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Better him than Lana

Caleb had hied to free his weapon enough to bring it up toward Caleb’s head for a fatal shot

Lana screaet back From his voice, Caleb could tel he was stil too far away to help unless Caleb could separate their bodies enough for hiet a clear shot

Caleb harunt in pain The blow cost Caleb his precarious balance and opened hiht a hold of the round

The hed hi hand around Caleb’s throat and squeezed Caleb ignored everything but the gun He couldn’t risk a stray shot hitting Lana The ripped Caleb’s throat harder He couldn’t pul in any air

The pistol went off again, firing past Caleb’s head into the air

Lana screa out due to lack of oxygen Bright spots were bursting over his field of vision He wasn’t going to last et that weapon away before he passed out, or he was a dead man

Caleb squeezed the hand around the weapon Hard Used every bit of his strength to crush themetal contours of the pistol

Thean octave in pain Caleb felt bones snap

A vicious kick landed along Caleb’s back The edges of Caleb’s vision were fading to gray He could hear Grant shouting at Lana to stay down Hear his boots pounding nearer

He figured he had another few seconds of consciousness at most and wiled Grant to hurry

Weakness started to flow into hiun toward the man who had wanted to hurt Lana Used his fury to keep hiled noise rose up froled the weapon until the silencer was pressed against his enemy’s flesh He didn’t knohat part it was, because he was totaly blind now, but he guessed it was going to hurt, al the saer beneath the ave a silenced bark and jerked in their hands

Hot blood sprayed up over Caleb’s face, and the man beneath him went limp

Caleb hadn’t realized he’d blacked out until it was over and he aking up again It was the sound of Lana’s frightened voice that got his attention "Is he hurt?"

"He’s okay," he heard Grant say "Both rounds hit his vest"

Caleb opened his eyes, a little shocked he could see again, breathe again The first thing he saas Lana’s tearstained face She was hovering over hi his hand

"God, you’re beautiful," he told her

She laughed and new tears leaked out of her eyes "You’re awake"

"Just needed a quick nap" Talking hurt Breathing wasn’t much fun, either

Caleb pushed hi was broken His shirt had been shoved up, and he could see two bruises for over his ribs The vest had stopped the bulets, thank God

"Asleep on the job again," said Grant "What a slacker"

"I’ a hand"

"I figured you weren’t interested in learning about friendly fire up close and personal Besides, I didn’t want to make you look bad in front of the lady"

Lana took his face between her palms "How do you feel?"

"I’l survive" An a

"You’d better," said Grant "Monroe said they’ve located the other men Lana saw in Armenia A chopper wil be here to pick us up in ten minutes If you whine, he won’t let you in on the fun of hunting the to finish this End Lana’s night back for her Whatever it took

Caleb had been gone six days, and Lana’s life felt bleak without hio into protective custody in order to keep everyone else safe--at least until the ht to justice Once the trials were over, she would go back to her regular life

At least they’d alowed her brief contact with her family via phone, so she was able to keep tabs on them Let theood things in her life Kara had been kiled and could never hurt anyone again The h to put the youth center back in the black, and with al the press fro in Stacie was up and about She and her sister were taking a trip to Europe in the fal Lana’s parents were already working on plans to rebuild their house Her mom was thriled to be able to pick carpet and wal colors al over again, especialy since their insurance was paying for everything Her dad had already started designing his new gardens and a greenhouse he could use al year round