When the Dead Speak by Bailey Bradford (books to read to increase intelligence txt) š
- Author: Bailey Bradford
Book online Ā«When the Dead Speak by Bailey Bradford (books to read to increase intelligence txt) šĀ». Author Bailey Bradford
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Laine pushed up from the ground and stumbled through the door, one hand pressed to the wound on his shoulder, the other clenched into a tight fist. He wondered how heād worked around McAlister and never noticed the blank look in the manās eyes.
āWhereās Rich?ā
McAlister shook his head and waved the gun toward the bedroom. āKeep moving, Laine. Iāve waited for you for years.ā
āWhy me, McAlister? What theāā The gun stilled in McAlisterās hand, aimed at Laineās heart and making him reconsider his words. He couldnāt let McAlister kill him, not before he got Rich out of here, but he was beginning to lose hope of either of them surviving this.
āWho knows, why you, Laine. Not me. It just wasāis.ā McAlister surprised him by answering. āAt least, this time, I left your lover alone. Why youād go from a big, attractive man like Conner to a little pretty boy like that is beyond me. Maybe thatās all you could get out here in bumfuck, Texas, huh?ā
Laine refused to rise to the bait, seething at being so close to Connerās killer and unable to do anything. As he passed the spare bedroom, McAlister pointed inside the room.
āThereās Detective Montoya, alive andā¦ I wouldnāt say well, but he is alive, for a little while longer. Probably wishes he were dead, though.ā
He saw Rich tied to the bed, naked but covered in so much blood that very little skin showed. Laine stumbled, turning for the door. McAlister waved the gun.
āI donāt think so, Laine. Youāll just have to take my word for it.ā He laughed, the sound high pitched and psychotic. Laine grabbed the doorframe and met McAlisterās gaze.
āIf heās dead, I will kill you, no matter how many bullets you put into me.ā He saw something shift in McAlisterās gaze, a nervous flicker that belied the manās calm appearance.
āBrave talk, Laine. I doubt youād recover from having your brains splattered all over the hallway. Somehow, Iām not worried.ā
Laine turned to watch Rich. He saw the manās chest rise, a slight movement that gave Laine back the hope that had started to slip away. A sudden insight flared in Laineās mindāMcAlister had done this, hurt so many people, killed people, just to have him. He wouldnāt be satisfied with a simple bullet. His smile when he faced McAlister again was tight, a bare thinning of lips.
āThat would ruin all your fun, now, wouldnāt it? To hunt me for all these years, then end it in a split second. I donāt think youād do that.ā Laine pushed away from the doorframe, knowing he was right, seeing it in the surprise on McAlisterās face. He lunged for the gun, gripping McAlisterās wrist and smashing it into the wooden trim. The gun went off, a bullet ripping into the wall as they struggled. Laine dug his fingers in deep, twisting and slamming McAlisterās arm against the hard wood again.
The gun fell to the floor, but before Laine could reach for it, McAlister looped an arm around Laineās neck and began choking him, dragging Laine down the hallway as Laine tried to free himself. Desperation speared through Laine as his vision dimmed, and he bit, tearing at the flesh as he brought a hand up and squeezed McAlisterās balls. An agonized scream pierced the air and Laine was shoved down to the floor, a sharp kick catching him in the ribs, then another landed to his kidneys. Laine tried to work through the pain, dodging another kick as he scrambled across the hall, trying to grab onto the wall, anything to pull himself up.
McAlister delivered another kick, this one under Laineās arm, right to the armpit, and Laine went down hard. An explosion of sound ricocheted in the house, quickly followed by another, then a third, and McAlister was falling, blood spraying in an arc, turning the hall into a crimson-colored hell.
Laine tried to roll over, his hand slipping in blood, then Sev was there, his face wet with tears, kneeling beside him. Sevās hands raced over him, and Laine tried to hear the words his lover was speaking, but nothing made sense. His head was spinning, other hands were grabbing at him, pulling him up. He was able to discern that it was Brendon and Zeke helping him before they saw Rich. Then there was a blur of movement and raised voices. Sevās arms tightened around Laine, holding him up as his knees gave out, the smaller man taking his weight.
āCome on, baby, youāre going to be fine.ā
Laineās ears stopped ringing and Sevās words finally penetrated the gray wall of unconsciousness that was threatening.
āSevā¦ā Laine tried to grab Sevās arm as Sev laid him on the couch, kneeling beside Laine so he could apply pressure to the shoulder wound. Fiery fingers of pain speared out from Laineās shoulder as Sev pressed harder, and Laine gasped, trying to buck Sev off even though he knew better. Sev brushed a kiss across Laineās lips, the salty flavor of his tears finding Laineās tongue. Sirens wailed in the distance, the sound rapidly growing closer.
āSev, need to tell youā¦ā Laine fumbled for the words, his world tilting and rapidly growing dark.
Sev smiled tremulously, his eyes shining. āI know, Laine, I know. Me too.ā
Those words eased the pain and followed Laine into the dark well that swept over him, freeing him from everything but the love of, and for, this one man.
Epilogue
Laine stood beside Richās hospital bed, watching the slow rise and fall of his friendās chest. Machines beeped and whirred, pumping oxygen and fluids into Richās body. Sev stood beside Laine, an arm wound around Laineās waist. Laineās arm rested on Sevās shoulders, snugging the man tight to his side. He could feel the strain in Sevās
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