Chapter 154 The shot
Ryder's POV
Jaxon started coughing. Not just the shallow, pained breathing from before, but deep, rattling coughs that shook his whole body. Blood came up with each one, spilling from his lips and running down his chin.
"Stop," Sage begged, trying to support his head. "Don't talk anymore. Please."
But Jaxon kept going, like he needed to get the words out before it was too late. Before he ran out of time.
"I'm sorry," he said between coughs, blood staining his teeth. "I ruined your life, Sage. I ruined everything."
"Stop it," Sage's voice broke. "Stop apologizing. Stop talking like you're dying."
His eyes moved from Sage to me. Even through the pain, even with blood running down his face, he focused on me with an intensity that made my chest tight.
"Ryder," he said, my name coming out wet and garbled. "Brother."
"Save your breath, Jax," I said, my voice rougher than I intended. "You need to conserve your energy."
"Need to say this." Jaxon coughed more blood again. "We're not related. Not by blood. But you're my brother. You always have been."
I felt pain twisting in my chest. "I know, man. I know."
"I'm sorry," Jaxon continued, his words getting weaker. "For how I treated you. For kicking you out. For keeping you and Sage apart."
"It's fine," I said, though my throat was tight. "We can talk about this later. When you're better."
"If you love her," Jaxon's eyes found mine, pleading. "If you really love her and she loves you. I consent. You have my blessing."
"Jaxon—" I started.
"Take care of her," he interrupted, more forceful now despite his weakness. "Promise me. When I'm gone, you'll take care of her."
"You're not going anywhere," I said firmly. "So save your breath and stay positive. We're going to get through this."
"Ryder's right," Sage added, her voice desperate. "Stop talking like this. Help is coming. Help is on the way. You just have to hold on a little longer."
"Don't know if I can," Jaxon whispered.
"You can," Sage said fiercely. "You have to. So just focus on breathing. Can you do that? Just breathe."
Jaxon tried to nod but ended up coughing again instead.
"That's it," Sage encouraged, even though her own face was streaked with tears. "Just keep breathing. In and out."
From across the porch, Dante made a sound of disgust. I had almost forgotten he was there, as I was focused on Jaxon dying in front of us.
He was sitting down now, slumped in one of the wedding chairs that had been set up for guests. His hand was still pressed against his ribs, his face twisted in pain. The pills he took clearly weren't working fast enough.
"Would you all shut up with the emotional drama?" His voice was strained and irritated. "I'm trying to think here and your tearful encouragement and goodbye is giving me a headache."
"Go to hell," Sage said without looking at him.
"Already there, princess." Dante shifted in the chair and groaned. "This whole night has been hell."
The gunfire from the front of the house had died down some. Either the fighting was ending or moving further away. Either way, it made the silence on the porch feel heavier.
Dante's remaining two men were still pointing guns at me, but they looked nervous. They kept glancing toward the front yard, clearly wondering what had happened to the three men Dante had sent to investigate.
"You know what?" Dante said suddenly. "Screw this."
He stood up from the chair, grimacing with the effort. His hand went to his jacket and came out with his gun.
"I'm done waiting. I'm done with plans and schemes and trying to do this the smart way." His voice was getting louder, more unhinged. "I think I'll just shoot all of you now and be done with it."
"Dante—" I started, my own gun pointing at him instead of the two men that had been on me for several minutes now.
"Starting with you, Ryder," Dante said, turning the weapon toward me.
His finger moved to the trigger. I saw it happening in slow motion. I saw his hand steady despite the pain. I saw the barrel of the gun line up with my chest.
I turned my own weapon to him, knowing I wouldn't be fast enough. Knowing that even if I fired, his men would gun me down a second later.
But I had to try. I had to do something to try to save myself from impending death.
Dante's face grimaced.
A shot was fired.