Chapter 12 - IN THE DARK
Harper ran toward the stairs.
A police officer blocked her.
"Stay where you are."
"My brother is upstairs!"
"Ma'am-"
Gabriel shoved the officer aside.
"Move."
Backup lights flickered on.
The upstairs hallway glowed red.
Derek.
He was wearing tactical gear.
"DEREK!"
He looked back once and kicked open the bedroom door.
She grabbed the back of his vest and pulled with everything she had.
Derek spun and struck her.
Pain flashed across her cheek.
Then she heard Noah crying.
Harper grabbed a brass lamp and swung it into Derek's shoulder.
He slammed her into the wall.
"You ruined my life!"
"No," she gasped. "I survived it."
He grabbed her throat.
Gabriel appeared in the doorway with a gun aimed at Derek's head.
"Let her go."
Derek laughed breathlessly. "Go ahead. Prove every headline about you."
Gabriel's finger tightened. Harper saw it.
"Gabriel. Don't."
Derek looked at her in disbelief.
"You're protecting him now?"
"I'm protecting the truth."
Gabriel lowered the gun just as federal agents stormed the hall.
"FBI! HANDS!"
Derek reached for his sidearm.
Harper screamed, "Don't!"
Downstairs, Wade shouted that the federal government had no jurisdiction. Ortiz answered, "Tonight I do."
Wade backed toward a side exit.
An officer tried to stop him.
Wade hit him and ran.
Derek was dragged downstairs in cuffs.
"You think this ends with me?"
Harper said nothing.
Derek smiled.
May you like
"Ask Ashford who paid Wade the first time."
Gabriel went completely still.
