His bullet hit the man in the shoulder and took him down.

Three against two now.

Then the gunfire stopped.

Kai paused as well.

What were they doing? Why were Alfie and his two other men simply staring at them?

What was their game plan?

As Alfie glanced at his phone and hit the screen, the truth hit Kai.

As he reached for his chest, everything around him went still.

His heart beat once. Twice.

Then nothing. His lungs froze

The room swirled around him, and he fell to the floor.

Tori peered inside in time to see Kai and Gage drop to the floor.

"No!" The word slipped out before she realized it.

Then it hit her what she'd done.

Alfie/Rocky and his men turned toward them, guns raised.

Larchmont and Trevor fired.

As they did, she ducked to the other side of the house.

She knew she was taking a risk, but she also knew that with every second that passed, Kai's and Gage's lives were on the line.

She had to do something!

She went to the back door and paused. Peered inside.

The men were turned away from her, meaning she was out of sight.

Tori had to get to Kai before it was too late.

She sucked in a breath and lifted a quick prayer.

She darted inside, still gripping that defibrillator.

She ran into the room where Kai laid on the floor.

Stephen knelt beside him, a questioning look on his face.

"I need to use the defibrillator on him," she said. "Can you help Gage? I know you're not up to full speed, but just do your best."

He nodded. Went to the door. Paused. Then he darted across the hall.

This was the best Tori could do right now. She only had one defibrillator.

Just as she'd done for Stephen last night, she ripped open Kai's shirt. Grabbed the paddles. Booted up the machine.

Then she placed the paddles on Kai's chest and pressed the button to give his heart the electrical charge it needed.

After the first pulse went through him, she paused. Waited. Prayed.

Across the hall, she saw Stephen doing CPR on Gage. He needed her attention too. But if Stephen could just get keep his heart beating for a couple more minutes.

Kai still lay on the floor.

Gunfire still flew through the air.

Danger still came from every direction.

She waited a moment and then tried again.

This time, the pulse worked.

Kai's eyes fluttered open.

Thank You, Jesus! Without thinking, she leaned forward and quickly pressed her lips against his forehead.

Then, wasting no more time, she darted across the hall.

Something was happening in the kitchen area. But she didn't have time to worry about what.

No, now she needed to make sure that Gage also stayed alive.