Chapter 33

33

Grace plunged headlong into the deepening dusk of the forest, her heart hammering against her ribcage with such force it felt as if it might burst through her chest at any moment. Each breath was a struggle, the air too thick to draw into her lungs, the acrid taste of fear coating her tongue like a bitter poison.

Somewhere in the darkness ahead, Dolly was injured and alone, and Grace knew with a sickening certainty Alex and his men were responsible. The knowledge settled in her gut like a leaden weight. How could she have been so foolish to think she could outrun Richard, that she could have the chance at a normal life or love with someone else?

Hot tears blurred her vision, obscuring the way ahead, as she fought her way through the dense undergrowth, heedless of the branches that snatched at her clothing and scratched at her skin.

Love. Was that the reason her heart raced whenever Caleb was near, why she found it hard to breathe when he was in the same room? Was that why she thought of little else but him, even amid this nightmare?

Not now. She shook her head, desperately trying to clear her thoughts as she dodged a low-hanging branch and crashed into a small clearing. She staggered to a halt, her chest heaving as she fought to slow her breathing, to regain some sense of direction in the gathering gloom.

Come on. Her eyes darted around the clearing. Give me something, make a noise. Anything to work with.

The crack of a gunshot split the air like a thunderclap. Something stung her ear, sharp and sudden, and she swatted at it, thinking for a moment that it was nothing more than an insect. Her ear was wet. When she pulled her hand away, scarlet blood coated her fingertips, vivid in the fading light.

They'd shot her.

The crack of another gunshot ruptured the air, shattering the eerie stillness of the forest. Grace cowered as she spun around, searching the impassive wall of trees surrounding her. The echo of the gunshot sounded from above, making it impossible to pinpoint the direction of the threat.

Then a smash of heavy footsteps erupted on her left.

Grace whirled.

A man staggered into the clearing, gun raised, his face a mask of grim determination.

Alex.

He spat on the ground, and an animalistic noise escaped him. "Bailey,"

Her blood slowed to a crawl, ice spreading through her veins. It was always going to come to this. You couldn't outrun the devil. She raised her hands in surrender, her heart pounding a staccato rhythm against her ribs.

He paced forward, his mouth twisting, his eyes glinting with a merciless light. "You've cost me far too much time."

"You don't have to do this, Alex." The words felt empty even though once he had been her bodyguard and had treated her as an equal. That was before he had become her keeper, her warden, a warped ghost of the man she had once known.

A sharp shake of his head. "This isn't personal. Everyone has to put food on the table, and I'm no exception." His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. "Hands behind your head."

Grace locked her hands behind her head as instructed. "Where's Dolly?"

A mocking smile played on Alex's mouth. "The mutt, hmm?"

A low growl made them both turn.

Dolly stalked into the clearing between them, her teeth bared in a vicious snarl, her ears flat against her head as she faced Alex.

A burst of happiness bloomed in Grace's chest, but the emotion died in an instant.

Blood stained Dolly's fur.

It hurt to just breathe. This was her fault. She had brought blood and pain into Caleb and Dolly's lives.

"Fucking dog." Alex's voice heaved with malice as he swung his gun toward Dolly.

Dolly leaped, hitting him square in the chest and knocking him to the ground in a tangle of limbs and fur.

His gun discharged with a deafening crack, the sound too loud in the close quarters of the clearing. Grace's heart stopped as Alex grunted and tossed Dolly off his body with an almost casual motion.

The dog landed at his side, dark blood staining her fur, a whimper of pain escaping her throat.

Dolly. Grace fell to her knees as the world swam. This couldn't be happening, couldn't be real.

"Grace!" Dimly, she was aware of Caleb and Wyatt calling her name, their voices growing louder, more insistent.

They were coming for her. Despite everything, they were here for her. She didn't deserve such care.

Alex panted, his chest heaving with exertion as he climbed to his feet, his eyes darting toward the sound of Caleb and Wyatt's approach.

He turned to Grace, his face a mask of calculating fury, and pointed a finger at her. "Soon." His word hung in the air, a dark promise before he disappeared into the trees, leaving Grace alone with Dolly.

Gulping in uneven breaths, Grace crawled forward, her arms shaking. Dolly's side rose and fell too fast, her breath coming in shallow, struggling pants.

"Hey girl," Grace whispered. "You're such a good girl." She reached out with trembling fingers as she stroked Dolly's head, trying to offer what little comfort she could. Dolly whimpered, the whites of her eyes showing, her body vibrating with pain and fear.

The gunshot wound was on Dolly's right shoulder. Blood welled, staining her fur a vivid crimson.

Grace blew out a breath, pushing down the fear and despair. The sense of powerlessness that had pervaded her life for so long receded.

I'm a veterinarian, trained to heal.

This is my skill-set, my area of expertise.

She could do this. She ran her hands over Dolly's body, feeling for additional wounds or fractures. The dog flinched and yelped as, with gentle fingers, she probed the area around the shoulder wound. The bleeding was steady. She had to act fast to prevent Dolly from going into shock.

"It's okay, girl." Grace yanked off her wool hat and pressed it firmly against the wound, securing it in place with her scarf to slow the bleeding. If the brachial artery was damaged, Dolly would require surgery to repair the vessel. "I've got you. You're going to be alright."

"Grace!" Caleb.

"Caleb! Here!" She cradled Dolly's head in her lap. "Don't worry, girl, we're going to get you out of here. Everything's going to be fine."

Dolly's breathing was shallow, her eyes glazed with pain, but Grace was sure she understood what she said.

Branches snapped and then Caleb was in the clearing with her, his gun raised. His chest rose and fell in ragged breaths. Sweat gleamed on his brow. He swung his gun in a wide arc, searching for hostiles. Only when he saw they were alone did he lower his gun and allow his gaze to fall on Dolly in her lap.

His eyes widened. "Fuck. You okay?"

"I'm fine?—"

"Dolly. Is she?—"

Grace gave a curt shake of her head. "Hurry. Help me get her up now. We need to get her to Brad. She's losing blood. We don't have much time."