Free Sweet Sins by E. L. Todd Page A

I got off the couch then stumbled forward.
    “Sean, what’s wrong?”
    I didn’t have time to answer her. I sprinted upstairs, grabbed the loaded shotgun under my bed, and then ran back down. I grabbed my keys and sprinted out the door.
    “Sean!”
    I couldn’t stop, not even for her. “Call the cops and send them to Mike’s house. I got to go.”
    She ran to me then jumped in my arms. “I love you.”
    I cupped her face and kissed her hard. “I love you too.” I didn’t have time to savor the look on her face. I didn’t even have time to explain what was happening. I knew I had to get there fast. I didn’t know what I was up against, and there was a good possibility I would be killed while I tried to rescue my brother but I had to go. I knew Ryan and my dad would take care of Scarlet if I didn’t survive.
    I jumped into the car and peeled out, not looking back at my wife as she stood in the yard, pulling out her phone and making the call. I hauled ass down the road, accelerating as fast as my car would allow. The engine worked hard as it sped me to my location. It was the longest mile I’ve ever driven in my life.
    I raced up their driveway then slammed on my breaks. Without turning off the car, I got out with my shotgun in hand.
    “Sean!”
    I looked up and saw Cassandra on the roof. “Are you okay?”
    “Mike’s in our bedroom! Hurry!”
    I couldn’t help her right now. She was too high and seemed to be unthreatened at the moment. I sprinted into the house and headed to the stairs. A body was at the bottom. The guy appeared to be unconscious.
    Without further thought , I ran up the stairs and saw pieces of wood on the ground. I was scared for my life. I admit it. If that made me a coward, so be it. But I held the gun steady and pointed it straight ahead, ready to blow someone’s brains out.
    “Where is she?” a voice demanded.
    “Check the bathroom.”
    There were two of them.
    I stepped inside and spotted one man moving dressers from a doorway. The other had Mike on the ground, a gun pointed at his face. Mike’s eyes flickered to mine but he didn’t react. He stayed still.
    I grabbed the guy by the back of the neck then pushed him to the ground. His gun went off as he lost balance. I stepped on his back then pointed the shotgun at the other intruder. “Put down the gun.”
    Mike scrambled for the pistol that fell on the hard wood floor. When he had it, he pointed it straight at the skull of the man below my feet. A gun was pointed at each guy. “Move and I’ll shoot your brains out.”
    The man across from me eyed his comrade but didn’t move.
    “I said put down the gun!” I kept the shotgun pointed at him. “Unless you shoot me right in the head, I’ll survive. But I promise you won’t survive a hit from a shotgun. Now do it or I’ll shoot you!”
    His hand shook before he finally tossed it on the ground. He put both of his hands in the air.
    “On your knees,” I commanded.
    He slowly moved to the floor.
    “Hands behind your head,” I snapped.
    He did as I asked.
    Mike kept the gun on the man on the ground. His eyes never left him.
    I stood still, keeping the gun pointed at him. I was too scared to move. The gun was heavy but my hands didn’t shake. Mike and I didn’t speak. We were both concentrating on our jobs. I knew the cops would be here soon and I wasn’t going to move until both men were in handcuffs. Cassandra was on the roof but she would have to wait.
    Silence stretched.
    “Mike, you okay?” I asked, still looking at the intruder.
    “I’m not hurt.”
    “Okay.”
    “Cops are coming?”
    “Yeah.”
    Silence fell again.
    “Is Cassandra okay?”
    “She’s still on the roof,” I said.
    He breathed a sigh of relief.
    I heard the sirens in the distance. They came closer as they pulled into the driveway of the house. Men shouted from the yard as they headed into the house. I heard dogs barking. Thank god they were here. I was so fucking scared.
    Their feet thudded