Chapter 50

“Abby!” Rick dropped to his knees beside the woman he loved.

“Get away from her Rick!” Sara shouted at him now aiming both guns at him.

“Damnit Sara!” Rick looked over at her, “You were after me! You didn’t have to shoot her!”

“She was in my way!” Sara stated, “Besides, she pissed me off.”

Sirens could be heard in the distance then.

“Give it up Sara. There’s no way you’re just walking out of here.” Rick told her.

“You’re right.” She answered after a moment’s hesitation. “That’s why you’re coming with me.”

Rick looked up surprised.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Rick stated vehemently, then paused, “Wait a second, where’s your accomplice?”

Sara narrowed her eyes.

“What accomplice? I work alone.”

“Christian.” Rick said simply, “He had to have been in on this too.”

Sara smiled.

“Christian was just my little pawn. I used him when I needed to. He never asked any questions, I just gave him what he wanted.”

“You set him up.” Rick stated, “You wanted him to take the fall for what was happening.”

“Of course. The poor guy didn’t know what hit him. He had no idea that innocent me was behind all this.” Sara said, “He thought I was helping him with his prank.”

Rick shook his head and looked back at Abigail. She wasn’t moving. The sirens got closer.

“Okay enough talk.” Sara said, “I told you to get away from her!” She bent down to pull Rick from the floor. She put the gun to his head and the other hand went around his waist since she couldn’t get a good grip around his neck since he was so tall.

The police cars had pulled up to the house then.

“You mutter one word and I swear I’ll shoot you.” Sara warned him, “I’m sure the world wouldn’t want that, so be careful.”

She pushed him towards the door leading out back onto the beach. Halfway there, she felt something hard hit her in the back of her head. The gun slid from her fingers and her grip on Rick loosened as she fell to the floor.

Rick turned around and saw Abigail holding her gun, which she obviously used to knock Sara out.

“Abby! You’re okay?” he rushed up to her and took her chin in his hand as he looked into her face.

“I’m fine.” Abigail said pushing his hand away. She raised her top and he saw a bulletproof vest underneath. “I never make the same mistake twice.” She told him.

“But you weren’t moving.” Rick insisted, “I thought you were—I thought she—“ Abigail pushed him into a chair.

“Take it easy. I’m okay.” She told him.

She heard the officers outside calling Sara.

“I need to let them in so they can take her.”

“Wait, just, Christ Abby. Just let me hold you for a minute.” He roughly pulled her against him as he stood up to hold her.

She stroked his back.

“Rick, I really think we should get her out of here.” Abigail said, her voice muffled against his chest. She felt him shudder and knew he’d been scared for her.

“I know baby.” He said softly as he released her.

“I should get her gun.” Abigail said.

“Not so fast.”

They both spun around at the sound of Sara’s voice. Sara aimed her gun at Abigail and fired. Rick knew what she intended and had pushed Abigail out of the way just in time. The bullet caught him hard in the shoulder, just as Abigail fired two shots at Sara who promptly fell against the door and slid to the floor.

Abigail immediately dropped the gun and bent down. Rick was conscious but wincing. She was too afraid to touch him so she held back.

“Where did you get hit?” she barked at him.

“My shoulder.” He bit out the words.

The officers, obviously hearing the gunshots, stormed into the house and were now looking for them. They found them in the kitchen and immediately noticed Sara, who was now lying in a pool of blood.

“Did you call an ambulance?” Abigail shouted the question at an officer.

“Of course we did, detective.” Was the reply.

“You called the police here?” Rick asked surprised.

“Yes. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but it couldn’t hurt to have them here.” Abigail replied.

“How did you know? How did you get here so fast?” Rick had so many questions.

“Rick we can talk later. I just need to get you to the hospital.” Abigail said. She saw him wince and her anger returned.

“Why the hell did you push me out of the way?!” she asked loudly, “You knew I had the vest on! That was stupid Rick!”

“She was aiming for your head, baby, not your chest. I saw the gun and I just… reacted. I couldn’t bear to see you get shot again. Last time.. there was just so much blood.” His voice broke and he swallowed hard.

“Where’s the damn ambulance!” Abigail barked at the same officer.

“Right here.” Came a voice.

Two guys holding a stretcher walked in then and Abigail motioned them over. She saw Rick’s eyelids drooping slightly and knew he was on the verge of losing consciousness.

“Why did you do this to yourself stupid?” she said as her eyes filled with tears, “You know that I’m in love with you. You’re going to make me cry.”

He didn’t like seeing her cry.

“Because you, idiot, I’m in love with you too.” He whispered as his eyes finally closed.