He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 1011

Just as Scarlett finished speaking, the man swiftly pulled a gun from his duffel bag and aimed it squarely at them.

In that split second, instinct took over. Scarlett, Julian, and Jacqueline lunged forward as one, shielding Dawn completely as they hit the ground.

The bullet, meant for the little girl, narrowly grazed Julian's back.

Julian felt a searing, agonizing burn tear across his skin, but his own pain was the last thing on his mind. He immediately looked down at Dawn, cradled safely in his arms.

At the sound of the gunshot, the bodyguards hidden in the shadows sprang into action. They burst from their vehicles, one of them instantly kicking the gun out of the shooter's hand. In a flash, they pinned his arms behind his back and slammed him face-first into the concrete.

Seeing the threat neutralized, Julian and the others finally released Dawn.

Scarlett thought they had miraculously escaped unscathed—until she looked up and saw a massive, terrifying patch of crimson soaking through the back of Julian's shirt.

"Julian!"

Panic ripping through her, she let go of Dawn and rushed to him. Without a word, she began unbuttoning his shirt, stripping it off his shoulders to inspect the wound.

When she saw that the bullet had merely grazed the surface of his skin, a ragged sigh of relief escaped her lips.

"I'm fine," Julian said, his voice low and tight. "But it might not be safe out here. Have security clear the area and call the cops. Let's get inside, now."

Suppressing a wince, he forced himself to stand. He scooped Dawn up into his arms and ushered Jacqueline, Scarlett, and Zara into the Magnolia Villa.

Scarlett practically flew to grab the first-aid kit. She quickly brought out gauze and antiseptic, carefully cleaning and disinfecting Julian's wound.

"You piece of trash!" she spat. "Who paid you to shoot at us?"

The man slowly lifted his head. A sinister, twisted smile spread across his bruised face.

"My brother loved you for years, and you repaid him by tossing him in a cell to rot!" he snarled. "I should have put a bullet through your kid's head! I wanted you to feel what it's like to lose your own flesh and blood!"

Staring into those venomous eyes, it finally clicked.

Chase Sheridan. Heath Sheridan's younger brother. She and Talia had run into him a few times back in school. But back then, he was quiet, always looking down, painfully shy—nothing like his charismatic older brother.

She never imagined he would be capable of something so utterly unhinged.