Free Aftermath by Rachel Trautmiller

said, he was lucid enough to tell her to run. And he managed to stand up and fight long enough for her to actually do so.”
    Something heavy swirled in his stomach. These men, who’d subdued an SBI agent, had been after his niece. A sweet girl who loved drawing and playing guitar. Would rescue a fly from certain death. “Any prints in the bruising?”
    “I don’t know. Let’s hope so. According to his list of belongings, it doesn’t seem like they took anything of value. The first responders on scene found his BMW nearby, the keys in the open and available. Along with his wallet.”
    Which means they were after something else. Or they’d been interrupted and spooked by Ariana. And the ensuing emergency personnel sirens.
    “They said they planned to kill him.” Ariana’s voice came out clear and strong, as if she hadn’t been through a horrific ordeal. She stood, Lilly following behind. “And all his knowledge would die with him. What knowledge?”
    An image of the three missing girls popped into his mind. All young and smiling into the camera as if they held the world by the horns. Had Jonas known something he hadn’t shared with Robinson? Or had he simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessed something he couldn’t stop?
    Ariana adjusted the strap on her sling. Pain slid across her bandaged face. Her eyes glided up from the floor. “I want to see him, Uncle Robbie.”
    No.
    As if she’d heard his inner scream, Lilly’s head snapped upward. The edge of fear appeared on his sister’s face.
    It settled in his gut.
    He couldn’t let either woman see the massacre Amanda had described. “Honey, I don’t know if that’s a good idea—”
    “I’ve seen worse. I saw it today. I thought he was dead. And then he stood up and tried to defend us both.” Tears gathered at the edges of her eyes. Her voice rose. “I deserve to see how he’s doing. To get the opportunity to thank him.”
    He shook his head. Ariana expected to walk in there and give the guy a hug. “He’s not conscious right now.”
    She pressed her lips together, the exact replica of her mother. Stubborn when needed, but full of a good amount of passion. “You always said mom could hear me. If that’s true, he’ll be able to hear me, too.”
    Lilly turned a shade paler. Didn’t say a word. Meanwhile, the fire in Ariana’s eyes begged him not to make himself into a liar. Begged him to be someone she could count on.
    “Okay.” He pulled her into a hug, careful to avoid her shoulder. Kissed the top of her head. Sent a thankful prayer heavenward. Didn’t want to let go. He didn’t know what he’d do without this kid. “We’ll all go together, but you don’t have to do this. You can wait until you feel better. Have had some rest.”
    She stepped out of his hold. “I’m not going to change my mind.”
    He met Amanda’s gaze over the top of Ariana’s head. To the innocent bystander, she seemed calm. In control.
    A hint of worry, she thought no one would notice, swirled in the depths of her stance. Crossed arms. Ramrod straight posture. The way she nibbled the corner of her lip.
    It mirrored the dark weight taking up permanent residence in his gut. As if this day were the beginning of one long list of horrendous mistakes.
    ___
    SOMEONE NEEDS YOU.
    Lilly Gabriel hadn’t stepped to the plate since waking up from a coma that had destroyed her life. Taken her unborn child. Turned her strong husband into a drunk who ended his own life.
    Because that’s what he’d done. She’d read the accident reports. Knew his side stunt-driving hobby meant he could handle any vehicle, in the worst conditions.
    That he’d been unable to control a car, and his most precious cargo, would have ripped him apart. It had done that and more to her, even though none of it had been his fault.
    The accident leading to his death, however…
    She shook her head. Choked down the spider-webbing pit of rage covering her soul. It didn’t go far,