Crazy bastard. She set the keys on the shelf and grabbed what was inside the cabinet. Her heart pounded a mile a minute. She was facing one of those life-changing moments that no one should ever have to.
Can I really do it? I’m going to die.
A gun went off on the other side of the counter—and time ran out.
Mel stopped thinking and just reacted.
She rose up to level Joel’s old shotgun at the first shooter her gaze locked onto, adjusting her arm in a jerky motion. She braced her legs and fired.
The armed man had been gripping his gun with both hands. The shotgun blast hit him in the side of his chest in the rib area. The impact threw him onto one of the empty tables. He rolled off it and hit the floor, the table crashing with him.
Mel still stumbled back from the kick of the heavy weapon but the first masked man spun her way. She pumped the old shotgun even as he fired at her.
It felt as if someone punched her upper arm near her shoulder, hard, but she managed to stay upright. She aimed the barrel at him just the way her papa had taught her and fired again. The shot nailed him mid chest since he’d turned her way. The impact flung him backward and he landed on the floor.
New Species moved fast, going after the two downed men. They tore the handguns away, pinning both men in place.
Shock held Mel frozen.
She’d just shot two men.
They weren’t hay bales piled in a stack with red paint mimicking a body outline.
Motion out of the corner of her eye had her shifting her gaze from the pile of bodies on the floor to something coming right at her. It was Mr. Blue Eyes. He’d jumped on top of the tables they’d combined, stomping right on plates and knocking over glasses. He leapt toward her when he reached the end.
He cleared the top of the counter and landed next to her. She turned her head to stare up at him as he took the shotgun from her hands. He flung it to the floor.
She knew she should say something but her mind refused to work. No words formed.
He darted a quick look down her body. “You’ve been shot.”
It took her a second to let his words sink in. She lowered her chin and glanced toward her shoulder. Bright red stained her white T-shirt near the side of her upper arm. The blood was dripping downward along her bared skin.
“Mel!” Mary yelled. “Oh my God!”
Mel glanced over and noticed Mary stood at least ten feet away, clutching her apron in a death grip. Her friend looked pale and terrified.
Mary took a step closer, glancing at the big man next to Mel before backing up. It was clear she was too afraid to come any closer.
Mel didn’t feel pain. It should hurt, right? Her arm just kind of throbbed as if it suddenly had its own heartbeat.
Mr. Blue Eyes put his hands on her waist. They were large, and she could feel the warmth of them through her thin work T-shirt. He turned her toward him more, and it made her stumble since she seemed suddenly unable to control her legs.
Mr. Blue Eyes looked at something over her shoulder. “Don’t. Stay back.” He looked down at Mel again and his grip tightened. “It’s going to be okay.”
I’m shot. I shot people. Real people. Not pesky vermin.
Mel was afraid to turn her head to see if either of the men still lived. She just stared deeply into Mr. Blue Eyes’ gaze. He held onto her. It was probably the only thing that kept her upright because she felt as if she might collapse as reality slowly sank in.
I shot people. Real people.
“How is she, Snow?” They were growled words from the other side of the room.
Mr. Blue Eyes didn’t look away from her. “She needs a doctor.”
Snow. That’s his name. She’d wondered for a long time but it had seemed rude to flat-out ask since it was a rule around town to treat visiting New Species as if they were royalty. Sheriff Cooper was known for being a crusty old bastard who was fond of the New Species, and he let everyone know not to mess with them in any way. That included asking questions. He said they got enough of that from the reporters that sometimes showed up in town.
Plus, she didn’t want Snow to guess that she had a massive crush on him.
“I’m in communication with Reservation. Medical is being put on alert.” That deep voice came from one of the New Species across the room.
“How is Wind?”
Mel really did love Snow’s voice, and she once again experienced that tingling sensation from her nipples. He still had that effect on her despite being struck by a bullet.
“The shot must have missed Wind’s heart but he’s in a lot of pain. Jinx has pressure on the wound to slow the bleeding. The helicopter isn’t at Reservation. We’re doing a scoop and run. I’m taking Wind with Jinx now. The rest of you will remain here until the backup teams arrive,” one of the New Species ordered. “The two gunmen are alive, but I don’t think one of them will ma—”
“Enough,” Snow snapped. “She doesn’t need to hear that.” He leaned in closer. “Melinda, you’re very pale. I’m going to lift you, and we’re going with them.”
Mel was being taken to Reservation. That stunned her.
But I love the way he says my name. I’ll go anywhere with him.
“You’re not taking her!” Mary’s voice sounded panicked and near hysterical.
“We have an excellent medical facility. Your human hospital is too far away. She is coming with me,” Snow firmly stated.
Snow released her waist and she swayed, but he bent and locked one of his arms behind her knees, while wrapping the other around her back. He hoisted her up against his chest. The fast motion made her dizzy, And Mel closed her eyes.
“Hang on, Melinda,” he rasped. “You did a brave deed. Those males would have shot more of us. We couldn’t reach our ankle holsters with them watching our every move.”
She hadn’t known they had guns. That surprised her.
He jogged outside with her, and the motion made her feel sick to her stomach. It would be just her luck if she puked on the guy she imagined naked all the time.
She sealed her lips and tried to breathe through her nose. It did distract her from the increased throbbing in her arm, and the fact that blood still dripped from the wound.
Chapter Two
Mel heard sirens in the distance. The sheriff or one of his deputies must be on their way. Maybe even all of them. It wasn’t like shootings happened in their small town every day.
“Throw your good arm around my neck,” Snow ordered, slowing down.
It took her a second to comply, since that arm had gotten smashed between his big chest and her body. Her fingers brushed his silky hair, and she felt his firm back along her forearm. She dug her fingers into muscle on his shoulder.
He adjusted his arm under her waist as she turned her head, watching him yank open a door on the black NSO SUV. He slid into the front passenger seat and lifted her body until she had to release his shoulder to sit on his lap. He turned her a little, pressing her spine against his chest, then slammed the door closed.
The driver’s-side door was thrown open and the blond canine in charge got behind the wheel. He looked furious and seriously scary with his mouth open, showing fangs. He didn’t glare at her, though. He fixed his full attention on Snow.
“You shouldn’t bring her. Their medical facilities can tend to her better.”
“No,” Snow growled. “She goes with us, Timber.”
After a moment, Timber nodded.
Doors opened in the back and the SUV rocked a bit. A few of the New Species gently placed the bleeding one across the bench seat, and a black-haired feline climbed in, too. Mel glanced back, watching. She saw flashing lights as the sirens grew louder. That made the situation more real. She faced forward, still feeling like she could puke.